Today the Federal Environment Ministry launched its comprehensive Climate Protection Initiative. With four new programmes, support is given for investments in energy efficiency and renewable energies by industry, municipalities and consumers. This year, up to 400 million euro will be available for the programmes from the sale of CO2 emission allowances. 280 million euro of this will be used for national measures, 120 million euro for international projects.
Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel: "The Climate Protection Initiative makes an important contribution to reaching our climate protection goal. With it, we are tapping major potential for CO2 savings on a large scale, in schools, small and medium-sized enterprises and private households. We want to demonstrate that climate protection pays off for industry, municipalities and consumers. Those investing today will be rewarded with lower energy costs." In Germany, a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is being aimed for by 2020 (compared with 1990).
Cities, municipalities and districts, churches, universities and theatres are at the heart of the guidelines on climate protection in social, cultural and public establishments. Support is provided for the elaboration of climate protection concepts and a "climate manager" to assist implementation. The maximum duration of support is three years. Furthermore, the Federal Environment Ministry promotes model projects geared towards CO2 neutrality, for example in schools, public baths and town halls. In the case of individual investments in replacements, for example new indoor lighting, grants are provided for particularly energy-efficient technologies.
A further focus is the incentive programme for the installation of mini-CHP plants (CHP: combined heat and power). These mini-CHP plants generate both electricity and heat and therefore use energy very efficiently. They are one of the most effective measures for reducing CO2 emissions. Mini-CHP plants can be used for buildings where heat is needed for many hours of the year, for example residential buildings, hotels and residential care homes. Investments grants are provided for these plants.
The incentive programme for commercial refrigeration plants promotes highly efficient and climate-friendly refrigeration technology by providing grants for consultation (status check) and investments (existing and new plants). With commercial refrigeration technology, huge savings are still possible in money, energy and CO2 emissions. Alone with the technologies already on the market, approximately 11 billion kilowatt-hours could be saved every year in Germany (the production of two coal- or gas-fired power plants).
Biomass is an important energy source of the future, whether for electricity, heating or fuel. At the same time, the sustainable and climate-friendly use of biomass poses a great challenge. With the Climate Protection Initiative the Federal Environment Ministry therefore promotes research and pilot projects in order to develop solutions to unresolved questions and to advance a sustainable biomass strategy.
Note: Information on support programmes and applications (in German) for projects at the national level of the Climate Protection Initiative. Questions regarding the international level can be sent to the Programme Office of the International Climate Protection Initiative at