The state capital of Wiesbaden wants to make its contribution to overcoming the climate crisis in order to promote sustainable development in the city. In doing so, it ensures the quality of life of its citizens and fulfills its responsibility for the common good.
With the resolution of the climate emergency in 2019, the city committed itself to a more ambitious climate policy and made a binding commitment. In line with the objectives of the Federal Climate Protection Act (2021 version), the city has set itself the goal of being climate-neutral by 2045. Greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced by 65 percent by 2030.
On May 17, 2023, the City Council reaffirmed the resolution on the climate emergency and confirmed the resolutions based on it. It was agreed to tighten up Wiesbaden's climate protection targets. By 2030, city-wide greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced by 65% on a linear basis, i.e. from the current level of around three million tons of CO2 to 1.05 million tons of CO2. The aim is for the city as a whole to achieve climate neutrality by 2035.
These targets apply to the city association (offices, holdings and municipal enterprises) and to the state capital as a whole. In order to reduce emissions, more energy must be saved and the expansion of renewable energies must be driven forward. Support from the federal government in the form of financial assistance is very important here.
2024/2025: CLIMATE_PLAN
The CLIMATE_PLAN provides the framework for implementing the climate protection measures of the climate protection concept of the state capital of Wiesbaden. It is based on the update of the climate protection concept from 2023. In 2024, the CLIMATE_PLAN was further developed and coordinated as part of the CLIMATE_DIALOGUE in the city association. It is to be adopted in 2025 and implemented in the following years. It contains measures to achieve climate neutrality. In future, it will also include measures to adapt to climate change.
2024: Municipal heat planning
Municipal heat planning in Wiesbaden is a pioneering step on the way to a sustainable and future-oriented heat supply. It consists of designing the heat supply in Wiesbaden in such a way that it is not only efficient and economical, but above all environmentally friendly. The planning status was presented to the public at an initial citizens' forum in February 2024. Other projects currently underway include updating the climate protection concept and the KLIMA_PLAN with specific measures.
2023: Strategic heat planning
In the course of updating the climate protection concept of the state capital of Wiesbaden, the city began strategic heat planning in 2021 before the introduction of municipal heat planning in accordance with the Hessian Energy Act. As part of an inventory analysis, the energy consumption in the heating sector was determined and evaluated in clusters in cooperation with the network operators and ESWE Versorgungs AG. The result is available in the form of a heat register and serves as a starting point for further planning.
2022: Climate balance sheet: climate protection targets not achieved
The climate protection targets of the state capital of Wiesbaden were not achieved in the 2020 climate balance sheet. Energy demand could not be reduced in relation to the 1990 baseline values. CO2 emissions were reduced by 20% per capita.
2020: Wiesbaden introduces a climate protection management system
In 2020, the state capital of Wiesbaden began introducing a climate protection management system. The aim is to bring about continuous improvements in terms of climate protection. Under the chairmanship of the Lord Mayor, a steering committee - consisting of the department heads, the municipal companies and the Chairman of the Climate Protection Advisory Board - discusses strategic climate protection goals. Specialist working groups also develop concrete measures and recommendations for action.
2019: Wiesbaden declares a climate emergency
In summer 2019, the state capital declared a climate emergency and in future will make all decisions made by the city and its companies subject to the climate protection proviso. This means that all climate-relevant plans, projects and processes must be identified, evaluated in terms of their climate impact and assessed in terms of their contribution to achieving the climate protection targets. More climate-friendly alternatives must be developed and weighed up.
At the same time, the state capital is committed to the goals of the Paris Agreement and thus intends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990.
2015: Integrated climate protection concept
In 2015, the state capital developed an integrated climate protection concept with extensive citizen participation. The concept documents which technical and economic CO2 reduction potential exists in Wiesbaden and which measures can be used to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It is the basis for the implementation of many measures.
2010: Wiesbaden becomes a climate municipality
Since 2010, the state capital of Wiesbaden has been part of the "Hessen aktiv: Die Klima-Kommunen" alliance. The associated voluntary commitment underlines the state capital's firm intention to reduce energy consumption in public facilities and increase the use of renewable energies. This is intended to support the Hessian goals of being climate-neutral by 2050 and reducing emissions by at least 90 percent compared to 1990.
In 2007, the state capital of Wiesbaden pledged to reduce its total energy consumption by 20 percent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. In addition, the proportion of renewable energies in the energy consumed (primary energy) was to be increased to 20 percent.
1995: Joining the Climate Alliance
As a member of the Climate Alliance, Wiesbaden has committed itself to significantly reducing CO2 emissions. The aim is to halve CO2 emissions by 2030 (base year 1990). Overall, emissions are to be reduced to 2.5 tons per inhabitant per year.
