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The only way to achieve ambitious targets is to work together
At the end of 2019, the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg published its updated climate plan and amendment to the Hamburg Climate Protection Act.
Climate plan
The core aim of the climate plan is a 55 percent CO2 reduction by 2030 and 95 percent by 2050 compared to 1990. In absolute figures, this means a saving of 7.1 million tons of CO2 by 2030. These targets are to be achieved by an innovative energy mix in the areas of electricity and heating, and a package of 400 measures. The measures effect private households, trade, commerce and services, as well as industry and transport, and link up with the transformation path for the economy, heat/buildings, mobility transition and climate adaptation.
The measures for transforming the economy include the development of sector coupling funding concepts, for example, as part of the North German Living Lab or climate protection concepts for large commercial and industrial sites. The transformation path for heat/building makes particular reference to the decarbonisation of district heating (replacing the Wedel plant, conversion of the Tiefstack plant), new heating grids using renewable energy and the development of funding schemes for the energy-conserving renovation of residential and non-residential buildings. The mobility transition path primarily concentrates on strengthening local public transport, increasing sharing and on-demand solutions, as well as building high-speed bicycle paths. The climate adaptation path comprises rain provisions, natural rainwater management and better heating provisions (“Green in the City”, roof and facade greening).
In particular, the transformation path for heat and buildings requires the involvement of many players to meet the ambitious targets. In addition to the upgrading and decarbonisation of district heating, innovative concepts for the development of energy in districts with “renewable heat” are important here, as is an integrated, communal thermal design, greater use of waste heat and the cooperation of municipal companies in energy supply. It is clear that a high degree of acceptance and involvement is needed by all groups in society to achieve these ambitious targets.
Climate protection legislation
Using climate protection legislation, the Hamburg Senate intends to embed the limiting of global warming into the Hamburg state constitution as a binding state objective. The draft bill of the Hamburg climate protection law shores up the climate protection plan as a regulatory framework. The targets of the climate plan will be carried over into law accordingly. Furthermore, it establishes numerous regulations and provisions:
Essential elements include the requirement to install solar systems on roofs in Hamburg from 2023 (“Solar Duty”) and a mandatory 15 percent share of renewable energies when heating systems are replaced from mid 2021. From 2022, oil-fired heaters will no longer be permitted in new buildings and completely forbidden from 2026 when replacing existing systems. Even though there may be exceptions to these requirements in cases of hardship, there is a strong political will to push through even uncomfortable requirements in order to resolutely forge ahead with climate protection.
Buildings owned by the state or used by the public are to be constructed and renovated in an energy-efficient way and thus serve as a good example. In mobility, too, the law sets out targets for the expansion of local public transport and the sustained switch to alternative and low-emission drive systems.