Metelen on the way to climate neutrality: This is how we want to do it!

Metelen on the way to climate neutrality: This is how we want to do it!

The municipality of Metelen has set itself ambitious goals to become climate neutral in the long term. An impressive 89 percent of households in Metelen currently use fossil fuels such as gas and oil to generate heat. But time is of the essence: the community is faced with the challenge of sustainably reducing CO₂ emissions while at the same time involving citizens in the transformation process. This was recently discussed in a joint meeting of the Main and Finance Committee as well as the Committee for the Environment, Planning, Building and Sustainability WN reported.

Those responsible are aware that the path to climate neutrality is not an easy one. In order to accurately identify the pressing problems and develop solutions, close discussion with citizens is essential. Commitment to climate protection could not only be important from an ecological perspective, but also lead to lower energy costs and a better quality of life in Metelen. Ultimately, the success of the climate goals depends not only on political leadership, but also significantly on the active participation of the population Helmholtz climate emphasized.

The role of municipalities in climate protection

Cities and municipalities are the heart of climate policy in Germany. They are not only responsible for planning heat supply networks, but also for promoting wind farms and designing local public transport. Since 2008, the National Climate Initiative has supported municipalities in long-term planning to reduce greenhouse gases, and support was expanded even further in 2022. Together with the support of climate protection coordinators who bundle efficient solutions for small communities in districts, the potential for sustainable change in Metelen becomes clear, says Federal Environment Agency.

However, the challenges are diverse. In the municipalities, interests from the economy, housing and mobility compete, and these must be carefully weighed in order to achieve the climate goals. The path to greenhouse gas neutrality requires comprehensive transformations. This includes, among other things, the renovation of the entire building stock, a redesign of the transport system and the complete supply of renewable energy. Such steps are not only necessary to promote environmentally friendly lifestyles, but also bring with them many benefits: independence from fossil fuels, cost reductions through energy efficiency and improved indoor air hygiene are just some of the positive effects.

So Metelen is facing a groundbreaking time. If the municipality succeeds in tackling the challenges and actively involving citizens, it could not only become a role model for other municipalities, but also make a significant contribution to achieving climate goals at the federal and international level. The course has been set - now it is important to take this path and continue the public discussion.