The Federal City of Bonn has successfully applied to participate in the pilot project "Globally Sustainable Municipality in NRW". The project is organised by the state working group AGENDA 21 NRW e.V. in cooperation with the Service Agency Communities in One World / Engagement Global. Bonn is one of 16 municipalities in NRW taking part in the project. The aim of the project is to develop a municipal sustainability strategy in the context of the new UN Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030 by autumn 2017.
In September 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda, the first globally applicable Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The new development agenda heralds a change of perspective in international cooperation. It affects countries of the Global South and the Global North in equal measure. For the countries of the Global North, the main question is what can be done here to promote sustainable development worldwide.
Further information: Verena Schwarte, Office for International Affairs and Global Sustainability of the City of Bonn, phone: 0228- 77 67 31, e-mail: verena.schwarte@bonn.de
No new financing for fossil fuel projects after 2021
Financing to drive future innovation in clean energy, energy efficiency and renewables
EIB Group to mobilise €1 trillion of investment in climate action and environmental sustainability by 2030
All EIB Group financing activities will be aligned with the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement by 2020
The Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank (EIB) today adopted a new energy lending policy and confirmed more ambitious targets for climate action and environmental sustainability.
"Climate is now high on the political agenda," said EIB President Werner Hoyer. "Science predicts that the temperature will rise by three to four degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century if we do nothing to combat climate change. Large areas of the earth will then be uninhabitable - with devastating consequences for humanity. The EU Bank has been Europe's climate bank for many years. Today we have taken a big step forward. We will stop financing fossil fuel projects and pursue a climate strategy in the future that exceeds the ambitions of all other public financial institutions. I thank our shareholders, the EU countries, for their support over the past months. Now we will work closely with Member States, the EU Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the European Parliament, international institutions, financial institutions and, above all, the private sector to make Europe's economy climate neutral by 2050."
More commitment to clean energy
The EIB's new energy lending policy sets out five principles that will guide the Bank's future activities in the energy sector:
Prioritising energy efficiency to meet the new target of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive
Decarbonisation of energy supply through increased promotion of low-emission or zero-emission technologies in order to achieve an EU-wide renewable energy share of 32 percent by 2030
More funds for decentralised energy generation, innovative energy storage and e-mobility
Promote grid investments, which are particularly important for new, intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar power, and expand cross-border interconnections
More effective investments in the energy transition outside the EU
Andrew McDowell, EIB Vice-President with oversight of the energy sector: "In 2018, CO2-emissions from the global energy industry have reached a new record high. We need to act urgently to stop this trend. The new energy financing policy adopted by the EIB today is an important milestone in the fight against global warming. After a long debate, we were able to agree on a compromise: From the end of 2021, the EU bank will not finance fossil energy projects without CO2-reduction more. This also applies to gas. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the largest public consultation in the EIB's history over the past months. I would also like to thank the Bank's energy experts, who have shown how the EU's bank can drive the global effort towards zero-carbon energy."
Today's agreement brings to an end a review process in which industry, institutions, civil society and the general public have been able to engage. The Bank has received over 149 written submissions from organisations and individuals, as well as petitions with more than 30,000 signatures since January.
Over the past five years, the European Investment Bank has provided more than €65 billion for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy distribution.
In line with the revised energy sector lending policy approved by the Board of Directors today, from the end of 2021 the Bank will not provide new financing for fossil fuel projects without CO2-reduction. This also applies to gas. In addition, the Bank has set a new emission standard of 250 grams CO2 per kilowatt hour, replacing the previous standard of 550 grams. The EIB had already revised its financing policy in the energy sector in 2013 and adopted a stricter emissions standard. As a result, it was the first international financing institution to stop funding projects for coal and lignite-fired power generation.
For a fair energy transition
Ten EU countries face particular challenges in investing in the energy sector. They are to be supported from a fund for a fair transition. In doing so, the EIB will work closely with the European Commission. For new energy projects in these countries, the bank can finance up to 75 percent of the eligible costs. It also supports these projects with advisory services.
More ambitious targets for climate protection and environmental sustainability
The EU's bank has been Europe's climate bank for many years. Since 2012, the EIB has mobilised a total of €550 billion for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help countries adapt to the impacts of climate change. This makes the EIB one of the world's largest multilateral donors in this field.
The EIB's Board of Directors today approved a new strategy for climate action and environmental sustainability. The strategy focuses on three main areas:
The EIB Group aims to support €1 trillion of investment in climate action and environmental sustainability over the crucial period 2021-2030.
The EIB will gradually increase the share of its lending for climate action and environmental sustainability to 50 percent by 2025 and maintain this level thereafter.
The EIB Group will align all its lending with the objectives and principles of the Paris Agreement by the end of 2020. In addition, the Bank will ensure that its lending in particularly affected regions and countries contributes to a fair energy transition so that no one is left behind.
Emma Navarro, EIB Vice-President overseeing climate action and the environment: "If we are to meet the Paris climate targets, it is essential that we raise our ambition. And that is exactly what we have done today. Two weeks before the UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid, we are sending an important signal to the world: the European Union and its bank - the EIB - will mobilise unprecedented amounts of money for climate change projects around the world. We are also doing everything we can to ensure that from the end of 2020 all our financing is in line with the goals and principles of the Paris Agreement. As agreed in Paris, any financing that is not yet green must become green."
Installed capacity in March 2022 at 58,400 megawatts - an increase of almost 10 % compared to the same month last year
Electricity feed-in from photovoltaics in Q1 2022 increased by 34.7 % compared to Q1 2021
WIESBADEN - More and more companies, but also private households, are using the sun's energy to generate electricity: In March 2022, 2.2 million photovoltaic systems with a total nominal output of 58 400 megawatts were installed on roofs and properties. As reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the number of systems thus increased by 10.1 % compared to the same month of the previous year, while the installed capacity rose by 9.7 % within a year. In January 2018, when the figure was first collected, there had been a good 1.7 million installations with a nominal capacity of 42,300 megawatts. Since then, the number of turbines has risen by just under 34.0 %, while installed capacity has increased by 38.3 %.
Net nominal power of photovoltaic systems
Photovoltaic systems were able to feed around 8.8 billion kilowatt hours of electricity from sunlight into the grid in the 1st quarter of 2022. This was 34.7 % more than in the 1st quarter of 2021, when photovoltaic systems had fed in 6.6 billion kilowatt hours. Compared to the 1st quarter of 2018, when 5.4 billion kilowatt hours were fed into the grid, the grid feed-in increased by 64.3 %.
The share of photovoltaics in total electricity generation has also increased: In Q1 2022, the share of photovoltaics was 6.3 % of total electricity generation in Germany. In the 1st quarter of the previous year, solar power still had a share of 4.7 %, in the 1st quarter of 2018 it had been 3.5 %.
Solar power is a source of income for a growing number of households
For many private households, solar power is not only a source of energy, but also a source of income. In 2020, about 1.4 million private households - that was 3.6 % of all private households - had income from feeding solar power into the grid. This was almost 30 % more than in 2014, the first year this figure was collected. The income of these households from electricity sales recently averaged 174 euros per month, about the same as in the previous year (177 euros). Compared to 2014 with 285 euros, the average income fell by 39 %. One reason for this decline is likely to be the falling feed-in tariff for newly installed photovoltaic systems under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). Currently, the remuneration is less than 7 cents per kilowatt hour.
Companies in Germany generated 3.5 billion euros with photovoltaics
The growing spread of photovoltaics is also reflected in the turnover figures of companies offering products and services for the use of solar energy. Thus, turnover with photovoltaic systems and components rose within five years from a good 2.5 billion euros in 2016 to a good 3.5 billion euros in 2020, an increase of 39 %.
Turnover of companies with photovoltaics
Methodological notes:
The results on the income of private households are taken from the Current Economic Accounts (CCE). Households with a regular monthly net income of 18,000 euros or more are not included in the LWRs, as they do not participate in the survey or do so in too small numbers. In accordance with legal requirements, households of self-employed persons (tradesmen and self-employed farmers and freelancers) are not included in the LWR.
The data on turnover from the production of goods, technologies and services for the use of renewable energies come from the survey "Goods and Services for Environmental Protection", in which companies in the manufacturing and service sectors in Germany reported data on turnover and employees related to environmental protection.
Further information:
Data on the installed capacity of photovoltaic systems in the EU comparison can be found in our Internet article.
Further results on the income of private households can be found on the Topic page.
33 architectural firms from Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, among others, have presented the design for WerkBundStadt Berlin. Around 1,100 new apartments are to be built in 38 buildings on 2.8 hectares of land. A critique of the project in the deutsche bauzeitung (db) reminds readers of the historical heritage in which the project stands: "It is laudable that the Deutscher Werkbund is speaking out with a contribution. After all, it is precisely the Werkbund housing estates from Stuttgart to Breslau, Prague, Vienna and Zurich that stand for the experimental living worlds of modernism. It was about housing for the subsistence level, small apartments, variable floor plans, new building materials and prefabrication, and last but not least about the coexistence of generations and society." The WerkBundStadt is quite clearly a break in content from the previous less dense WerkBundSiedlungen and for this reason alone an important statement, particularly with regard to the mix of uses and building density. Nevertheless, the designs are not very innovative in terms of sustainability. Unfortunately, the designers make it too easy for themselves by treating the issue solely with the concept of natural ventilation and a high building density. In this way, the WerkBundStadt falls far behind the standards developed in recent decades for sustainable housing. If this building exhibition is to have any charisma, if it is to communicate groundbreaking transferable concepts, then many of the themes of sustainable urban development and housing are missing. If the WerkBundStadt remains as it is at present, the building exhibition would probably become an interesting collection of contemporary architectural sculptures on an urbanistic scale, but it would lack central themes of the 21st century!
In the past decades, resolutions towards sustainable development have been repeatedly made the subject of discussion and politically adopted, also by the worldwide architecture and urban planning associations. In 2003, it was the "New Athens Charter. Vision for the Cities of the 21st Century." by the European council of town planners. And in 2007 the "Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities".
In terms of world politics, the most recent three agreements should be mentioned:
2015 the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development in New York and the adoption of the SDGs 2030
2016 Paris Climate Conference
and also in 2016 the world settlement conference Habitat III in Quito (New urban agenda).
These agreements clearly state that the sustainable conversion/design of existing and new settlements and neighbourhoods will play a central role in achieving the agreed policy objectives.
How can Bonn become climate neutral by 2035? This is the question that the participatory project "Bonn4Future - We for the Climate!" would like to discuss together with Bonn citizens over the next two years. Since mid-2019, the climate emergency has been in effect in Bonn; in November 2019, the Council decided that Bonn should become climate neutral by 2035. The city and the non-profit association Bonn im Wandel have now signed a cooperation agreement and thus launched "Bonn4Future".
Very important in "Bonn4Future" is a new culture of mutual listening and good cooperation. All those involved are looking for solutions on how climate neutrality can succeed for our city. Everyone takes responsibility and makes their contribution.
"In order to achieve climate neutrality in Bonn by 2035, it is not only a question of setting the right course at international and national level, but also of all of us here on site," says Mayor Katia Dörner. "On politics, administration, companies and the people of Bonn with their ideas and decisions. We want to enter into dialogue with them in the participatory process 'Bonn4Future', because only in this way can this great transformation process for Bonn succeed. I am very much looking forward to working with Bonn in transition and our committed urban society!"
Project modules: Developing and implementing measures
At Climate Day - which will be scheduled and planned depending on the pandemic situation - citizens are invited to develop a joint climate vision and action plan for a climate-neutral Bonn. The ideas and findings from this Climate Day will flow into a total of four planned Climate Forums - The first is to take place in the first half of 2021. There, 100 randomly selected citizens will work together with experts from business, science, associations, culture, administration and politics to develop strategies and concrete proposals for the path to climate neutrality in 2035.
Results and ideas from the forums are reflected in the administration and in politics. They serve as orientation and support for the further development of the already existing catalogues of climate protection measures.
An Project Advisory Board and an accompanying scientific evaluation ensure a high quality of the participation process.
"Climate change is on people's minds in Bonn, we notice that every day in our work," says Dr. Gesa Maschkowski, board member of the Bonn in Transition association. "Many people want to do something and want effective measures. Now we bring them together. The citizens, people from business, science, culture and the social sector as well as politicians from all parties. Because we have to plan and act now if Bonn is to be climate neutral by 2035 at the latest."
The broadest possible participation should produce constructive ideas and results over the next two years. To kick off the process, citizens can already express their views today at the urban portalwww.bonn-macht-mit.de inform about the process and contribute their ideas on how to make the process work well.
Reaching the goal together
"Bonn4Future - Wir fürs Klima!" already received a lot of support from more than 50 Bonn initiatives before the official start of the project. However, it is important to the creators to bring people from all areas of the citizenry on board. The process is to be supported by all social groups.
An accompanying Communication and education concept is dedicated to building up a communication network. In this way, multipliers are won over and care is taken to ensure that "Bonn4Future" remains a topic of conversation and that many people are motivated to participate.
An important communication tool is also the city-wide, interactive Sustainability platform. It will make visible initiatives, activities and dates on the topic of climate-neutral city, commitment to sustainability and citizen participation in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Background
The cooperation agreement that has now been concluded was preceded by a citizens' application for participation in achieving the goal of climate neutrality. Bonn in Transition and the Climate Watch Bonn introduced this at the beginning of the year. In the meantime, the participation concept is supported by about 50 initiatives, companies and organisations. The citizens' committee agreed to it. Bonn im Wandel then developed a concept for the multi-stage procedure with the support of experts for citizen participation and further developed it in cooperation with the city administration.
With a resolution in September 2020, the Council of the City of Bonn finally commissioned the administration to conclude a cooperation agreement with Bonn im Wandel for the coordination and implementation of the two-year process. Funds of up to 719,000 euros will be made available for this until the end of 2022. The project will be implemented in the "Bonn4Future" project office. Here, four experienced experts for communication and participation work on 2.4 positions, supported by the Bonn in Change core team. On the part of the city administration the project is coordinated and accompanied by a half position. There is also a close connection to the citizen participation portal "Bonn macht mit". The participation portal bundles all information on participation offerings of the city of Bonn and provides opportunities for direct participation.
Bonn im Wandel sees itself as an ideas and project laboratory for a sustainable city. The association brings a large network as well as nine years of experience in the initiation and organization of civil society projects and change processes into the process.
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