Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time. A commitment to climate protection is essential to effectively counteract climate change.
The contribution of Baden-Württemberg to worldwide greenhouse gas emissions is approximately 0.2 per cent (2017). Compared to Baden-Württemberg's share of the world's population our region has an above-average contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. The regional government of Baden-Württemberg sees in this a particular responsibility to act, and therefore has set specific goals for the reduction of greenhouse gases in a Climate Protection Act.
Baden-Württemberg Climate Protection Act
The Baden-Württemberg Climate Protection Act (KSG BW) establishes a statutory framework for the state's climate protection policy.
The Climate Protection Act entered into force on July 31st, 2013. The Climate Protection Act underwent a thorough revision and expansion in 2020 and was revised in 2021 once again.
One central element of the Climate Protection Act is the establishment of climate protection targets that create a framework for the state's climate policy: The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25 percent below 1990 levels 2030 and to achieve climate-neutrality by 2040,. Comprehensive monitoring is used to check how effective the state is in achieving climate protection targets. A council of proven experts is involved in the monitoring process and additional climate protection measures are initiated if there is a potential for deviation from the target path.
The Act also requires a state-wide adaptation strategy to be drawn up to limit the unavoidable effects of climate change. Even if success is achieved in the fight against climate change, wide-reaching ecological and economic consequences are to be expected. We must therefore take precautions in time.
In addition, the Climate Protection Act also includes measures. These include, in particular, mandatory municipal heat planning for districts and large municipalities, and the requirement to install photovoltaic systems on newly constructed buildings, existing buildings in case of fundamental roof renovations and parking structures of a certain size.
Protecting the climate requires the support and participation of all sectors of society. Because of this, the Climate Protection Act includes a general climate protection obligation for citizens, and specific regulations for the state, the municipalities, and the economy.
Integrated Energy and Climate Protection Plan
To achieve the climate protection goals, the state government has developed an integrated energy and climate protection plan (IEKK). It contains sector-specific strategies and measures and makes clear what can and should be done in the coming years. The integrated energy and climate protection plan takes into account all significant sources of greenhouse gases. Therefore in addition to electricity and heat it also covers the areas of traffic, land use and material flows. All of the departments of state government contribute in their activities to the achievement of the stated objectives.
The integrated energy and climate protection plan is the conceptual basis for energy and climate policy in Baden-Württemberg (paragraph 6 of the Climate Protection Act for Baden-Württemberg).
