Climate protection coordination is to be implemented as a joint project between the district of Ludwigsburg and the Ludwigsburg District Energy Agency (LEA) in order to utilize the successful cooperation between the district and the LEA and to further guarantee the high quality of the support and consulting services for the towns and municipalities: The plan is to strengthen the climate protection team in the district administration and the "Municipal Climate Protection" department of the LEA with two positions. "The activities and focal points of the district administration, such as strategic conception and coordination, complement each other perfectly with the implementation expertise and independent advisory activities of the LEA. On the basis of this cooperation, the municipalities have already been supported in a large number of projects and in the establishment of many positions in municipal climate protection," states District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier.
The tasks of the climate protection coordination offices are to quickly familiarize and support the municipal climate protection officers with specialist topics and to prioritize and implement highly effective climate protection projects. In addition, strategic coordination on climate protection is to be promoted through district-wide networking. "The advantage for the towns and municipalities in the district is that they can call on high-quality advice at any time and at the same time receive concrete tools. The aim of climate protection coordination is to support local authorities in strategically anchoring climate protection in their own communities," summarizes District Administrator Allgaier.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection's municipal guideline makes it possible to receive funding for the establishment of climate protection coordination. The district has already submitted a corresponding application. The grant amounts to 70 percent of the total eligible expenditure and can be applied for for four years. The LEA and district administration plan to set up the climate protection coordination from fall 2023. The cities and municipalities do not incur any direct costs when participating in climate protection coordination. So far, 16 municipalities have submitted declarations of participation. Further municipalities are to be recruited for participation during the application review process.
Climate protection has long been a high priority in the district of Ludwigsburg and its municipalities. A key success factor is the LEA, a strong regional energy agency. A climate protection concept for the district was also drawn up back in 2015 with the involvement of local authorities and the population. The district's climate protection strategy is being continuously developed on this basis. The district administration office is also on its own way to achieving climate neutrality by 2035 and recently introduced climate pilots in all departments as well as a bicycle mileage allowance for employees. It is also currently drawing up a climate mobility plan. As strong partnerships are also needed for successful climate protection, a climate conference with cities and municipalities and their partner regions around the world is planned for next year. The commitment will be honored: This year, the district will receive the European Energy Award for the first time.
