The cooperation project between the city and district of Ludwigsburg started in October 2021 with twelve schools of different types. It is funded for four years by the "Energy Saving Models" municipal guideline of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. This funding ends in February 2025, but the project will continue: Following the commitment from the city of Ludwigsburg, the AUT of the district council has now also decided that the successful cooperation should continue in the long term.
"The project is of great relevance to the district, as schools account for around 60 percent of the total energy consumption of the district's own and rented buildings. By continuing the project and intensifying cooperation with the administration, the aim is to ensure that energy-saving behavior and the implementation of investment construction projects at schools go even more hand in hand in the future. This benefits climate protection and the municipal budget," explains District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier.
Strengthening pupils' sense of self-efficacy remains a key objective
The main aim remains to raise awareness of climate-friendly behavior, highlight ways to reduce energy consumption and strengthen pupils' sense of self-efficacy by implementing various measures.
The participating project schools will also be provided with a catalog of measures to inspire various climate protection activities. The energy teams, consisting of pupils, teachers and the technical building management, act as the driving force at the school and take care of implementation. However, the project is also to be expanded: Particularly motivated project schools will be supported in drawing up their owncarbon footprint for the school, and schools that are not currently involved in the project will also be able to benefit from the experience gained in the future.
Total savings of nine percent for the seven district schools alone last year
The project can boast many successes: Measures such as the establishment of energy services in the classes, janitor training, building inspections and thermal imaging camera tours, bike checks or entire project days at the schools helped to raise awareness among the school community and thus promote climate-friendly action. The project was
The project was thus able to contribute to achieving total energy savings of around nine percent compared to the previous year for the seven district schools alone in 2023. These are made up of electricity and heat savings, which has saved energy costs of around 127,000 euros.
Project manager Ellinor Hoyer is delighted to be able to continue the project: "It gives me great pleasure to be able to accompany and support the schools in this important project. It is very motivating for me to see how enthusiastic the children and young people are about the project. When it is then confirmed that their actions are crowned by real energy savings, it gives great hope in times of crisis."
