Berlin
Circular Economy as 'Energy-efficient refurbishment'
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Circular Economy as 'Energy-efficient refurbishment'
Last updated
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City/Country
Berlin, Germany
Initiative
The Berlin Energy and Climate Protection (BEK 2030) is the programme for the transition toward circular economy: the core of the BEK 2030 is an integrated approach which addresses climate protection as well as climate change mitigation in Berlin. In the programme a number of measures and strategies are collected in order to reduce CO2 emissions. It represents the guidelines for the city towards climate neutrality. At the national level, Germany defined a programme, The Climate Action Plan 2050, that refers to the objectives agreed upon in Paris and determines strategies for their implementation, which in turn lead to obligations for Berlin’s state government. Germany’s federal states as well as its cities and municipalities are required to contribute implementation strategies of their own.
Level
City level
Period of
Implementation
2018-2030
Core vision
The main objective for Berlin is the CO2 footprint, which should no longer have a negative impact on climate and, by extension, on livelihood: that is why this target has been incorporated into law. The Berlin Energy Turnaround Act stipulates that by 2020, aims to cut carbon emissions by 40 per cent relative to the base year 1990. This figure in creases to 60 per cent by 2030 and to a minimum of 85 per cent by 2050. In addition, the aim is a total reduction of CO2 emissions by 95 per cent. These milestones are Berlin guidelines on the path towards climate neutrality and were developed on the basis of scientific expertise, as well as contributions made by the public and a number of institutions that shape life in the city and were invited to participate. The scientific expertise is documented in the final report “Draft for a Berlin Energy and Climate Protection Programme (BEK)”, published in 2015, and the concept ”Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change in Berlin (AFOK)”. Berlin can build on many years of experience in climate protection. For instance, the Berlin ImpulsE programme has been running since 1995. On top of that, Berlin has been funding practical projects for the protection of the environment and the climate for more than 20 years with the support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The current Berlin Programme for Sustainable Development (BENE) has been supporting measures for the reduction of CO2 emissions since 2015. Berlin ImpulsE programme and BENE represent the long-term instruments of climate protection in Berlin.
Implementation & Governance
The BEK 2030 sets forth roughly 100 measures for climate protection and climate change mitigation. The programme adopts a comprehensive approach that is based on practical measures, such as incentive programmes and the implementation of model projects, as well as overarching strategies, such as an improved supply of information on climate protection. A range of measures that can contribute have been defined to the achievement of a substantial amount of CO2 emissions: the greatest potential for CO2 cutbacks has been identified in the “Energy Supply” and the “Buildings and Urban Development” fields of action, as well as in the transport sector.”
Some examples are the reduction of the energy consumption of buildings or the promotion of roof greening, because a green roof protects buildings against heat as well as cold and in this sense the Berlin Rainwater Agency is an important partner: it helps the administration as well as individual citizens to make efficient use of rainwater where it accumulates. The “Private Households and Consumption” field of action intends to actively promote climate-friendly action in private households, when shopping for food as well as when purchasing household appliances. Further measures are required in the field of climate change mitigation in Berlin. Here below the diverse fields of action of the BEK 2030:
More rain, greater benefit: frequent heavy rainfalls are a major challenge for climate change mitigation in Berlin. Ways have to be found to make rainwater drain away more easily in the future – or to collect it and put it to use;
Protecting health: increasing heat and new allergens can be health hazards. Within the scope of the BEK 2030, several strategies will be implemented to protect health;
More sustainable consumption: when they make sustainable consumption choices, private households directly contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions. This means that each and every individual can do quite a lot for a sustainable Berlin;
Corporate drivers: Berlin’s corporate sector plays a major role in climate protection. Utilities companies, the housing industry and many state-owned enterprises have already committed to contribute to the achievement of Berlin’s climate protection objectives;
Developing quarters: energy-efficient refurbishments and high standards for new buildings make buildings a significant component on the way towards climate neutrality. Green Moabit represents a pilot project aimed to develop an energy-related district (more efficient use of resources and a reduction in CO2 emissions);
Redesigning mobility: the BEK 2030 plans comprehensive measures for the mobility of citizens: the expansion of cycle paths and public transport networks, more car and bike sharing offers and investments in electric mobility;
The energy of the future: in future, the capital’s energy will be supplied from climate- friendly centralised and decentralised renewable sources. To achieve this, the supply infrastructure will be expanded and modernised. The Federal State of Berlin is developing a Masterplan Solarcity. In the long-run, one quarter of Berlin’s electricity supply is intended to be covered by solar power. It is one of the targets of the BEK 2030 to install solar systems on all suitable roof areas of state-owned buildings by 2030. The public utility company Berliner Stadtwerke (BSW), which supplies Berlin’s households with locally generated green electricity, is an important partner in the realisation of this project.
The Economy: businesses play an active role in implementing the measures of the BEK 2030. They invest in climate protection and climate change mitigation, to the benefit of their owners as well as their employees.
Politics: the public sector and its institutions provide the framework for climate change and climate change mitigation. They generate stimuli and support other stakeholders;
Society: all of Berlin’s citizens are asked to act in a more sustainable fashion. Everybody can contribute to making the city liveable and building a better future.
Science: Berlin’s scientific institutions and businesses are progressive. They drive change forward through their adoption of new technology and business models.
Finally Circular Berlin is an on-line platform that develops knowledge on the circular economy and apply it through practical projects, community building and education.
Instruments and Levers
Not specified
Governance
City of Berlin
Partners
Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection
Berlin Rainwater Agency
Indicators and
Monitoring system
djBEK is the digital monitoring and information system of the Berlin Energy and Climate Protection Programme 2030. It is where all the data on the implementation of the measures of the BEK 2030 converges. The system has two functions:
on the one hand, it creates transparency because everybody can access the data and view the results via the website dibek. Berlin.de;
secondly, the impact of the BEK 2030’s measures is critically evaluated by diBEK. This is crucial for the success of the BEK 2030, since continuous monitoring and evaluation ensures that the implemented measures contribute to the achievement of the objectives in the best way possible. In addition, the system will allow for innovations to be integrated in the right places.
With regard to all of the three areas climate protection, climate impact and climate change mitigation, there are hard as well as soft factors: outcomes like consulting on energy saving and educational initiatives are difficult to be monitored and presented.
Budget allocated
Not specified
Results, impacts and learnings
The annual monitoring reports of the senate inform about the progress in the implementation of BEK 2030.
Link(s)