Bayreuth fights for climate neutrality: hurdles and progress in view!

Bayreuth fights for climate neutrality: hurdles and progress in view!

In an insightful lecture, the city of Bayreuth presented the latest record of its climate management. The aim is to create a climate -neutral city by 2040, emphasizes climate protection manager Gesa Thomas. But despite impressive progress, there is alarming news: "We tore our budget and not reach the climate target," she admits. A sobering knowledge that raises questions.

The reasons for this failure? The data is currently incomplete and could not precisely map the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The unexpectedly high energy consumption in 2021 and 2022 - pronounced by the energy crisis and slow construction projects - contributes to the negative balance. "The renovation of buildings is a special challenge due to personnel bottlenecks and longer approval procedures," explains Thomas. An alarming situation that makes it considerably more difficult to achieve the climate goals.

success and positive developments

Despite the setbacks, there are also bright spots. An outstanding example is the conversion of the street lighting to LED, which will be completed by the end of the year. This leads to a saving of around 300 tons of CO₂ annually! A lot is happening in the area of ​​renewable energies: Bayreuth relies on innovative projects, such as municipal heat planning, for which funding has already been approved.

The new series of lectures on climate -friendly heating systems ensures great interest; The events are partially sold out. Bayreuth also pursues advanced mobility strategies and creates a sustainability indicator in tourism that has already been nominated for the city marketing award - an award that shows that sustainable tourism in Bayreuth is active reality. Bayreuth is also working intensively to reduce food waste and develop strategies for adapting to climate change.

But the question remains: How is it going? The funding for climate protection management expires in November, and Gesa Thomas warns the need to continue the success in a sustainable way. "We have to ensure that these important projects do not stall," she emphasizes, while the city enters a decisive phase of its climate protection mission.