Kem Traun-Kremstal: Communities combine forces for climate protection

Kem Traun-Kremstal: Communities combine forces for climate protection

In the heart of the Linz-Land district, the municipalities of Traun, Ansfelden, Pucking, Neuhofen, Kematen and Piberbach together set a strong sign of climate protection. This collaboration has led to the establishment of the new climate and energy model region (KEM) "Traun-Kremstal", which was officially launched in the Traun town hall. Mayor Karl-Heinz Koll von Traun confirmed the importance of this initiative: "We want to implement innovative projects and make an active contribution to reducing our CO2 emissions."

The initiative, which is now taking these decisive steps for the local environment, comes from Alfred Pointner, a municipal council from Ansfelden. Together with Gerald Sürenlberger, the head of the environmental department in Traun, he worked to create a submission concept that was approved by the climate and energy funds in the summer. This concept is the foundation for the desired changes in the region.

goals and strategies of the KEM

The main goals of the KEM TRAUN-Kremstal are to increase the energy efficiency in the municipalities that count over 50,000 inhabitants, to replace fossil fuels with clean energy solutions and thus not only achieve effects on the environment, but also to strengthen economic independence. The optimization of the energy industry ensures lower energy costs in the long term and promotes regional solutions for energy supply.

"The art of the small steps"-this is how the new KEM manager Michael Girkinger describes his approach. Girkinger, who comes from Molln, will lead the implementation of the entire strategy and looks forward to supporting the region to achieve its climate goals. "A lot is already happening at the local level, but I want to make this more visible and promote the exchange of knowledge," he said. This is particularly referring to the numerous environmental funding that is available to both municipalities and private households.
Girkinger also wants to show individual options for action so that every citizen can actively contribute to a better climate. "Climate protection does not always mean big changes. Often it is the small steps that are decisive."

An important aspect of the KEM is to develop a concrete implementation concept with measures that are to be realized as part of the two -year implementation phase. Afterwards there is the possibility to continue the KEM and apply for additional subsidies.

The KEM TRAUN-Kremstal is part of a program of the climate and energy fund that promotes the development of regional climate protection projects. These model regions receive support in various forms - including co -financing, training and access to a wide network that already includes over 130 such regions throughout Austria. The fact that 25 percent of funding from the region itself must be applied itself strengthens local commitment to climate protection.

The newly founded KEM Traun-Kremstal thus opens up a variety of perspectives for sustainable development and shows how communities can tackle the challenges of climate change together. Further information and details on the activities of the KEM are in the current report www.meinbezirk.at to be found.