City of Karlsruhe, Germany betting on solar and geothermal targeting climate neutral goal
View over Karlsruhe (source: flickr/ Klaus Nahr, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
12 May 2020
In a far reaching decision, the city of Karlsruhe targets to be carbon neutral by 2050 with a strong emphasis on reduction in car traffic, but also an expansion of solar PV and geothermal heating.
The council of the city of Karlsruhe in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany has approved its new climate protection concept with a large majority.
By 2030, CO2 emissions in the urban area are to be reduced by 58 percent, based on the 2010 level. In total, the city would save around 1.3 million tons of CO2. In the long term, Karlsruhe wants to become climate neutral. The city wants to achieve this goal by 2050. Various measures are to be implemented for this. In a first step, the city administration wants to work completely climate-neutral by 2040. The heating and power supply also play an important role. According to the Karlsruhe city council, there the greatest savings are possible.
Expansion of photovoltaics and deep geothermal energy planned
The climate protection concept therefore includes the expansion of photovoltaic systems. Roofs and other free areas in the urban area are to be used for this. In the area of ??heat supply, the greatest savings potential lies in the energetic renovation of private households. In addition, Karlsruhe wants to completely convert heat generation to renewable energies. The city relies on a combination of biomass plants, as well as solar and deep geothermal energy.
Car traffic should be reduced
There should also be some changes in road traffic. For example, drivers have to be prepared for a further shortage of parking spaces in the city center. In return, however, public transport as well as cycling should be expanded.
Source: SWR
