Current climate protection target and strategy

Aachen is climate-neutral in 2030. This is the goal to which the Aachen City Council committed itself in January 2022 with the adoption of the citizens' motion "Aachen climate-neutral 2030". With the Council's resolution on climate neutrality, the city administration was commissioned to incorporate the objective into the Integrated Climate Protection Concept (IKSK). This mandate was completed in June 2024 with the adoption of the ICSK 2.0.

The integrated climate protection concept 2.0

The action programme comprises 30 measures that have been prioritized for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to a net zero level. Prioritization was based on the criteria of high climate impact, high cost-effectiveness and rapid feasibility. The measures adopted are divided into seven fields of action: Governance, Energy Supply, Buildings, Mobility, Economy, Societal Transformation and Compensation.

The Aachen Climate City Contract

Participation in the EU mission "100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030" is providing a tailwind on the road to climate neutrality. As one of 100 selected mission cities, Aachen was asked to set an example on the path to climate neutrality in a so-called Climate City Contract. The Aachen Climate City Contract pools the strengths of local players from business, science, civil society and the city administration. The measures of the Integrated Climate Protection Concept 2.0 are the city administration's contribution to the Climate City Contract. In March 2024, the Urban Climate Contract was submitted to the EU Commission for review and was awarded the EU Mission Label as a viable concept in October.

As an agile instrument, the Climate City Contract will be continuously expanded and supporters can continue to participate with their own measures. The "Climate Neutral Aachen" office will take on the task of coordinating the participating stakeholders and support the process of becoming a climate-neutral city.

"Climate-neutral Aachen 2030" office

Background

The City of Aachen's climate protection strategy is based on the Integrated Climate Protection Concept (IKSK), which was adopted by the City Council in August 2020. Its preparation was commissioned following the declaration of the climate emergency in 2019. The action program described in the IKSK until 2025 aims to comply with the proportionate remaining budget of greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit global warming to below two degrees.

The commissioning of a report by Gertec GmbH was an important step in the strategic realignment following the council's decision in 2020 to become climate neutral. The report is divided into two volumes: the description of an overarching strategy for a climate-neutral city and the identification of specific options for action.

The IKSK 2.0 action program is made up of 30 prioritized measures from the report - see above. Further information on climate protection in Aachen and tips for your own actions can be found at aachenklima.de