Hamburg - european green capital 2011

Hamburg is a model in Europe: Despite increasing port and industrial business, the metropolis in the north of Germany is managing to cut down on more greenhouse gases than the European average. By 2020 emissions should drop to 40 percent of 1990 levels. Many of the projects that the city wants to use to achieve this goal are exemplary.

Hamburg mastered the first stages on the way to its climate target. The Hanseatic City, together with the business community, saved 720,000 metric tons of CO2 in 2010. That is more than what was needed to reach the 2012 intermediate target. The city owes this success in part to the commitment of the business community. In 2007, eleven companies voluntarily committed to lowering their energy consumption through additional investments. By mid-2010, the companies involved were able to reduce their emissions by 330,000 metric tons – 30,000 metric tons more than projected.

Prime example for sustainable urban development

HafenCity is the largest urban development project in Europe and will expand Hamburg’s inner city by 40 percent. The special feature: The new district is being built on former port and industrial areas. So no new areas need to be built on and the existing city center is easy to reach by metrobus, bicycle or on foot. And that’s not all: The new buildings combine spectacular architecture with an innovative environmentally friendly building method that has even had its own nationwide eco-label developed.

An entire district to become carbon-neutral

The Wilhelmsburg district will also become carbon-neutral. An internationally unique project is developing on Europe’s largest river island. The basis is part of the International Building Exhibition (IBA) Hamburg. Compared to similar projects in other cities, Hamburg uses fewer new buildings, preferring to recycle existing spaces. Existing buildings are being renovated to conserve energy. More than 55,000 residents will profit directly from the change. The district will cover its energy needs in the future above all from local sources.

Senate promotes resource protection in companies

But Hamburg is not satisfied with this by any means: With the sponsorship program “Companies for Resource Protection”, the Hamburg senate supports companies in the implementation of environmental protection measures – with financial sponsorship, advice and practical assistance. Because often companies lack not just money, but information, expertise and time in particular. The Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy found this broad sponsorship program “exemplary in Europe”.

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