North Rhine-Westphalia launches fourth climate protection package with 80 measures

The North Rhine-Westphalia state government has bundled 80 cross-departmental measures into its fourth climate protection package. The focus is on the climate-neutral transformation of the economy, the expansion of renewable energies, clean mobility, and the reduction of bureaucracy.

The North Rhine-Westphalia state government is launching 80 new climate protection measures across seven different departments. This package of measures primarily addresses the climate-neutral transformation of the economy, the expansion of renewable energies and climate-friendly heating, clean mobility, innovation, and the reduction of unnecessary bureaucracy. It aims to reduce the state's dependence on fossil fuels and raw materials. Some measures are already being implemented, while others are scheduled to begin soon.

"The fourth climate protection package adds 80 new measures," states the state government's strategy paper. "These measures also consistently combine climate protection with safeguarding the competitiveness of our economy. We are increasing demand for climate-neutral products, investing in environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and the necessary infrastructure, and accelerating planning and permitting processes. In doing so, we are demonstrating once again how intelligent climate protection drives the economic modernization of North Rhine-Westphalia while creating secure jobs."

"Climate protection is economic protection"

Climate Protection Minister Mona Neubaur (Greens) adds: "From Hormuz to heat waves – this year in particular has once again shown us the full spectrum of reasons why we must stay the course on climate protection and continue on the path we have chosen: Climate protection is economic protection. In three climate protection packages to date, with over 130 measures, we have demonstrated how we are driving the transformation forward in all areas – from restructuring industry to natural climate protection in peatlands and forests. And we are continuing: The 80 measures of the fourth climate protection package will help to decouple economic growth from CO2 emissions. _"

Responsibilities and specific measures

Strengthening the transformation of companies and the economy
North Rhine-Westphalia aims to remain economically strong while simultaneously becoming climate-neutral. The state government is therefore providing further impetus for this climate-neutral transformation. The goals are: to enable sustainable growth, create a market for climate-friendly products, and ensure that the people of North Rhine-Westphalia are on board.

• The state government's "Industrial and Energy Transformation" task force is working to remove obstacles, such as those affecting the expansion of important infrastructure.
• North Rhine-Westphalia is taking concrete steps to stimulate demand for climate-friendly products, for example with an alliance for public procurement.
• Funding programs support new products and technologies, for example in the fields of environmental economics, food industry and resource efficiency, as well as business development.
• The discourse initiative for a climate-neutral industry offers space for questions about technologies such as hydrogen and CO₂.₂-Separation, which will gain in presence.
• And the state government continues to work on securing the skilled workforce in the state for the long term.

Shaping change with innovation and entrepreneurial spirit
Greenhouse gas neutrality requires new and bold solutions: further developed and new products, efficient and resource-conserving manufacturing processes, and innovative business models. Start-ups and new businesses play a key role in this. The state government is therefore further expanding its support for start-ups and innovations, for example with the international start-up fair "Beyond Carbon".

• Therefore, the state government is further expanding its support for start-ups and innovation, for example with targeted offers for start-ups with high relevance for the climate or the start-up fair "Beyond Carbon".
• The innovation professorships for North Rhine-Westphalia open up new perspectives for top scientists to drive development in key future topics in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Clean, safe and affordable mobility
Mobility remains a key lever for successful climate protection and greater independence from fossil fuels in North Rhine-Westphalia. The state government therefore continues to support the consistent use of electromobility, the expansion of charging infrastructure, and the digital networking of various modes of transport. It strengthens the integrated transport system of public transport, cycling, and walking, and provides impetus for climate-neutral aviation.

• It supports the consistent use of electromobility, for example in bus transport or for social services, and the expansion of the charging infrastructure – for example in freight transport.
• The digital networking of different modes of transport is supported by funding programs and digital services.
• North Rhine-Westphalia strengthens the environmental network of public transport as well as cycling and walking through funding, know-how and specific initiatives, for example in the area of ​​railway infrastructure or Rhine shipping.
• Climate-neutral aviation is also actively promoted, for example through the "Production Launch Center Aviation" or the network "Innovative Airfields.NRW".

Municipal climate protection
Shaping the future together locally: Municipalities play a key role in climate protection. With their many properties and the entire municipal mobility infrastructure, they are responsible for significant areas of direct emissions reduction. The state government is continuously developing its climate protection programs for municipalities. Current priorities include promoting energy-efficient building renovations and building knowledge and expertise within municipal administrations.

• Current priorities include promoting the energy-efficient renovation of municipal buildings and building knowledge and skills in municipal administrations and committees through targeted qualification and dialogue programs.
• Citizens have many opportunities to actively contribute to climate protection and greater sustainability – be it in everyday life, at work, at school, or through volunteering. The state government supports this, among other things, with modern programs in Education for Sustainable Development, funding, and motivates participation through new, practical climate protection communication.

Climate protection is a participatory project
Citizens have many opportunities to actively contribute to climate protection and greater sustainability – be it in everyday life, at work, at school, or through volunteering. The state government supports this with modern educational programs, including in the area of ​​child and youth welfare, the strengthening of professional skills for sustainable development, and motivates participation through new, everyday-life-oriented climate protection communication.

Heat for North Rhine-Westphalia – efficient, renewable and affordable
Heating buildings accounts for approximately one-third of total energy consumption in North Rhine-Westphalia. The energy transition in the heating sector is therefore a crucial factor for greater energy independence and climate protection. In addition to measures focused on skills development and strengthening, the state government has created new and improved funding and financing opportunities.

• In addition to measures for skills development and strengthening, new and improved financing options have been created. For example, in the areas of building networks, district heating, or the modernization of sports facilities to the tune of 200 million euros – the North Rhine-Westphalia Plan for Good Infrastructure creates new opportunities here.
• With the expansion of the citizen energy fund, the state is now also supporting citizen initiatives that are advancing the heat transition.
• A new, interactive online building calculator and activation vouchers for heating system replacement are intended to facilitate investment decisions.
• Furthermore, the services offered in the field of geothermal energy will be expanded.
• Hospitals can also implement climate protection measures as part of the funding for the implementation of the hospital plan and the hospital transformation fund – especially in the area of ​​heating.

Stay the course for more renewable electricity
Electricity from renewable energy sources remains the key to achieving climate neutrality for the economy and society – and is crucial for the competitiveness and resilience of our state. The expansion of renewable energies in North Rhine-Westphalia is already progressing at a high level. The state government is further accelerating this pace with additional measures. The focus is on adapted legal frameworks, information and advice, as well as financing instruments – also with the aim of enabling more people to participate in the energy transition.

• The focus is on, among other things, legal frameworks, such as for open-field photovoltaics through the solar energy decree, as well as for battery storage.
• The Coordination Office for Open-Space Photovoltaics provides targeted support for project implementation.
• North Rhine-Westphalia is strengthening the investment capacity of municipal energy suppliers and adapting the awarding of state guarantees to the requirements of the energy transition.
• A stimulus program strengthens the role of bioenergy as a flexible energy source.

Less bureaucracy for more investment
To ensure our economic base maintains speed, reliability, and competitiveness in the areas of wind and solar energy, grid and charging infrastructure expansion, storage technologies, and hydrogen projects, the state government is committed to simpler and more efficient procedures, for example, in planning and permitting. The fourth climate protection package focuses on close collaboration with companies and authorities, as well as efficiently designed funding programs.

Source: NRW Ministry for Climate Protection

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