Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy efficiency and energy from renewables 43. Climate Action

Programme 2020

The measures in the Action Programme ensure that Germany achieves the goal of reduc-ing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 % by 2020 compared with 1990 levels. The measures under the National Action Plan on Energy Efficiency and other measures, par-ticularly in the electricity sector, account for the vast majority of the reduction. Along-side this, above all the main action areas of the “Strategy for Climate-friendly Building and Living”, measures in the transport sector and the reduction of non-energy-related emissions in industry/CTS (craft, trade and services), waste management and agricul-ture contribute to ensuring the clear delivery of the climate change mitigation goal.

Cabinet decision:

3 December 2014

44. Climate Action Plan 2050 The Federal Government intends to adopt the first Climate Action Plan 2050 in the sum-mer of 2016. In it, the Federal Government will describe the interim goals already adopted for the post-2020 period to achieve the long-term climate change mitigation goal, and specifically set out the next reduction steps, supported by concrete measures, in light of the European goals and the outcome of the Paris Climate Change Conference. A broad dialog process began in June 2015 to this end. The Federal Government will then review and update this Climate Action Plan at regular intervals to ensure it does not veer from the path to achieve the 2050 climate change goal.

Cabinet decision:

summer 2016

45. National Action Plan on Energy Efficiency (NAPE)

The National Action Plan on Energy Efficiency (NAPE) sets out a comprehensive pro-gramme of measures for the 18th legislative term. It defines immediate measures and follow-up work processes that are implemented on an ongoing basis and are also aimed to help meet the savings obligations deriving from the EU Energy Efficiency Directive, which is binding for the Member States.

Cabinet decision:

3 December 2014

46. Amendment to the Act on Energy Consumption Labelling (Energiever- brauchskennzeichnungs-gesetz)

The national efficiency label for old boilers was introduced with the amendment to the Act on Energy Consumption Labelling. Since the start of 2016, heating engineers, chim-ney sweeps and certain energy consultants have been entitled to affix a label on heating equipment over 15 years old. From 2017 onwards, the district chimney sweeps are obliged to label all devices that do not yet have a label.

Legislative process com-pleted: 6 November 2015 In force since 1 January 2016

No. Action name Description of action and anticipated impact Status and schedule 47. Energy Efficiency Strategy

for Buildings

The Energy Efficiency Strategy for Buildings combines the use of renewable energy with the reduction in the final energy consumption of buildings. It comprises necessary measures and cites possible future areas for action, and in doing so is making an impor-tant contribution towards a close-to-climate-neutral building stock by 2050.

Cabinet decision:

18 November 2015

48. Further refinement of energy-saving legislation for buildings

Starting in 2019, new public sector buildings must be constructed as nearly-zero energy buildings. This requirement will apply to all new buildings constructed from 2021 onwards. Under the further development of energy-saving legislation, the nearly-zero energy building standard – i. e. the minimum requirements for new buildings which are technically and economically feasible – will be introduced in accordance with the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive by the end of 2016. In this regard, ener-gy-saving legislation relating to buildings is being restructured and the regulations deriving from the Energy Conservation Act (Energieeinsparungsgesetz)/Energy Conser-vation Ordinance (Energieeinsparverordnung) and the Renewable Energies Heat Act (Erneuerbare-Energien-Wärmegesetz) will be merged into one law. The aim is to create a harmonised regulatory system of energy requirements for new and existing buildings and put in place the use of renewable energies for heating.

Cabinet decision:

April/May 2016

49. Measures of the Länder in the field of climate change mitigation and energy efficiency

Numerous measures are in place in the Länder to strengthen climate change mitigation and promote energy efficiency, including:

Baden-Württemberg:

– The amendment of the Renewable Energy Heating Act (Erneuerbare-Wärme-Gesetz) increased the obligation placed on owners to have renewable energy cover annual heating energy needs from 10 % to 15 % when a central heating system is replaced.

Furthermore, the possibilities for compliance were increased through measures such as an energy upgrade roadmap for individual buildings and combination options were opened. The aim is to further increase the use of renewable energy for heat supply in existing buildings and the efficient use of energy in Baden-Württemberg and thereby contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

– Under the “Regional Competence Centres of the Energy Efficiency Network” ERDF funding programme, which is a measure under the Baden-Württemberg Integrated Energy and Climate Protection Strategy, the aim to promote energy efficiency in busi-ness enterprises, particularly in SMEs, in the 2016 – 2023 period. To accomplish this, 12 regional energy efficiency competence centres are being established across Baden-Württemberg. In addition to raising business awareness for energy efficiency and providing information to business enterprises, the centres are also tasked with facilitating the arrangement of energy consulting services for businesses, supporting the transition from consulting to action implementation, and integrating local stake-holders into regional networks.

– The aim of the funding programme for demonstration projects in the field of smart grids and storage is to support feasibility studies and sample projects in which inno-vative technologies, processes and procedures are used particularly, at the local and regional distribution grid level, that make a significant contribution to delivering an energy supply system with a high percentage of renewable energy in a secure, relia-ble and economic manner. By demonstrating the technical feasibility and socioeco-nomic tenability of innovative technologies, processes or procedures, the aim is to make a key contribution to the establishment of smart grids in Baden-Württemberg and speed up this process.

– The aim of the “Smart Grids Research – Digitally Connected” research programme is to promote research and development projects involving innovative technologies, processes and strategies at the local and regional distribution grid level with the help of new applications from the field of information and communication technol-ogies (ICT). A primary objective is to explore and develop solutions for the particu-lar situation in Baden-Württemberg. In addition to technological developments, this also involves the safety of technical plants and the security of information and communication processes.

Amended Renewable Energy Heating Act entered into force on 1 July 2015

Energy efficiency compe-tence centres launched in early 2016

Published on 3/2015; will run until 31 December 2019

Bid invitation in 2016, runs for 1 year

No. Action name Description of action and anticipated impact Status and schedule Bavaria:

– For one, the Bavarian “10,000 Houses” funding programme for innovative buildings and heating systems supports private developers and building owners who are keen to invest in sustainable buildings and thereby roll out the energy system of the future. In addition, it also geared towards anyone wishing to replace their inefficient heating system earlier than scheduled and in doing so contribute to climate change mitigation and save on heating expenses. With this approach, the programme is to make an effective contribution to improving energy efficiency in the building stock and reducing carbon emissions.

– Under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Bavaria will support meas-ures totalling €46 million (eligible costs) that constitute flagship projects to reduce the carbon footprint of public infrastructure and public buildings in the 2014 – 2020 programming period.

North Rhine-Westphalia: The Landtag (regional parliament) of North Rhine-Westphalia adopted the NRW Climate Action Plan mid-December 2015. Overall, the plan contains roughly 154 climate protection measures and 66 climate change adaptation measures.

The Land government aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25 percent by 2020, and by at least 80 % by 2050 (compared with 1990 levels) and in doing so help ensure that the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union can achieve their climate change goals.

Rhineland-Palatinate: Rhineland-Palatinate has drawn up a Climate Change Strategy on the basis of the Climate Protection Act of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. In this strategy, the Land has set out its aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 % by 2020 compared with 1990 levels. A reduction of at least 90% is to be achieved by 2050.

The Climate Change Strategy presents the initial situation and the scope for action and cites roughly 100 measures from eight action areas with which the climate change goals are to be reached.

Rhineland-Palatinate. The aim of the “Smart Villages” energy project is to recruit local communities to become model centres for climate protection in each of the 24 districts in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. These model centres are not only to generate elec-tricity from renewable sources but also present a comprehensive strategy for more energy efficiency in the supply of electricity and heat and improve the regional value add. Climate-friendly mobility is also part of the strategy. 15 districts have already signed up to the project, which will receive roughly €80,000 in funding from the Economics Ministry of Rhineland-Palatinate..

Saxony: With the “Sustainable Energy Supply” directive, the Free State of Saxony pro-vides grants towards increased energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy, energy storage, the creation of smart energy grids, and towards research into application-ori-ented energy technologies. A reduction in carbon emissions in business enterprises, and projects for the application-oriented research into energy technologies at higher educa-tion institueduca-tions and research centres, constitute the funding priorities.

Commences on 15 Sep-tember 2015, project duration: 2015 to 2018

2014 to 2020

Published: 11/2015

ERDF programme 2014 – 2020

In force since 8 May 2015

Saxony-Anhalt: Saxony-Anhalt has set up the STARK III and STARK III plus pro-grammes in the 2014 – 2020 EU programming period. While Stark III promotes the energy upgrade of child day-care facilities and schools in the rural area with EARDF funding, the STARK III plus programme promotes the energy upgrade of public infra-structures and buildings with funding from the ERDF. This includes energy upgrades in child day-care facilities and schools in urban areas, university buildings, sport centres for use by the general public and cultural establishments. Particular aims of the pro-gramme are to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption, and improve energy efficiency, thereby contributing to the delivery of Europe’s climate change goals.

Through the ERDF, energy efficiency measures in business enterprises will also be pro-moted by “Saxony-Anhalt ENERGY”, and innovative projects in the field of climate change mitigation, energy efficiency and renewable energy will be sponsored by

“Saxony-Anhalt CLIMATE II”, from 2016 onwards.

EARDF programme starts in 2015,

ERDF programmes start in 2016

No. Action name Description of action and anticipated impact Status and schedule Thuringia: Within the framework of ERDF funding, energy efficiency measures and

innovative demonstration projects for the use of renewable energy in Thuringia-based enterprises will be sponsored through to 2020 with the GREEN invest programme with total funding of around €59 million. The promotion of energy efficiency measures (advice and investment) aims to develop potential for energy efficiency in business pro-cesses. This is based on a report drawn up by skilled energy advisers on the basis of detailed measurements which recommends specific measures for implementation. The promotion of demonstration projects aims to help new energy and energy-saving tech-nologies break into the market.

D. Improving education levels