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Implementation status of the program detailed in the commission's report.

Property Owners' Opinions Regarding Personal Real Estate Use

Program implementation details have been shared publicly by the Commission in their recently...
Program implementation details have been shared publicly by the Commission in their recently released report.

Implementation status of the program detailed in the commission's report.

Ibbenbüren Leads the Way in Municipal Heat Planning

The city of Ibbenbüren, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), has taken a significant step towards a greener future with the presentation of its Municipal Heat Planning at the beginning of 2025. This initiative marks one of the first of its kind in NRW and is part of Germany's larger national effort to transition away from fossil fuels and achieve climate neutrality by 2045, as stated in the Climate Protection Act.

The Municipal Heat Planning is based on an inventory analysis that identifies over 16,000 heated buildings in the city. This comprehensive analysis forms the foundation for addressing questions about future energy supply, including potential joint solutions in existing settlements and the utilization of waste heat.

Currently, Germany's heat supply is predominantly secured via fossil energy carriers, mainly natural gas and heating oil. In Ibbenbüren, this is reflected in the current heat supply, with a share of approximately 90 percent coming from fossil fuels. The Municipal Heat Planning aims to change this by promoting renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency.

Nadine Dirksmeyer, Climate Protection Manager of the city of Ibbenbüren, explains that since the heat supply is local and relatively 'small-scale', organizing the energy transition is a local task that falls to the municipalities. As a result, Ibbenbüren's Municipal Heat Planning includes measures such as switching municipal buildings to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency through insulation and modernization, and expanding decentralized heating networks to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Citizens in Ibbenbüren can now access information about the potential impacts of the Municipal Heat Planning on their individual properties through an interactive map on the municipal website (https://www.ourwebsite/heatplanning). This interactive map and Story Map provide information about the effects of the Municipal Heat Planning on individual citizens in Ibbenbüren, helping them understand the concrete consequences of this initiative on their homes and communities.

Germany's federal and state governments have agreed to achieve climate neutrality by 2040, and the Municipal Heat Planning in Ibbenbüren is a testament to the progress being made towards this goal. By taking local action and encouraging community engagement, Ibbenbüren is leading the way in the transition to a sustainable future.

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