More investment: the climate pact has been signed

The climate pact aims to make Berlin more sustainable. (Archive image)

Berlin's state-owned companies are to invest around €13.8 billion in climate protection by 2030.

Representatives of the black-red Senate and 22 companies, ranging from water utilities to Berlin's real estate holding company, signed a corresponding agreement at the Rotes Rathaus. The Senate is providing an additional €2.3 billion for the so-called climate pact.

Commitment to a sustainable Berlin

The goal is to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 95 per cent by 2045 and by 70 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. These targets are set out in Berlin's Climate Protection and Energy Transition Act. It is a climate protection package that Berlin has never seen before, said Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU). "We take climate protection seriously, and we take the energy transition seriously." The climate pact is a commitment to a sustainable Berlin.

Significantly reduce CO₂ emissions

Senator for Economic Affairs Franziska Giffey (SPD) added that CO₂ emissions must be reduced significantly. "We are talking about 7.2 million tonnes of CO₂ by 2030. That is a huge undertaking." A lot needs to change, especially in energy production: Berliner Energie und Wärme (BEW), one of the 22 state-owned companies involved, is responsible for 25 per cent of CO₂ emissions, said Giffey. "If heating does not become climate-neutral, Berlin will not become climate-neutral." 

More photovoltaic systems and electric mobility

That is why investments must be made in power plant locations, in more heat pumps, in the use of waste water heat and in biomass cogeneration plants. BEW is to reduce its CO₂ emissions by around 2.3 million tonnes by 2030, around half of the current level. Giffey emphasised that Berlin will consume significantly more electricity in the medium term. The state has already been investing 300 million euros annually in the expansion of the electricity grid. This year, the sum will rise to 600 million, said Giffey. There is no way around expanding capacity. Savings in carbon dioxide emissions are to be achieved through measures such as more photovoltaic systems and electromobility.