Ostalbkreis on the way to climate neutrality: project started by 2040!

Ostalbkreis on the way to climate neutrality: project started by 2040!

In the Ostalb district, something is happening in terms of climate protection! On July 16, 2025, the new road map on climate neutrality was presented by 2040. District Administrator Dr. Joachim Bläse emphasizes how important it is to act determined despite an apparently less urgent climate degree. He sees 2040 as a crucial time for the implementation of sustainable measures, even if the challenges are enormous. Gabriele Seefried, the first state official of the district, made it clear that the project is based on a decision of the district council and thus set a clear political sign. The Energielker Projects GmbH from Fellbach was commissioned to create the concept, and the support comes directly from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection.

The core destinations of the road map are ambitious: the Ostalb district wants to reach climate neutrality by 2040, while the district administration wants to adjust its processes by 2035. In order to put these ambitious plans into practice, a comprehensive actual analysis of the greenhouse gas emissions is carried out, supplemented by a detailed catalog of measures. According to the calculations, the Ostalb district could generate up to 5711 gigawatt hours of electricity itself by 2040 - that's almost three times as much as the 700 gigawatts that were achieved in 2022.

climate goals in detail

A look at the current data shows how the energy consumption in the Ostalb district breaks down: 52 % of heat, 27 % on traffic and 21 % on electricity. In the case of CO₂ emissions, the industrial sector costs 42 %, followed by households (30 %) and the traffic sector (28 %). The aim is to reduce the final energy consumption by 24 % and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 88 % by 2040. The savings options are particularly noteworthy: up to 93 % of emissions could be saved in households, and 88 % in industry. Spar potential of over 80 % is also realistic in traffic and trade.

What is specifically planned? Among other things, climate formation, the establishment of a climate fund and the expansion of photovoltaic and wind turbines are focused. The establishment of an energy agency and the implementation of a building energy efficiency campaign are also part of the measures. Most recently, a discussion about the study took place in the committee, in which praise was praised, but no immediate resolution of all measures could be made. Committee members have expressed the wish that it is specifically checked how open space photovoltaics and wind power are.

nationwide requirements support the initiative

The local initiatives are in accordance with the [climate protection plan 2050] (https://www.bundeswirtschaftsministium.de/de/artikel/ industrie/klimaschutz-klimaschtzplan-2050.html) of the Federal Government, which sets the principles and goals for a greenhouse gas-neutral Germany by 2050. Strict requirements are provided: by 2030, the emissions of greenhouse gases are to be reduced by at least 55 % compared to 1990. Especially in the building area, which causes around a third of greenhouse gas emissions, great efforts are necessary. The requirements also offer companies and science orientation and enable cross -topic approaches to link climate protection with economic performance.

District Administrator Bläse also calls for regular inspections of progress on the road map to ensure that the goals are not lost sight of. A good hand is in demand because it is important to create sustainable structures that offer future generations an environment.