Ostalbkreis on the climate course: Roadmap on climate neutrality by 2040!

Ostalbkreis on the climate course: Roadmap on climate neutrality by 2040!

In a pioneering initiative, the Ostalb district presented a comprehensive climate strategy on July 20, 2025, which aims to become climate -neutral by 2040. The first step in this direction was presented in the Committee on Environmental Protection and District Development, where the roadmap on the greenhouse gas neutrality of District Administrator Joachim Bläse and the commissioned company "Energy Support Projects" was explained. These ambitious plans are primarily motivated by the rising CO₂ emissions and the need for measures to protect climate protection. According to Schwäbische, the CO₂ emissions were about 2.56 million tons of CO₂ equivalent.

The main goal of the roadmap is a reduction in greenhouse gases by 88 % by 2040, while the administration wants to reduce by 78 % by 2035. A big focus is on the expansion of renewable energies such as photovoltaics, wind power and biomass. There is also the possibility to generate an excess of electricity if all existing options are optimally used. Environmentally conscious action goes hand in hand with the need to reduce the final energy consumption by almost 25 %, which is to be achieved through renovations, efficiency increases and changes in mobility.

planned measures to achieve the climate goals

In order to achieve these goals, the roadmap includes a total of 24 climate protection measures that are divided into two sub -concepts: one for the district and another for the administration. The measures range from costly investments, such as the changeover of the fleet or offensive strategies for installing photovoltaic systems, to inexpensive approaches, such as the greening of facade or new guidelines for business trips.

The administration has proposed to fundamentally decide on the catalog of measures, but the implementation depends on the availability of budget funds and personnel resources. Interestingly, there are different opinions on the roadmap: While the CDU faction rejects a flat-rate consent and wants to check the individual measures for their effectiveness and costs, the free voters and the SPD support this procedure. The Green Group, on the other hand, calls for a complete approval of the roadmap and warns of the risk of inertia in the efforts to climate neutrality.

Regular checks as the key to success

The district administrator emphasizes how important regular progress reviews are in order not to lose sight of the ambitious path to climate neutrality. The specified steps are clear: Car traffic is to be reduced by 20 % by 2040, which will also make a contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to an [infographic] (https://dib.org/presse/mediathek/infographiken/zielmarke-2050-breibhausgas output.jsp) from March 2021, an almost complete reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is relevant for the entire industry, especially with regard to the necessary emission-free electricity, which serves as the basis for sustainable developments must.

The roadmap created is thus recognized as an important orientation, while the Ostalbkreis embarks on the way to a climate -neutral future. This comprehensive strategy illustrates the commitment of the region for climate protection and the need to find creative solutions for sustainable coexistence.