Global climate change is amongst the greatest challenges of the 21st century. Nowadays cities are home to approximately 50% of the world’s population and are responsible for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. The contribution of large metropolises such as Berlin to the international efforts to combat climate change are therefore highly important. Although Berlin has been able to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by a third since 1990, the trend in carbon dioxide emissions in Berlin has stagnated once more since the mid-2000s and even experienced a slight increase again. 

The new Berlin energy and climate protection policy pursues an integrated approach and is associated with a range of planned effects. The objective of climate neutrality is key, i.e. the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by at least 85% by 2050, including interim objectives, therefore at least a 40% reduction by 2020 or at least a 60% reduction by 2030, both in comparison to 1990. Alongside the climate protection objectives, further effects concerning the local economy, as well as quality of life in the city, are expected to arise.

The central instrument of the strategy is the “Berlin Energy and Climate Protection Programme (BEK)” which acts as a “roadmap” to achieve climate neutrality. The BEK was agreed upon by the Federal State government in June 2016 and outlines over 100 measures in the fields of energy consumption, buildings/urban development, traffic, economy as well as private households/consumption.The BEK as well as the climate neutrality target are obligatory for the Berlin government under the Berlin Energy Transition Act (Energiewendegesetz) which came into force in April 2016. Two research projects, Climate-Neutral Berlin 2050 Feasibility Study (2014) and Draft for a Berlin Energy and Climate Protection Programme (2015) have created the scientific basis for the necessary strategies and measures that are now incorporated into the BEK. Measures and strategies to adapt to the consequences of climate change have been set out in a separate adaptation strategy.

Since climate protection is a cross-sectional task, the new strategy is made up of a number of individual measures that the BEK is required to coordinate. Together with the Berlin Energy Transition Act, the following measures are expected, amongst others:

• Refurbishment plans and timetables for the energy-oriented refurbishment of public housing stock;
• Plan of action for a CO₂-neutral administration;
• Solar city master plan which shall result in a huge development of renewable energy from solar radiation energy sources in the city;
• More individual city projects as well as citizen involvement in the field of developing renewable sources of energy;
• Withdrawal from black coal and brown coal as a result of appropriate climate protection agreements with Berlin's energy suppliers;
• Measures to increase refurbishment rate of private buildings (including grant programmes and advisory services);
• Measures to reduce the use of cars in favour of environmentally-friendly modes of transport, including investments in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, promoting e-bikes and sharing concepts, improving the services of public transport;
• As well as measures to achieve a change in behaviour targeting energy savings in private households by providing advice, incentives and campaigns.

Moreover, the BEK has been developed in a participative process. The specialist audience and general public had the opportunity to submit suggested measures and/or to comment on the measures proposed through different events and an online participation platform. The involvement of both citizens and experts shall be permanently established during the implementation of the BEK. 

The responsible Special Unit for Climate Protection and Energy operates with a separate budget. Between 2016 and 2020, funding of around €110 million has been proposed for the implementation of the BEK, in addition to further additional and federal state funding that could not yet be estimated at this present time. 

The Statistical Office for Berlin-Brandenburg is responsible for calculating the energy and carbon dioxide footprint of Berlin. To monitor the implementation of the BEK, a digital monitoring and information system has also been developed. This instrument is a new method in Berlin's energy and climate protection policy. Monitoring helps to check the effectiveness of the measures implemented and it serves as a basis for correction and management. So far, 200 activity-based indicators have been developed. Monitoring is being carried out by the Special Unit for Climate Protection and Energy, which is the unit responsible for implementing the BEK. 

To achieve the climate neutrality objective, efforts must be strengthened in all spheres of sustainable urban development. Carbon dioxide emissions will be saved in the first place, in particular by saving energy, moving away from fossil fuels and developing the use of renewable sources of energy. Berlin has already reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by a third in comparison to 1990. Investments in climate protection will have positive effects on the local economy and contribute to create jobs. 

Climate protection affects all areas of life in the city. As far as this was concerned, it was important to harmonise the different interests. Particularly in the area of climate change, there are always so-called "conflicts of aims" with other interests, such as social and economic factors. That is why these have been mapped out, and solutions to these problems shown.

The success of the transformation to a climate-neutral Berlin depends largely on the acceptance by the civil society. For that reason, the BEK has been developped with broad public participation. The setbacks and resistance were therefore relatively low. Partnerships with the  local economy are crucial as well. To name a few examples, this includes the so-called climate protection agreements with large companies, such as the large utility companies and the city housing associations. In addition, the implementation of the BEK will be supported by a Climate Protection Advisory Council (Klimaschutzrat) made up of representatives from business and science. 

The new strategy is founded on the experience that a societal transformation process, i.e. the expected huge saving in carbon dioxide emissions in the city, cannot work without a comprehensive strategy and transparency, as well as the involvement of city stakeholders and citizens. Projects in the past have often failed due to lack of involvement and thus acceptance. 

Berlin has been pursuing a climate protection policy since the 1990s. However, never before has there been such a central and integrated consideration of the issue, which is now reflected in the BEK. For the first time, there will be a comprehensive monitoring of the strategy’s implementation. An important element in this respect is also the role model function of the city administration, which shall have a spill-over effect at home and abroad. Thanks to its new strategic approach, the city is clearly emphasising its dedication to achieve its climate-neutrality objective. 

Special Unit for Climate Protection and Energy, Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment.