District joins Hessian Climate Alliance

At its last meeting, the Waldeck-Frankenberg district council not only decided to draw up a climate protection concept in line with the municipal directive, but also to join the alliance "Hessen aktiv: Die Klima-Kommunen". This was the first step towards membership. District Administrator Dr Reinhard Kubat now took the second step: signing the charter of the alliance.

"In the alliance, Hessian cities, municipalities and districts have networked to actively work together for climate protection and adaptation to the consequences of climate change," informed the District Administrator. The initiator of the alliance is the Hessian Ministry of the Environment, which also actively supports the climate municipalities. "We are one of 18 districts that have become members of the alliance," he said, adding that a total of 307 local authorities and six associations, such as the Zweckverband Raum Kassel, are involved.

"Learning and acting for the future" is the motto of the Climate Alliance, which was founded back in 2009 under the name "100 Municipalities for Climate Protection". The member municipalities report annually on their activities and must update their climate protection concepts or alternatively action plans at least every five years.

"For example, we receive 10-20 per cent more funding if we participate in state programmes in the field of environmental and climate protection," says Dr Kubat, citing the advantages. Professional advice, access to various events and other support services are also part of membership. Together with the climate team, which he established on 1 January 2021, the district now has the best prerequisites for optimal involvement in climate protection and climate adaptation.