Climate protection is a task for everyone. Each and everyone one of us can contribute.

The German government has set itself an ambitious target for climate protection: a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared with 1990. Germany is thus taking on a pioneering role in climate protection.

The revenues from emissions trading go exclusively towards climate protection measures.
How can we lower carbon dioxide emissions? And how can we do this as quickly and effectively as possible? As a result of the revenues from emissions trading the German government has been able, since the start of 2008, to support a wide range of climate protection measures - in industry, local authorities and for consumers.

Reducing CO₂, saving money!
In private households, each and every individual can make a significant contribution to more efficient energy use. This not only benefits the climate, it also saves money. Energy consumption can be considerably reduced by using energy-efficient household appliances, lighting, heating systems and vehicles. Simply switching off the standby mode on appliances would save around 22 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in Germany and reduce the annual energy costs of a household by up to 85 euros.

Support for investments in more efficient and innovative technologies.
The National Climate Initiative therefore promotes investments in improved energy efficiency in private households. The greatest energy saving potential is in the heating of buildings. After all, who wants to heat the street rather than the home? In some existing buildings, energy demand can be reduced by as much as 90 percent, while the average reduction potential is still high at around 50 percent.

And electricity can be produced too.
In addition to existing programmes for modernising buildings, the National Climate Initiative supports mini-CHP installations for private households. Combined heat-power installations (CHP) generate electricity and heat at the same time, thus utilising up to 90 percent of the energy input. CHP is therefore one of the most effective measures for lowering CO₂ emissions.

Sound information is a key prerequisite for the right private investments.
This is where the National Climate Initiative comes into play. For example, with a new range of information on all aspects of climate-friendly mobility from consumer advice centres, or from the Stiftung Warentest on electricity-saving appliances. Providing consumers with the information they need makes it much easier for them to make intelligent and environmentally friendly choices.

Energy saving also means changing our behaviour.
Efficient technologies are just one way of contributing to climate protection. Another is awareness when consuming energy. Without the need for major investments each and every one of us can get active and save energy: the fridge does not need to be bigger than necessary or to run at Arctic temperatures, overheated rooms can often be unhealthy, lights can be turned off when not needed. And opting more frequently to walk, cycle or take the bus also helps the climate: 50 percent of all car journeys cover short distances of less than 6 kilometres. This means there is a saving potential of several million tonnes of CO₂.

Part of a major climate initiative!
Making many small changes to behaviour can ultimately achieve a great deal. And knowing that we are not acting alone but as part of a major climate initiative adds to our motivation. If 80 million people in Germany make a small contribution to reducing CO₂ it would mean a major step forward in climate protection.