Support programme for municipalities and other institutions
One of currently six support programmes within the National Climate Initiative is specifically designed for municipalities and social and cultural establishments.
With the "Guidelines on promoting climate protection projects in social, cultural and public establishments", the Federal Environment Ministry is supporting the following climate measures:
* the elaboration of climate protection strategies/sector strategies and a "climate
manager" to support implementation of existing strategies
* climate technologies in electricity use
* climate protection pilot projects geared towards CO2 neutrality.
Climate protection strategies and the "climate manager"
Climate protection strategies are the basis for long-term and sustainable climate policies. They include a review of the municipality's energy consumption and CO2 emissions, calculations to determine the emissions reduction potential, specific reduction targets, and proposed measures, including costings and timetables. Whereas climate protection strategies cover all the relevant sectors, sector strategies focus on one particular area, such as energy management in the municipality's own premises, or a climate-compatible heat management system that combines CHP, renewables use and recovery of industrial waste heat.
Funding is provided for the elaboration of climate protection strategies and sector strategies as well as for the provision of advice and support for the implementation of these strategies by a "climate manager". His/her activities can include preparatory work, consultation, project management or networking, etc. Responsibility for the practical implementation of the strategies and the requisite investment lies with the applicant.
In this context, schools or other education providers can also apply for funding if they wish to introduce or expand energy-saving models that have been tried and tested in conjunction with the schools or children's nurseries. One example is the "50-50 model". Here too, the BMU provides support for the employment of a climate manager, who leads on the introduction of the models, monitors consumption, or liaises with schools.
Funding:
A grant of up to 80% of eligible material and personnel costs (expert third parties) is provided for the elaboration of the strategies.
To support the implementation of existing strategies, a grant of up to 80% of eligible material and personnel costs for the services of an "energy manager" may be provided. This also applies to expert third parties and specialised personnel who may be additionally employed within the project framework. Funding is provided for a maximum of three years.
Funding criteria:
Projects should relate to larger units, e.g. to 10,000+ residents in the case of climate strategies, or to around 10+ buildings/10,000 m in the case of sector strategies. Smaller municipalities or institutions can join forces and submit a joint application. In this instance, it is important to clarify the applicant partners' responsibilities.
Funding for advice and support for the implementation process is only provided for strategies developed within the last three years. This provision does not apply, however, to the introduction or development of energy-saving models in schools and education establishments. The scheme must also be agreed by the highest decision-making body.
Climate protection technologies in electricity use
If investment is made in replacing existing equipment, such as 20-year-old ceiling lights without reflector lamps and daylight controls in a sports hall, a grant is available for the use of highly energy-efficient technologies.
Specifically, funding is provided for the installation of highly efficient interior, hall and external lighting, high-efficiency pumps and ventilators in heating, air conditioning and ventilation units, and retrofitting of ventilation systems.
Funding:
For investment and installation, a grant of 25% of the eligible costs/expenditure is available.
Criteria:
Electricity consumption must be reduced by 30-50%, depending on the technology used. Advice and consultation must be provided by a specialist company or, internally, a competent employee. The funding volume must amount to at least € 3000.
Climate protection pilot projects geared towards CO2 neutrality
Pilot projects can be established in various sectors, e.g. buildings or transport. For a climate protection pilot project to be eligible for funding, it must aim to achieve CO2 neutrality. This is the case if the emissions of climate-damaging gases are largely avoided and exemplary use is made of high-efficiency technologies and renewable energies, or if changes in behaviour achieve above-average reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
As a climate protection pilot project entails intensive preparation and planning, the Federal Environment Ministry supports the production of an initial project concept, i.e. the pre-planning stage. Implementation of practical pilot projects is also supported.
In the buildings sector, funding is only provided for climate-compatible retrofitting of non-residential buildings, e.g. administrative buildings, cultural and education establishments. In other sectors, funding is granted on a case-by-case basis.
Funding:
A grant of up to 80% of eligible material and personnel costs is provided for the elaboration of pilot project concepts.
During the implementation of a climate protection pilot project, additional expenditure/costs of climate protection are subsidised on production of evidence of these costs. Funding is provided to a maximum of 60% of eligible costs. The precise amount of funding is determined according to various criteria, e.g. avoided greenhouse gas emissions, the project's significance as a "best practice" model and the multiplier effect.
Criteria:
Eligible pilot projects must pursue the goal of CO2 neutrality, as described above.
Pilot projects in the buildings sector must achieve a CO2 reduction of at least 70%, or alternatively, achieve emissions at least 60% lower than the maximum values of final energy-related CO2 emissions for an equivalent new building as stated in the Energy Saving Ordinance. In addition, at least half the savings must be achieved through the use of efficiency technologies and energy-saving measures.
