Germany's 'Future Municipality' Replaces European Energy Award
The European Energy Award (EEA) is set to end in Germany by January 1, 2026. In response, the Energy Agency Oberschwaben and its counterpart in Karlsruhe have developed the 'Future Municipality' instrument as an alternative. Bad Schussenried has become the first municipality to adopt this new tool, aiming to support climate and energy goals.
The EEA, a certificate for municipalities and districts demonstrating sustainable energy and climate protection policies, has seen its evaluation form become stricter and more bureaucratic in recent years. Walter Göppel, managing director of the Energy Agency Oberschwaben, expressed surprise at the EEA's suspension.
The 'Future Municipality' concept is expandable and can be supplemented with certification or adapted for districts. It is a solution-oriented system that uses a traffic light to assess energy efficiency and sustainability. Bad Schussenried decided to participate in this package, following the end of the EEA. The municipality joins 22 others that have already signed up, with 15 more inquiries from the region.
The 'Future Municipality' package offers a new path for communities to continue their commitment to sustainable energy and climate change policies after the EEA's end. With Bad Schussenried leading the way, more municipalities are expected to follow suit.
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