Mayor Katja Dörner, who has taken on the patronage of the Climate Prize, explains: "In order to become climate neutral by 2035, the entire city society is needed on board. In Bonn, we are in the fortunate position of having a very active civil society: Many Bonn citizens are involved in climate action in their spare time or even professionally. In this way, they are already making a contribution to the goal of climate neutrality. As a city, we would like to honor this diverse commitment and make successful projects visible in order to inspire more people and institutions to take action."
The Bonn Climate Prize is not just about good ideas, it encourages concrete action: Projects that have already been launched or even successfully completed will be judged. It is also important that the contribution is made jointly in a group effort (at least two people from at least two households) within Bonn - because climate protection is a "team sport". The range of topics for optional competition entries is broad: Projects from the areas of mobility, energy, consumption, nutrition or agriculture are eligible. Technical as well as educational, cultural or communication projects may be submitted.
A broad-based jury consisting of representatives of the university, student and environmental groups, the media as well as citizens, business and city administration will decide on the winning projects. The projects will be judged on their impact and originality.
People living in Bonn, as well as Bonn associations and initiatives, companies, cultural workers, students, pupils, schools or daycare groups can submit their projects. A total of 5,000 euros in prize money will be offered: 3,000 euros for first place, 1,500 euros for second place and 500 euros for third place. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Old Town Hall on March 1, 2023.
All information on the Bonn Climate Prize and on the procedure and conditions for participation can be found on the website: www.bonn.de/klima-preis (in German).
The Climate Plan 2035 - Roadmap for the 2035 target
The Bonn Climate Prize is one building block amongst many on the City of Bonn's path to climate neutrality. Since the declaration of the climate emergency and the decision to achieve climate neutrality in 2019, the City has already launched various other climate protection measures. Most importantly, they include the photovoltaics scheme, the mandatory use of solar energy for new buildings, and numerous activities for the mobility turnaround, such as the expansion of the bicycle infrastructure and, most recently, the expansion of car-sharing services in the city.
These and other measures represent the first steps on the road towards climate neutrality. But more needs to be done to achieve the goal. For this reason, the administration is currently working with an external consortium of experts and scientists to develop a comprehensive strategy, the "Climate Plan 2035". It is expected to be adopted at the end of 2022.
The Climate Plan essentially consists of two parts: The first part is an overall strategy that shows the residual CO2 budget and target path, the reduction potential of the various fields of action, and a possible portfolio of measures for the administration. The second part is a work program for the core administration for initially the next three years, which contains a variety of concrete implementation activities.
"The Climate Plan will form the roadmap on the way to 2035 and enable an overarching view of all climate action fields. In this way, we will be able to take joint dynamic action in the course of implementation - the Climate Plan is not a rigid construct," emphasizes Monika Hallstein, Head of the Climate Neutral Bonn Program Office. All departments and offices as well as municipal holding companies such as Bonnorange, the public utility company and VEBOWAG are involved in the development of the Climate Plan.
The results of the participation process "Bonn4Future - Wir fürs Klima" (Bonn4Future - We for the Climate) are also closely interwoven with the Climate Plan 2035. Many suggestions from the three climate forums have already been incorporated into the plan. The overall result of Bonn4Future and the result of the associated evaluation will also be taken into account for future participatory formats.
Currently, the draft version of the Climate Plan Action Program is available, for which all offices will be involved. The City is aiming for a target decision on the Climate Plan by the end of the year.