Over a third of German municipalities have embarked on heat planning, aiming for climate neutrality by 2045. This initiative sees strong participation from regions such as Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Lower Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt. In contrast, Thuringia, Saxony, and Bavaria lag behind in this endeavor.
Nationwide, 160 municipalities have completed their heat planning, with the majority from Baden-Württemberg. These plans are designed to provide investment and planning security for property owners and businesses.
However, some municipalities express concerns over the absence of unified legal frameworks at the state level, hindering data collection efforts. Municipalities with populations exceeding 100,000 are tasked with submitting their heat plans by mid-2026, while smaller ones have until 2028. Despite the challenges, this movement represents a significant step towards achieving Germany's climate goals, demonstrating the commitment of local governments to sustainable energy solutions.
