Climate protection and climate adaptation
For a sustainable NRW
Making a contribution to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to a green Europe - these are the goals of the funding priority "Climate protection and adaptation".
The path to a green future
What does climate protection and adaptation mean in the context of ERDF/JTF funding in North Rhine-Westphalia? What instruments are available in practice to deal with the climate crisis and improve the quality of life of people in the region? How does the funding program help to implement climate protection, take precautions and contribute to a climate-neutral, circular and competitive North Rhine-Westphalia with concrete projects? Specifically, the funding focus is on energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gases, sustainable urban mobility and green infrastructure, climate resilience and the circular economy. Last but not least, the focus is on implementing the European Green Deal, which aims to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050.
Energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings
About 20 percent of local authority properties are used for cultural, sports, tourism or charitable purposes - but they account for well over 25 percent of energy consumption. Most of them were built before the first Thermal Insulation Ordinance came into force. This is why their energy-saving potential is particularly high.
Funding is provided for the planning and implementation of integrated energy efficiency refurbishment measures by local authorities, municipal companies and institutions as well as associations and foundations in order to significantly reduce consumption. Due to their role model function, public building measures are particularly suitable for providing new impetus in the area of energy efficiency. Further information can be found on the funding measure page "Energy-efficient public buildings".
Climate adaptation at local and regional level
In order to implement climate adaptation strategies and increase resilience to extreme weather conditions such as heat, heavy rain, drought or storms, networking should help to disseminate and expand knowledge and implement concrete measures on the ground. The aim is also to give greater consideration to the topic in planning and economic processes and to embed it in holistic strategies. Funding is provided for investment measures that serve to adapt to the climate and thus improve risk prevention against the consequences of climate change at local and regional level. This calls for cooperation between the local economy and municipalities as well as research and educational institutions and other stakeholders.
The transition to a resource-efficient circular economy
Saving resources, avoiding waste and closing material cycles are key aspects of a sustainable economy. This is why the state and the EU are supporting the circular economy with various funding offers from the ERDF program. In the "Ressource.NRW" call, the focus is on innovative process technologies and recycling methods in small and medium-sized enterprises in order to improve the state of the art and support their establishment on the market. Find out more about the framework conditions of the funding call "Ressource.NRW".
In order to support the climate-friendly circular economy in cities and municipalities, the "Circular Economy - Circular.Cities NRW" is aimed at local stakeholders. Joint projects involving small and medium-sized enterprises, municipalities, municipal companies and institutions, research and educational institutions, associations and foundations receive financial support for the transition to a circular economy. This includes innovative approaches to reuse and further use, repair and recycling as well as product design approaches and new business models that help to create systemic circular innovations. The design and production process of new products should be directly designed in such a way that they are low-polluting, durable and repairable and contain recyclable raw materials. Similar objectives are pursued by the promotion of cooperative alliances of at least five independent companies with a permanent establishment or branch in North Rhine-Westphalia, which jointly implement an idea for the development and utilization of a business model in the circular economy along a value chain.
Resource efficiency consulting provides SMEs in the commercial sector in North Rhine-Westphalia with support in the transformation to the circular economy. The aim is to make companies more competitive and establish NRW as a location for sustainable business. Funding is provided for advice on the resource-saving design of business processes, production processes and products. Get more information on the funding measure Resource efficiency consulting.
Climate protection and climate adaptation through green infrastructure
Green infrastructure - this refers to natural and near-natural, managed areas that together make a comprehensive contribution to the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity. In order to preserve, restore, enhance and connect them in NRW, the ERDF/JTF programme supports municipalities, municipal companies and institutions, research and educational institutions, associations and foundations in the design and implementation of corresponding measures. New or upgraded green and open spaces have a variety of benefits: renewed ecosystems, greater biodiversity, a contribution to the European Union's biodiversity strategy, habitats and migration corridors for animals and plants, new leisure and recreational opportunities, reduced air pollution and healthier living conditions. Nature-based, multifunctional approaches should offer solutions even where space is limited and networking with the surrounding area should counteract land fragmentation. Appropriate investment measures can be coupled with information and education programs to further increase people's understanding of the importance of natural capital. The aim is to strengthen green infrastructure as an overall system through all measures in order to enhance nature as well as the living and working environment for a better quality of life. Find more information on the funding measure "Green infrastructure".
Of course, climate and environmentally friendly mobility solutions also play a crucial role in sustainable regional development. The ERDF/JTF program in NRW promotes the development of the mobility of the future. You can find out more on the page focusing on "City and region".
All measures in the thematic area "Climate protection and climate adaptation" were assessed as being compatible with the "Do no significant harm" principle (DNSH principle), as they do not have a significant negative impact on the environment due to their nature. Find out more about the environmental impact assessment in the section "ERDF/JTF transparent".
Support measures
The ERDF/JTF NRW 2021-2027 program offers a wide range of funding opportunities through the implementation of the priorities. A total of 12 different specific objectives are subordinated to the priorities, from which the approximately 30 measures of the program result in order to provide the necessary impetus for future development.