By 2020 the city of Bielefeld aims to achieve the ambitious target of saving 40 percent CO2 and using 20 percent renewable energy. BIZE is an important actor in this process, especially with regard to the task of integrating local industry.

The key tasks of this initiative included a special focus on devising a concept for building refurbishment and thermal insulation. On the basis of a decision by Bielefeld City Council to reduce CO2 emissions by 40 percent by 2020 and raise the renewable share of energy consumption to 20 percent, BIZE has been working on the following fields:

• Network for energy advice and promotion measures,
• Improving training and qualifications,
• Cooperation between multiple craft trades,
• Energy efficiency/renewable energy in trade and industry.

In addition to a focus on devising advisory and information services, the activities also involved promotion programmes run by the energy utilities for solar thermal systems, heat pumps, biogas, biomass and thermal insulation, and a special credit programme by the local savings bank. The initiative also developed strategies for using urban roofs and open spaces for photovoltaic systems, and for energy-saving refurbishment of municipal and private buildings. In addition, Stadtwerke Bielefeld GmbH drew up a viable future energy supply concept committed in particular to the Federal Government’s goals (reduction in CO2 emissions; use of renewable energy), but also to sustainable economic efficiency and Bielefeld’s requirements with regard to energy supply security.

The initiative organized networking of companies and users for new projects successfully through workshops and forums or with top-class technical events.

Important impulses for technical innovations were developed in the field of constructing new buildings, in addition, special attention is paid to the existing stock of buildings.

The initiative successfully supports the city of Bielefeld in achieving the ambitious climate protection targets and in saving 40 percent CO2 by 2020 and using 20 percent of renewable energies.