10'092 inhabitants - eea Gold since 2017

The city of Judenburg has been strongly committed to its environmental and climate protection responsibilities for almost 30 years as an e5 and Climate Alliance municipality and member of the Covenant of Mayors. The city's stakeholders implement a holistic mix of measures to contribute to achieving the EU climate targets and preventing the worst climate change scenarios. The city has intensified the increased use of renewable sources of energy, including biomass district heating, solar energy and hydroelectric power, supports sustainable mobility, conducts awareness and educational programmes, participates in relevant international projects and has decreased both CO2 emissions and energy consumption through increased efficiency in order to achieve its goal of becoming energy self-sufficient by 2050.

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1'081 inhabitants - eea Gold since 2004

The municipality of Langenegg has been an e5 municipality in the province of Vorarlberg since the earliest days of the programme in 1998. In 2004, it was the first municipality in Austria to receive the European Energy Award Gold, and it held a top position in the European eea ranking for several years. Based on Langenegg's long-term active involvement in the programme, the municipality has established sound structures for implementing an energy policy that is fit for the future. This is evidenced by the municipality's motto "energy.aware.experience.langenegg", by the distribution of organisational roles within the municipal administration, and by a number of strategic documents (energy guidelines, decisions of principle etc.). The municipality's first passive Plus energy house in Vorarlberg is yet another expression of its pioneering role in energy-efficient housing. .

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3'875 inhabitants - eea Gold since 2005

The municipality of Mäder has been actively involved in the e5 programme since 1998. Its energy concept, which has been regularly evaluated and updated every 5 years since 2002, defines the municipal energy policy principles and sets down not only (spatial) planning requirements, but also measurable goals for municipal buildings, mobility and cooperation with residents, local companies etc. The municipal e5 team then establishes annual priority areas from this basis, which are implemented by way of decisions of principle and activities. The municipality sets an excellent example by running a climate-neutral vehicle fleet and using 100% renewable sources of energy.

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10'860 inhabitants - eea Gold since 2009

St. Johann has implemented a wide range of energy and climate policy measures over the past 20 years and has thus demonstrated that consistent policy delivers success. The increased use of renewable sources of energy (biomass, solar energy) alone, for example, has allowed the municipality to reduce its CO2 emissions by about 25%. St. Johann was Austria's first regional capital and the first municipality in the federal state of Salzburg to be awarded the European Energy Award Gold. Beacon projects implemented by the municipality since the last audit include the construction of a second drinking water power plant and a school centre built from timber according to the most stringent energy standards. St. Johann has additionally introduced a pioneering scheme for the free use of the municipal, biogas-operated citybus and conducts outstanding educational work.

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2'196 inhabitants - eea Gold since 2009

Virgen has established a long tradition of energy action and participation, and its residents strongly identify with this tradition ("local culture of energy action and participation") and actively demand relevant goals and measures. At the same time, the municipal government is committed to continuing along this path consistently and to serving as a role model in the future. eea recertification serves to both measure and acknowledge progress achieved to date.

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754 inhabitants - eea Gold since 2017

Weissensee, an Alpine Pearls, Climate Alliance and Nature Park municipality, joined the national e5 programme for energy-efficient municipalities in 2010 and has been strongly committed to the sustainable, future-friendly handling of resources and energy since. Weissensee has set down concrete measures and goals for the period until 2020 in its energy guidelines, including the high-priority strategic goal of becoming a sustainable, ecological model region in terms of all of the municipality's major functions as a natural environment, habitat and economic area. This entails a need not only to re-shape the core issues of energy and agriculture in a future-oriented manner, but also to ensure that all aspects of tourism are developed sustainably and "soft mobility" is promoted in Weissensee.

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8'409 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2009

Wolfurt has been actively involved in the e5 programme from the very beginning and has established itself as a pioneering energy and environment municipality in recent years, based on consistent e5 progress. The municipality's commitment to promoting soft mobility through a new roadway, bicycle and pedestrian pathway concept is outstanding, above all, and its efforts to create Vorarlberg's first pedestrian priority zone on a country road have beacon character. The high implementation quality of public buildings in Wolfurt also deserves particular mention, as the municipality always tenders and implements public projects subject to the requirements of its sustainable building development package.

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3'186 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2005

Zwischenwasser in the Vorarlberg region is a pioneering municipality in terms of energy and environmental policy and has developed ground-breaking policies, above all for spatial planning and mobility, and as an initiator of awareness-building measures among its residents. The municipality also attracts considerable attention well beyond regional borders for its exemplary refurbishment of existing municipal buildings and innovative design and construction of new buildings. The municipality is strongly committed to achieving energy autonomy and implements relevant measures, including switching off street lights at night, replacing all fossil-based heating systems in municipal buildings and creating a biomass local heating network. It also conducts numerous resident participation projects such as the participatory residents' cooperative.

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198'748 inhabitants - eea Gold since 2013

The urban municipality of Dunkirk has been taking environmental and energy challenges into consideration for a long time. After obtaining the Gold Cit'ergie award in 2014, the Dunkirk urban municipality (DUM) has applied to renew its Gold Cit'ergie award in 2017. The municipality's climate - air - energy road map is completely in line with the expectations set out in the plan of action and, together with the PACET (plan air climat énergie territorial) Local Authority Air Climate Energy Plan, constitutes two steps towards implementing the political commitments of the 2015 - 2020 municipality project, especially concerning the following aspects: support for future industries (including energy), energy transition and protection of climate and the environment. By obtaining this recognition, the DUM wishes to establish its exemplary nature in terms of public energy policies and benefit from the road map's structural support and effectiveness.

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194'019 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

The sustainable energy policy of the district of Biberach is clearly reflected in the buildings owned and managed by the district. Both schools and administrative buildings are highly energy-efficient, and renewable energies feature very prominently in the generation of electricity and heat. As much as 23% of the total end-use energy requirements within the district of Biberach are already covered by renewable energies, and more than 52% of electricity is generated from renewables. The district of Biberach recently commissioned one of the most sophisticated bio-natural gas plants in Germany.

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380'000 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2014

The district of Böblingen successfully completed its Gold audit in 2014 and has maintained its good results since, achieving ratings well above 75% in almost all areas of activity. It is to be expected that the district will continue along its path of positive, consistent climate protection.

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371'097 inhabitants - eea Gold since 2012

The city of Bochum has been actively involved in the eea process since 2004. Its energy and climate activities are based on comprehensive strategic concepts that set out the city's future progress until 2030. The ongoing implementation of projects is additionally supported by a number of beacon projects. Bochum maintains very well structured networks with a range of stakeholders and has built strong partnerships with the Stadtwerke Bochum GmbH utility and Ruhr University Bochum. The city conducts a large number of highly visible activities and campaigns aimed at diverse target groups to ensure that energy and climate change issues remain at the forefront of public awareness.

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212'000 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

Based on its participation in the eea process, the Bodenseekreis district developed an exemplary district-wide climate protection strategy in collaboration with its municipalities. It was the first district in the region of Upper Swabia to build up district-wide e-charging infrastructure with mobility packages and to develop an infrastructure planning tool for municipalities that has already been implemented in three municipalities.

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24'668 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

Herzogenaurach is committed to stringent energy and climate protection policies. The municipality intends to supply all of its private households and small and agricultural businesses from renewable energies by 2030. It has been part of the eea process since 2007 in order to implement systematic climate protection management and was awarded as a European Climate Protection Municipality in 2013. Herzogenaurach participated in the eea Gold audit in view of its progress in the energy sector and the success of its climate protection measures.

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579'530 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

Leipzig has developed into a dynamic city with an above-average quality of life in recent years, and the city wishes to ensure that its growth will continue on a sustainable path. With a long-term goal of reducing annual CO2 emissions to 2.5 tons per inhabitant, Leipzig has set itself ambitious climate protection targets. The city has participated in the European Energy Award for many years, allowing it not only to identify strategic scope of action in the fields of energy-related building refurbishment, environmentally friendly energy supply, smart mobility and climate-conscious urban development, but also to take targeted action. Leipzig's application for certification under the European Energy Award Gold scheme will further strengthen the city's commitment and provide additional motivation for future endeavours in municipal climate protection.

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2'594 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

Rietschen has been a leader in climate protection policy in the region of Eastern Saxony for over 15 years. The municipality has been self-sufficient in terms of its electricity supply since 2014 and has sourced almost 40% certified green power for supplying its municipal buildings and street lighting since 2015. This has ensured a high degree of heat utilisation for the biogas plants operated by the local agricultural cooperatives, and residents have been financially supported in refurbishing detached homes to make them more energy-efficient. Energy policy measures taken throughout last year include the ongoing expansion of pedestrian and bicycle paths, the organisation of two meetings of the Eastern Saxon eea municipalities, the complete substitution of fuel oil in heating municipal buildings by more environmentally friendly solutions, and the construction of a solar plant on the roof of the municipal waste water treatment plant.

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3'616 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

The municipality of Wasserburg has actively promoted climate protection for many years and has participated in the eea process since 2007. Wasserburg adopted high-quality guiding principles for municipal energy use in 2008, which commit the municipality to comprehensive climate protection and the economical use of resources and energy. Relevant energy policy measures have been consistently implemented as a consequence. Quantifiable requirements added to the guiding principles in 2014 include the target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% by 2022, among others. As a particular highlight, Wasserburg won the "Energy Future Allgäu" competition in 2014 for its development of an environmental rating system for tourist accommodation. The municipality has now undertaken a Gold audit to reflect the successes achieved in recent years.

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5'102 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

The municipality has a long-standing commitment to establishing renewable energy generation systems such as the Heinerscheid wind park with a total output of 20,700 kW, the installation of a photovoltaic system on the day care centre in Reuler, a biogas-based heat generating unit for the school complex in Reuler as well as a woodchip-based central heating system for communal buildings located in the centre of Heinerscheid (church, cultural centre, administrative building and other small buildings).

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14'329 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

"Should I stay, or should I go?" is a pop song lyric that comes to mind in relation to Hesperange and its approach to combating climate change? Does this line accurately reflect this approach? One might add one additional - and essential - word at the end: forward! From a political point of view, this is not always easy. But is that not precisely the challenge? The daily business of managing a municipality is filled with plenty of very different concerns. So, keeping us working on environmental issues demands a focus that must be constantly at the front of our minds. Oh YES, thinking that we have a good chance of receiving the eea Gold award makes us very proud of our community. In fact, it was interesting to discover that the eea process generated a lot of brain activity and creativity in moving forward. Not only were the topics of reducing fossil energy, waste and more on the agenda, but there was also the challenge of finding new ways to deal with social and environmental problems, new ways to move (mobility and transport), to consume, and to live.

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1'040 inhabitants, since eea Gold since 2017

Energy efficiency and climate protection are focal points of municipal action, as is evidenced not only by the innovative design of the Neit Wunnen residential area, but also by the construction of school and recreational facilities designed and built in full compliance with sustainability criteria and completely supplied with heat from a biogas BTTP. The municipality has developed a refurbishment programme for existing municipal buildings and consistently implements relevant measures. The municipality of Putscheid is an excellent example of a rural municipality utilising its scope of action in terms of mobility. Putscheid additionally supports climate protection through active participation in the regional Climate Pact cooperation for the Our River Nature Park. Highly motivated municipal employees ensure that the successes achieved as part of the eea process will be maintained in the long term.

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20'799 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

The city of Aarau has been taking exemplary, pro-active steps in its energy policy in recent years. Since the municipality resolved to embed the principles of the 2000 watt society in the municipal by-laws, Aarau has successfully built a district heating and cooling network within a very short time, gradually converted its electricity mix to 100% renewable energies and developed a broad-based energy consultancy service. The town designs and builds its properties according to stringent building standards and sensitises Aarau residents regularly to issues associated with the 2000 watt society, renewable energies and energy efficiency using a diverse range of activities and events. The municipal energy balance clearly shows that its efforts are paying off.

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12'048 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2013

The Energiestadt city of Buchs has consistently pursued a sustainable, climate-relevant energy policy over the four certification cycles since its initial certification in 2001. The energy concept and Energy Cockpit adopted by the municipal council serve as planning and implementation tools for consistently working towards this goal over the coming years. Annual monitoring activities ensure the ongoing effectiveness of relevant measures.

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3'300 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

The municipality of Entlebuch has positioned itself as a role model in terms of using renewable energies. It has implemented a range of measures (guiding principles, building and zoning regulations, traffic management plan, special land use plans) to ensure that its various potentials are utilised. The municipality has created a solid basis for having energy issues prominently integrated in education and leisure activities (Entlebuch Energy Experience, UNESCO biosphere Entlebuch).

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77'400 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2009

Lucerne is undertaking its second re-audit for the eea Gold. The city was mandated by its voters to implement the goals of the 2000 watt society, requiring it to take systematic steps in its energy policy. As a result, energy is a prominent factor in the city's strategic planning. Lucerne has additionally implemented various planning tools and a monitoring system. Certification as a Gold Energiestadt forms part of its systematic approach to energy policy.

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1'422 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

Ossingen has been an Energiestadt municipality since 2001 and has implemented consistent, pro-active energy policies with a focus on maximising energy self-sufficiency based on renewable local sources of energy such as wood and solar power. The municipality both acts as a role model by fully covering its own heating and electricity needs from renewable sources of energy, and also continues to drive its sustainable development through energy planning, private-law measures and active engagement with special land use plans.

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10'603 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

The municipality of Plan-les-Ouates has been proudly committed to reducing its environmental impact and improving the quality of life of its inhabitants for a long time. A significant number of measures and projects have been undertaken in the domains of energy savings and the production of renewable energy, soft mobility (sustainable transport), waste management and the protection of fauna and flora. The "City of Energy" association encourages us to pursue these endeavours and aim for ever more ambitious objectives. A Gold award would be wonderful recognition of our involvement. It would also enable us to be an example not only to locals and visitors but also to numerous enterprises located in our community.

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5'747 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2017

After an exceptional result of 73% of points for its first City of Energy audit in 2013, the municipality of Saxon, on track to become a 2000 watt society, is aiming for the Gold award in 2017 with more than 80% of points. Winner of the Swiss Solar Prize in 2014, the municipality has for years been committed to an innovative process of developing and using sources of renewable energy, which is reflected in numerous undertakings such as the introduction of large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the provision of self-service electric cars and the creation of a "renewable energies and sustainable development" committee for the municipality. And the projects just keep rolling in: the idea of "towards zero waste" in the community, for example, the introduction of a biogas network in the eastern part of Saxon village, local energy planning and the development of photovoltaic systems on municipal and private facilities.

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35'397 inhabitants, eea Gold since 2009

The city of Vernier has already had the privilege of receiving two City of Energy Gold awards and is actively pursuing its fight against energy-intensive applications in its local area. Our actions are intended to both sensitise our inhabitants by pursuing our "New Lights" programme, and to lead by example. To do so, we are replacing oil-fired heating systems in our municipal buildings with renewable energy systems as far as possible, replacing old lights with LEDs and again cleaning up any energy-intensive public lighting. Our slogan "Vernier - Green Town" is important to us, and we are doing everything we can in order to achieve our goal of a 2000 watt society.

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