Advice on the Design and Implementation of the Energy Agency Ebersberg-München's "Zukunftsaktie"

Many municipalities across Germany play a key role in climate change mitigation: without them, the country’s ambitious climate  goals are impossible. It is no longer just a question of overcoming the challenges we face due to climate change, but also taking advantage of the opportunities. The consistent, logical efforts of municipalities not only have lasting, sustainable effects, but also have other positive outcomes. Municipal climate protection projects can relieve the financial budget, lower energy costs, increase regional added value and contribute to the improved quality of life of citizens. The municipal scope for action is large and many municipalities have innovative concepts and long-term strategies.

In the context of social and economic sustainability, the district of Munich is a pioneer in its climate protection activities. On behalf of the energy agency Ebersberg-München, adelphi advised the county of Munich on the design and implementation of a new financing mechanism – the “Zukunftsaktie”, i.e. “future share”. The Zukunftsaktie is intended to financially support regional climate protection projects, such as the restoration of bogs, humus build-up and renewable energy production, as well as international projects, like reforestation and renewable energy in the global south. By buying shares, the county administration itself, but also companies, citizens and associations can financially contribute to the achievement of the local climate goals. Their own carbon footprint is used as a calculation basis for the amount to invest. The funds flow back to the region, where they co-finance local climate protection measures, and to stakeholders worldwide to help achieve medium-term climate protection goals. The Zukunftsaktie is a pioneering tool for municipal climate neutrality and complements the district's existing climate protection activities.

adelphi supported this effort by developing a matrix for the selection of regional projects to be funded via the Zukunftsaktie starting in 2020. The project team drew up a catalogue of criteria to help assess projects against various standpoints – for example, greenhouse gas savings, climate protection efficiency, sustainability, transferability, administrative burdens, social compatibility and publicity. The matrix includes specific indicators for each indicator.