Hamburg is located in the northern part of Germany with a population of 1.8 million. Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and the seventh largest in Europe. The economic hub, the Hamburg Metropolitan Region, which includes parts of Lower Saxony and Schleswig Holstein, has a population of 4.3 million.
Hamburg bears the title ‘European Green Capital 2011’ for its combination of a history of progressive policies and ambitious climate protection goals.
Hamburg signed the Covenant of Mayors in 2009 and submitted the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) in 2010.
Targets
· 40% CO2 reduction by 2020 and 80% by 2050
· Double the proportion of trips made by bicycle from 9% in 2002 to 18% in 2015
Examples of local initiatives
· Renewable Energy Cluster operating company to become a leading location for innovative services in the renewable sector
· Germany’s two largest wind turbines (output of 6 MW each) set up in Hamburg
· Pilot project for geothermal heating examined for the Wilhelmsburg area
· Expansion of the use of roofs for solar panels in 2011
· Initiative to increase the use of combined heat and power generation (CHP)
· Plans to construct a network of ‘velo routes’, increase the use of cycle lanes, improve cycle tracks along main roads, and provide more parking spaces for bicycles
· Plans to expand its successfully launched cycle hire scheme
· Infrastructure for 100 public charging stations constructed in 2011, in order to ensure energy supply for electric vehicles
· Construction of new S-Bahn (suburban rapid transit) and U-Bahn (metro) lines S4 and U4 and improvement of infrastructure and public transport services