Making the energy transition in heating socially equitable – the responsibility of local authorities and consumers

The energy transition in heating and the current municipal heat planning are central building blocks for a sustainable and climate-friendly future. But how can they be designed in such a way that they are both ecologically effective and socially just? What measures are necessary to ensure a comprehensive, affordable, and climate-neutral heat supply?

In the Münsteraner Klimagespräch titled “Making the heat transition socially just – the responsibility of municipalities and consumers” on Thursday, June 5, 7 p.m. at the VHS Forum, Aegidiistr. 70, the Climate Department of the City of Münster will provide information about the heat plan until 2026. Its implementation will be the responsibility of house and apartment owners, who will have to modernize their buildings and heating supply – tenants will also be affected. The expansion of the network infrastructure will be carried out by municipal utilities and city networks. Thomas Möller, Head of the Climate Department of the City of Münster, Dr. Leandra Praetzel, Chair of the Environment Committee of the City Council of Münster, and Alexandra Rösing, Managing Director of Stadtnetze Münster, have been invited to give keynote speeches and discuss the following questions: What political and infrastructural decisions can and must the City of Münster make in order to drive forward the heating transition? What role do citizens play in the transition to climate-friendly heat sources – and what support do they need? How can we ensure that lower-income households are not disproportionately burdened? These topics will also be discussed at group tables with, among others, lawyer Noma Hajar from the Tenants' Protection Association, Dr. Andrej Jentsch, specialist in the evaluation of supply technologies and district heating from Scientists4Future, and Ralf Mertins, Head of Market + Customer at Stadtwerke Münster, who will provide impetus for the discussions and answer questions. There will be no personal consultations. Harald Nölle, managing director of the Environmental Forum, will begin with a brief overview of heat supply in Münster and invite participants to actively engage in the discussion and work together to develop solutions for a socially just heat transition. The event is free and open to all.  More information and registration details can be found here.

The Münsteraner Klimagespräche are prepared by a group of actors consisting of the Zentrum für Interdisziplinäre Nachhaltigkeitsforschung at the University of Münster (ZIN), Evangelisches Forum, the Umweltforum Münster e. V., the Beirat für kommunale Entwicklungszusammenarbeit, the  Beirat für Klimaschutz, and the vhs Münster.