Austria is looking for the "Climate Protection Municipality 2009"
Once again, the "Lebensministerium" (Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management), Verbund and the Austrian Association of Municipalities are looking for Austria’s climate-friendliest municipalities. Wanted are communities that exhibit innovative and exemplary effort in their activities in the areas Renewable Energy Sources, Energy Efficiency and Awareness Raising.
"We have to approach topics like supply security, climate protection, sustainability and economic efficiency jointly and committed, in a comprehensive process. Here at Verbund, we are determined to make a major contribution to mitigate the prevailing economic crisis and the doom-and-gloom atmosphere. Let’s take this historic opportunity to take a large step forward towards a better energy future - securer, more independent and environmentally friendlier," said Wolfgang Anzengruber, Chairman of the Managing Board at Verbund, pointing out why the company is providing financial support to this competition.
The competition - a great success
Already the first competition in 2008 caught on very well and inspired around 80 cities and municipalities to take part in it. In a multiple-stage procedure, the jury panel elected the municipality of Munderfing (winner in the category Awareness Raising), the municipality of Großschönau (winner in the category Energy Efficiency) and the urban municipality of Güssing (winner in the category Renewable Energy Sources) as Austria's Climate Protection Municipalities 2008.
This year, better chances for small municipalities
In this year's "Climate Protection Municipality 2009" competition, the submission categories are divided into subcategories depending on the size of the municipality. This gives small municipalities and their climate protection projects a much better chance of winning.
The competition contributions have to deal with the generation, consumption and/or the efficient use of electricity and thermal energy. They may involve both technical measures and awareness-raising projects. The rating criteria will be degree of innovation, sustained energy and cost efficiency, energy and emissions savings, integration into an energy concept, regional integration and exemplary effect.
The winners in the nine categories can look forward to prize money amounting to 90,000 euros along with the popular place-name sign with the green frame and the embossed writing "Climate Protection Municipality 2009" in original size. The prizes will be awarded at a festive gala ceremony on November 25, 2009.
The submission period starts on April 16, 2009 and ends on June 14, 2009. Projects should be submitted online at www.kommunalnet.at/klimaschutzgemeinde.