Twice a year, federal and state governmental representatives meet to exchange views on the current developments in local climate protection and individual strategic projects. The 8th German Federal State Exchange Program took place on March 19^th, 2014 at the Representation of Hesse in Berlin.

This meeting was focused on programs to foster local climate protection. In addition to the German Municipal Directive for Climate Protection, two planned policies of the BMWi regarding energy efficiency and the use of EFRE- funds were also discussed. Other topics included the strengthening of climate protection activities in rural areas. Results from the strategic development of the National Climate Initiative’s activities were presented, and the "Climate Protection Planner" was discussed as a tool for small and medium-sized municipalities. Difu reported on past and planned activities of the "Service and Competence Center: Local Climate Protection (SK:KK)". The "Service Agency Communities in One World" concluded the event by representing its activities in municipal climate protection.

Speakers at the Workshop

Moderator
Angelika Paar (IFEU)

Introduction
Dr. Sven Reinhardt (BMUB)

Programs to Foster Local Climate Protection
Birgit Wittmann (PtJ)
Katharina Voss (Difu)
Christina Pussar (BfEE)
Thilo Blennemann (Ministry of the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector of Baden-Württemberg)

Strengthening of Climate Protection Activities in Rural Areas
Caroline Gebauer (IFEU)
Hans Hertle (IFEU
Mareike Lettow (Difu)

Activities of the "Service Agency Communities in One World"
Dr. Stefan Wilhelmy (SKEW)