On 6-7 November 2024, representatives from 15 small and medium-sized cities in Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Croatia gathered in Chemnitz for a study tour as part of the Ready4NetZero project. Funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate, this event brought together 29 participants from Poland, Hungary, Romania and Croatia to explore strategies for achieving climate neutrality in urban settings. The Ready4NetZero project supports small and medium-sized cities in developing ambitious, long-term climate neutrality strategies, emphasizing collaboration and sharing best practices across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

Innovative Site Visits Showcasing Chemnitz’s Sustainability Efforts

During the two-day tour, participants visited several innovative sites in Chemnitz, showcasing the city's commitment to sustainability and energy transition. Highlights included a renewable district heating system in the Brühl district that combines LowEx-technology and solar thermal energy, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 82%. Participants also toured the largest battery storage facility in Saxony, which stabilizes the local grid and offsets an estimated 46,000 tons of CO₂ annually. Other visits included solar-heated residential buildings and a thermally renovated kindergarten that uses a wood-chip heating system powered by local wood production waste. Finally, the guests had an opportunity to see key parts of Chemnitz's cycling infrastructure, including dedicated bike streets and a cycling highway.

Engagement with Chemnitz's Climate Leaders

In addition to site visits, participants had the opportunity to engage in discussions with key representatives from the City of Chemnitz. Mrs. Carina Kühnel, Head of the city's Environmental Department, shared insights into Chemnitz's climate strategies, including the city's ambitious goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2040 and its adaptive measures to address increasing extreme weather events. Mrs. Sarah Arnold, Climate Protection Officer, discussed initiatives to promote cycling, detailing the STADTRADELN campaign and ongoing efforts to build high-quality cycling infrastructure. Mr. Andreas Braumann, Head of Central Energy Management, presented Chemnitz's renewable energy and thermal insulation projects, highlighting the city's progress toward sustainable building management.

Presentation of Ready4NetZero Guidance and CEE City Contributions

During the tour, Ecologic Institute's Ewa Iwaszuk presented the Ready4NetZero guidance document, which provides municipalities with tools and frameworks to develop their own local long-term climate neutrality strategies. Representatives from the CEE cities shared their own experiences, challenges, and successes in pursuing climate goals, fostering a sense of collaboration and shared purpose in achieving a low-carbon future.

Reflections on Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

The Chemnitz Study Tour concluded with participants reflecting on the knowledge and inspiration gained from the visit. The event underscored the importance of cooperation and knowledge-sharing in meeting the EU's climate neutrality targets, demonstrating how small and medium-sized cities can be powerful drivers of Europe's sustainable transformation.