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Dortmund sets an example of green and social transition
Dortmund has discussed energy plans with community representatives at the invitation of Lord Mayor of Dortmund Thomas Westphal.
He pointed out that Dortmund implemented effective energy-saving measures and reacted to the energy crisis quickly, but stressed the importance of remaining vigilant even though worst-case scenarios have been averted.
Westphal reminded that Dortmund’s residents, businesses and institutions worked together and cut energy consumption in recent months, but warned that high energy prices present a challenge for the city in the long term.
City authorities stressed that lower consumption of energy helped to stabilise the situation, as did the mild winter, while natural-gas exporting neighbours helped Germany to fill its storage facilities in preparation for the heating season.
Dortmund’s energy utility DEW21 noted that it filled its storages on time and implemented price caps as well as continued to develop renewables to address the energy situation.
Participants of the meeting agreed that Dortmund’s response was effective, but stressed the importance of continuing to support people with low income, who are most affected.
They pointed out that the energy transition must be accompanied by strong social measures to make sure that negative effects of the green push are kept to a minimum and concluded that environmentalism and social protection can go hand in hand.
(Photo credit: Stadt Dortmund / Christian Teichmann)
