NRW Focuses on Hydrogen and Future Technologies for Climate Protection and the Economy

The climate protection packages of the black-green state government are driving forward the sustainable transformation, strengthening the competitiveness of industry and securing growth and employment.

Economics and Climate Protection Minister Mona Neubaur emphasizes the opportunities climate protection offers for the economy, municipalities and citizens: “As the largest industrial state, NRW has a responsibility to actively shape change and strengthen our competitiveness.” Employment Minister Karl-Josef Laumann sees a need for action in view of the economic challenges: “We must combine the green transformation with competitive energy prices.”

The second climate protection package focuses on future technologies, the hydrogen economy and renewable energies. The hydrogen control center H2NRW helps companies to find funding, while an import concept secures the supply for production and mobility. NRW provides funding to promote the establishment of climate-neutral companies - particularly in the Rhine region and the northern Ruhr area. Start-ups in the environmental sector benefit from favorable growth capital conditions.

Companies receive support for climate-friendly investments: A special guarantee facilitates financing, qualification programs help employees with the change, and consulting initiatives such as “Coach2Change” accompany SMEs on their way to sustainable working methods. Company transformation agents are also being trained to implement resource-saving processes in companies.

Another focus is on accelerating the expansion of renewable energies. Local authorities must draw up heating plans for a climate-neutral supply by 2045. A transparency platform informs citizens about wind energy projects. Photovoltaics along roads and the use of geothermal energy and wastewater heat are also being promoted.

With this package of measures, NRW is creating the basis for a climate-neutral future without losing sight of competitiveness and prosperity. The implementation is cross-departmental, the first measures are already underway and others will start soon.