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The funding call for "Natürliche Klimaschutzmaßnahmen in Unternehmen" is part of the KfW-Umweltprogramm, initiated by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) in Germany. The program supports companies in implementing natural climate protection and biodiversity-enhancing measures on their premises. Eligible projects include greening roofs and facades, planting trees, restoring natural habitats such as green spaces and small water bodies, and employing decentralized rainwater management and greywater usage. These actions aim to strengthen ecosystems, improve biodiversity, and enhance climate resilience on commercial or industrial sites.
The program is designed to help businesses create ecologically valuable areas, improve soil functions, and promote local water cycles, while also contributing to carbon sequestration. The ultimate goal is to mitigate the effects of climate change by fostering resilient ecosystems, especially in populated areas, and enhancing the environmental quality of business premises for both nature and people.
Funding is available to companies with a majority of private ownership, and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) receive more favorable conditions. The support is provided through KfW promotional loans, with a repayment bonus of 40-60% upon successful implementation of the funded measures, depending on the size of the company.
By linking climate protection to the promotion of diverse ecosystems, this program encourages businesses to actively participate in environmental conservation while also preparing for future climate impacts such as heavy rain, heat, and drought. The initiative is part of the Natural Climate Protection Action Program (ANK), which emphasizes the importance of integrating climate action with biodiversity and ecosystem restoration efforts across Germany.
Find the funding call website in german here.
Expected Outcome
The expected outcomes of the "Natürliche Klimaschutzmaßnahmen in Unternehmen" project are centered around improving environmental quality, enhancing ecosystem services, and increasing climate resilience. Specifically, the project aims to achieve the following key outcomes:
- Improved Ecosystem Health: By restoring natural habitats, such as green spaces, small water bodies, and tree-rich environments, the project seeks to enhance biodiversity on business premises. This will help support local wildlife, improve soil health, and foster more resilient ecosystems.
- Increased Biodiversity: The creation of natural, biodiverse spaces, such as green roofs and facades, will provide habitats for insects and other wildlife, promoting species diversity even in industrial or urbanized areas.
- Enhanced Climate Resilience: Through the adoption of decentralized water management systems, including rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling, businesses will improve their ability to manage water resources efficiently. This will increase resilience to extreme weather conditions such as droughts, heavy rains, and floods.
- Carbon Sequestration: The planting of trees and the creation of green areas will contribute to the sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2), helping mitigate climate change by reducing the carbon footprint of businesses.
- Creation of Ecological Corridors ("Trittsteine"): By establishing biodiverse green spaces, businesses will help create ecological stepping stones that improve connectivity between ecosystems in urban and industrial areas, promoting the movement and survival of species.
- Improved Aesthetic and Environmental Quality for Workers and Communities: Greener, more natural environments on business premises will not only benefit nature but also improve the aesthetic quality and wellbeing for employees and local communities.
Overall, the project is expected to contribute to both natural climate protection and sustainable business practices, aligning corporate spaces with environmental goals.
Scope
The scope of the "Natürliche Klimaschutzmaßnahmen in Unternehmen" funding call encompasses a wide range of natural climate protection and biodiversity-enhancing activities that businesses can implement on their premises. Specifically, the program supports actions that promote ecosystem restoration, sustainable land use, and climate resilience. The key areas of focus include:
- Restoration and Creation of Natural Ecosystems: This involves transforming industrial or commercial spaces into biodiversity-friendly areas by creating or restoring natural habitats such as green spaces, small water bodies, and natural vegetation.
- Soil and Surface Improvement: The program encourages the de-sealing of paved surfaces and their renaturation, enhancing the local ecosystem’s ability to manage water naturally and support biodiversity.
- Tree Planting and Vegetation Management: Businesses are encouraged to plant trees, improve growing conditions, and ensure the protection of existing trees. This also includes creating green roofs and facades to improve biodiversity and the microclimate of industrial spaces.
- Water Management: Another priority is the implementation of decentralized rainwater management systems, which include capturing, using, and managing rainfall and greywater to reduce water wastage and improve water conservation efforts.
- Training and Equipment for Eco-friendly Maintenance: The call also includes provisions for training employees and acquiring equipment for sustainable, insect-friendly maintenance of green spaces, ensuring long-term environmental benefits.
These measures aim to strengthen ecosystems, improve biodiversity, enhance soil and water functions, and increase resilience against climate change effects such as extreme weather events. The scope is national, with companies across Germany eligible to apply for funding, especially those with a majority private ownership.