Schleswig-Holstein aims to become a climate-neutral model region
The second Net Zero Valley Conference at the Holstenhallen in Neumünster officially launched the next phase of Schleswig-Holstein’s bid to become a Net Zero Valley. Nearly 300 participants from research, business, local government and politics discussed how Schleswig-Holstein could become a European model region for climate-neutral industrial and infrastructure development.
At the opening of the conference, Iris Meyer, Managing Director of Wirtschaftsagentur Neumünster GmbH, formally presented the application for “Net Zero Valley Schleswig-Holstein” on behalf of the Net Zero Valley Initiative to Tobias Goldschmidt, Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister for Energy Transition, Climate Action, the Environment and Nature. The discussion then turned to specific measures and projects that could help the state realise its potential for a climate-neutral industrial future.
“Our bid now covers the whole of Schleswig-Holstein as a single Net Zero Valley. That shows how closely our goal of climate neutrality is linked to our economic development here in the north. This statewide initiative is an important project for our future and a real opportunity,” said Energy Transition Minister Tobias Goldschmidt. “As a pioneer in the energy transition, Germany’s True North is a pillar of Europe’s climate strategy. We produce an abundance of renewable energy, which gives us ideal conditions for the climate-neutral industries of the future.”
“The Net Zero Valley gives Schleswig-Holstein the opportunity to put climate action at the heart of its economic development,” explained Julia Carstens, State Secretary for Economic Affairs. “As a European model region, we can make it easier to invest, accelerate innovation and generate more economic value here in the state. That will strengthen the competitiveness of our businesses and make Schleswig-Holstein even more attractive to the industries of the future.”
Net Zero Valleys are model regions that bring together climate-neutral industry, renewable energy and modern infrastructure. Their benefits include faster permitting procedures, priority access to EU funding and favourable conditions for industry and business.
Following the formal handover, Steffen Volk of the Net Zero Valley Initiative Schleswig-Holstein presented the application in detail and outlined the next steps for putting it into practice.
“A compelling application that draws on broad support and contributions from a wide range of partners is essential if we want to create value here in Germany’s True North on a scale that matches our European ambitions,” said Volk. “Recognition as a European model region could help us move promising infrastructure projects that support clean industry forward much faster.” Dr Jan Diekmann, Managing Director of Itzehoe-based CustomCells GmbH, then showed how advanced battery cell technology made in Schleswig-Holstein can contribute to Europe’s technological sovereignty.
The panel that followed explored in more detail how to achieve these goals. Representatives of the EU, Germany’s federal government, the state of Schleswig-Holstein and the net-zero technology sector discussed what regional partners and policymakers in Berlin and Brussels expect from one another, how investment opportunities can attract businesses to the region, and how the plans could be put into practice.
After the conference, guests had the opportunity to network and share expertise in an informal setting. An exhibition showcased the range of projects already under way or planned across Schleswig-Holstein. If its application is successful, the state would become Germany’s fourth official model region for net-zero technologies, following the Net Zero Valleys of Lausitz (Brandenburg and Saxony), Nordwest (Lower Saxony) and Rheinisches Revier (North Rhine-Westphalia).
Responsible for this press release: Steffen Volk, Clean Energy Valley Schleswig-Holstein, +49 431 2484-145,
