Ludwigsburg: Is there a risk of financial burden from the new climate protection plan?

Ludwigsburg: Is there a risk of financial burden from the new climate protection plan?

In the Ludwigsburg district, the focus is on the discussion about the Climate Mobility Plan (KMP). This plan aims to make municipal mobility sustainable and significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Nikolaos Boutakoglou from the AfD criticizes the concept as an “ideological concept” and speaks of fears that state tasks could be passed on to the districts, which could have negative effects on citizens. Peter Schimke from LuV questions whether the municipalities can afford to implement the measures given their financial situation and warns that the financial burden could ultimately remain with the municipalities.

Wolfgang Bechtle, head of the district, emphasizes the need for a common approach. The state is challenged, but the municipalities also have to make their contribution. In order to advance the KMP, it is not only important to implement the plan, but also to identify a “central measure” that must make an effective contribution to CO2 reduction by 2030 at the latest. Only if this central measure is implemented can municipalities benefit from the so-called “climate bonus”.

A network for climate protection

A central concern of the district is also the expansion of the network with municipalities that has already been established as part of the KMP. Planned network meetings are to take place twice a year, supplemented by digital exchange formats that focus on specific topics such as the expansion of the charging infrastructure. All 39 district municipalities are invited to actively participate in the measures.

In the broader context, the climate pact plays a crucial role. This was signed on April 28, 2025 between the state government of Baden-Württemberg and the municipal state associations and comes into force retroactively to January 1, 2025. The climate pact, which now also includes climate adaptation, provides for an increased funding volume of around 54.5 million euros for the years 2025 and 2026. This includes money for both programs: “Climate Protection Plus” and “KLIMOPASS”, which specifically support municipal climate protection and climate adaptation measures.

Funding opportunities and objectives

Municipal climate protection has established itself as a central pillar of climate policy. With reference to the exemplary role of the public sector in climate protection, close cooperation between the state and municipalities is considered essential in order to achieve the climate goals. Municipalities, cities and counties that aim to achieve climate-neutral local government by 2040 can receive funding by submitting a supporting declaration. So far, 579 municipalities have already agreed to this agreement.

Given these challenges and initiatives, it is crucial that municipalities actively participate and commit to achieving sustainable mobility and climate neutrality. The future financial and organizational challenges can only be overcome through strong cooperation between the state and local authorities.

For more information about the climate pact and its impact on municipalities in Baden-Württemberg, you can access the Ministry of the Environment website: Baden-Württemberg.de.

Details about the climate protection pact can also be found on the website of the Agency for Climate Protection: Climate Protection Agency.

In addition, the Bietigheim newspaper reported on the initiatives and the current situation in the Ludwigsburg district.