Waiblingen defends itself against red card: criticism of environmental aid methods!

Waiblingen defends itself against red card: criticism of environmental aid methods!

The city of Waiblingen is coming under criticism due to the current “Heat Check 2.0” from German Environmental Aid (DUH). In the assessment published on June 18, 2025, Waiblingen received a red card. This decision may have been influenced by several factors, but the city itself doubts the assessment methods used by the DUH and complains that the specific climatic conditions, such as those of the Rems and Talaue areas, may not be properly taken into account.

Compared to the previous heat check from 2024, little has changed. The city of Waiblingen now finds itself joining a number of metropolises such as Frankfurt/Main, which also have problems with urban heat pollution. According to an analysis by SWR Many regions in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate performed poorly in this survey. Temperatures of over 30 degrees are expected in many of these areas, which can significantly impact residents' quality of life.

Criticism of the DUH's methods

Since its founding in 1975, Deutsche Umwelthilfe has launched numerous environmental and consumer protection initiatives. Their current study includes 190 cities with more than 50,000 residents, 31 of which received a red light. In Baden-Württemberg, the biggest losers include cities such as Mannheim, Ludwigsburg and Heilbronn. Waiblingen is now part of this critical list, which is worrying those responsible on site.

Overall, “Heat Check 2.0” shows that the increase in hot days is a major problem in many cities. In Baden-Württemberg, the number of hot days has doubled from around five to eleven per year in the last 30 years. The city of Waiblingen is therefore calling for a reassessment of the criteria, particularly with regard to the influence of natural conditions on the microclimate.

Heat action plans and possible solutions

Despite the negative reviews, many cities in Baden-Württemberg are already taking measures to address the challenges posed by the heat. Cities like Mannheim and Karlsruhe, for example, have set up drinking fountains and “cool cards” to offer citizens heat protection. Similar measures to improve living conditions could also be considered in Waiblingen.

Overall, it remains to be seen how the city of Waiblingen will react to the results of the heat check and what steps will be taken to meet the demands of climate change. The discussion about the DUH's assessment methods and their impact on local politics will certainly continue as pressure grows on cities to arm themselves more effectively against rising temperatures.

In summary, it can be said that the city of Waiblingen has both a critical voice in the current debate about urban heat protection and could play a pioneering role when it comes to finding innovative solutions.