ICLEI Europe has welcomed its newest member, the City of Gartenstadt Haan (Germany).

Haan is a small city in Western Germany, home to 30,000 inhabitants. Haan is characterised by green infrastructure, which explains why it is known as the “Garden City” (Gartenstadt). The city is traversed and framed by lush river valleys, while many gardens and public parks add green spaces to the city centre, the secondary centre of Haan-Gruiten, and to residential areas. Haan is known for its historic and old timbered buildings, of which many are under monument protection and serve as charming examples of the architecture of the region.

Haan is committed to using the power of local governance to tackle environmental and climate challenges. “We see the urgency to put climate change mitigation and adaptation measures into practice on a local level, while following a sustainable path and acting as a role model for both citizens and other communities. We're an official Fairtrade City and part of the ‘Global Nachhaltige Kommune NRW’ network”, explains Mayor Dr. Bettina Warnecke. The Global Nachhaltige Kommune NRW refers to a network of 39 municipalities in the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia that are supported to develop leading sustainability strategies and reports, using the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

“After having developed our Sustainability Strategy, we are now working on an Integrated Climate Protection Concept including the calculation of our greenhouse gas balance, and a catalogue of climate protection measures. In 2022, we will also take part in a labelling process that focuses on green infrastructure and biodiversity – another global challenge we have to tackle”, adds Christine-Petra Schacht, Head of the Department for Climate, Environment, and Construction.

Both Mayor Warnecke and Ms. Schacht agree: “We are hopeful that our membership in the ICLEI network, and the resulting exchange with other municipal authorities, will help us to take our sustainable development, climate mitigation, and adaptation efforts to another level. Gaining knowledge on best-practice examples from other cities, countries and organisations has proven to be much more effective for us than one would think. Setting ambitious goals is essential for the kind of transformation cities must undergo to fight climate change. Reaching these goals is only possible with focused strategic planning, committed local actors, efficient investments and good partnerships.”

For more information on ICLEI Member Gartenstadt Haan, visit their website: https://www.haan.de/.