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The town of Bottrop, located in the heart of Germany's Ruhr area, has once again been honoured with the European Energy Award (EEA) in gold. This marks the fourth time Bottrop has received this prestigious accolade, previously in 2010, 2013, and 2016.
The awards ceremony took place on June 7, 2021, at the "Josef Albers Museumszentrum Quadrat" in Bottrop. Six municipalities from the Münster region were honoured, including Bottrop, Lengerich, Greven, Vreden, Altenberge, and Ladbergen.
The EEA is a process-oriented procedure that recognises municipalities making exceptional efforts in energy and climate protection policy. It is based on quality management systems from the economy and translates declarations of intent into sustainable energy policy.
To qualify for the EEA, a municipality must meet the requirements of ISO 14000 in the energy-relevant area, provided all legal requirements are met. Bottrop has demonstrated its commitment to this standard through numerous initiatives and projects, such as the continuous review of using regenerative energies during renovation measures and replacement investments.
One of Bottrop's most notable achievements is its high renovation rate. With a rate of 3.3 percent, Bottrop outshines the national average of 2 percent, positioning it as the leading city with more than 100,000 inhabitants in Germany and Europe.
Bottrop's dedication to energy efficiency is evident in its street lighting, which has been optimised energetically and converted to LED lights over time. The town is also committed to involving society in achieving its climate protection goals.
Intensive persuasion, free initial consultations, and the use of funding have contributed to Bottrop's success in promoting energy-efficient renovations. The EEA, with its structured process, defined sponsorship, regulations for granting, monitoring, and revoking the award, and an IT-supported audit tool for evaluating performance, has played a significant role in supporting Bottrop's sustainable efforts.
For more information about the European Energy Award and the awarded municipalities, visit www.european-energy-award.de.
Despite being the last city in the Ruhr area with an active coal mine, Prosper-Haniel, Bottrop has focused on future viability alongside coal mining. The town's dedication to energy efficiency and climate protection is a testament to its forward-thinking approach, making it a role model for other municipalities striving for sustainability.
