Sustainable Practices as an Economic Resource for Cities Economy and Environment: two mutually complementary aspects Challenges and Chances

Hans Mönninghoff since 1989Head of the City of Hannover Directorate of Environmental Affairs since 1997 also Deputy of the Lord Mayor in his function as Chief Executive since 2005 also Head of Directorate of Economic Affairs till 2013 re-elected in all three functions 1650 employees, 315m Euro budget

Hannover – at the centre of Europe

Hannover City 750 years old, but 95% of the centre destroyed by bombs in the 2nd World War 520,000 inhabitants 272,000 jobs of which 150,000 commuters the world’s largest trade fair location a city of green spaces with a good quality of life

The foundations of sustainable development Stable population and social structures Employment Environmental quality and quality of life Stable municipal finances

Challenge I Demographic change Hannover, demographic change  increase in the proportion of older residents  increase in the immigrant population

Challenge II Employment currently +/- 12.8% unemployment Jobs Manufacturing and processing industries 140,95246,800 Service industries211,535308,800 Others (e.g. retail)28,40017,300 Total380,887372,900

Challenge III Maintaining the quality of urban life, central soft location factors Hannover - City of Gardens  around 50% of the city area is greenspace, making a major contribution to the quality of urban life.  a good place to live:  culture  environment  urban lifestyle  amenities

‘Hannover plus10’ city development programme Components: ‘Young City’ to keep achievers and aspirers in the city and maintain a stable population Encouraging civic commitment and self-reliance Promoting innovation and economic growth through 1.the ‘hannoverimpuls’ programme 2.‘Klimaschutzregion Hannover’

Hannoverimpuls Launched in 2003 Focus sectors Automotive Life sciences Production technology Laser technology Information and communications technology Start-ups 60m Euro in municipal subsidies over 10 years

Hannover - Climate Protection Region 5m Euros funding each year for 10 years, mainly from municipal energy utilities, for energy-saving and climate protection measures About 1,000 buildings a year retrofitted for energy efficiency

2,000 solar thermal panels and 250 photovoltaic installations 240 wind turbine generators Climate Protection Region: successes so far

Advantage 1: more local purchasing power In 2005 Hannover’s private households spent around 220 million € on gas and oil, most of which came from abroad. Reducing these imports will increase local purchasing power considerably.

Advantage II: More jobs Regional craft industries: Investment in and technologies for climate protection stimulate a dynamic added- value chain for the regional craft trades and businesses - an important job motor for the local economy. In the Hannover region there are already 3,000 people working in climate protection.

Summary Economic growth and sustainable development are not contradictions: Sustainable development means that economic, ecological and social issues are harmonised. Economic and ecology are not adversaries; they enhance each other’s potential. Better environmental standards and quality of life are important soft factors for the economic development of a city.

Thank you!