Hannover in brief
The City of Hannover is the state capital and economic center of Lower Saxony. Vehicle machinery manufacturing, office equipment, consumer electronics, and foodstuffs have traditionally formed the basis of the City’s economy. However, Hannover has recently developed into a center for service industries, especially banking, insurance, and tourism, which now employ 70% of the working population. The close connection between science, trade, and industry is one of Hannover’s trademarks and the city is a center for environmental technology with about 70 important firms located in the city. Nearly 40% of the city’s area is covered by gardens and woodland.
Sustainability profile
The City of Hannover has worked to take global responsibility for the environment seriously at a local level for many years. It was one of the first municipalities in Germany to set and then meet visionary objectives for climate protection and sustainability and it has won national and international acclaim for its many activities. Hannover joined the Covenant of Mayors in 2008, setting the ambitious target to save 40% CO² by the year 2020 compared to 1990 levels. Aims by 2050 are a climate neutral region with up to 95% reduction in CO² emissions and up to 50% reduction in energy consumption. The City of Hannover is an ICLEI member and a founding member of the Climate Alliance.
Thematic priorities for the exchange
Resilience and adaptation: Hannover’s Adaptation Strategy action programme consists of eight components: flood protection, rain water management, preventative soil and ground water protection, roof and façade greening, climate-appropriate vegetation, climate-appropriate town planning and construction, specific map climate adaptation, and public awareness work. The city would like to exchange relevant measures, ideas and strategies for climate adaptation with other cities and to learn from them.
Ecosystem services: As one of the 2011 European Biodiversity Capitals, Hannover has significant experience in ecosystem services that it would like to share in the context of this project. The City’s action plans for its natural areas emphasize the importance of citizen involvement, and it has developed institutions such as its school biology garden and a forest station which provide the opportunity to learn about and experience biodiversity. Hannover looks forward to sharing its accomplishments and discussing new developments with project cities.
Low-carbon development: Hannover aims to be a climate neutral city and region by 2050. The City is particularly interested in innovative city planning aspects and encouraging stakeholder involvement. Hannover is therefore interested in supporting and learning from other participants with similar goals.