Ternitz 2040

The town of Ternitz has been a Climate Alliance municipality since 1991, a member of the KEM Schwarzatal region since 2010/2011, an e5 municipality (with 4e) since 2011, and was awarded the title "Energie.Vorbild.Gemeinde" in June 2023 within the LEADER region NÖ-Süd. Key focus areas include the expansion of photovoltaics, the promotion of cycling, public transport and e-mobility, energy efficiency in the public sector, the use of synergies with local industry, and the implementation of energy-efficient residential building concepts.

Short Description

Through this project, the city aims to strategically consolidate and further develop its current path, involving local key stakeholders—recognizing that only an integrated approach will allow it to meet future challenges in an ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable way.

Climate protection starts locally. Every municipality, every city can and must make its contribution. It is about safeguarding our quality of life, making our economy fit for the future and leaving our children and grandchildren a home worth living in. Cities are the engines of change. We must continue to develop. Not only on a global scale, but also on a small scale. With our climate neutrality roadmap, we are taking targeted steps to make Ternitz climate-neutral by 2040.

Mayor Christian Samwald

Portrait of a middle-aged smiling man, wearing a white shirt, blue jacket and red and white patterned tie — City mayor Christian Samwald (Copyright: Stadtgemeinde Ternitz)

The goal is to actively demonstrate how national energy and climate targets can be implemented in a municipality and region representative of Austria. Current innovative priorities include targeted unsealing of street space, engaging local industries as role models for further PV expansion—complementing the existing citizen-funded "solar power plant" in Ternitz—, expanding active mobility based on feasibility studies, and developing transport solutions tailored to both local and tourism-related needs.

The ambitious goals of the KEM region, such as achieving 50% e-mobility in new vehicle registrations, are also pursued.The outcome will be a climate neutrality roadmap including a clear vision, implementation strategy, and a package of short-, medium-, and long-term measures (both direct and indirect).

It will also provide an overview of financing options (particularly for the first two years), along with adjusted administrative structures, processes and capacities. Measures for awareness-raising, communication and participation will further support the implementation process.

Aerial view on the centre of Ternitz with the white painted church and some industrial buildings nearby. On the right side there are many trees, in the background is a hill. — Centre of Ternitz with church (Copyright: Stadtgemeinde Ternitz)

Project Partners

Project management

Stadtgemeinde Ternitz

Project partner

Ressourcen Management Agentur (RMA)
eNu – Energie- und Umweltagentur des Landes NÖ

Contact Address

Stadtgemeinde Ternitz
Hans Czettel-Platz 1
A-2630 Ternitz

Tel.: +43 (2630) 38240
E-mail: gemeinde@ternitz.at
Web: www.ternitz.gv.at