Hamburg's Environmental Partnership draws up new work schedule

12 April 2023

Climate protection, energy and sustainable financing top agenda

Climate protection, energy and sustainable financing are to top the agenda of the Hamburg Environmental Partnership through 2028, a press release said Wednesday (April 5, 2023). This comes after the directors of the Chamber of Skilled Crafts, the Chamber of Commerce, the Hamburg Industry Association (IVH) and the Hamburg Port Association agreed to continue their collaboration in place since 20003. The agreement was also signed by Dr Peter Tschentscher, Mayor of Hamburg and Jens Kerstan, Senator for the Environment. The network consisting of some 1,600 companies had reached the decision during this year's Environmental Business Summit in City Hall.

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"The Hamburg Environmental Partnership is a successful example of how business, politics and administration can work together to put environmental and climate protection into practice and make the business centre of Hamburg fit for the future," said Tschentscher. The network prioritises climate-friendly energy and heat, energy and resource efficiency, circular economy, sustainable purchasing and transport. "The current crises make us realise how urgently we have to face the challenges. The city has the know-how to combine environmental protection, climate neutrality and economic success," said Kerstan adding: "If business and the senate take the lead here, we can strengthen Hamburg's position, secure thousands of jobs and make our city crisis-proof in the long term."

OECD analysis - reconciling competitiveness and climate neutrality

"Hamburg's economic structure offers the best conditions for transitioning climate policies successfully and has the potential to become a shining example for other business centres," said Prof. Norbert Aust, President of the Chamber of Commerce. His sentiments were echoed by Gunther Bonz, President of Port of Hamburg Business Association, who called for ecological and economically sensible climate protection measures. To this end, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will examine means of reconciling international competitiveness and climate neutrality in various sectors on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. Andreas Pfannenberg, Vice-Chairman of the Board of IVH, stressed: "Now, it is important to accelerate investments in climate protection. Therefore, the Hamburg Environmental Partnership's new work schedule foresees closer co-operation between business and administration."

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