Climate manager starts

Created: 12/14/2022, 09:00

By: Nicole Kalenda

Climate protection as a top priority: Jörg Degen (left), the new climate manager, reports directly to Mayor Hermann Nafziger.

© Dagmar Rutt

Jörg Degen is the new climate manager for the municipality of Planegg.

The climate protection concept should be in place within 18 months.

He says: "Very good ground has been prepared here."

Planegg

– The Planegg municipal council decided in autumn 2021 to create the post of climate manager.

Now, a year later, biologist Jörg Degen has started his work.

The position is initially limited to two years and is funded by the federal government.

The aim is to set up a climate protection concept.

The biologist Jörg Degen is the new climate manager in Planegg

For the 53-year-old Degen, it's a return to his roots.

After studying biology in Würzburg, completing his doctoral thesis entitled "Development of a photobioreactor with improved light utilization for microalgae" and other positions, he ended up in the pharmaceutical industry 16 years ago.

"That's where I learned the tools of my trade," he said in a press conference on Tuesday.

"Leading a project, setting priorities, networking: that's much more important than pure professional qualities." And further: "I don't have to bring the expertise with me, I just have to use it." There are already some experts in the town hall, especially in the environmental office.

The climate manager himself has a staff position and reports directly to Mayor Hermann Nafziger.

Degen has lived in the Würmtal for 20 years and in Planegg for ten years.

“One of the reasons the position appealed to me is the opportunity to advance climate action in my community.

That's a bit closer to my heart than pharmaceutical quality control." Climate protection means limiting global warming to a level that people can bear and making adjustments to the consequences of climate change, such as less frost, dry summers, storms.

Planegg's new climate manager wants to promote climate protection

When the municipal council decided at the beginning of October, at the request of the SPD, to have an energy use plan drawn up, the committee also voted to “guarantee the municipality’s energy supply from 100 percent renewable sources by 2045 at the latest”.

Degen: “The municipality should become climate-neutral.

We'll have to see how quickly we can do that.” The climate protection concept should be “complete after 18 months at the latest”.

Then it's time for implementation.

An analysis of the current situation is Degen's first task.

After six weeks in office, he says: "In Planegg there are a lot of things that are already happening." He mentions the combined heat and power plant, photovoltaics on the roof of the Feodor-Lynen-Gymnasium and the supply of the municipal administration with natural electricity.

“The whole thing is still to be channeled.

Very good ground has been prepared here.”

The heat supply in Planegg is to be revised

He sees it as a matter of urgency to work on the heat supply, as this is the biggest driver in terms of greenhouse gases.

Degen: "We need a heat demand analysis for all of Planegg.

We need clear data in order to be able to go to partners.” The heat requirement for the entire municipal area must be determined, how many megawatts, which peaks, how many large and small customers.

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Such an investigation was already carried out in 2009.

"It was very detailed.

This must be updated as quickly as possible,” says Mayor Nafziger.

“The aim is to supply Planegg with geothermal energy.

This is the best heat source you can have.

In the case of gas, we know that there is no long-term future.” In contrast to Graefelfing, the municipality itself does not have its own geothermal energy claim.

Planegg has possible locations for wind turbines checked - results are expected in 2023

The results of the investigation into possible locations for wind turbines are expected at the beginning of next year.

In addition, Nafziger is trying to make an agri-photovoltaic system a reality as a citizen model.

The funding programs would also be expanded.

Nafziger: "At the end of the day, there should be a climate protection concept with guidelines that show us what we can do."