Planning for a full-city detox in Munich

Being the third-largest city in Germany and renowned for its excellent living standards, Munich is tasked with satisfying the heating needs of a large, expectant population. As a part of the 112 Mission Cities aiming to become climate-neutral by 2030, Munich wants to make sure its heating and cooling system is powered by local, renewable and healthy sources.

Resilience, independence and sustainability 

With heating and cooling covering almost 40% of the greenhouse gas emissions in Munich, the city saw in the decarbonisation of the sector a key opportunity to come closer to climate neutrality and increase energy independence. By investing in renewables and fossil fuel phase-out, the city can rely on its own resources rather than on external suppliers of oil and gas. 

Thorough planning for a full-city detox 

Planning was key to make this ambition a reality. Munich used detailed and consistent databases to inform the citizens of the best heating systems for their area, establishing a relationship of trust and understanding both with inhabitants and energy providers. The plan is now accessible to everyone online, and it is not strictly fixed – instead, it’s meant to improve upon input by stakeholders and new developments in the market. 

Engaging everyone in the detox 

For an endeavour so crucial as the city’s heating detox, everyone must be involved and fully on board. That is why Munich invests in proactive counselling for households, in legal advice and feasibility studies to support small heat grid development, and in a dedicated heat telephone line to assist public inquires. The city is also being helped by a new energy agency, whose mission is to engage local communities. 

Aiming high for a successful detox 

With its thoughtful plan and the support of stakeholders and citizens alike, Munich can aim for ambitious targets. The city will be finishing the decarbonisation of the district heating network by 2040 and will expand its reach in the meantime, hoping to supply 2/3 of the heat market by 2045. 

Main challenges to detoxify heat: 

• Implementing the heat plan is a lengthy and difficult process 
• Funding at the national level is insufficient and inconsistent over time 
• Difficult to provide space for the instalment of heat plants in a densely populated city. 

Next steps: 

1. City council decision on the final heat plan and on the city heat ordinance 
2. Scaling of the district-level approach (integrierter Quartiersansatz) to implement heat planning 

Where Munich is in its heat strategy : 

Munich's Heat Detox

Heat Key Figures

• Emissions related to heating: 40% 
• Km of DHC currently:
  1000 km
• Km of DHC planned:
  1600 km in total by
  2045
• Percentage of
  renewables in heating
  system: 83% in DHC
  by 2035, 100 % by
  2040

Covenant Figures

• Signatory to the Covenant of Mayors since:   2009
• Emission reduction ambitions: 
  % GHG emissions reductions by 2030: 60%
  % GHG emissions reductions by 2050: 94%
•  Mission city