Shaping Heidelberg’s climate-neutral future: Meet Eckart Würzner, Mayor and Covenant Board Member

Globally recognised municipal leader and urban ambassador with over 25 years of executive experience in strategic urban governance, sustainable transformation and multilateral city engagement. Eckart Würzner, Mayor of Heidelberg since 2006, is widely acknowledged for shaping evidence-based city strategies and advancing resilient, equitable urban development.

As a member of the EU Covenant of Mayors Board, he advocates for a strong and formal role of cities in EU decision-making, stressing that climate protection and adaptation can only succeed if local authorities have a seat at the table and access to reliable, long-term funding.

What are your top priorities as Mayor, and how do they align with your city’s long-term vision for sustainability and climate resilience?

The city of Heidelberg committed itself to international sustainability goals back in the 1990s with its first urban development plan. I have consistently pursued this strategy during my terms in office since 2006 and am a strong advocate for it in all national and international networks. 

Our new Urban Development Concept 2035, which was adopted by the city council in July 2025, is based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. That is why the 5 Ps of the Sustainable Development Goals also apply to me and my priorities:

People: The people of Heidelberg and the whole world, their well-being, health, education, and protection are our top priority.

Planet: Sustainability, climate protection, and adaptation have been top priorities for decades and remain at the top of my political agenda. We are investing heavily in the expansion of renewable heat supply and renewable energy. The mobility system is also being expanded to be climate-neutral. With success: more than 80% of domestic transport is carried out using environmentally friendly means of transport. We also have a responsibility in the area of biodiversity, with around 40% of our land area being green space, and we manage our forests sustainably, for example.

Prosperity: As a city of science and research, Heidelberg is committed to innovation and economic stability. Heidelberg advances as an international, innovative city of research. We are combining innovative solutions, results of the latest research, and international exchange to consistently pursue our ambitious climate protection goals as a member city of the EU Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. 

Peace and Partnership: Both locally and globally, peace and justice are the foundation of our democratic communities. This is why I am part of the Mayor for Peace network and the Global Parliament of Mayors. My international commitment is based on the conviction that we can only achieve our goals together and only survive as a global community.

That is why I have been living by the motto “Sustainable living for future generations” for decades. The challenge here is to transfer global demands to the local level and make them visible and comprehensible to citizens. 

In this context local measures on climate protection and sustainability have been top priorities for decades and remain on the top of my political agenda. At the same time Heidelberg advances as an international, innovative city of research. We are combining innovative solutions, results of the latest research and international exchange to consistently pursue our ambitious climate protection goals as a member city of the EU Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. 

Can you share the most exciting or transformative project in your city right now that is helping to meet the EU Covenant of Mayors’ targets? Why does this project stand out for you?

Two of the most successful projects are the Passive-house district Bahnstadt and the sustainable transformation of Heidelberg's economy. 

Zero-emission district Heidelberg-Bahnstadt 

In 2008, the City of Heidelberg issued a development statute that lead to the largest passive house district in the world: The Bahnstadt. Currently still under development until 2027, the district will house an estimated 6,800 people and offer an additional 6,000 jobs. It is the city’s most ambitious urban development project with a size of over 100 hectares and a capital investment of 2 Billion Euros, 300 Million of which are investments into infrastructure. Due to its energy concept, CO2 emissions in the Bahnstadt are significantly lower than in the greater Heidelberg area, reaching the goal of emission

The Passive-house district Bahnstadt is an exemplary model for climate-neutral city development, energy and heat transition. Green district heating will be achieved by means of a combination of wood-fired and combined heat and power (CHP) plants, geothermal energy, river and air heat pumps.

Expansion of district heating and renewable energies

Around 50% of Heidelberg's current heating requirements are already covered by district heating. In the future, district heating will be expanded on a large scale, increasing its share to 70%. By 2024, 50% of the district heating supplied by Heidelberg's municipal utilities was generated in a climate-neutral manner. This is thanks to a wood-fired cogeneration plant, biogas power plants, large air heat pumps and a heat storage facility. With the addition of further generation facilities, such as river and wastewater heat pumps, district heating is expected to become largely climate-neutral by 2030 and completely climate-neutral by 2035.

Heidelberg's climate protection action plan set a target of installing an additional 25 megawatts of photovoltaic capacity. This target was achieved ahead of schedule in January 2025 – one year earlier than planned. This was made possible by investments from industry, commercial enterprises, farmers and public institutions. The total installed PV capacity in Heidelberg is now almost 54 megawatts. This capacity can supply around 23,000 households. Despite this success, the photovoltaic potential in Heidelberg is far from exhausted. Expansion is being pursued consistently, especially on the roofs of public institutions. Mayor Würzner is also firmly committed to establishing a community wind farm in the Heidelberg area.

Sustainable management in small and medium-sized enterprises

The goal of the Heidelberg project "Sustainable Management" is to support small and medium-sized enterprises in introducing an sustainability management system. Since 2001, both municipal and external experts have advised the participants. They show them how to optimize operations, reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions, and implement improvement measures. Meanwhile, a network of more than 160 committed entrepreneurs has emerged, who actively support the common goal of Heidelberg's climate neutrality. Mayor Eckart Würzner: „Heidelberg is constantly developing in terms of environmental and climate protection. By participating in the "Sustainable Management" project, companies demonstrate that they take responsibility for sustainable development. The successes of the project clearly show what municipalities can achieve in terms of climate protection by joining forces with local businesses.“

As a member of the EU Covenant of Mayors Board, what unique perspective or initiative do you hope to bring to the table?

As long experienced president of the Energy Cities network and partner in cooperation with EU administration and political bodies I stand up for a steady and official participation of cities in EU decision-making. I want to lobby for cities mandate in international climate protection decisions. 

The EU needs us cities to ensure that the Green Deal reaches the people. Ten years after the Paris Climate Agreement, one thing is clear: climate protection and climate change adaptation can only succeed if local authorities have a voice in the EU budget and if reliable, easily accessible funding is available. It won't work without us – and that's why we, as cities from all over Europe, need a seat at the table when it comes to EU decisions – and that's what I'm committed to – in all committees, local, national, and international. In this way, we can also learn a lot from each other, preserve our democracies, and stand together in times of crisis.

What makes you proudest about your city, especially in terms of its commitment to sustainability and improving quality of life?

Sustainability is part of the DNA of our urban development. 

Heidelberg is one of the most sustainable and dynamic cities in Germany. In the WirtschaftsWoche city ranking, our city is among the top-ranked every year thanks to its targeted promotion of “future-oriented sectors.” Our investments in Heidelberg as a business location and in sustainable energy supply to protect our climate are paying off. We have a world-renowned university, many international research institutions, and numerous development districts where IT, AI, biotech, and life sciences are based.

We are also strengthening the future viability of our city through our investments in schools, daycare centers, and education. That's why we have top ratings for youth unemployment and school graduation levels.

This is why Heidelberg is an attractive city especially for young generations. Citizens are interested in politics and want to shape the future of our city. We have been successful in conserving our heritage and at the same time investing in our future. Heidelberg currently ranks first in terms of age ratio—almost three times as many people between the ages of 20 and 59 live here as those over 60. Forecasts show that Heidelberg will be the city with the youngest population in Germany in 2040. 

Beyond the official duties, how do you personally connect with the people and culture of your city? Any local traditions or hidden gems you would recommend to visitors?

I have lived in this wonderful city on the Neckar River for many years. I studied here at Ruprecht Karls University, and my children grew up here. The diversity of citizen engagement in many areas with incredibly inspiring people is our city's greatest treasure. I therefore enjoy taking part in several festivities from traditional celebrations in city districts over the year to sport events in smaler and lager scale. I am also enthusiastic about larger festivals like Heidelberger Herbst, Schlossfestspiele, Enjoy Jazz or our Literature Festival FeeLit. 

My favorite place is on Philosophenweg, on the hillside opposite the castle with a spectacular view on the old town and the Neckar river with the scenery of our heritage. A fascinating sight that inspires respect for the long history of our city. Looking into the distance from there allows your thoughts to wander from the here and now into the future—a wonderful experience that poets and thinkers of earlier times have captured in their lyrics and poems.

For visitors who want to experience Heidelberg as a sustainable city, I recommend our digital Bahnstadtpfad and a ride on our river Neckar with the solar-powered catamaran “Neckar sun” from April until October.