The event in the Kulturscheune on Wednesday, June 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. marks the start of public participation in the creation of a climate protection concept for Salzgitter.

Among other things, a computer simulation will be used to present the city's energy future in real time based on suggestions from the audience.

Beforehand, on June 12, those responsible from the Department of Building and Urban Planning will present the current status of the city of Salzgitter's climate protection concept. This basis will then be expanded with the participants. Anyone interested is invited to get actively involved. "Everyone is an expert because everyone consumes energy," says Head of Building Michael Tacke. The city of Salzgitter wants to take on board the opinions and views of the citizens on this evening and incorporate them into the concept. "We are all being asked how energy should be paid for in the long term," says Michael Tacke. For example, should energy production be expanded? Or should energy efficiency be increased by looking for more ways to save energy?

"For example, participants can suggest that more wind turbines should be built. We then enter this data into the computer and look at the energy savings and benefits," says Michael Fuder, Managing Director of merkWATT, which created the simulation tool. Of course, other inputs are also possible: what would the energy savings look like if all houses were fitted with photovoltaic systems or all residential buildings were renovated? On this evening, the participants create "real-time" scenarios for the energy future and can thus help develop the city's strategy.

"The citizens should see what it means, for example, if we expand renewable energies," says Michael Buntfusz, Head of the Environment Department. If there are new wind farms, for example, this will lead to restrictions. The aim of public participation is to find common paths for the city's energy future. Bernd Waldmann also emphasized this. This is just as important to the Head of Urban Planning, Environment, Building Regulations and Monument Protection. Those responsible are therefore keen to hear the opinions of Salzgitter residents and hope that many will find their way to the Kulturscheune. In any case, the pupils who won the city's competition 'A slogan for climate protection' with their design "KlimaschutSZ" and are to be honored on this evening will be there.

Another guest, Helmut Jäger, Managing Director of the solar company SOLVIS from Braunschweig, will shed light on the economic prospects of the energy transition for companies and private households.

After this strategic kick-off event, the individual measures and approaches will be discussed at further events.

Information: The "KlimaschutSZ" event will take place on Wednesday, June 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Kulturscheune. All citizens are invited to this free interactive working group.