The adoption of the Paris Climate Agreement in December 2015 has fundamentally changed the foundations of climate protection concepts, programs and targets worldwide, in all countries and municipalities. Since then, ambitious ways to achieve climate neutrality have been sought not only at national level, but also in many cities and municipalities. In the major city and metropolis of Berlin, which is both a federal state and the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, new approaches have been developed and political instruments discussed. 

This chapter uses the example of Berlin to show how a fossil-fueled city can move towards climate neutrality in all sectors. It first places municipal action in its international climate policy context and compares it with approaches in other cities. Using restriction-based scenarios, conflicts of objectives are addressed and possible solutions identified. The innovative scenario approach takes into account, on the one hand, the most ambitious target values possible and, on the other hand, time delays resulting from the development and conversion of infrastructures and systems. Recommendations for urban measures to achieve climate neutrality are derived from this, which must be supplemented by suitable political climate governance. 

View Chapter