Prague hopes to achieve a 45% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030

The Czech capital has shared its future climate goals

On 10 May, the City of Prague approved the 2030 Climate Plan submitted by the Deputy Mayor for the Environment Petr Hlubuček. This plan seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 45% compared to 2010 by 2030.

To achieve this ambitious goal, the city will have to implement 69 measures which have been outlined in the plan. These measures are spread across four distinct areas: Sustainable Energy and Buildings, Sustainable Mobility, Circular Economics, Adaptation Measures.

Sustainable Energy and Buildings

In the area of sustainable energy and buildings, the municipality will first seek to reduce the consumption of heat and gas by 15% in order to reduce CO2 emissions from electricity and heat supplies.

Taking this further, the city will also focus on the production of energy from renewable sources. As such, Prague will establish the Renewable Energy Community: an organisation which will work with those who are interested in installing renewable energy sources.

Sustainable Mobility

To reach its climate goals, the capital will have to create sustainable transport and reduce fossil fuel consumption by 18% – this is seen as a prerequisite for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. What is more, the city will establish a network of charging stations for electric vehicles and modernise its public transport so that most means of transport are low-emission or emission-free.

Circular Economies

In this area, the city seeks to prevent waste by converting it into useful resources. Taking a case in point, Prague is planning the construction of the first city-owned biogas plant. This plant will reportedly process waste from restaurants and households to supply Prague with biomethane for cars.

More importantly, the city will encourage and motivate its citizens to sort waste by providing all the necessary equipment to facilitate recycling and sorting. In doing so, the city hopes to see a 65% rise in sorted waste.

Adaptation measures

Under this part of the plan, Prague will plant up to 1.5 million new trees, upgrade several asphalt and concrete areas, revitalise numerous green spaces, and install drinking fountains throughout the city.

With the creation and approval of the 2030 Climate Plan, the Czech capital demonstrates its determination to protect the environment and improve the lives of its residents.