Arnsberg, Germany, has launched the ambitious roadmap Climate-Neutral Arnsberg #2030 to confront accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, and the lack of sufficient global progress since the Paris Agreement. As part of this effort, the city is rolling out the initiative Accelerating Climate Action in Arnsberg, a coordinated, cross-sectoral programme that brings together local government, businesses, and the wider community to drive meaningful progress toward climate neutrality.
As part of this approach, Arnsberg and WEPA Hygieneprodukte GmbH have signed a Local Green Deal (LGD) to strengthen joint action on climate protection and sustainability. This partnership focuses on three core areas: energy, mobility, and construction. Current energy projects include expanding renewable energy use on municipal buildings, supporting citizen involvement in the energy transition, and collaborating with utilities to develop regenerative energy infrastructure. Planned measures include city-wide heat planning, a climate-neutral administration, and energy-efficient neighbourhood design.
In the mobility sector, the city is electrifying its municipal fleet, enhancing the accessibility of public transport, and building infrastructure like a mobility hub at Engelbertplatz. Upcoming initiatives include corporate mobility management, a cycling master plan, and a comprehensive EV charging strategy. In construction, Arnsberg is piloting a Cradle to Cradle project for non-residential buildings and developing a housing action plan to optimise land use and reduce vacancy. The city also contributes to the EU-funded Sustainable Business Areas initiative, integrating resilience into economic planning.
WEPA, based in Müschede, Arnsberg, is a leading European hygiene paper producer with nearly 4,000 employees across 13 sites. As a family-owned company, it integrates sustainability across its operations, focusing on recycled materials, certified forestry, reduced plastic use, and a goal of climate neutrality by 2040, validated by the Science-Based Targets Initiative.
The Local Green Deal between Arnsberg and WEPA reflects a shared commitment to climate leadership, supported by regular progress reviews and transparent communication. Together, the partners aim to inspire other businesses and stakeholders to engage in meaningful climate action, driving a just, inclusive, and future-ready transition.
Success factors
- Public-Private Collaboration
- A formal Local Green Deal (LGD) partnership enables Arnsberg and local businesses like WEPA to share responsibility, align goals, and mobilise joint resources, leveraging business expertise, infrastructure, and innovation to accelerate climate action and ensure mutual accountability through regular progress reviews.
- Sector-Specific Projects
- Targeted initiatives in energy, mobility, and construction create measurable impact, such as expanding municipal renewables, planning city-wide heating, converting fleets to electric, promoting sustainable commuting, and piloting circular construction, ensuring climate goals are achieved through practical, locally grounded action.
Enablers
- WEPA
- The Arnsberg and WEPA partnership solidifies a commitment from both parties to climate leadership, regular progress reviews, and transparent communication to inspire broader, inclusive climate action. WEPA’s established position as a family-run, sustainability-oriented organisation brings knowledge and expertise to the city's climate action initiatives and assists in the project’s development.