A degree in International Management from Reutlingen University and two years of study in Boston with a focus on entrepreneurship and social enterprises, followed by a Master's degree in International Development in Paris: A first look at Anea Lang's career to date does not suggest any special connection to climate protection. But in addition to her studies, the 29-year-old from Frankfurt has approached the topic step by step. Through voluntary work and in the course of a practical semester at the state bank KfW. At that time, the Fridays for Future movement was increasingly making a name for itself. The slim woman with the dark curls found her way to the Frankfurt climate decision and worked there.

Thorsten Winter

Correspondent of the Rhein-Main-Zeitung for Central Hesse and the Wetterau.

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"For me, climate change is the central challenge of our time," she says. Since December, her professional life has also and especially revolved around her contribution against the consequences of global warming. As climate protection manager of Bad Nauheim, she will help to permanently reduce energy consumption in the spa town. Where "in the spa town" explicitly includes the city. Because the city group, as Mayor Klaus Kress (independent) calls the association of administration, municipal utilities and other municipal companies, itself contributes to the greenhouse effect: through heating of its properties, exhaust gases from city buses and other urban vehicles, for example. In all cases, the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide is released kilogram by kilogram. In addition, there are released gases such as methane, nitrous oxide and fluorine compounds in the district.

Limited to two years

Improving the carbon footprint of the municipality will ultimately be the main topic of their work. Lang leaves no doubt about that. Even if climate protection is an ongoing task, your position is temporary for the time being. With the National Climate Initiative, the Federal Environment Ministry is funding the spa town over two years with exactly 154,216 euros.

During this time, Lang is to develop and present a so-called integrated climate protection concept. This requires an inventory and an analysis based on this, to what extent and at which points in the spa town carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced in the future. There will be a "great focus" on potential analysis, as Lang puts it. This results in greenhouse gas reduction targets, which can be named with figures. Last but not least, the young woman must explain how the goals can best be achieved.

However, the climate protection manager, who radiates energy and enthusiasm for the task, cannot do all this alone. "I will talk to those affected in the city about what is possible," says Lang, whose position is located in the specialist service for digitization, climate and innovation. She wants to build a network, both in the community and beyond. Bad Nauheim is not the only city that can afford a climate protection manager. Across the country, municipalities have now filled such a position; Butzbach, for example, is currently looking for someone who is suitable for the task. Climate protection managers are very well networked and give each other tips on how to approach a specific task.

Delicious pizza despite climate protection

Now, Lang is by no means starting from scratch. The spa town on the USA gave itself a climate action plan last year. The city wants to popularize the app-controlled reusable system Vytal, which includes to-go cups for drinks as well as pizza containers. Lang has already tested such containers and is impressed. "It's a challenge to have a container that keeps the pizza warm without it becoming unstable," she says with a laugh and adds: "It works with fries too."

Like Rosbach and Wölfersheim, the city supports private individuals in the purchase of solar systems for the roof and balcony, and also subsidizes storage devices for self-generated electricity. "There is still funding available," Lang emphasizes. The administration trains volunteer solar consultants from the citizenry. Last but not least, there is a sustainability consultation hour every second Wednesday of the month in the city library.

Lang praises the great willingness in many places in the administration to actively participate in climate protection and actively support agreements. "This is not self-evident for an administration."