Commissioned by the city and the municipal utility of Bad Hersfeld, the Wuppertal Institute compiled an Energy- and CO2-Balance. Based on these results, a recommended course of action was developed in a close dialogue with the initiators for a Climate Protection Strategy in Bad Hersfeld.

The suggested measures focus on the following issues:
1. Final Energy Efficiency: This topic includes feasible measures of increased efficiency in municipal properties and for the customers of the municipal utility. The implementation of existing energy saving potentials, like increased technological efficiency and behaviour change, shall be stimulated.
2. Combined Heat and Power (CHP): The focus lies on a comparison between using the waste heat of a gas-fired plant, which is planned in Mecklar/Meckbach, and a local decentralised variant employing various smaller block heat power plants.
3. Renewable Energy: The concept presents feasible measures for the local authority in collaboration with the urban development department, the municipal utility and the facility management to be exemplary in using renewable energy. Planning instruments, information and networking activities and support programmes are also suggested.

A main part of the strategy is a communal support programme to develop endogenous efficiency potentials and renewable energies in the region. In addition, suggestions for a climate protection marketing were compiled.