Bremen is tackling the climate crisis: New funding for green changes!

Bremen is tackling the climate crisis: New funding for green changes!

On August 11, 2025, a remarkable project was launched in Bremen: “Meeting challenges, seizing opportunities – time for climate adaptation”. The Bremer Umweltberatung (BUB) has set itself the goal of supporting citizens in adapting their properties to the changed climatic conditions. On the same day, Senator Kathrin Moosdorf and Ralf Stapp presented a funding notice for almost 670,000 euros, which comes from both the BAB - The Development Bank for Bremen and Bremerhaven and funds from the European Union. This initiative is a crucial step in making Bremen and Bremerhaven more resilient to extreme weather events such as heat waves or heavy rain, which are increasing due to climate change.

The funding is aimed at various target groups: private property owners, companies, clubs and other associations. The BUB will expand its advisory services and offer on-site support. The aim is to provide those responsible with sound advice and to offer information on various funding opportunities. Planned measures for climate adaptation include, among other things, the creation of infiltration areas, the unsealing of areas and the greening of roofs and facades. Workshops on unsealing and greening roofs and facades are also being planned so that everyone can actively contribute to improving the climate.

Sponge City funding program

Five months later, from January 2025, another pioneering concept will be introduced: the “Sponge City funding program”. This program brings together various grants that focus on green roofs and facades as well as the use of rainwater and gray water. The idea behind the sponge city is simple and ingenious at the same time: rainwater should be stored and released again in hot times. Reducing impervious areas and increasing the amount of green space in the city will make a significant contribution to mitigating the effects of climate change and extreme weather.

By integrating vegetation and artificial storage systems, the accumulation of precipitation runoff can be reduced and delayed. This not only ensures increased cooling in urban areas, but also improves the quality of life in Bremen. In addition, the municipal requirements of “blue-green infrastructure” come into play, which aims even more closely at storing water and improving the urban climate. Promoting green elements in both public and private spaces should not only make the city resilient, but also remain more inviting and livable.

Support at regional and national levels

In addition to regional efforts, the federal program “Adaptation of Urban and Rural Areas to Climate Change” also makes a valuable contribution. This program supports investment projects for green and open space development and has already made over 576 million euros available in recent years. The aim is to promote measures that serve both climate protection and climate adaptation. The wide range of funding opportunities ensures that many communities, including Bremen, can implement innovative ideas to strengthen resilience to the challenges of climate change.

Overall, the initiative shows how important it is to work together as a community and find creative solutions to address the challenges of climate change. With a combination of financial support, expert advice and innovative projects like those planned by the BUB, the people of Bremen have the chance to actively work towards a more climate-friendly future.

For further information about support for climate adaptation and the funded projects, please visit the Bremer Umweltberatung website here and the federal climate adaptation program here.