Climate projects

What projects against climate change and for adaptation are there in Innsbruck?

‘Tree pits’ – Flowering islands

In spring 2021, the city launched a community initiative offering residents the opportunity to design their own green oasis in Innsbruck. Under the slogan ‘Gardening on your doorstep’, residents are invited to plant small areas and spaces around trees – known as ‘tree pits’ – in public spaces according to their own ideas. Anyone who wants to help beautify the city can take part. The only requirement is having the time to tend to the area regularly and being willing to take responsibility for designing the colourful island.

Further information and the leaflet are available at all neighbourhood centres, as well as at Service Unit City Garden Administration

cool-INN & COOLYMP: Cool urban living spaces

Cool places for a cool Innsbruck. There are already two projects in the city of Innsbruck aimed at cooling down so-called heat islands: cool-INN & COOLYMP.

cool-INN

cool-INN has already been implemented by the City of Innsbruck, IKB, the University of Innsbruck and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). The aim was to improve the quality of the public space and the park near the exhibition grounds on Ing-Etzel-Straße. Construction work was completed in December 2021, and by the summer of 2022 the park had already been brought to life by numerous events (KlimaSalon).

COOLYMP

DDr. Alois-Lugger-Platz (COOLYMP), located at the heart of the Olympic Village, is also to be designed with climate resilience in mind, involving the local community, local clubs and businesses. The adjacent Olympic Park will also be incorporated into the plans. The particular challenge lies in the fact that the square is entirely underpinned by an underground car park, which means that innovative ideas from the public, supported by technical and scientific expertise, are required . The project team comprises representatives from the IIG, the ISD, the University of Innsbruck and the City of Innsbruck, and is funded for three years as part of the ‘Beacons for Resilient Cities 2040’ project run by the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund. The project commenced on 1 August 2022.

e5 municipality

Innsbruck has been a partner in the e5 programme for energy-efficient municipalities since 2013 and is thus part of a large Austrian network comprising 287 municipalities from six federal states. This network also exists at European level as part of the European Energy Awards.

The energy transition and climate protection are the objectives of the e5 programme, which are implemented by municipalities in the areas of development planning, municipal buildings, energy solutions, as well as mobility and communication. The activities are assessed every four years by an external commission and – similar to the ‘toques’ in the catering industry – awarded up to five ‘e’s.

The most recent audit took place in 2026. Following a nationwide revision of the catalogue of measures in Austria, even greater emphasis is now placed on measurable results from the work carried out by e5 municipalities in support of the energy transition and climate protection. With an implementation rate of 69.6 per cent – and thus awarded 4e – Innsbruck managed to retain its 4e rating despite the new, stricter assessment criteria.

The result of the e5 audit:

As part of the audit, the following exemplary projects, amongst others, were highlighted across the six areas of action:

Development planning and spatial planning

• Comprehensive planning in the field of mobility and transport
• Resolution to draw up a climate neutrality roadmap by the Office for a Climate-Neutral City and the Pioneer City Team

Municipal buildings and facilities

• Collection and analysis of energy consumption data in public buildings
• Conversion of street lighting to LED completed as early as 2020 – more than 10,000 energy-efficient light points

Supply and waste management

• Utilising the potential for renewable energy generation within the municipal area

Mobility

• Excellent public transport provision within the municipal area
• Revision of the parking space policy
• City Bike as a model of success – more than 1.2 million rentals by 2025

Internal organisation

• Organisational structures and responsibilities clarified – plus staffing for key areas
• Resolution on sustainable procurement for 2025 adopted

Communication and Cooperation

• Comprehensive initiatives in the area of public participation
• Energy subsidies in the audit cycle: 14 euros per resident per year

XL Moving-in Support – Sustainable Living

Since 2020, the City of Innsbruck has been welcoming future tenants of council flats in Innsbruck. To ensure they are prepared for the move and feel at home in their new flat straight away, the Department for Citizen Participation and Participatory Urban Design supports them with the “Moving-in Support XL” scheme. In workshops, new residents receive practical and straightforward tips on sustainable living and good neighbourly relations.

The Moving-in Support XL programme won the ÖGUT Environmental Award in the ‘Sustainable Municipality’ category in 2020. Further information is available from the Department for Citizen Participation and Participatory Urban Design.

Energy Plan: Energy Self-Sufficiency by 2050

The Innsbruck Energy Plan, which dates back to 2010, formed the basis of the strategic planning process; it has since been updated and now sets ‘Energy Autonomy 2050’ as its target scenario.

Europan Innsbruck

Europan is an ideas competition designed to identify and implement innovative strategies for European cities. Young professionals in the fields of urban, landscape and architectural planning submit their ideas via the platform. A similar ideas competition was also held for Innsbruck, covering the area from the Inn Bridge via the Marktplatz to the University Bridge, and numerous ideas were awarded prizes.

EU FP7 project Sinfonia (2014–2020)

The Sinfonia project ‘Smart Cities & Communities’, involving over 30 partners from eight countries, has now been completed. As part of the project, energy-saving measures were trialled in various neighbourhoods across the city of Innsbruck. Among other things, IKB gained experience in the areas of modern combined heat and power, solar thermal energy, heat and cold storage, heat pumps for utilising local waste heat sources, and heat supply via district heating networks. The project was managed by the Standortagentur Tirol.

Building inventory in accordance with the Tyrolean Energy Efficiency Act (TEffG)

On 10 October 2023, the revised EU Energy Efficiency Directive came into force. The Province of Tyrol transposed the Directive into provincial law in March 2026 as the Tyrolean Energy Efficiency Act.

The aim of the Act is to increase energy efficiency in the State of Tyrol and thereby support the achievement of energy self-sufficiency in Tyrol by 2050 and the European climate neutrality target by 2050.

Under Section 7 of the Tyrolean Energy Efficiency Act, public bodies are obliged to draw up and publish a building inventory . This inventory comprises information on municipally-owned air-conditioned buildings (in terms of use and/or ownership) with a usable floor area of more than 250 m².

Publication serves to ensure transparency and is intended to promote the planning and implementation of measures to improve energy efficiency in the public building stock.

The data in the building inventory is updated regularly.

Innsbruck Urban Climate Analysis and Adaptation Strategies

INN’F4UM – Innsbruck’s Fit4Urban Mission

INN’F4UM is developing measures designed to make Innsbruck climate-neutral by 2030. These range from the refurbishment of existing buildings, the further use of sealed surfaces for energy production – for example, through photovoltaics – and the increased utilisation of infrastructure.

Innsbruck as a Climate Alliance municipality

Innsbruck is part of a global partnership for climate protection and has therefore set itself the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by implementing climate protection measures in the areas of transport, energy, land use, procurement and food, as well as climate change adaptation.

Climate-resilient forests

Spruce monocultures are a thing of the past. In future, Innsbruck will focus on near-natural, broadleaf-rich, deep-rooted trees. With broadleaf species such as cherry, walnut, oak, elm and maple, Innsbruck’s forests will become structurally diverse and climate-resilient. In addition, foresters are focusing on forest hygiene to reduce pests such as bark beetles – for example, by quickly removing both usable timber and damaged timber from the forest. These measures help to limit soil erosion, snow breakage, storm damage and pest infestations.

Climate-neutral City Council

A concept for a climate-neutral City Council is currently being developed. Four key areas of action have been identified as priorities (mobility, buildings, procurement, events). A corporate mobility management scheme is currently being drawn up for the City Council with external support. At the IIG, measures for climate-neutral building management are being developed.

Measures to combat the heat

Heat is becoming a challenge: find out here what the city of Innsbruck is doing about it and how you can protect yourself:

Mission: Cellar Check

Free insulation kits for households in Innsbruck

Through ‘Mission Keller-Check’, the Province of Tyrol and the Tyrol Energy Agency , in cooperation with the City of Innsbruck and other partners, are encouraging households to insulate uninsulated heating and hot-water pipes in their basements. Up to 100 households in Innsbruck will receive free insulation kits and comprehensive instructions on how to carry out the work.

A simple measure with a big impact

Saving energy often starts with simple measures that make a difference to both the household budget and climate protection.

Uninsulated heating and hot-water pipes constantly release heat into the surrounding environment. This results in energy loss, which means the heating system has to work harder to compensate. Insulating pipes can significantly reduce heat loss and heating costs; in a detached house, this can save up to €100 a year on heating bills. DIY enthusiasts can easily fit the insulation themselves. It is important to insulate all hot heating and hot-water pipes in the cellar, rather than just individual sections. Unnecessary heat is often lost, particularly at bends, fittings and exposed pipes. Insulation is easiest when carried out by two people.

Get your insulation kit in just a few steps

Taking part in the campaign is simple: interested households take a photo of their uninsulated pipes, measure the required pipe lengths and elbow dimensions, and then receive the appropriate insulation kit delivered to their home free of charge. Once installed, a photo of the result is uploaded.

Save energy and win prizes

In addition, all participants have the chance to win attractive prizes. The main prize is a NIU NQiX 500 e-scooter, which will be raffled off amongst all participants from Tyrol. For participants from Innsbruck, the City of Innsbruck is also providing an ‘Klimaticket Österreich’

Get involved in the energy transition

The campaign runs until 30 June 2027. In total, free insulation kits will be given away to up to 100 households in Innsbruck – provided by Steinbacher Dämmstoffe. Insulate your pipes in the cellar now, prevent energy loss and save on heating costs in the long term: whilst stocks last, you can secure your insulation kit at www.tirol2050.at/keller-check/:

Projects of the Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe (IKB)

Projects of the Innsbrucker Verkehrsbetriebe (IVB)

Projects of the Innsbrucker Immobiliengesellschaft (IIG)

Smart City

A Smart City conserves resources, strengthens cooperation and improves quality of life.

City of Innsbruck Environment and Sustainability Award

The City of Innsbruck organises the Environment and Sustainability Award every two years. The award seeks projects or project concepts in the fields of environmental and climate protection and sustainability.

Who can enter?

• Fresh ideas: children , young people, nurseries, schools/pupils, students, apprentices and all educational institutions, parent-child teams and similar groups in the City of Innsbruck
• Seen, thought, done: citizens /private individuals as well as local associations/initiatives in the City of Innsbruck
• Businesses for Tomorrow: businesses , institutions, co-operatives and companies with a branch within the Innsbruck city limits

Further information on the submission criteria can be found in the award guidelines.

Entries for the 2026 Environment and Sustainability Award were open until 31 December 2025. You could easily submit your entry via our online form.

What are the prizes?

The City of Innsbruck’s Environment and Sustainability Prize comes with a total prize fund of 10,000 euros.

The prize money will be divided equally between the winners in the ‘Young Ideas’ and ‘Seen, Thought, Done’ categories, with each receiving 5,000 euros. The ‘Economy for Tomorrow ’ category does not receive any prize money, but, like all prize winners, is entitled to use the title ‘Winner of the City of Innsbruck Environment and Sustainability Prize 2026’.

We want to hear your ideas! Taking part is definitely worth it!

Transport Master Plans

In the field of mobility, the City of Innsbruck is focusing on expanding public transport, cycling and walking.

• The Cycling Master Plan 2030 has already been adopted. The aim is to increase the share of cycling to 20 per cent by 2030. Measures include the development of a seamless cycle path network. Further information is available at: Cycling
• The Walking Master Plan ‘ ’ is currently being drawn up. Further information is available at: Pedestrians
• The expansion of public transport is progressing in the form of the regional railway and the extension of the tram network. Shared spaces – not only as part of the redesign of public spaces – are being introduced gradually. The following road redesign projects are currently on the agenda: Rennweg/Universitätsstraße, Bozner Platz, the Messe S-Bahn station and Michael-Gaismair-Straße.

These measures are intended to make the car redundant as a means of transport in the city centre.