Regional leader driving 24 German municipalities to climate neutrality announced as a finalist in the 2023 European Sustainable Energy Awards
Silke Wesselmann, first woman to lead the Office for Climate Protection and Sustainability in Steinfurt, Germany, is implementing the energy transition by translating global climate targets into local action.
Under Silke’s leadership as Head of the Steinfurt District Office for Climate Protection and Sustainability since 2019, the county adopted a 50-point ‘Climate Protection Master Plan 2.0’. Working together with the University of Applied Science Münster, Silke and her team developed the plan to outline energy-related measures for the 24 cities in the district of Steinfurt across the electricity, heating, and mobility sectors – bringing sustainable energy action and climate issues together. Improving energy efficiency, integrating renewables and moving towards electrification are critical actions to meet climate goals, with the energy sector representing more than 75% of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe.
‘We developed the Master Plan 2.0 to be completely in line with the EU Green Deal and the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement,’ explains Silke. ‘We translate the global targets into local targets and then into action.’
The first measures of the plan have already been successfully implemented. The total expenditure for the 50-point program in the 2022 budget is around EUR 1.2 million.
Silke credits the district’s accomplishment of climate planning to strong regional cooperation.
‘We are very well-known for our citizen participation. Steinfurt has a 20-year history of climate action and many of the communities, municipalities and politicians are very engaged.’
As Co-initiator and Managing Director of energieland2050 e.V., a non-profit climate protection association which is supported by Steinfurt, Silke brings together municipalities, local businesses, scientists and civil society to promote civic commitment, regional value creation and public discourse on sustainability. She often shares her knowledge and experience with other local leaders in Germany to boost municipal climate protection.
‘The key to finding good solutions for climate protection is communication and collaboration. I am proud of the fact that the regional administration was able to have all its associated municipalities support us in our climate protection goals,’ says Silke Wesselmann.
In addition to her pioneering sustainability achievements, Silke is also pushing for gender equality in her field.
‘Silke is not only a mentor in our workplace but also for other climate protection professionals. She is committed to gender equality, which is especially important in our field of work as it is still dominated by men. She places particular emphasis on making sure women are represented when selecting speakers for events, project partners or in filling positions,’ explains her colleague Claudia Franca Machado, Head of the Climate Protection Department in the Office for Climate Protection and Sustainability.
‘Silke brings her positive spirit and enthusiasm to every project. She is the first woman in this role, which is very important. With more than half of the positions in Silke’s team being held by women, she is inspiring all in a fantastic way,’ says Christof Wetter, Professor for Environmental Engineering at the Fachhochschule Münster.
Above all, it is Silke’s passion to make a difference that motivates her.
‘I feel personally responsible to do something in my region about climate change,’ says Silke.
Local actions such as those initiated by Silke directly support the European Green Deal and REPowerEU Plan.
Silke Wesselmann is one of three finalists shortlisted for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2023 in the Woman in Energy category. The award recognises women who lead outstanding activities that, if replicated, help to advance the clean energy transition in Europe. Particular attention is placed on efforts to drive the gender mainstreaming agenda and support equality and equal opportunities in the energy sector. The other finalists are Anastasia-Maria Moschovi, from Greece, and Agnieszka Spirydowicz, from Poland.
Anastasia-Maria is a materials engineer bringing energy innovation to Greece. Agnieszka is bringing solar, wind and hydrogen power to a coal-dominated region in Poland.
Europe’s best clean energy projects and leaders celebrated in the EUSEW Awards
The European Sustainable Energy Awards (EUSEW Awards) recognise outstanding individuals and projects for their innovation and efforts in energy efficiency and renewables. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Innovation, Local Energy Action, and Woman in Energy. Winners are announced during the EUSEW Awards Ceremony in June 2023 in the presence of European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson and a high-level jury.
The winners will be decided by an online public vote, which is open now until 11 June.
EUSEW 2023
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, takes place on 20 - 22 June under the theme 'Accelerating the clean energy transition – towards lower bills and greater skills'. The event will bring thousands of sustainability stakeholders together to explore policy topics related to protecting European consumers from price volatility and sharpening their skills to produce and save energy within the current energy context.
Registrations for onsite attendance in Brussels and online participation are now open.
For interview requests with the EUSEW Awards finalists or additional media information, please contact [email protected]