City of Offenbach strengthens environmental and climate protection on a broad basis

With the forest development concept, a key milestone was reached in 2025 for the preservation and adaptation of Offenbach's urban forest to climate change. The concept shows how biodiversity can be promoted and how the forest can be made climate-resilient. The city is thus laying the foundations for sustainable development and securing its green infrastructure in the long term.

The water concept presented in 2025, commissioned by the Zweckverband Wasserversorgung Offenbach (ZWO), analyzes the current supply situation and the expected development of drinking water supply and demand up to 2035 and 2050.

The report comes to the conclusion that the drinking water supply can probably be guaranteed until the beginning of the 2030s. After that, bottlenecks would be possible in the medium term from 2030 onwards if the population grows as most strongly assumed and there are additional dry years.

It contains scenarios and potential for saving and substituting drinking water as well as specific recommendations for action. The city council has now been tasked with examining the implementation of the proposed measures.

The updated energy and greenhouse gas balance provides a sound data basis for future climate protection measures. It shows where Offenbach stands in terms of climate protection and in which areas there is further potential to reduce CO₂ emissions. The balance sheet thus forms the basis for strategic decisions and targeted measures as part of the Climate Concept 2035.

The City of Offenbach has commissioned the City Council to draw up a soil and groundwater protection concept in order to develop a comprehensive action paper for the first time that bundles measures for the long-term protection of soils and the safeguarding of groundwater quality. In addition to soil- and groundwater-related planning principles, the concept is intended to provide a framework for action for an overall soil- and groundwater-conserving and resource-saving approach to urban development.

Another important step towards sustainable mobility was taken in 2025 with the kick-off for the school mobility plan. The aim is to make the journey to school safer, more climate-friendly and more attractive - with the close involvement of schools, parents and pupils. The project creates awareness and support for climate-friendly transportation alternatives.

With the decision in 2025, the city has laid the foundation for better data bases in Offenbach in the future. A comprehensive measurement system will be set up for this purpose. The aim is to better record the consequences of climate change and make them tangible for the population. At the same time, an information campaign will educate the population about the consequences of climate change and suitable behavioral and precautionary measures in order to strengthen the resilience of the city and its citizens

The new funding program for commitment to climate and environmental protection provides financial support to associations, initiatives and private individuals for the implementation of innovative ideas for climate adaptation, environmental protection and resource conservation. Funding decisions have already been presented for the first projects.

The funding agreed at the end of 2024 started in 2025. In addition to several private tree planting projects, the first funding was awarded to preserve an old tree: An impressive, approximately 28-metre-high Japanese mustache tree in the ageing phase was checked by experts, pruned back in the most necessary places and provided with crown protectors. The aim is for the tree to stand safely for many years to come and be a feature of the cityscape.

Hainbach

The Hainbach stream south of the Stadthalle must be renaturalized in accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive. After a lengthy approval process, the planning permission for the implementation of the measure was received from the Darmstadt Regional Council at the end of the year. The lower water authority will also apply for funding for the measure this year. Construction work is scheduled to start in 2026.

Southern Bieber

The Bieber south of Bieber must be renaturalized in accordance with the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. In 2025, the planning could be processed to such an extent that it will be completed in spring 2026. Public participation will then follow in 2026 and then the application will be submitted.

In 2025, over 50 charging points for electric cars were put into operation in public spaces. The nationwide offer is a basic building block of the traffic turnaround and enables the switch to electromobility even for people who do not have private charging access.

"We have implemented a lot in 2025 and laid the foundations for many more projects. I am committed to ensuring that these do not just remain concepts, but are gradually implemented. So that we can preserve the basis of life for future generations and enable all Offenbach residents to live a healthy life in our city. That is why I will continue to campaign for the implementation of the sponge city principle and work for better air and less noise in our city," emphasizes Mayor Sabine Groß.

The Office for the Environment and Climate will continue along this path in the coming year. In addition to the implementation of existing concepts, the focus will be on new participation formats, energy efficiency and climate adaptation in urban areas.