The winners of the Bonn Climate Prize 2025 implement climate protection in very different ways: as part of the business model in commercial transport, as a building block for independent mobility for refugees, as part of a non-profit company and in Rhenish customs.
The applicant groups included environmental initiatives, companies, sports clubs, educational institutions and loose initiatives. The third edition of the Climate Prize received 35 applications - a new record for the Climate Prize. A nine-member jury with representatives from urban society and administration selected the winners. Due to the diversity and quality of the applications, the jury also awarded a recognition prize in addition to the three winners. A total of 10,000 euros in prize money was awarded.
Mayor Katja Dörner, who is also the patron of the Climate Prize, was impressed: "It is motivating to see the variety of ideas that people and organizations in Bonn are using to promote climate protection. Courageous projects are being actively implemented with know-how, creativity and as a community. I am delighted that we can recognize such groups with the Climate Prize and support them in making their work better known and developing their projects further."
Marco Westphal, Managing Director of SWB Energie und Wasser, emphasizes: "Sustainability is no longer a trend, it is our shared responsibility. With the Climate Prize, we are honoring people and companies who are making a real difference with passion, innovation and vision. Let's continue on this path together, drive forward creative solutions and secure a future worth living for generations to come. Congratulations to all the award winners - your commitment is a role model for us all!"
1st place: VEMO Logistics
VEMO Logistik GmbH, with locations in Bonn and Cologne, was awarded first place and 5,000 euros in prize money. VEMO Logistik implements sustainable solutions for inner-city transportation and shows how the mobility transition can work for urban commercial transport. Thanks to space-saving cargo bikes for deliveries, they are fast, flexible and climate-friendly. There are also parcel stations and parcel stores (multi-function hubs in cooperation with GLS), which enable flexible delivery and collection of parcels. The shipment volume currently comprises around 1,200 parcels per day. According to VEMO, the use of cargo bikes, which are charged with green electricity, currently saves around 50 tons of CO2 per year compared to diesel vans and shortens delivery times thanks to optimized, congestion-free routes. Noise emissions in the urban area are also avoided.
Within Bonn, the bicycle is the fastest means of transport on most routes. VEMO benefits from this with its innovative concept. This is also a success for the city of Bonn, which is creating new services for commercial transport as part of the mobility transition. These include business parking spaces for traffic that cannot be relocated and a continuous cycle network with wide paths that can also be used by cargo bikes.
2nd place: Training instead of deportation (AsA)
Second place, and therefore 3,000 euros in prize money, went to the association Ausbildung statt Abschiebung (AsA). The association combines social commitment with climate protection: young refugees are provided with their own bicycles to increase their independence and opportunities for participation. The ADFC came on board as a contact for repairs to the donated bikes. AsA's own premises in Bonn's Nordstadt district have been used for the bicycle workshop since 2023. Other services have since been added: Various educational and advisory services have been created, for example short introductory courses on traffic rules and a joint bicycle leisure time in the Rhine-Moselle region. So far, bicycles have been provided for around 150 young people, thus avoiding emissions compared to the use of other means of transportation. The project contributes both to climate protection and to the social integration of young refugees. Learning to repair things yourself increases self-efficacy, manual skills and appreciation for the bike.
3rd place: Diakonisches Werk Bonn und Region
Third place and 1,500 euros in prize money went to Diakonisches Werk Bonn und Region. Based on the biblical impulse to "preserve creation", climate protection and sustainability play a major role at Diakonisches Werk. The commitment to socially just climate protection is embedded in the goal of climate neutrality by 2035 of the Protestant Church in the Rhineland and Diakonie Deutschland.
The organization's climate protection activities are holistically oriented: Specific measures are implemented on the basis of set annual targets. These range from the ecological alignment of internal processes, participation and communication with employees to technical measures in and around the building. The installation of a PV system and e-charging points, energy-related measures on the building such as window replacement, the purchase of company bicycles and the establishment of eco-fair procurement, for example for office materials and food, have already been implemented. The plant also sees itself as a role model for other stakeholders. To this end, its own employees are also actively involved, for example at the Environment Day for around 600 employees with presentations, workshops and an ideas exchange.
Recognition award: UN Funken carnival society
The jury awarded a recognition prize of 500 euros to the UN Funken carnival society. It brings together employees of the United Nations (UN) and other UN-affiliated organizations in Bonn as well as their families and friends. The members come from more than 30 countries and bring the Sustainable Development Goals to carnival: since 2019, the association has been offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions generated by all participating vehicles in the Rose Monday parade, spectators travelling to the event, as well as camels and garbage with corresponding certificates (around 1,000 tons per session).
In addition to offsetting, other carnival "must-haves" are also realized in a climate-friendly way: For example, the association is on the move in the Rose Monday parade as a foot group with cargo bikes. For the 2024 Rose Monday parade, 25 percent of the sparklers' fireworks also came from fair trade. Carnival medals and pins are made from wood. The association has set itself the goal of using its commitment and active information to encourage other associations and the Bonn Carnival Festival Committee itself to follow suit and get involved.
Competition is part of Bonn's 2035 climate plan
The Bonn Climate Prize, which has been awarded annually since 2022, focuses on those who are already committed to climate protection in Bonn in their free time or professionally and thus contribute to Bonn's goal of climate neutrality by 2035. The Bonn Climate Prize focuses on group projects that contribute directly or indirectly to the reduction of greenhouse gases in Bonn. The winners of the first two editions were the Vilich-Müldorf Citizens' Association and Bonner Leihbar. Further information on the Climate Prize and the previous winners can be found at www.bonn.de/klima-preis. (opens in a new tab)
The competition is also part of the Bonn Climate Plan as an important communication and public relations measure. The Climate Plan was adopted by the City Council in March 2023 as a roadmap for a climate-neutral city worth living in Bonn. Further information on the Bonn Climate Plan 2035 can be found at www.bonn.de/klimaplan. (opens in a new tab)