Almenland Climate & Energy Model Region / KEM / Climate Protection

The Almenland Nature Park Almenland one of the Climate and Energy Model Regions (KEM). The Austrian Climate and Energy Model Regions have the following goal: to generate clean energy from wind, water, and bioenergy sourced from the region.

Climate and Energy Model Regions is a program of the Climate and Energy Fund. The program provides co-financing for regional climate protection projects and the management of regional model regions. Being designated a Climate and Energy Model Region provides access to a broad network as well as exclusive training, support, and funding.

Solar panels in the Almenland Nature Park.

KEM Regions Are Driving the Energy Transition Forward

No more dependence on expensive oil imports, no fear of gas crises—instead, clean energy from the sun, wind, water, and bioenergy sourced from the region: This is precisely the goal pursued by Austria’s Climate and Energy Model Regions (KEM). They serve as role models for other regions—with the long-term vision of a complete phase-out of fossil fuels.
The KEM program of the Climate and Energy Fund supports the achievement of national and European climate and energy goals through regionally anchored transformation processes. Climate protection is viewed as a cross-cutting issue and integrated into all areas of municipal activity—from energy and mobility to procurement, construction, and land-use planning.

Today, KEM comprises:

- 130 regions with 1,177 municipalities
- more than 3.5 million residents

Areas of Action

KEM projects cover a wide range of areas:

Renewable Energy
Reduction in Energy Consumption
Sustainable Construction
Mobility
Agriculture
Awareness-raising

Bottom-up rather than top-down

A key element of every model region is a KEM manager. He or she coordinates the work on the ground and actively involves local stakeholders. The measures are developed directly within the region and adapted to the specific local conditions. Participatory and innovative processes increase acceptance of the measures and enable sustainable solutions to be found even in situations involving conflicts of use. At the same time, municipalities and regions leverage their location-specific potential and establish structures that embed climate protection and resource conservation in a long-term and sustainable manner.

Consultation meeting of the Almenland Climate and Energy Model Region.

Parking lot with solar panels and an electric vehicle charging station in Passail.

Added Value for Regions

The program offers municipalities and regions:

a local contact person for climate protection
Raising Awareness Among the Public and in Political Circles
Access to grants (e.g., “Model Projects”), training, and networks
Exchange within the region and across the Austria-wide KEM network
Expertise, New Approaches, and Methods for Regional Development
Support for making the region sustainable for the future

This effectively combines climate protection with regional economic growth.

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Combat Rising Energy Costs with Investment Incentives!

Federal and state subsidies for 2026 are currently being revised. To identify available subsidy options (some federal and state subsidies can be combined), it is advisable to research the matter thoroughly in advance and, ideally, seek out a product-neutral energy consultation. The examples listed here apply primarily to private individuals, but substantial subsidies are also available for farms and businesses.

You can find information on the following websites about interesting grants in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency on topics such as heating system replacement, thermal retrofitting, photovoltaics, electricity storage, and electric cars: