The strategy of intelligent specialization (S3) is an important basis for obtaining European funding for regional development. The European Commission promotes the specialization of economic strengths - based on the strategy, the Metropole Ruhr further develops its central competencies, unique selling points and lighthouse projects.
By 2050, the EU aims to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions to zero. The European Green Deal 2020 sets out the strategy for the urgently needed adaptation of economic processes and value chains to meet the challenges of climate change. The European economy is to achieve its growth by then in a clean circular economy - without the use of non-renewable resources.
To achieve this goal, a large number of economic and social changes are necessary. At the same time, economic change is creating a huge market for sustainable processes and products - companies from the metropolis can position tried-and-tested innovations convincingly in the market in the living lab Ruhr region.
Competetive and climate neutral
In the Metropole Ruhr, per capita greenhouse gas emissions are higher than the average for North Rhine-Westphalia - which in turn has the highest emissions of all the German states. The reason for this is the still existing industry in the Metropole Ruhr.
In view of the CO₂ taxation that has been in force since 2021, there is a particular need for innovative solutions so that companies with high energy consumption and high greenhouse gas emissions can compete. This not only opens up potential for external financing and financial support, but also a wide range of application fields for new technologies such as hydrogen.
At the same time circular economy is urgently needed to achieve climate targets. Only a sustainable economic system that thinks and acts in terms of cycles that are as closed as possible will secure the economic and social benefits of products, components and materials in the long term.
Strong networks – Strong positions
Companies, innovation centers and universities are connected by the Greentech.Ruhr Netzwerk of the Metropole Ruhr. More than 200 networked stakeholders from the region develop innovative products in the fields of circular economy and green technology and secure the region a leading position in a Germany-wide comparison.
The competitive position of the Metropole Ruhr in the field hydrogen is also strong. In a comparison of metropolitan regions in Germany, the Metropole Ruhr ranks first in terms of existing hydrogen competencies according to the number and size of hydrogen-related companies, the networking of regional players, and existing regional and international cooperation.
Competence centers in the Metropole Ruhr
Bochum
Bottrop
Duisburg
Essen
Gelsenkirchen
Hamm
Mülheim an der Ruhr
Oberhausen
Kreis Recklinghausen
Kreis Recklinghausen
Kreis Wesel
Kreis Wesel
Image credit: Zbynek Burival