Partnership for Climate Protection and Energy

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) together with the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) started a joint project called "Partnership for climate protection, energy efficiency and innovation" to support, among other things, company visits by members of the chambers (regional partners in the special fund). These visits aim to recommend to the SMEs concerned to make use of energy consulting services. This initiative will lead to a marked rise in demand for such services. According to estimates by the KfW bank, the funds needed in 2010 will amount to EUR 12 million (for 6,000 initial advice services and 1,000 in-depth advice services); these funds are part of the draft budget.