The Klimaschutz-und Energieagentur Mittelhessen (KEM) was founded at January 1, 2003, by the district of Giessen with support from the European Commission by the SAVE II programme. It is a regional Energy Agency founded in the legal form of an association (e.V.). During the three years founding phase the KEM was sponsored by the district of Giessen, the country of Hesse, the Stadtwerke Giessen AG (SWG), and the European Commission by the Save II programme. Save-REMA is its partner agency which has its seat in Budapest (Hungary). The Klimaschutz-und Energieagentur Mittelhessen (KEM) is run by three employees and the director.

Goals of the KEM:

• Develop concepts for the effective use of resources and to reduce CO₂ in the district of Giessen.
• Initiate projects for the economic and ecologic use of energy in close cooperation with regional companies, associations, the county of Giessen with its districts and communities as well as with its partner agencies.
• Exchange experiences with other energy agencies and our partner agencies.
• Achieve the goal of transferring the regional strategy for climate protection and innovation on behalf of the district of Giessen.
• Offer services in the sector of counselling, information and training.

Services in Detail:

• Energy check for communities
• Energy counselling for communities
• Training: "From care taker to energy manager"
• Energy counselling for companies
• Energy counselling for private households (in the building sector in cooperation with the so called Building Pass of Giessen)
• Information and counselling on the sponsorship programmes of the federal government, the countries and the EU for all target groups
• Information on recyclable energies for all target groups
• Use of biological material (woods, old woods)
• Meetings and reports
• Meetings for qualification and training
• Management of resources for schools in the district of Giessen
• Solarlokal

List of the executed Projects of KEM:

• Energy counselling for the city of Allendorf (Lumda) in the district of Giessen, 2003
• Bioregio woods, 2003
• Energy counselling for the business park Rinn & Cloos, 2004
• Energy efficiency campaign (2003-2004)
• Specialised training "Effective energy management - Chances for the region"(2003-2004)

Training offered:

• Panel biological materials for craft workers (2004)
• Basic training in biological materials for craft workers (2004-2005)
• Training on the decree for old woods (Altholzverordnung) (2003-2004)
• "From care taker to energy manager" (since 2004)