50% funding for climate neutrality concepts
BMWK subsidy program “Transformation Concepts”
Module 5, “Transformation Concepts,” supports companies on their path to climate neutrality. You will receive a subsidy rate of 40 percent for your concept, with a maximum subsidy amount of €60,000.*
In line with the German government’s more ambitious energy and climate policy goals and stakeholder requirements, companies are being called upon to implement innovative solutions for a carbon-neutral economy. Take advantage of this opportunity and receive funding for a concept and roadmap to climate neutrality tailored to your company.
Transformation concept in detail
The following shall be described and formulated in the transformation concept
- Current status (in the base year) with regard to the company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (creation or updating of a GHG inventory)
- A GHG reduction target of at least 40% for the next ten years and a GHG neutrality target by 2045 at the latest
- A concrete action plan for achieving the targets or transforming from the current status to the target status
- The extent to which the transformation concept is anchored in the company structure
Background to the subsidy
The Federal Subsidy for Energy Efficiency in Industry (EEW) is the central subsidy program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) for increasing energy efficiency in industry and supporting companies in planning and implementing their own transformation to climate neutrality.
Download guide
A new guide shows you step by step how to develop a transformation concept. It explains the steps required to develop a funded concept for climate neutrality. The guide was published by ÖKOTEC, GUTcert, and the German Energy Efficiency Association (DENEFF).
ÖKOTEC is your experienced partner for climate neutrality concepts and subsidy programs
For over 25 years, ÖKOTEC has stood for innovative solutions for energy efficiency, energy management, and CO2 reduction. We are also experts when it comes to subsidy programs. We will find the best possible ecological and economic mix for your company and a carbon-neutral future!
Find out in our success story how we helped stretch film manufacturer Duo Plast to develop a subsidized transformation concept with a roadmap of actions. Note: Before the amendment of the Federal Subsidy on February 15, 2024, the name of the module was “Transformation Concept” and also included the creation of a savings concept for measures.
*Funding rates: Companies without SME status: 40%, medium-sized enterprises (MU): 50%, small enterprises (KU): 60%. The maximum funding is limited to €60,000 per concept. For companies that are registered with and actively participate in a network of the Initiative Energieeffizienz- und Klimaschutz-Netzwerke (IEEKN, Initiative for Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection Networks), the funding rate is increased by 10 percentage points and the maximum possible funding grant is increased to €90,000.
Last updated on June 5, 2025
Note on the FAQ: The questions and answers listed are based on the current information sheet “Transformation Plan” (as of February 15, 2024). If you would like to apply for a transformation plan, please visit the website of the project sponsor VDI/VDE-IT for information on all requirements and necessary documents.
Would you like to become climate neutral with your company?
Get first insights on the topic in our webinar recording or arrange an individual consultation with our ÖKOTEC experts will be happy to accompany you on this topic!
FAQ on the Transformation Concepts subsidy
Where can I find the leaflets?
On the website of BAFA and the project management organization VDI/VDE-IT
Module 5: transformation concepts
Who, what and how ? (About promotion of the transformation concept)
Are the grants capped? Whoever comes first gets the most…?
A maximum of €80,000 is funded per application. The amount of funding depends on the effort required to create the transformation concept. The time of application is irrelevant. It is not expected that the funding pot for the program will be exhausted in the short term.
Is the subsidy linked to the de minimis regulation?
Die Förderung erfolgt unabhängig von der De-minimis Verordnung nach AGVO.
Does this subsidy also apply to non-SMEs?
Yes.
Was there a change in the subsidy maximum for non-SMEs?
The subsidy cap of 500 €/t remains unchanged for non-SMEs.
“Climate neutrality”: to which scope does it refer?
The federal government’s goal refering to Scope 1+2. It is not known how the goal of climate neutrality in 2045 will be specifically considered in the transformation concept.
Is it really only about the CO2 balance of the location or does the upstream chain also come into it?
A GHG balance with regard to Scope 1 + 2 is mandatory, as there is a savings target of 40% compared to this actual status. Scope 3 (upstream chains, downstream chains) can be considered voluntarily. In this case, it is of course advisable to show the “mandatory part” separately in the report.
For green electricity or biogas, the emission factor is “0”. Does this mean that the information provided by the supplier does not matter?
Depending on the (electricity/gas) product, it may happen that a factor other than zero is effective for the ACTUAL reference; e.g., in the case of a mix of generation plants or in the case of proportional admixture of biogas. The CO2 factors are usually specified by the supplier and must be transparently presented / documented. For the switch to green electricity or biogas as a measure, however, a factor of zero can be assumed without hesitation. In this case, a supplier does not have to be specified.
Can all guarantees of origin be used for this purpose? Or are there also requirements for the guarantees of origin used?
Nothing is known about this. However, what is recognized by other official bodies (e.g. DeHSt) also has good chances here.
Financial biogas: what proportion of the costs is subsidized?
No costs for the “measures” or the transformation itself are funded in this funding item. Only the study and what is necessary for its creation (external services) is funded.
Financial green electricity: Can I also apply for this for electricity supply contracts that are already running?
For the actual state (How much CO2 do I currently emit?), the consideration of green electricity is allowed. Electricity costs are not subsidized.
Nehmen wir mal an, ich führe ein F&E- Projekt durch, um einen CO2- ärmeren Let’s say I’m doing an R&D project to find a lower carbon feedstock (lower carbon footprint of the product). (reduction of CO2 footprint of the product). Is this eligible?
An R&D project in the usual sense is not eligible. Research about alternative primary products on a manageable scale will certainly be accepted.
Who is allowed to act as a consultant? Does this require a specific transformation concept training?
There are no requirements for the consultants. However, the quality of the submitted reports will be checked and monitored by the project executing agency. If poor quality reports accumulate, the project executing agency is going to include requirements for the report and / or consultant in the information sheet presumably.
Learn more about our subsidies. We will be happy to advise you!
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