The municipality has a rich history of active citizenship and entrepreneurship, encapsulated in its slogan ‘Enterprising by Nature’.
The city has been commended for its efforts to raise public awareness around climate change and for fostering partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders. A prime example is its collaboration with residents and businesses to make the village of Kronenberg the first energy-neutral urban core in the Netherlands by 2020. Additionally, Horst aan de Maas focuses on increasing the sustainability of its glass-horticulture sector, which currently accounts for over 40% of the municipality's energy consumption.
In sustainable urban mobility, Horst aan de Maas boasts an extensive cycling and public transport network. The city has launched several initiatives to encourage cycling, shared transportation and the use of electric vehicles. Residents are actively involved in transitioning from a car-dependent culture through programs like ‘Trendsportal’, a platform where locals and transport professionals collaborate to shape the future of mobility.
Water management is another key focus for the municipality, which has introduced measures such as subsidising household rainwater harvesting systems. This enables residents to use rainwater for activities in their homes that may compete with drinking water, like watering plants. To address the impacts of climate change, the city has implemented adaptive strategies, such as widening the River Maas to prevent flooding, ensuring resilience against future environmental challenges.
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For more information on Horst aan de Maas’s sustainability initiatives and achievements, you can explore Horst aan de Maas’s application and Horst aan de Maas’s presentation, which detail the city’s environmental strategies and community-driven projects. The EGLA Technical Assessment Report – Award Cycle 2019 provides an in-depth evaluation of the municipality’s performance in various sustainability criteria. For insights into the city’s progress following its recognition, the Horst aan de Maas 1-Year Report offers a comprehensive overview of its continued development and achievements.