Cottbus in the Focus of Climate Protection: Environmental Measures in April 2026

Cottbus addresses environmental issues specifically in April 2026

The city of Cottbus has positioned itself as a pioneer in the areas of climate protection and sustainability in recent years. In April 2026, the city hall is setting new impulses for climate-friendly urban development with several concrete measures and plans. From the creation of a strategy paper for public transport to the expansion of bicycle infrastructure and environmentally compatible building plans – Cottbus is showing how climate protection can be integrated into urban planning and administrative work.

CO₂-neutral transport strategy: Gradual transition in local transport

One of the central decisions in April 2026 concerns the development of a strategy paper for the gradual transition to CO₂-neutral drive technologies in public local transport. The Cottbusverkehr GmbH (Coibusverkehr) will submit a written draft of the technology-neutral strategy paper by June 30, 2026. This draft will evaluate various drive technologies such as hydrogen, electric and diesel in terms of climate protection, costs and economic efficiency.

The evaluation is part of a long-term plan to replace the entire vehicle fleet with CO₂-neutral alternatives by 2030. The current fleet still allows replacement by diesel buses until 2030, but a final decision on a drive technology must be made by that time. The strategic planning aims to create decision-making criteria for future procurement in good time, taking into account resource conservation, climate protection and economic efficiency.

Bicycle parking houses: Infrastructure for climate-friendly mobility

Another focus of environmental work in Cottbus is the expansion of bicycle infrastructure. The new bicycle parking house at Cottbus/Chóśebuz main station, which opened on December 18, 2025, offers a total of 186 parking spaces, 96 of which are freely accessible and 84 secure. The utilization has already been positive in the first weeks after opening – 146 bookings were counted until March 2026 (without cancellations).

The demand for secure parking spaces remains high, which justifies the planning of another bicycle parking house at Hbf-North with 250 parking spaces. These measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to promote the use of bicycles and thus advance climate protection.

Sustainable construction: Climate factors in the industrial area Dissenchen

Cottbus is also relying on sustainable planning in the area of urban construction. The building plan for the industrial area Dissenchen focuses on creating a high-quality, climate-friendly industrial location. The planning takes into account the spatial proximity to the Cottbuser Ostsee and the bypass, with environmental and climate factors playing a central role.

In the industrial area, existing biotopes and shrub structures are to be preserved, and alternative habitats for species such as the skylark are planned. In addition, a master elevation of the 110-kV high-voltage overhead line is planned in connection with the road construction to maintain safety distances and ensure the protection of residential buildings along Haasower Straße. Environmental reports and acoustic investigations are part of the planning to secure the effects on the environment and residents.

Preparation for STADTRADELN 2026 and Environmental Weeks

In addition to the infrastructural and planning measures, Cottbus also emphasizes the importance of awareness raising and participation. In May 2026, the STADTRADELN climate protection project will take place, during which Cottbus residents already covered 559,378 kilometers by bicycle in 2025. Following this, the 34th Environmental Week will take place from May 31 to June 5 with the motto "Of Garden Heroes and Spiky Friends", focusing on biodiversity and sustainable lifestyle.

In addition, the water-walking bridge on the Spree has been restored, and a new rental station for SUPs and canoes has been set up. These measures contribute to promoting environmental education and recreation in nature and show how Cottbus actively creates a link between climate protection, leisure and education.

Outlook: Cottbus as a model for climate-friendly urban development

With a wide range of measures that focus on infrastructure, planning and education, Cottbus is showing that climate protection in urban development is not only possible, but also necessary. The strategic orientation towards CO₂-neutral technologies, the expansion of bicycle infrastructure and the sustainable design of building plans are just a few examples of how the city is concretely implementing its climate protection goals in April 2026.

In the future, transparency and political support for these projects will play a central role. Regular reporting to political bodies and the involvement of the population in initiatives such as STADTRADELN and the Environmental Week are crucial for the long-term sustainability and acceptance of the measures.