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Less artificial light for environmental and health protection
The science city of Darmstadt is setting new standards in the use of artificial lighting. In its meeting on March 12, 2025, the city council approved a lighting guideline for public lighting and took note of a lighting guide for private households.
According to a statement from the city of Darmstadt , the new lighting guidelines are intended to help minimize the effects of artificial light on people and nature. "Reducing artificial lighting means improved health protection for Darmstadt's citizens, as reduced nighttime lighting promotes healthy sleep in particular," explains City Councillor Michael Kolmer. At the same time, the measure is a further step towards achieving the city's climate protection goals .
Sustainable lighting for environmental and climate protection
the Federal Immission Control Act, light is considered a harmful environmental impact. The Federal Nature Conservation Act provides for the protection of insects through the reduction of light emissions. Furthermore, the Hessian Nature Conservation Act mandates the protection of light-sensitive animal and plant species and authorizes municipalities to enact corresponding bylaws.
In the course of developing the new guidelines, relevant stakeholders were involved in a comprehensive process , including the Hessian Network Against Light Pollution . The new lighting guidelines serve as a guideline for the city administration, municipal companies, and affiliated organizations .
Guide to private lighting
Since sustainable lighting cannot be regulated solely at the municipal level, the city has also created the " Lighting Guide – Practical Ways to Sustainable Outdoor Lighting ." This guide is aimed at private households, businesses, sports facilities, churches, and monuments , and offers concrete tips for environmentally friendly lighting.
"This guide provides knowledge, offers advice, and shows examples of how successes for the benefit of nature can be achieved in everyday life with very little effort," Kolmer continued. In addition to ecological aspects, the emotional factor also plays a role: "Gazing at the night sky also touches our hearts."
Further action
Following the final deliberations on the city council's , the lighting guidelines and the lighting manual will be available for download on the City of Darmstadt's website . The resolution is already accessible city's parliamentary information system
(Darmstadt - Red/PSD/EVI)
