Alongside the provincial capital of Bolzano, Sand in Taufers is the only community in South Tyrol to have been awarded the international “Gold Climate Community” certification. Under the mantle of the European initiative, the European Energy Award is conferred upon communities that show extraordinary commitment in the areas of energy-efficiency and climate protection. Ahrntal, like other communities in South Tyrol, is following the pilot community of Sand in Taufers with the aim of increasing the quality of life of everyone over the long term. This can be felt most directly in lower energy costs and, seen over the long term, in cleaner and more intact natural surroundings. Furthermore, the measures contribute to worldwide climate protection and help to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations. Through an intelligent energy plan, the community has already succeeded in producing far more energy than it consumes overall.