District heating is significant in major German cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Cologne, with varying adoption rates. 

Munich and Hamburg lead, with over 36% of homes using district heating, while Berlin is slightly above 33%. Cologne lags at around 11% but aims for one-third by 2030 to cut emissions. 

Heat pumps are more prevalent in Berlin than in other cities, but fossil fuels still supply over 80% of Germany's heating demand. Energy efficiency renovation rates vary, with Cologne trailing due to older buildings. 

Germany aims for climate neutrality by 2045, necessitating a shift to climate-neutral heating methods like district heating and heat pumps.