To qualify for an eco-loan, a company has to cut its energy consumption or its carbon-dioxide emissions by at least 20 percent. Some of the business operators have their eyes on the savings they can make from the modernization. Others are motivated by their own ideals to take steps to protect the climate.

Tamara Jelicic took over her parents' restaurant two years ago. Now, a heat pump in the basement keeps the restaurant as warm or cool as needed in an environmentally friendly way. Solar panels on the roof supply electric power.