Culture meets Climate: Pathways to Adaptation

The cultural sector is increasingly vulnerable to climate risks such as extreme weather and heatwaves. A pilot project by the Federal Cultural Foundation is aiding 20 cultural institutions in developing climate adaptation strategies. At an online event, adelphi will showcase the project and discuss necessary actions.

What climate risks do cultural institutions face? This question, among others, will be explored at the " Kultur trifft Klima: Klimaanpassung in Kultureinrichtungen " spotlight event by the Climate Adaptation Centre. The cultural sector is becoming more affected by extreme weather events. Intense rainfall and flooding have already caused significant damage to museum buildings and artworks. Extreme heatwaves and droughts not only impact visitors and collections but also threaten the ecosystems of historic castles and gardens.

In response, the Federal Cultural Foundation is currently sponsoring a nationwide pilot project, supporting 20 cultural institutions in developing innovative climate adaptation concepts by summer 2025. On December 11th, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., the spotlight event will be held online, where the project will be introduced and initial findings shared. Dr. Sebastian Brünger from the Federal Cultural Foundation, along with Christian Kind and Julia Bartsch from adelphi, will work with participants to identify specific action needs. Representatives from cultural and social institutions, municipalities, and interested parties can register for the event that is held in German.

Climate adaptation expert Christian Kind addresses our most pressing questions about the spotlight and project:

How did the "Climate adaptation in cultural institutions" project come about?

A few years ago, the Federal Cultural Foundation began assisting cultural institutions like museums, theatres, and memorial sites in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This included a pilot project where a group of institutions received external support to create a carbon footprint and develop measures.

As cultural institutions increasingly feel the physical impacts of climate change, such as rising heat stress, the foundation decided to tackle climate adaptation alongside these institutions. adelphi provides the necessary expertise on climate impacts, collaborating with the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics, the University of Applied Sciences in Dresden, and the landscape planning office Ehrig.

What climate risks most threaten cultural institutions?

Nearly all institutions are affected by increased heat stress. Rising average temperatures can negatively impact plants in historical parks. More problematic, however, are the more intense and frequent heatwaves that challenge cultural institutions. These conditions affect the comfort of both visitors and staff, potentially impacting health and productivity.

Increased heat also poses a significant challenge for preserving many artworks, which require moderate and stable climate conditions. This leads to additional expenses for cooling and the redesign of exhibition spaces and concepts. In historical parks and gardens, the combination of drought and heat increasingly damages trees, resulting in additional costs and restrictions such as area closures, intensified monitoring and care of trees, increased watering, and replanting.

What role can cultural institutions play in climate adaptation within communities?

There are numerous important connections: cultural institutions with large green spaces, such as historical parks, contribute significantly to a more pleasant microclimate in communities. Museums with climate-controlled rooms offer a cool retreat in densely built urban areas. Additionally, cultural institutions can help society engage more deeply and dialogically with the impacts of the climate crisis through their programmes.

If you wish to learn more about the project and adelphi's work, you can register for the spotlight event here.