Climate adaptation in cultural institutions

The rapid progression of climate change challenges social cohesion and will require strong unity to address. Cultural institutions play a crucial role as places of communal learning and creativity. With the pilot project "Climate Adaptation in Cultural Institutions" by the German Federal Cultural Foundation, 20 leading cultural institutions across the country, along with the foundation itself, are pioneering climate adaptation efforts to become more resilient and address both risks and opportunities. These institutions include museums, theaters, castles, and libraries. In collaboration with adelphi and other leading experts, the project aims to develop the knowledge and capacities of cultural institutions, build an understanding of local climate risks, identify early adaptation measures, and create tailored climate adaptation plans. This initiative aims to make climate adaptation an integral part of modern cultural work in Germany.

At the heart of the project is the development of customized climate adaptation plans for each participating institution. These plans are created through an intensive exchange process with the institutions themselves, including on-site visits and workshops. Climate data analyses are used to identify and understand specific local climate risks.

To extend the project's impact beyond the participating cultural institutions, findings will be presented at events to share experiences and results, aiming to achieve multiplier effects.

Role and significance of the project

In addition to the specific adaptation of the selected cultural institutions, the German Federal Cultural Foundation emphasizes the project as a significant catalyst. Large, well-known cultural institutions play a key role in climate adaptation within the cultural sector: they are acutely affected by climate conditions and are highly visible due to their large visitor numbers. Their historical architectural structures make many of these institutions particularly vulnerable. Balancing heritage conservation with climate adaptation is a challenging but essential field to advance building climate resilience. Practically speaking, cultural institutions can also serve as shelters from extreme heat or other natural hazards when cool spaces are scarce in urban areas.

Furthermore, the societal role and impact of the cultural sector should not be overlooked. Historically, the cultural sector has been a place of transformation, where groundbreaking ideas emerged early and utopias could become reality. This project aims to lay the foundation for climate-adapted cultural institutions, ensuring that culture can continue to serve people and society in the future.