Climate Alliance National Conference 2026
The financial situation of local authorities in Germany is alarming. Stagnating tax revenues due to the weak economy and increased costs in various areas are causing deficits in local authority budgets almost everywhere. Under these conditions, it is difficult for municipalities to fulfill their key role in climate protection and adaptation. This is because climate protection and adaptation must take a back seat to mandatory tasks as voluntary tasks for municipalities, especially in financially difficult times. With the national Climate Alliance Conference at the European House in Berlin, we want to intensify the dialogue between municipalities and decision-makers from federal and EU politics and identify common paths for effective and socially just climate policy at the local level. Exchange strategies, experiences, and best practices with like-minded people! The conference offers a space for networking and sharing experiences. Register here Ready4Heat coorganises the workshop: Shaping local climate adaptation – municipal realities and practical implementation Time slot 1 | 1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. How can municipalities effectively address the diverse and complex challenges of climate adaptation – especially when financial leeway is becoming increasingly limited due to cuts in municipal budgets? The workshop offers a practical space for mutual exchange and joint learning. Municipal representatives are invited to share their experiences and success factors to date, as well as the obstacles they have encountered in implementing adaptation measures. The focus will be on what support is needed for adaptation measures, for example from the federal or state level, but also from the Climate Alliance. Above all, however, the focus will be on which creative solutions are already driving the necessary change on a small scale. Municipalities will reflect on their experiences in implementing climate adaptation measures, learn from practical examples (Ready4Heat and Worms, Maintal), and exchange ideas on common challenges and solutions for financing, cooperation, and implementation. Workshop Agenda AGENDA 1:45 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. Welcome 1:50 p.m. – 2:05 p.m. Presentation by the German Federal Environment Agency 2:05 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Insights from practice
- City of Worms and Ready4Heat – Marcus Engelbrecht, City Administration of Worms
- City of Maintal – Nina Stiehr, City Administration of Maintal
2:45 p.m. – 3:05 p.m. Exchange: Sharing municipal realities Focus topics:
- Financing & subsidies,
- Cooperation & local actors.
3:05 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Conclusion & outlook