Recognising and managing local consequences. The global climate is changing at an unprecedented rate, as a direct result of human influence. A strategy for dealing with climate change must be built upon two pillars: in addition to preventative climate mitigation, it is also important to adapt to the irreversible consequences of climate change. Climate change impacts – recognising what is still to comeClimate change remains the biggest global challenge for the 21st century. Its consequences affect all continents, all ecosystems, and all areas of human coexistence. The impact interdependencies and consequences of climate change are highly complex, regionally diverse, and intertwined.Climate change exacerbates global and regional injustices. Moreover, through extreme events, it is already having an enormous impact on the global economy and causing massive damages. In the future, heat waves, droughts, and heavy precipitation events will occur even more frequently and more intensively. If adjustments are not made or are insufficient, we can expect even more serious disruptions in the future.The manifestations of climate change vary locally – as do the economic and social conditions in dealing with the consequences of climate change. Therefore, in addition to data on climate development and risk assessment, strategies are required at regional and sectoral level to prepare for the consequences of change.Climate adaptation – being prepared for the consequencesIn contrast to preventative strategies as part of climate mitigation, adaptation to the consequences of climate change attempts to deal with changes in the climate that have already occurred or are expected to occur, to cope with the negative consequences, to reduce risks, and to exploit opportunities. The resilience of economic systems such as value chains is important for the design of such adjustment processes.All levels – from politics and administration to businesses and individuals – must act together to achieve the goal of a climate-resilient economy and society. Climate Impact & Climate Adaptation: A selection of our servicesDamage and economic consequences of climate changeWe analyse the economic impacts of climate change-related extreme events – such as heatwaves, floods and droughts – on federal states, local authorities and regions. In doing so, we quantify direct and indirect costs and highlight long-term economic risks.Sectoral climate adaptationWe examine climate risks and adaptation needs in individual sectors such as health, water management, transport and energy. On this basis, we develop sector-specific adaptation strategies and options for action.Regional and spatial climate adaptationWe support regions, cities and local authorities in drawing up adaptation strategies and developing resilient spatial structures, for example in the areas of flood protection or the establishment of heat action plans.Climate adaptation in and through businessesWe advise businesses on climate risks at their sites and along their supply chains, and work with them to identify potential adaptation strategies and measures to strengthen business resilience. At the same time, we help to strengthen the climate adaptation economy by highlighting market potential and concrete options for action regarding adaptation solutions.Our services for organisational climate resilienceClimate adaptation at European levelWe support the implementation of climate adaptation measures in a European context, for example the climate-resilient development of regional water supply networks. Furthermore, we contribute to the development of strategies and policy instruments at EU level. Our work on this topic The cost of the heat: 6.3 billion euros in two weeks 2026 | Expertise Our calculations for the newspaper Handelsblatt reveal, for the first time, the extent of the economic costs of the German heatwave in June 2026. Read more Fourth C4T Conference 17. - 18. June 2026 | Event Prognos chairs the meeting of the Academic Sounding Board and the working group on climate adaptation. The aim is to further refine proposed measures on the path to a climate-neutral Europe. Read more Design and implementation of the Resilience Expo ongoing | Project Prognos is supporting the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of the Environment in organising, implementing and establishing the world's first trade exhibition for the climate adaptation industry. Read more Occupational safety in the context of climate change 2026 | Project A single heat day costs the German economy 431 million euros. Our study for the BMAS examines how preventive, climate-change-friendly occupational safety measures can help to limit the damage. Read more Network Klimaanpassung & Unternehmen.NRW (NKU) ongoing | Project The network Klimaanpassung&Unternehmen.NRW (NKU) offers exchange, knowledge and market information on climate adaptation in North Rhine-Westphalia. Prognos is leading the network together with partners. Read more IFAT 2026 4. - 7. May 2026 | Event Prognos will once again have a stand at IFAT, the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies. Dr Jochen Hoffmeister will present the status report on circular economy. Read more Conclusion and introduction: GreenTech Innovationswettbewerb 24. - 25. March 2026 | Event The projects from the first funding period of the GreenTech-Innovationswettbewerbs present their most important results. At the same time, the projects from the second call for proposals are launched. Prognos is supporting the innovation competition. Read more Circular Valley Convention 11. March 2026 | Event As part of our accompanying research for the BMWE's GreenTech Innovation Competition, we will be presenting three projects at a stand. Marieke Eckhardt will also be moderating a panel discussion. Read more SUMMIT Umweltwirtschaft.NRW 2025 20. November 2025 | Event At the SUMMIT, Jannis Lambert will give a keynote speech on ‘GreenTech boom despite the crisis: Future opportunities for Germany in global competition’ and highlight current developments in the environmental economy. Read more International Roadshow UK by the Forum Digital Technologies 15. - 18. September 2025 | Event At the International Roadshow, Michelle Reuter will present the GreenTech funding initiative and key findings from the GreenTech Atlas 2025, and provide an overview of selected innovation projects with a focus on the circular economy. Read more Impact of extreme weather events on transport infrastructure ongoing | Project Flooded streets, dried-up rivers, broken asphalt: we analyse the effects of extreme weather events on transport infrastructure and the economy. Read more Overall impact of climate change, mitigation and adaptation on the German economy 2025 | Project In an expert report for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, we and GWS have for the first time estimated the economic impact of these three areas. Read more Green Economy Report North Rhine-Westphalia 2022 2022 | Project In its fourth edition, Prognos analyses the economic and ecological impact of the green economy in NRW. Read more Estimation of costs resulting from climate change in Germany 2023 | Project Heatwave, drought, floods – for the BMWK and BMUV we have systematically combined the quantifiable costs of extreme weather events in Germany since 2000 and supplemented them with detailed studies. Read more Evolving Regions 2023 | Project How can climate adaptation measures be implemented more effectively in regional processes? Prognos conducted research with six partners as part of the EU-funded ‘Evolving Regions’ project. Read more Evolving 22 - Conference on Climate Adaptation in Rural Areas 2022-03-10 | Event The latest project results will be presented at the Evolving 22 conference. Lukas Eiserbeck also heads the working session "Monitoring of climate adaptation processes." Read more Ecological transformation and dual education in Bremen 2021 | Project What is the demand for professionally trained specialists in Bremen as a business location in light of climate protection measures? Read more Green Economy Network.NRW ongoing | Project Prognos has been involved in the Green Economy Network.NRW (KNUW) since 2017. It offers players in the environmental industry a platform for exchange and strengthens the market oppor-tunities of companies from NRW. Read more Demand for skilled labour for the energy transition of buildings 2018 | Project One of the results of the study: For the implementation of the energy transformation, 130,000 additional workers will be needed. Read more Green Economy Report North Rhine-Westphalia 2017 2017 | Project North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany's largest provider of environmental products and services. The sector generated around 28 billion euros in 2015 - more than six percent of the state's gross value added. Read more Impact analysis of the North Rhine-Westphalia Climate Protection Plan 2014 | Project The report documents the results of the “Development and implementation of an impact analysis for the North Rhine-Westphalia Climate Protection Plan” project. Read more Do you have questions? Your contact at Prognos Lukas Sander Senior Project Manager | Head of Climate Impacts and Adaptation View profile Oliver Lühr Director | Partner, Head of the Climate, Resources and Resilience Unit View profile About us We combine economic research and strategy consulting for sustainable decisions in politics, business and society. Our robust data, precise analyses and scientifically based findings enable fact-based progress – financially independent, politically neutral. Learn more
