Expertise

Climate Protection & Climate Adaptation

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 come

Climate 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 consequences

In 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 Protection & Climate Adaptation: A selection of our services

Economic consequences of climate change

We analyse the economic impact of past climate change-related extreme events for countries and regions.

Regional adaptation strategies

We support regions in developing adaptation strategies and developing resilient spatial structures.

Business adaptation strategies

We inform companies about climate risks in specific locations and in supply chains and advise on possible adaptation strategies and measures.

Monitoring and evaluation

We investigate the overall effects and effectiveness of climate adaptation measures and strategies.

Impact on supply chains

We analyse the impact of climate change on the value chains of companies, industries, and economies.

Regional economic modelling

We map changes in import and productivity due to long-term changes in climate signals for regions and determine their regional economic consequences.

Our work on this topic

Take a look at our latest projects and activities.

A greener economy through green finance

2024
| Project

With green finance, greenhouse gases in Austria can be reduced by up to four per cent by 2040 – in the bond market alone. This is the result of our study commissioned by the Ministry for Climate Action.

Green Tech: Digital technologies and sustainability

ongoing
| Project

The Federal Ministry of Economics promotes digital technologies that drive forward the economy’s green transformation. Together with partners, we are responsible for the accompanying research.

Overall impact of climate change, mitigation and adaptation on the German economy

ongoing
| Project

For the first time, an expert report for the Federal Ministry of Economics will jointly assess the economic impact of climate change, mitigation and adaptation.

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.

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.

Comparison of GHG emissions from the use of primary and recycled raw materials for the production of metals

2022
| Project

What are the strategic advantages of using recycled raw materials over primary raw materials for the three metals steel, aluminium and copper in terms of climate management? We have demonstrated this for a recycling company by means of product-specific GHG balancing.

Evolving Regions

ongoing
| Project

How can climate adaptation measures be implemented more effectively in regional processes? Prognos is conducting research as part of the EU-funded "Evolving Regions" project with six part-ners.

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?

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.

Jobwende – Effects of the Energiewende on Work and Employment

2019
| Project

On behalf of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), Prognos examined the importance of the energy transition for future employment in Germany.

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.

Climate Protection and Gas Infrastructure

2018
| Project

Increased expansion of renewable energies and greater energy efficiency could significantly reduce European gas consumption and save costs. This is the result of a study by Prognos and Ecologic.

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.

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.

Do you have questions?

Your contact at Prognos

Oliver Lühr

Partner, Head of Environmental, Circular Economy & Climate Change

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Lukas Eiserbeck

Project Manager

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About us

Prognos – Providing Orientation.

Prognos is one of the oldest economic research centres in Europe. Founded at the University of Basel, Prognos experts have been conducting research for a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors since 1959 – politically independent, scientifically sound.

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