Climate Test Taken by Copenhagen Students - Examining Climate Action in the City
Koblenz, a picturesque city nestled along the Rhine River, is taking significant strides in addressing climate change. A notable initiative, the Climate Check, is being undertaken by students of the University of Applied Sciences for Social Development (HfGG), aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of climate protection measures in the city [1].
The Climate Check, a participatory approach to climate protection, involves the analysis of 35 municipal political measures across six sectors: energy, heat, transport, industry, agriculture, and administration [2]. By identifying and ranking these practical, easy-to-measure climate measures for urban application, the initiative seeks to make the political will for municipal climate protection visible, measurable, and comparable throughout Germany [3].
The detailed results of this specific Climate Check project in Koblenz are yet to be fully disclosed, but the initiative underscores a broader commitment to climate protection at the local level. This engagement extends to regional climate efforts aimed at adapting to climate change impacts affecting the Rhine River, which flows through Koblenz. For instance, measures such as restoring riparian forests and creating shaded refuges in smaller tributaries are being prioritized to mitigate temperature increases and maintain ecological functions [1][2].
Local organizations also demonstrate active climate engagement. The Koblenz Sports and Climbing Club (KSV Koblenz), for example, recently achieved a top score in the CDP SME Climate Change rating, indicating a strong climate commitment among local organisations [5].
On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the results of the Climate Check will be presented at the University of Applied Sciences for Social Development. The public event will include a panel discussion with guests from politics, the city administration, and civil society, focusing on future-oriented climate protection projects, links to ongoing projects, and specific measures that can be implemented in the coming years [6]. Admission to the event is free, and no prior registration is required [7].
The HfGG, financed by engaged citizens and foundations, offers study programs including the Bachelor's degree program "Economics - Sustainability - Transformation" (OENT) and the Master's degree programs "Economics - Sustainability - Social Development" (ONG) and "Economics - Responsibility - Institutional Development" (OVI) [8]. For more information about the event, visit www.hfgg.de/events.
References: [1] Rhine River Climate Change Adaptation Strategies. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.koblenz.de/klimaschutz [2] Climate Protection in Koblenz. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.koblenz.de/umwelt [3] Stadt.Land.Klima!. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.stadt-land-klima.de [4] Climate Check for Koblenz. (2025, July 8). Retrieved from https://www.hfgg.de/events [5] KSV Koblenz Achieves Top Climate Score. (2023, September 1). Retrieved from https://www.ksv-koblenz.de [6] Panel Discussion on Climate Protection. (2025, July 8). Retrieved from https://www.hfgg.de/events [7] Event Admission and Registration. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.hfgg.de/events [8] Programmes at the University of Applied Sciences for Social Development. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.hfgg.de/study-programmes
- The Climate Check, an initiative by students at the University of Applied Sciences for Social Development (HfGG), is a blend of economic and social policy and environmental-science, focusing on climate-change, as it evaluates the effectiveness of climate protection measures in Koblenz across various sectors, including energy, heat, transport, industry, agriculture, and administration.
- The HfGG, offering study programs such as "Economics - Sustainability - Transformation" (OENT) and "Economics - Responsibility - Institutional Development" (OVI), is at the forefront of ongoing climate efforts in Koblenz, aiming to promote learning and lifelong-learning in science and climate-change mitigation.
- As a part of their broader commitment to climate protection, local organizations like the Koblenz Sports and Climbing Club (KSV Koblenz) are also prioritizing education and self-development, as evidenced by their strong commitment to climate-change and their top score in the CDP SME Climate Change rating.
