The effects of the Russian war against Ukraine impact Berlin-Brandenburg and other capital regions in Europe in different, albeit comparable ways. They threaten to set us back in terms of climate policy. And that at a time when the climate crisis demands accelerated action more urgently than ever. The baseline question for the project was therefore how Berlin-Brandenburg can design its climate policy in a way that is ambitious, sustainable, participatory, and socially just in the light of the war and the additional multiple crises it has triggered. The project also examined the opportunities for mutual learning and support between the capital regions of Berlin-Brandenburg, Paris-Île de France, and Kyiv.
In comparing the three metropolitan regions and focusing on the interaction between researchers, policymakers, and activists, the following conclusions were drawn: The creation of a typology of all existing climate activist movements showed that despite the diversity of approaches, individual movements (such as Scientists For Future, Scientists Rebellion, etc.) do not have to compete with each other, but can instead complement each other. The variety of demands, strategies and “theory of change” approaches can even be productive for democratic efforts for sustainable social change. A further finding revealed that the proximity of scientific expertise is important to activists. In particular, this expertise highlights the urgency of the matter (due to impending tipping points) and the inter- and intragenerational justice challenges.
Several stakeholders were assembled for two panel discussions. The workshops explored the participants’ perspectives and aimed to establish a new Franco-German network for climate change research in the social sciences and humanities with the involvement of institutes from Berlin-Brandenburg and Paris/Ile de France in particular. The international network was expanded and intensified through two impact workshops involving climate activists and practitioners from the three metropolitan regions of Berlin, Paris, and Kyiv. This resulted in mutual learning processes for citizen assemblies and climate activate formats.
The unique feature of the project was that it brought together scientists and civic representatives from Berlin, Paris, and Kyiv to discuss their experiences with climate policy and activism in these urban centers, as well as the next steps and opportunities for cooperation in the midst of the climate crisis. This trinational dialog was extremely valuable for all involved and will have a lasting impact.
