BlogZKfN

Climate Research Through Dialogue: “Climate Future Lower Saxony” Symposium 2026

First results are becoming visible – and with them, the question of how they can unfold their impact together with practice.
  • October 2, 2026
  • 2 min. Reading time
Group photoGroup photo
Participants in the third “Climate Future of Lower Saxony” symposium in the Herrenhausen Gardens in front of the Arne Jacobsen Foyer.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof

About 110 researchers, practice partners, and other interested parties from across the network gathered in Hanover on October 1, 2026, for our third Climate Future Lower Saxony Symposium. To kick off the event, Rüdiger Eichel from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and Christoph Benze from the Lower Saxony Ministry of the Environment, Energy, and Climate Protection welcomed the participants. Katharina Zickwolf from the ZKfN and Dr. Tabea Golgath from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture moderated the symposium.

This time, the focus was on the work of the Climate Future Labs: In more than 20 presentations, researchers introduced their questions, methods, and projects. The parallel sessions ranged from ecosystem functions and One Health to urban and rural spaces, as well as knowledge transfer, transdisciplinary research, modeling, and data. This gave participants insights into the labs’ various approaches and allowed them to discover points of connection for their own work. AgRe-Lab, the sixth Climate Future Lab, also introduced itself. The lab, which launches in October, gave a preview of its planned work.

For many participants, the symposium has become an annual gathering. In addition to researchers and practice partners from the Climate Future Labs, attendees included guests from the business community, local governments, public administration, and politics, as well as representatives from other research centers and members of the new Lower Saxony Climate Council. BaKlimON was also represented as another research partner. The broad turnout shows that the symposium—with its integration of diverse research topics and perspectives—resonates beyond the circle of those directly involved.

In the workshop on collaboration with practice partners, moderated by Dr. Melanie Kryst of con gressa, a stakeholder mapping exercise highlighted the impact and reach that effective practice partnerships can achieve. One point became particularly clear: Impact in academia and practice is only achieved when both sides work together—a key insight for future collaboration. The closing session looked ahead: Where is Lower Saxony headed? Three members of the Lower Saxony Climate Council, including Susanne Gerstner from BUND Lower Saxony, clearly outlined where they see a need for action and what changes they hope to see for the state’s climate future.

For further details: Download Graphic Recording.

Graphic RecordingGraphic Recording
Graphic Recording, Teil 1: Mit viel Gespür für das Wesentliche hielt Susanne Asheuer die wichtigsten Themen und Eindrücke des Tages in ihren Illustrationen fest.
© Susanne Asheuer

We would like to thank all speakers, participants, and contributors for their contributions and discussions. The Climate Future Labs are increasingly entering a phase in which research findings are becoming visible. As a result, the question of how these findings can be shared with and further developed in collaboration with practitioners is also gaining importance. The ZKfN is preparing to provide stronger support to the labs in this exchange and in the transfer of knowledge.

Impressions of the Day

Dr. Tabea Golgath from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and Katharina Zickwolf from the ZKfN will open the symposium.Dr. Tabea Golgath from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and Katharina Zickwolf from the ZKfN will open the symposium.
Dr. Tabea Golgath from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and Katharina Zickwolf from the ZKfN will open the symposium.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof
At first, the sun was still shining in the Herrenhausen Gardens, but later the rain made our planned walk impossible.At first, the sun was still shining in the Herrenhausen Gardens, but later the rain made our planned walk impossible.
At first, the sun was still shining in the Herrenhausen Gardens, but later the rain made our planned walk impossible.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof
Members of the Climate Future Labs provided insights into the current status of their research.Members of the Climate Future Labs provided insights into the current status of their research.
Members of the Climate Future Labs provided insights into the current status of their research.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof
A historic setting, cutting-edge climate research: The Baroque Hall created a special atmosphere.A historic setting, cutting-edge climate research: The Baroque Hall created a special atmosphere.
A historic setting, cutting-edge climate research: The Baroque Hall created a special atmosphere.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof
In the glass-enclosed Arne Jacobsen Foyer, the researchers presented their work in an atmosphere quite different from that of the Baroque hall.In the glass-enclosed Arne Jacobsen Foyer, the researchers presented their work in an atmosphere quite different from that of the Baroque hall.
In the glass-enclosed Arne Jacobsen Foyer, the researchers presented their work in an atmosphere quite different from that of the Baroque hall.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof
During the coffee break, the participants continued to exchange ideas and made new connections.During the coffee break, the participants continued to exchange ideas and made new connections.
During the coffee break, the participants continued to exchange ideas and made new connections.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof
With more than 20 presentations, the members of the Climate Future Labs organized the symposium.With more than 20 presentations, the members of the Climate Future Labs organized the symposium.
With more than 20 presentations, the members of the Climate Future Labs organized the symposium.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof
Attentive listeners at the presentations from the Climate Future Labs.Attentive listeners at the presentations from the Climate Future Labs.
Attentive listeners at the presentations from the Climate Future Labs.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof
In the workshop with Dr. Melanie Kryst of con gressa, participants use stakeholder mapping to examine the impact and scope of effective practice-based collaborations.In the workshop with Dr. Melanie Kryst of con gressa, participants use stakeholder mapping to examine the impact and scope of effective practice-based collaborations.
In the workshop with Dr. Melanie Kryst of con gressa, participants use stakeholder mapping to examine the impact and scope of effective practice-based collaborations.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof
The participants engaged in an in-depth discussion about their collaboration with partners in the field.The participants engaged in an in-depth discussion about their collaboration with partners in the field.
The participants engaged in an in-depth discussion about their collaboration with partners in the field.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof
Graphic Recording, Part 2: Susanne Asheuer summarized the presentations from the individual sessions and the workshop in tiles—with the help of Julia Depis.Graphic Recording, Part 2: Susanne Asheuer summarized the presentations from the individual sessions and the workshop in tiles—with the help of Julia Depis.
Graphic Recording, Part 2: Susanne Asheuer summarized the presentations from the individual sessions and the workshop in tiles—with the help of Julia Depis.
© Susanne Asheuer und Julia Depis
BaKlimON introduced itself as the first associate partner of the ZKfN.BaKlimON introduced itself as the first associate partner of the ZKfN.
BaKlimON introduced itself as the first associate partner of the ZKfN.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof
In the closing session, three members of the Lower Saxony Climate Council outline the need for action and their hopes for the state’s climate future.In the closing session, three members of the Lower Saxony Climate Council outline the need for action and their hopes for the state’s climate future.
In the closing session, three members of the Lower Saxony Climate Council outline the need for action and their hopes for the state’s climate future.
© Offenblende / Franz Bischof

For further details: Download Graphic Recording Part 2

All
  • LandscapeLandscape

    Climate-Resilient Agricultural Landscapes in Lower Saxony

    The sixth Climate Future Lab, AgRe-Lab, combines biodiversity and climate research with regional practice

    2 min. Reading time
  • Zine 03Zine 03

    OpenPlanning Zine 03 "Somethings Cooking"

    The zine shows how cooking together and co-creative urban design are sparking new ideas for a mobile climate garden in Braunschweig.

    2 min. Reading time
  • Forest DaysForest Days

    Inquiries are expressly welcome

    German Forest Days bring together researchers and interested members of the public in Göttingen's city forest

    2 min. Reading time