Preserving heritage, securing the future – new ways of adapting to climate change
The event will provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on the effects of climate change on cultural heritage and on protection and resilience measures. Special attention will be paid to the (interim) results of the projects funded by the DBU.
We want to identify existing gaps in research and develop concrete perspectives and approaches for tackling future challenges.
The focus is on the interdisciplinary exchange between science, practice and politics in order to promote innovative solutions for the long-term protection of cultural assets and to make a valuable contribution to the national and international discussion on necessary adaptation measures in the context of climate change.
The German government’s German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change 2024, which for the first time sets measurable targets for dealing with the consequences of climate change at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, provides guidance in this regard.
The event is being organized in cooperation with the Rathgen Research Laboratory of the National Museums in Berlin, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the Otto Friedrich University of Bamberg.
Program:
December 8, 2025
11:00 a.m. Reception with coffee
12:00 Welcome
Prof. Dr. Marion Ackermann, Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK)
Dr. Cornelia Soetbeer, German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU)
12:20 p.m. Introduction
Constanze Fuhrmann, DBU
12:30 p.m. Keynote
Dr. Hana Morel, King’s College London
13:00 Lunch break
14:20 Section 1
Historic greenery: dealing with climate change
Thematic area Ways of adaptation
- Review of the international symposium “Historic gardens in a changing climate – recommendations for preservation”
- Water balance and plants
Prof. Dr. Michael Rohde, Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg, retired.
Sustainable maintenance of historic parks and gardens
- Future-oriented management of woody vegetation in a changing climate
- Model project parking damage report Prof. Dr. Norbert Kühn, Technische Universität Berlin
Prof. Dr. Norbert Kühn, Technische Universität Berlin
Interdisciplinary cooperation
- Action strategies for climate adaptation in state garden administrations
Cord Panning, “Fürst-Pückler-Park-Bad Muskau” Foundation
15:20 Discussion
15:30 Coffee break
16:00 Section 2
Buildings: Climate adaptation of historic buildings
Building damage
- Flood protection for cultural assets
- Sustainable restoration of historic park paths under extreme weather conditions
- Climate change and settlement-related structural damage
Thomas Löther, Institut für Diagnostik und Konservierung an Denkmalen in Sachsen und Sachsen-Anhalt e. V.
Climate-neutral refurbishment of listed buildings
- Development of a climate-neutral energy supply concept for historic buildings
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Garrecht, University of Stuttgart, retired
Vegetation in monument protection
- Vegetation as protection of historical buildings against rock moisture and weathering
Prof. Dr. Oliver Sass, University of Bayreuth
Greening of buildings
- Flourishing old towns – green roofs and façades on historic buildings
Rebecca Landwehr, Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e. V.
17:20 Discussion and conclusion
18:00 Reception with drinks and buffet
December 9, 2025
09:00 a.m. Welcome
Alexander Bonde, DBU
Carsten Schneider, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, requested
N. N., Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space
9:30 a.m. Keynote
Tobias Fuchs, German Weather Service
10:00 a.m. Section 3
Museums and objects: Climate adaptation in interior spaces
Subject area: Risks of damage to cultural property
- Risk of damage to cultural assets due to low relative humidity
- Light protection as a contribution to climate protection in listed buildings
Prof. Dr. Paul Bellendorf, Otto-Friedrich-University Bamberg
New tasks for museum management
- Climate change and its influence on pests in museums
Dr. Pascal Querner, Natural History Museum Vienna
10:30 a.m. Coffee break
11:00 a.m. Continuation of Section 3
Climate protection and sustainability in the museum
- Dose and impact of anthropogenic pollutants in display cases (DoAaSch)
Dr. Stefan Röhrs, Rathgen Research Laboratory, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, SPK
Environmental management of climate-related risks in museums
- Green museum and climate-friendly culture
Dr. Volker Teichert, Research Institute of the Protestant Study Community e. V.
11:40 a.m. Discussion
12:00 Lunch break
13:00 Section 4
Education: Climate literacy and cultural heritage
Thematic area Learning venues for climate education
- Young Climate Action for World Heritage
Claudia Grünberg, Institute Heritage Studies
Thematic area of horticultural heritage
- Online platform “Education in historic gardens”
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Inken Formann, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hanover
Specialists for building refurbishment
- R³ – Reallabor Rittergut Riesa
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Buchheim, Duale Hochschule Sachsen, Staatliche Studienakademie Riesa
14:00 Discussion
14:15 hrs Coffee break
14:30 Panel discussion on the climate-adapted future of cultural heritage
Moderation: Kristina Kara
Introduction to the Climate Adaptation Strategy
Christiane Heiß, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
16:00 Closing remarks
Constanze Fuhrmann, DBU
Moderation of the event:
Constanze Fuhrmann, Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt
Prof. Dr. Stefan Simon, Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz
Prof. Dr. Paul Bellendorf, Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg
Contact:
- For questions regarding content:
Constanze Fuhrmann, c.fuhrmann@dbu.de - For organizational questions:
Nicole Frommeyer, n.frommeyer@dbu.de
Participation in the event is free of charge.
Registration deadline: 09.11.2025
