Today, I’d like to share my insights from the ZEIT Wissen Congress – Courage for Sustainability underscores the urgency of climate action in Berlin. Four key topics stood out to me: Economic viability in a changing world, investments in urban planning and construction methods, the creation of new industries and jobs, and the challenge of historical emissions. These themes not only underscore the urgency of climate action but also offer tangible strategies for how businesses, policymakers, and society can collectively tackle the climate crisis.
One of the key discussions at the congress revolved around the future economic viability of nations and businesses, particularly in light of the global South’s growing vulnerability to climate change. A crucial takeaway is that companies, politics, and societies must shift their perspective to embrace a global viewpoint — one that is less dominated by Western ideals and more inclusive of global realities, especially those faced by emerging markets. Sustainable transformation is not just essential for addressing ecological challenges, but also for ensuring continued competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Sustainable urban planning and construction were also highlighted as pressing issues. Cities are increasingly feeling the effects of climate change, and while the need for more resilient urban infrastructure is widely recognized, the financial aspect of these transformations is often underexplored. The real question is: How will these necessary changes be financed?
An example that broadened my understanding was the use of lightweight construction halls in logistics and production across many cities and vital for the success of the German industry. These structures are not designed to cope with rising temperatures or frequent extreme weather events. They cannot be easily retrofitted, rendering them obsolete in the face of climate change. This made me realize that sustainable urban planning extends far beyond simple adjustments—it demands significant investment and a reevaluation of how we plan and build for the future.
Another optimistic theme at the congress was the creation of new industries and jobs that have the potential to be both environmentally and economically sustainable. Several companies present at the event illustrated how innovation can drive both ecological progress and market success.
These companies demonstrate that innovation can foster new markets and job creation while delivering tangible environmental benefits.
Another pressing issues that was explored is a topic that I believe needs much more public awareness:the challenge of historical emissions. These emissions refer to the vast amounts of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases that have been emitted into the atmosphere over centuries. Even if we were to stop emitting carbon entirely today, the accumulated emissions from the past would continue to warm the planet for decades, if not centuries, to come.
This issue is critical because historical emissions have locked us into a trajectory of global warming, meaning that current efforts to reduce emissions, while absolutely necessary, are not enough on their own to reverse the damage. Without addressing the existing stock of CO₂ in the atmosphere, we will continue to see the effects of climate change worsen—rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ecological degradation, to name a few.
The reason I want to raise awareness about historical emissions is that this issue often gets overshadowed by discussions on reducing future emissions. While those efforts are vital, we need to place equal emphasis on removing CO₂ that has already been released. This is where technologies like Direct Air Capture (DAC), as demonstrated by Climeworks, come into play. DAC directly captures CO₂ from the atmosphere and stores it securely, helping to mitigate the impact of these historical emissions.
Scaling up CO₂ removal technologies is critical if we are to meet the climate targets set out by the Paris Agreement and avoid the worst consequences of climate change. The innovation happening in this space is promising, but we need more public awareness, investment, and policy support to ensure these technologies are deployed at a large enough scale to make a real impact.
The ZEIT Wissen Congress underscored that the climate crisis requires urgent and transformative action. While the road ahead is daunting, the solutions presented offer hope. Whether through emerging industries or innovative technologies, it’s clear that we have the tools necessary to make a difference. However, scaling these solutions is critical, especially when it comes to addressing the long-term impacts of historical emissions.
We must balance efforts to reduce future emissions with immediate action to remove existing CO₂ from the atmosphere. The need for innovation and large-scale transformation has never been greater. I’d like to express my appreciation to ZEIT for creating such an important platform. This event reinforced my commitment to supporting businesses on their journey to a sustainable future.
As a sustainability and transformation consultant, I see it as my responsibility to guide, empower and leverage on opportunities that lie within sustainability. Together, we can set the course for a sustainable and economically successful future.
