More about the Project

KLIMAready – Cluster Bridges for Hamburg’s Future

KLIMAready is a joint project of seven Hamburg clusters, helping organisations actively engage with the opportunities and challenges of climate change — and turn that into concrete action on climate protection and adaptation. It focuses on themes like the energy transition, emissions reduction, and building long-term climate resilience — the ability not just to react to chang This project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hambur

What gave you the courage to start?

The essential resource to start this project was the power of our community and team: we motivated each other to give it a try, also pushed us to not let the others down. And in the end: it worked. We are very proud!

The Outcome

Three key results so far: a collaborative pilot project in the Allermöhe business park, where a feasibility study on energy sharing is underway; the launch of the KLIMAready knowledge hub, a growing database on funding, regulation, contacts and best practices; and a range of events to build knowledge across the clusters and interested companies. Further results are in progress, including a shared e-charging infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles in northern Hamburg.

The Impact

KLIMAready enables new forms of collaboration, connecting actors from different industries with political stakeholders across the Hamburg metropolitan region. They exchange experience and jointly develop approaches that go beyond individual measures — approaches only possible through this kind of collaboration. The result: solutions with model character that can be replicated at other locations and by other organisations.

The Biggest Challenge

Bringing together the different starting points, expectations and time resources of everyone involved is a major challenge. In everyday business life, it's not a given that there's room for open, collaborative work — which makes clear structure and reliable support from the KLIMAready project all the more important.

The Biggest Learning

One of our biggest learnings: companies are highly motivated to become more sustainable, but often struggle with time and knowing where to start — that's where facilitators come in. We also learned how valuable it is to bring in different perspectives, including experts from completely unrelated fields, to build as open a picture as possible before narrowing it down into concrete ideas.

Most Enjoyed

What we enjoy most is the open exchange and working together as equals. Seeing concrete ideas emerge from different perspectives, and companies willing to take on shared responsibility, has been especially motivating.