Hardly any other social issue is currently the subject of such emotional and heated debate as climate policy. For many people, the focus is on sacrifices, bans, higher costs, or political conflicts. This is precisely what has given the issue a negative image in many countries.

It is often overlooked that many measures to combat climate change can yield immediate benefits—regardless of long-term climate goals. Cleaner air, quieter cities, lower energy costs, and more livable public spaces are not abstract visions of the future, but concrete improvements in everyday life.

Perhaps this is precisely where one of the biggest problems in the debate lies: climate protection is often portrayed as a burden, even though many measures could directly improve quality of life.

Why the debate often falls flat

Many political discussions focus on restrictions: driving less, higher carbon prices, stricter rules, or new taxes. This quickly gives the impression that climate protection is primarily about making sacrifices.

At the same time, positive effects are often barely highlighted:

• better air quality
• less noise
• less dependence on energy imports
• cooler cities in the summer
• more modern infrastructure
• Lower operating costs thanks to efficiency

Yet many international examples show that these very factors can foster broad acceptance. Cities with more green spaces, better public transportation, or less traffic noise are often considered both more livable and economically attractive.

Quality of life instead of sacrifice

The real challenge, therefore, may lie less in technology and more in communication. People respond much more strongly to concrete improvements in their daily lives than to abstract long-term goals for 2040 or 2050.

A good example is air quality:
Phasing out fossil fuels not only reduces CO₂ emissions, but often also reduces particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. This has a direct impact on health and quality of life.

Terms such as “energy independence,” “clean cities,” or “lower operating costs” often resonate more strongly with many people than purely moral debates about climate change.

The question is therefore increasingly: How can sustainability be seen as progress—and not just as a constraint?

Facts and Figures

• According to the WHO, air pollution causes millions of premature deaths worldwide each year
• Cities with more green spaces can significantly reduce heat islands
• Energy-efficient buildings reduce operating costs and energy consumption in the long term
• Public transportation systems reduce noise, emissions, and land use
• Many European cities are investing heavily in infrastructure that improves quality of life and enhances climate resilience

Climate protection is unlikely to succeed in the long term if it is communicated solely in terms of sacrifice. It may be crucial to place greater emphasis on tangible improvements: cleaner air, quieter cities, modern infrastructure, and a higher quality of life. After all, that is precisely where people can truly experience sustainability firsthand.

This image was created using AI.

A region that is building its future on the forest

The Bavarian Forest is one of the most unspoiled landscapes in Central Europe. Dense forests, moss-covered streams, raised bogs, and remote mountain villages characterize a region that was long considered economically underdeveloped—and has turned that very fact into a strength.

With the Bavarian Forest National Park—Germany’s oldest national park—a new approach took root here early on: not controlling nature, but letting it be. Today, the region is regarded as a model for how nature conservation, sustainable tourism, and regional development can work together.

The Bavarian Forest does not rely on spectacular displays. Its strength lies in its tranquility, vastness, and authenticity.

Getting Here & Getting Around – A Natural Region with Train Service

Despite its rural location, the Bavarian Forest is easily accessible. Major train stations include Plattling, Zwiesel, and Grafenau.

The mobility concept within the region is particularly noteworthy:

• The so-called GUTi Ticket allows guests to use many bus and train lines for free
• The Igelbus connects hiking areas, national park centers, and trailheads without the use of cars
• Numerous bike and hiking trails are directly connected to public transportation

The region demonstrates that sustainable mobility can work in rural areas as well—provided it is organized effectively.

Accommodations – intimate and close to nature

The Bavarian Forest relies primarily on family-run hotels, guesthouses, and nature-based accommodations rather than large hotel complexes.

Many companies are making targeted investments in:

• energy-efficient renovations
• Wood from regional forestry
• Biomass heating systems and solar energy
• locally sourced foods and short supply chains

There is also a growing trend toward modern nature lodges and sustainable chalets that deliberately emphasize minimalist architecture and eco-friendly designs.

Activities – Experience the wilderness instead of just consuming

In the Bavarian Forest, the focus is on experiencing nature. The national park’s philosophy is particularly inspiring: “Let nature be nature.”

Popular activities include:

• Hikes through wild forest areas and along ancient jungle trails
• Hikes to the Großer Arber or the Lusen
• Visits to the National Park's wildlife enclosure, home to lynx, wolves, and bears
• Cycling on quiet forest paths and former railroad tracks
• Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter

The transformation of the forests is particularly striking. Where dead trees were once considered a “disaster,” new wilderness is now emerging—more resilient and ecologically valuable.

Cuisine – down-to-earth and regional

The cuisine of the Bavarian Forest is simple, authentic, and deeply rooted in the region.

Typical examples are:

• Game dishes from sustainable hunting
• Trout from clear mountain streams
• Bread, cheese, and cold cuts from small family-owned businesses
• Herbal products, mushrooms, and regional beers

Many restaurants are increasingly turning to organic products and working closely with local producers.

Sustainability Factor – From Problem Area to Model Region

The Bavarian Forest serves as a prime example of how sustainable development can work in rural areas.

Key components include:

• Consistent conservation efforts by the national park
• Promotion of regional economic cycles
• Sustainable tourism strategies instead of mass tourism
• Environmental education through visitor centers, ranger programs, and schools
• Protection of wetlands, waterways, and old-growth forests

The national park itself is not only a protected area but also an economic driver for the entire region.

The Power of the Wilderness

The Bavarian Forest isn't a place of grand spectacles. Its appeal unfolds gradually—through silence, forests, and the feeling of being closer to nature's rhythms once again.

That is precisely where its strength lies. The Bavarian Forest demonstrates that sustainable tourism does not have to be spectacular to be successful. Sometimes all it takes is a landscape that is allowed to develop on its own—and people who understand that this is exactly where the future lies.

For more information: https://www.ferienregion-nationalpark.de/

Next episode: The Lech Valley in Tyrol—one of Europe’s last wild rivers and sustainable mountain tourism off the beaten path.

World Bee Day on May 20 draws attention to the enormous importance of wild bees and honeybees. The United Nations established this day to highlight the importance of bees and other pollinators for biodiversity, agriculture, and food security. The date commemorates the Slovenian beekeeper Anton Janša, who was born on May 20, 1734, and is considered a pioneer of modern beekeeping.

In Germany alone, there are about 600 different species of wild bees; in Europe, there are around 2,000, and worldwide, approximately 20,000 species. They belong to the order of insects known as Hymenoptera. Most species are solitary, while only a few wild bees—such as bumblebees—form social colonies.

Wild bees and honeybees, along with beetles, flies, and other insects, pollinate a wide variety of wild and cultivated plants. The value of this pollination service is estimated at 2 billion euros in Germany and in the high hundreds of millions of euros per year in Austria.

But the variety on our menu is priceless: nuts, fruits, and vegetables—without bees, we would have to do without so many of them! This also applies to the pollination of the food plants of many wild animals—bees contribute to biodiversity through their pollination activities.

About 75% of the most important crop species rely on pollination by insects. Roughly one-third of global agricultural production depends directly or indirectly on pollination. A single honeybee often visits hundreds of flowers in a single flight.

But bees and other insects are facing increasing challenges. Monotonous landscapes, pesticides, diseases, and climate change are taking their toll. That’s why every blooming garden, balcony, or roadside is important.

Unlike honeybees, which are cared for and protected by beekeepers as domesticated animals, wild bees are left to fend for themselves. Many species are endangered in this country and face immense pressure due to the sealing off of our natural areas. This also reduces the amount of land available for agriculture. Remaining farmland and fields are being used more intensively, and smaller plots are being consolidated to make them more efficient to farm. As a result, vegetated field margins—known as field edges—can be lost, and with them, valuable refuges for bees and many other insects. Our flowering areas are thus declining—a factor that contributes significantly to bee mortality.

Even small steps can make a difference:

– choose native, non-hybrid flowering plants,

– avoid using chemical pesticides,

– create a continuous display of blooms from spring through fall,

– Preserve meadows, hedgerows, field margins, and small-scale structures as habitats,

– leave some wild areas in the garden and

– Buy local honey and support local beekeepers.

World Bee Day highlights the importance of these tiny creatures—their impact on nature, biodiversity, and our food supply is enormous.

A lack of bus and train connections cuts off 56 percent of the European population from local public transportation. This is shown by the new study “Access Denied” by the Öko-Institut, commissioned by Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe. This is primarily due to a lack of service, high prices, and a lack of accessibility. The results clearly show how differently mobility poverty is experienced. Women and seniors, for example, avoid public transportation much more frequently because they feel unsafe on it or because using it is physically too strenuous for them.

In the countries surveyed, up to 56 percent of people say they do not use buses, trains, or other forms of public transportation because they are not available in their local area. Those particularly affected by a lack of mobility include low-income individuals, older adults, and women.

Germany shows the sharpest decline in forced car ownership

The lack of alternatives forces up to 19 percent of the European population to own a car, even though a car represents too great a financial burden for them. The proportion of these individuals who have to cut back on everyday expenses such as groceries or heating in order to remain mobile rose the most in Germany—by two percent—between 2018 and 2024. In the majority of the 30 European countries surveyed, this proportion decreased during the period under review.

“Mobility poverty arises where transportation is unavailable, unaffordable, inaccessible, or insufficiently usable in everyday life. For a socially balanced and climate-friendly transportation policy, it is therefore crucial to closely examine the causes and the groups affected.”

Nelly Unger, Project Manager at the Öko-Institut

Women and seniors are more likely to avoid public transportation due to safety concerns

Austria's rural areas are particularly affected

In Austria, these shortcomings are particularly evident in rural areas. Greenpeace is calling for a massive expansion of public transportation services throughout Austria.

The urban-rural divide in public transportation is particularly evident in Austria. Nearly 28 percent of people in rural areas complain about infrequent service, inconvenient schedules, or a complete lack of public transportation options. In cities, by contrast, only 1.5 percent of the population shares this view. Furthermore, excessively long public transit travel times in rural areas are a significantly more common reason for relying on a personal car than in other European countries. As a result, an increasing number of low-income households are cutting back on other essentials to afford a car. By 2024, this already affected three percent of Austrians—more than the combined populations of Linz and Klagenfurt.

The causes of limited mobility are varied

Mobility poverty refers to a situation in which individuals or households are unable to achieve the level of mobility necessary for social participation. This includes access to jobs, education, health care, shopping, social contacts, and other essential services.

The study examines mobility poverty using eleven indicators for up to 33 European countries, including all EU member states. It focuses on four dimensions:

• the availability of transportation services,
• access to essential services,
• the affordability of mobility, as well as
• the suitability and usability of mobility options.

In addition to a lack of availability, cost is also a factor. In some European countries, up to six percent of the population does not use public transportation because it is too expensive. While up to 15 percent do use it, they find the cost to be a significant financial burden.

When millions of people in Europe are cut off from bus and rail service, it points to a systemic failure of transportation policy. People are currently experiencing firsthand just how costly dependence on gasoline-powered cars can be when they see their gas receipts. A well-developed, affordable public transit system makes daily life more affordable for many, ensures social inclusion, and strengthens acceptance of climate protection measures. As the federal government now discusses relief measures, buses and trains must be at the center of these considerations.

Marissa Reiserer, Greenpeace mobility expert   

Making public transportation more attractive and accessible

The study identifies several strategies for reducing mobility poverty. These include improved regional connections, more frequent service, demand-responsive schedules, accessible infrastructure, and enhanced safety at stops and on vehicles—for example, through lighting, emergency call systems, or clear reporting procedures in the event of incidents.

Targeted financial assistance can also help make transportation more accessible. The study cites social tickets, affordable subscription options, and free services, among other measures, as potential tools, particularly for vulnerable groups.

“Europe needs transportation systems that promote social inclusion while also being climate-friendly,” emphasizes Dr. Viktoria Noka, an expert on the social energy and mobility transition at the Öko-Institut. “To achieve this, public transportation must become more attractive—for example, through affordable fares, better regional planning, greater safety, and improved accessibility.”

Link

Full report: “Access Denied: Transport Poverty in Europe” (English)

A few weeks ago, representatives from the business, academic, political, and civil society sectors gathered in Berlin for the Sustainable Economy Summit. The event focused on a question that is increasingly becoming a key strategic issue for Europe: How can the economy operate within planetary boundaries without sacrificing competitiveness and stability?

One of the most prominent speakers was Maja Göpel. For years, the political economist and sustainability researcher has been regarded as one of Europe’s leading advocates for a socio-ecological transformation of the economy. At the summit, she made it clear that sustainability is no longer merely a matter of image, but is becoming the foundation of economic resilience.

“An economic system must serve society”

Maja Göpel

Above all, the summit demonstrated one thing: the debate is shifting. Away from voluntary, isolated measures—toward the question of how energy, raw materials, supply chains, and growth can be fundamentally reorganized.

From Climate Protection to the Location Issue

For a long time, sustainability was discussed primarily as an environmental obligation. Now, however, it is increasingly becoming a geopolitical and economic necessity.

Rising energy prices, dependence on raw materials, extreme weather events, and fragile supply chains are putting immense pressure on companies in Europe. At the same time, new markets are emerging in the areas of the circular economy, renewable energy, climate-friendly industry, and sustainable technologies.

It was precisely this shift that was the focus of the summit. The discussion centered not on sacrifice, but on sustainability as a key economic factor.

Maja Göpel emphasized that many economic crises cannot be viewed in isolation. Energy, climate, resource consumption, and social stability are directly interlinked. Those who ignore these connections increase economic risks in the long term.

The next industrial revolution is already underway

The Sustainable Economy Summit made it clear that the global economy is already in the midst of a new phase of transformation. Göpel made it clear what the current phase of transformation is really about:

“We have reached a turning point where we must decide whether we want to cut costs within the existing economic structure or truly make those structures sustainable for the future. Renewal requires clear political direction; otherwise, many solutions that have long been developed will not be widely implemented quickly. But that is what we need to achieve new economic strength.”

While China is investing heavily in green technologies and the U.S. is launching multi-billion-dollar industrial programs, Europe is under pressure to redefine its competitiveness. Sustainability is increasingly becoming a key driver of innovation and investment.

Among other things, the following topics were discussed:

• Circular economy and raw material security
• Sustainable financial systems
• Climate-friendly industrial processes
• Energy transition and security of supply
• Sustainable mobility
• Biodiversity as an economic risk
• AI and resource efficiency

The summit thus also signaled a shift in direction: sustainability is no longer treated merely as a moral issue, but as an integral part of modern industrial and regional policy. Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen emphasized the link between ecological and social resilience:

“What we are discussing here concerns not only markets, but the very foundations of our lives. A healthy environment is a prerequisite for all economic activity. The summit shows that this understanding is gaining increasing traction within the business community.”

Sustainable Economy Barometer 2026

A key element of the summit was the presentation of the 2026 Sustainable Economy Barometer. The findings show that, for many companies, sustainability is a key factor in competitiveness and securing their future—yet at the same time, a reliable regulatory framework remains a crucial prerequisite for further investment. Furthermore, it became clear how important dialogue between the business community, policymakers, and civil society is for bringing together different perspectives and developing viable solutions.

Facts and Figures

• The Sustainable Economy Summit took place on April 21 and 22, 2026, in Berlin.
• The event was held at AXICA near the Brandenburg Gate.
• Key topics included the circular economy, the energy transition, sustainable finance, mobility, and biodiversity.
• The summit is organized by the non-profit Sustainable Economy gGmbH and takes place every two years.
• Maja Göpel is one of Europe’s leading experts on sustainable transformation and was a co-founder of Scientists for Future.

Related links about Maja Göpel

Maja Göpel on values and the fixation on the self

"This is a fantastic innovation mission" - transformation researcher Maja Göpel