Styrian climate and energy forum - Climate Change Centre Austria

On December 11, 2013, the discussion format KLIMA.KONKRET.Steiermark on the topic of “Heat” took place for the first time in Graz. Initiated by the CCCA Service Center and the State of Styria, this event subsequently evolved into the Styrian Climate and Energy Forum. Within the framework of these forums, current climate-relevant topics are directly communicated by researchers to the state administration. The direct exchange between scientists and the state’s subject matter experts has proven to be very fruitful. All programs and presentations are German only.

26th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum - Topic: "THE RESULTS OF THE UN CLIMATE CONFERENCE COP30 AND THEIR IMPACT ON FUTURE GENERATIONS – What does this mean for climate reparations and potential lawsuits?" (Graz, November 24, 2025)

Speakers: Oliver C. RUPPEL (Director, Research Center for Climate Law, Clim:Law, University of Graz), Michael RODI (Executive and Scientific Director, Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility, IKEM, Berlin), Klara KÖNIG (Climate Activist, CLAW - Initiative for Climate Law, Fridays For Future Austria), Viktoria LENGER (Climate Peer Group, beteiligung.st, AHS Bruck a. d. Mur)

25th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum - Topic: “WAKE-UP CALL! THE CLIMATE CRISIS HAS ARRIVED – STATUS REPORT ON CLIMATE CHANGE. IMPACTS AND ACTION OPTIONS FOR AUSTRIA" and awarding of the Green Academia Award by the University of Graz (Graz, September 22, 2025)

Speakers: Daniel HUPPMANN (IIASA, Co-Author of AAR2), Daniela KLETZAN-SLAMANIG (WIFO, Economist), Gottfried KIRCHENGAST (Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change, University of Graz)

24th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum - Topic: “HOT OR NOT? How will we work, live, and build in the future with rising temperatures in Styria?” (Graz, June 4, 2024)

Speakers: Douglas MARAUN (Professor of Regional Climate Change at the Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change, Research Group on Regional Climate), Kurt LEODOLTER (Occupational Physician, Member of Health For Future Austria), Tajda OBRECHT (TU Graz, Sustainable Building Research Group)

23rd Styrian Climate and Energy Forum - Topic: "TO THE POINT! Communication strategies to reach the hearts and minds of the public and to boost climate protection & energy transition with facts and positive visions" (Graz, 24.3.2025)

Speakers: Nadja HAHN (Journalist, Media Relations and Communications Manager at IIASA), Barbara WINKLER (Editor for Nature, Environment, Climate Protection, and Health, CvD, Kronen Zeitung), Marie KOGLER (Institute for Environmental System Sciences at the University of Graz, Project REASON)

22nd Styrian Climate and Energy Forum - Topic: "What does climate change cost us? The impacts of (non-)action on society, health, and the economy" (Graz, November 11, 2024)

Speakers: Birgit BEDNAR-FRIEDL (Economist/IPCC Author, Wegener Center, University of Graz), Martin SPRENGER (Public Health Expert, Medical University of Graz), Gerhard ENICKL (Head of Energy and Logistics, voestalpine Stahl Donawitz GmbH)

21st Styrian Climate and Energy Forum - Topic: "Wishful thinking or justified hope for the future: What can CO2 storage and utilization actually contribute to climate protection?" (Online, September 16, 2024)

Speakers: Markus LEHNER (Chair of Process Engineering for Industrial Environmental Protection at Montanuniversität Leoben), Holger OTT (Chair of Reservoir Engineering at Montanuniversität Leoben), Peter SANDER (Niederhuber & Partner Attorneys-at-Law GmbH)

20th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum - Topic: "Consumption and Lifestyle in Climate Change - From Structural Framework Conditions to Personal Behavior" (Graz, March 11, 2024)

Speakers: Stephan Schwarzinger (Joanneum Research), Nina Birkner-Tröger (AK Wien), Thomas Brudermann (University of Graz), Thomas Winkler (Apflbutzn – Fair Fashion Graz)

19th Styrian climate and energy forum - topic: "UN Climate Conferences: Building blocks of international climate policy - What happens behind the scenes?“ (Graz, 20.11.2023)

Lecturer: Dr. Helmut Hojesky (ehem. BMK, Abteilung „Allgemeine Klimapolitik)

Program (German only)

18th Styrian climate and energy forum - topic: "Beautiful words alone won't save us! How do we promote rethinking and courageous action instead of superficial climate protection?“ (Online, 16.10.2023)

Lecturer: Assoc. Prof. Mag. Dr. Reinhard Steurer (Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Institut für Wald-, Umwelt- und Ressourcenpolitik)

Program Online (German only)
Summary Vortrag Steurer (German only)

17th Styrian climate and energy forum - topic: "More than just Greenwashing: On the path to climate-neutral companies" (Graz, 22.05.2023)

Lecturers: Dr. Holger HOFF (Universität Graz, Co-Leiter der Arbeitsgruppe „Klimaneutralität“), Bea KRENN, B.A. (Energie Steiermark, Projektleiterin – Strategie und Business Development (M&A)), MMaga Julia FESSLER (PwC, Head of Climate | Senior Managerin ESG PwC Österreich), Mag^a(FH) Marion ZÖCHBAUER (Co-Gründerin von Project ORCA und Geschäftsführerin Klimaschutzakademie)

Program Graz (German only)

16th Styrian climate and energy forum - topic: "Energy - Saving alone won't solve it - The future of energy use and infrastructure in Styria" (Graz, 06.03.2023)

Lecturers: Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Alfred Posch (Universität Graz), Dipl.-Ing.in Dr.in Andrea Jany (Universität Graz), Dipl.-Ing. Dieter Thyr (Land Steiermark)

Program (German only)

15th Styrian climate and energy forum - topic: "More Power for Climate Protection - Citizen Participation: When the Community has a say" (Graz, 26.09.2022)

Lecturers: Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr.Alfred Posch (Universität Graz), Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Karl Steininger (Universität Graz), Laura Grossmann (MA, Moderatorin des Klimarates der Bürger_innen), Sabrina Wochein (Klimarätin)

Program (German only)

14th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "Climate Change vs. Corona - Strong emotions, images, and words as an opportunity for societal change" (Graz, 28.3.2022)

Lecturers: Univ.-Prof. Dr. phil. Lukas Meyer, Karl-Franzens Universität Graz, Assoz.Prof. Dr. Judith Laister, Karl-Franzens Universität Graz, Mag. Thomas Wolkinger, FH Joanneum

Program Graz (German only)

13th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "Climate Protection in Law - Population, science, and industry in dialogue" (Graz, 11.10.2021)

Lecturers: Univ.-Prof. MMag. Dr. Eva Schulev-Steindl, Karl-Franzens Universität Graz, Katharina Rogenhofer, Klimavolksbegehren, Mag. Judith Obermayr-Schreiber, E.M.B.L.-HSG, Industriellenvereinigung

Program Graz (German only)

12th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "What new images do we need? Climate role models and climate education for climate protection in schools, universities and workplaces" (Graz, 07.06.2021)

Lecturers: Univ.-Prof. Dr. phil. Kathrin Marie Otrel-Cass (Universität Graz), Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Dr.h.c.mult. Harald Kainz (TU Graz), Ing.ⁱⁿ Daniela List (Geschäftsführerin ecoversum)

Program Graz (German only)

11th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "EU Climate Target: -55% at Local and Regional Levels" (Virtuell, 01.03.2021)

Lecturers: Helga Kromp-Kolb (BOKU), Veronika KULMER (Joanneum Research) und Luise Fischer (EIT Climate KIC)

Program Virtual (German only)

10th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "Source of Life and Natural Hazard? Water in times of Climate Change" (Weiz, 19.10.2020)

Lecturers: Douglas Maraun (Universität Graz), Andreas Gobiet (ZAMG) und Adelheid Spiegel (AGES)

Program Weiz (German only)

9th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "Eternal Ice and Green Styria" (Graz, 7.10.2019)

Lecturers: Kristin Richter (Universität Innsbruck), Karlheinz Erb (IPCC Autor, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien) und Gudrun Lettmayer (Joanneum Research)

Program Graz (German only)

8th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "Climate Change in Styria - Between heat and frost" (Stiefingtal, 4.4.2019)

Lecturers: Franz Prettenthaler, M.Litt. (LIFE - Zentrum für Klima, Energie und Gesellschaft, Joanneum Research), Martin Schönhart (Universität für Bodenkultur Wien), Martin Röck, BSc. (Technische Universität Graz) und Isabella Kolb-Stögerer (KLAR!-Region Stiefingtal)

Program Stiefingtal (German only)

7th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "The 1.5-Degree Journey: Trends and challenges according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)" (Graz, 26.11.2018)

Lecturers: Renate Christ (ehmalige Leiterin des IPCC-Sekretariats), Keywan Riahi (Autor, IPCC Special Report 1.5°C, Programmdirektor ENERGY, IIASA), Karl Steininger (Universität Graz) und Douglas Maraun (Universität Graz)

Program Graz (German only)

6th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "Hotspot Climate Change: Tourism in focus" (Schladming, 5.9.2018)

Lecturers:Gernot Zenkl (ZAMG), Judith Köberl (Joanneum Research), Rainer Unger (alpS) und Hannes Royer (LandSchafftLeben)

Program Schladming (German only)

5th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "Climate protection in the tension between resource demand and consumer behavior" (Leoben, 08.11.2017)

Lecturers: Gerfried Jungmeier (Joanneum Research Graz), Jürgen Antrekwotisch (Montanuniversität Leoben) und Stefan Griesser (INTECO melting and casting technoligies GmbH).

Program Leoben (German only)

4th Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "4 degrees plus! What now?" (12.10.2016)

Lecturers: Annemarie Lexer (Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik), Douglas Maraun (Universität Graz) und Helga Kromp-Kolb (Universität für Bodenkultur).

Program (German only)

3rd Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "Climate (protection) policy globally and in Austria – big goals or just hot air?" (07.10.2015)

Lecturers: Gottfried Kirchengast (Wegener Center der Universität Graz) und Peter Filzmaier (Institut für Strategieanalysen der Donau Universität Krems).

Program (German only)

2nd Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "COIN - COst of INaction" (08.04.2015)

Lecturers: Roger Hackstock (Klima- und Energiefonds), Karl Steininger (Wegener Center der Universität Graz), Judith Köberl (Joanneum Research), Willi Haas (Alpen Adria Universität Klagenfurt) und Franz Prettenthaler (Joanneum Research).

Program (German only)

1st Styrian Climate and Energy Forum "APCC - Austrian Panel on Climate Change" (26.11.2014)

Lecturers: Karl Steininger (Wegener Center der Universität Graz), Wolfgang Schöner (Institut für Geographie der Universität Graz), Franz Prettenthaler (Joanneum Research), Hans-Peter Nachtnebel (Universität für Bodenkultur Wien) und Hans Schnitzer (Technische Universität Graz).

Program 26.11.2014 (German only)
Lecture Steininger - APCC (German only)
Lecture Schöner - Key Facts about climate change (German only)
Lecture Nachtnebel - Hydrology (German only)
Lecture Prettenthaler - Tourism German only)
Lecture Schnitzer - Production & Energy (German only)
Lecture Steininger - Traffic (German only)

On 11 December 2013, the first KLIMA.KONKRET.Steiermark discussion was held on the topic of “Heat“. At the initiative of the CCCA Service Centre and the Province of Styria, further similar events are intended to promote intensified, regular networking across the sciences as well as between science and its application.

Programme (German only)
KLIMA.KONKRET.STEIERMARK focus topic: Heat (German only)
Herbert Formayer University of Life Sciences Wien (German only)
UniGraz_Aktuell_17122013 (German only)