The fourth World Trade Centre Sustainability Impulse event, co-organised by UNU-FLORES and the World Trade Centre, focused on “Climate Adaptation for Real Estate and Cities – Global Challenges, Local Solutions.” The gathering brought together stakeholders from research, retail, municipal governance, and civil society to address climate adaptation through a cross-sectoral lens.
Welcoming participants to UNU-FLORES, where the Sustainability Nudge took place, the Institute’s Sustainability Focal Point, Juliane Dziumla, stressed the importance of multi-sectoral dialogue in advancing effective local climate adaptation. “Sustainability issues must be addressed at the individual, local, and global levels,” she underscored. Dziumla also serves on the United Nations Environment Management Group’s Technical Committee.
Climate change is putting increasing pressure on urban infrastructure. These challenges are closely linked to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 7, 9, 11, 12, and 13). Practical adaptation strategies from projects like REGKLAM and KlimaKonform offer valuable examples of how cities and communities can respond. Dr. Matthias Walz, an expert on Sustainable Finance at UNU-FLORES, highlighted these during a keynote presentation.
Dr. Walz emphasised the importance of building with wood and prioritising the renovation of existing buildings over demolition to help reduce climate impacts. He explained that this approach supports the European Commission’s New European Bauhaus initiative, which promotes sustainable, inclusive, and innovative urban spaces, while also reflecting the principles of the Resource Nexus approach.
From a business perspective, David Tobias of Handelsverband Sachsen shared practical strategies for improving climate resilience in retail property management.
Participants discussed how the City of Dresden could benefit from a range of adaptation measures—from green infrastructure and urban shading to heat-resilient buildings and enhanced risk management. The discussions underscored both the urgency and opportunity for local action in preparing urban and commercial spaces for climate impacts.
The Sustainability Nudge is part of ongoing efforts to connect science, policy, and practice in sustainability discussions. UNU-FLORES uses these platforms to show how the Resource Nexus can help address challenges and create opportunities for communities and beyond.
