KliNa Day 2026: Climate Protection Does Not Fail due to a Lack of Knowledge – but due to a Lack of Action
About 120 experts discussed political responsibility and more efficient solutions for buildings and infrastructure at FCP.VCE.
Vienna, 1 October 2026 – On 30 September about 120 experts from research and practice discussed how climate protection can move from knowledge to action at the KliNa Day 2026 organized by FCP.VCE at TUtheSky of TU Wien.
The focus was on a reliable political framework, specific solutions for buildings and infrastructure as well as sustainable behaviour suitable for everyday use. The tenor under the motto “Just Do It Green” was that the instruments are often available – they are, however, implemented too slowly.
Climate Protection under Pressure of Justification
Günther Achs, managing director of FCP.VCE and chairman of the KliNa initiative, emphasized the political and economic opposition at the opening: "Climate protection is no longer only under pressure of justification. In many discussions it is even denied. Measures are very often not seen as investment into the future but as additional costs. The question of how we can afford climate protection in an economic crisis falls short. All measures we do not take now but we shift to the future, considerably increase the costs."
Kromp-Kolb: Politics Must not Thwart Change
Climate researcher Helga Kromp-Kolb called on politicians to take responsibility in her keynote address “Wer ist eigentlich zuständig für Klimaschutz?” (Who is actually responsible for climate protection?). Technical solutions alone are not sufficient. According to her we need reliable rules facilitating climate-friendly action instead of attenuating changes by short-term interventions. In the panel discussion she criticized the fuel price cap as an example: If the price signals are politically cushioned, the incentive for adapting our mobility behaviour and structures drops. Short-term relief can thus delay long-term adaptations.
Ms. Kromp-Kolb called for an honest appraisal of climate policy, binding specifications for the economy as well as climate protection and climate change adaptation with the same weighting factor. Carbon capture and storage must not become an excuse for postponing emission reductions. Apart from renewable energies, efficiency, sufficiency and low energy consumption must get a higher priority.
Climate protection is an investment in the future, not an additional cost. Every measure we postpone significantly increases the costs.
Minimize the Footprint, Maximize the Handprint
Responsibility does not end in politics. Ms. Kromp-Kolb distinguished between the ecological footprint – one’s own impacts on the environment and the climate – and the handprint, i.e. the influence on others and social frame conditions. Both climate-friendly behaviour and commitment in the professional environment, in public debates and with regard to politics are therefore in great demand.
A Green Facade Does Not Replace an Overall Strategy
Facade greening also shows the limits of isolated measures: green facades can cool buildings and urban spaces. However, they are not sufficient to mitigate climate change, and their impact depends on the local conditions. If water is missing for plants during heat and dry periods, their cooling effect also declines.
The example is symbolic for a central insight of the day: Visible individual measures can be reasonable but do not replace a concerted overall strategy.
Solutions for Bridges, Buildings and Living Environments
Subsequently, experts from science, design and construction subsequently showed practical approaches for climate-friendly building. The contributions ranged from sustainable bridge construction, certification and building culture to mobility and greening of buildings up to geothermal energy concepts, climate risk analyses and climate-adapted drainage solutions. Thus, the programme combined political prerequisites with instruments for design, construction and operation.
Inner Temptation as Climate Factor
The clinical and health psychologist Maria Resch declared in her closing keynote address “Smart genug für die Analyse – zu menschlich für die Lösung” (Smart enough for analysis – too humane for a solution) why knowledge does not automatically lead to the corresponding behaviour: Laziness, routines, time pressure or unfavourable exterior conditions let inner temptation win frequently.
Climate protection cannot depend on the premise that people are well-rested, have enough time and ideal conditions – such conditions only exist in a laboratory. Sustainable behaviour must be simple, obvious and suitable for everyday use, especially in cases when the more convenient decision points into another direction. Ms. Resch therefore takes the same line as Ms. Kromp-Kolb: For a conscious handling of our resources, we must not put our high, partly luxurious living standard on a level with quality of life.
From Knowledge to Action
In the concluding panel discussion chaired by Martin Brandner it became clear that neither a single law nor a technical innovation or a green facade will solve the climate crisis. Several mutually reinforcing measures – combined with a clear political responsibility and a positive vision for the future – are required.
“Just Do It Green” did not stand for a further call to talk on climate protection but for a specific claim: Available knowledge shall be consistently translated into action.
KliNa day 2026 at a Glance
Host
FCP.VCE
Date
30 September 2026
Location
TUtheSky, TU Wien
Participants
about 120 experts from research and practice
Main topics
Climate protection and climate change adaptation, sustainable building, infrastructure, mobility, greening of buildings, geothermal energy, climate risks and human decision behaviour.
Keynote speakers
Climate researcher Helga Kromp-Kolb and health psychologist Maria Resch
Core statement
Many solutions for climate-friendly buildings and infrastructure are already available. Reliable framework conditions and the consistent implementation in politics, construction industry and everyday life are crucial.
