While the COP29 in Baku is negotiating how to achieve the global climate targets and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, the regional climate conference RegioCOP took place in Upper Franconia. It sees itself as a ‘conference of pioneers’ and brings together what has been done and achieved so far in Upper Franconia to combat climate change. Together, the participants are looking for solutions to effectively curb emissions and address the ramifications of the climate crisis.
Thematic priorities are set in sub-conferences addressing issues around water, energy, or education to name just a few. The results of the debates are summarised in a resolution and presented at a final conference.
The team of ARSINOE case study three was invited to present their results at the ‘sub-conference on water and to discuss them with the participants. Under the heading ‘Water: from a matter of course to a risk’, the participants exchanged views on challenges in Upper Franconia as well as possible solutions. The discussions centred on securing a resilient supply, the retention capacity of the landscape inside and outside of settlements and preventive water conservation.
The debates underscored the need for action and for new alliances in water management, which we had already observed in the discussions in the living labs. Climate change and the ensuing local issues require a different shift in attitudes towards resource-management in the region and a coming together of the concerned parties to address the mounting challenges. The discussions at RegioCOP and in ARSINOE are an important step in this direction.
In advance of the conference, the team of ARSINOE case study three was interviewed by Bavarian public radio. Listen in: Link.