14 Themes, One City-Wide Movement

From 19 to 25 October 2026, the city is putting a spotlight on climate. At Munich Climate Week, over 300 partner organisations from academia, business, civil society, and government are organising more than 300 events, from workshops and panel discussions to open city walks. More than 10,000 participants are expected, all working together for a week to make Munich climate-neutral and resilient.

So you don't get lost in the programme jungle, we've pulled together the wide range of Munich Climate Week topics into 14 core climate themes and grouped them into four clusters. In this first post of our series, we introduce each theme briefly, to act as your compass through the coming weeks' programme. In upcoming articles, we'll dive deeper into each cluster.

Cluster 1 — City's Metabolism

Every city works like an organism: it takes in energy and resources, transforms them, and releases them again. This cluster takes a close look at Munich's metabolism, from energy generation to handling of materials and waste.

Energy

How will Munich be powered in the future? This theme covers the expansion of renewable energy, smart storage solutions, and how a city of a million people can make its energy supply secure, affordable, and climate-friendly.

Decarbonisation

How do industry, buildings, and transport in Munich become independent of fossil fuels, step by step? The focus is on concrete transformation pathways for businesses and public institutions.

Circular Economy & Materials

How do we close resource loops instead of wasting raw materials after a single use? This theme covers circular business models, sustainable building materials, and the art of turning waste into new value.

Cities & Mobility

How will we move sustainably in the future? This theme covers sustainable mobility concepts, the redesign of public space, and the role of cycling, walking, and public transport in the city of tomorrow.

Cluster 2 — Water and Heat

Heat waves, heavy rainfall, and shrinking biodiversity present cities with new challenges. This cluster explores Munich's ability to adapt to a changing environment.

Climate Adaptation & Resilience

How is Munich preparing for increasingly frequent extreme weather events? From heat action plans to resilient infrastructure, the focus here is on strategies for climate adaptation.

Water

Water is both a risk and resource: heavy rainfall and flooding on one side, drinking water supply and drought on the other. What does sustainable water management look like for Munich?

Nature & Biodiversity

Urban green spaces and river floodplains are more than places to relax, they play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity and are active climate action. This theme covers preserving and expanding natural areas for a more resilient urban climate.

Cluster 3 — Who Pays, Who Decides

Climate action is always also a question of money, power, and fairness. This cluster looks at the political and economic conditions of the transformation and its social impact.

Finance & Investment

Where does the capital for the transformation come from? Green financing instruments, sustainable investment strategies, and the role of businesses and banks in climate action take centre stage.

Governance & Policy

What political frameworks and administrative structures does a climate-neutral city need? This theme covers municipal climate policy, regulation, and more effective decision-making processes.

Climate Justice & Social Equity

Climate change and climate action don't affect everyone equally. How do we distribute the burdens and opportunities of the transformation fairly, and how do we include the groups most affected?

Health & Wellbeing

Heat waves, air quality, and the mental toll of the climate crisis all directly affect our health. How can urban planning, healthcare, and community protect everyone's well-being in a warming world?

Cluster 4 — Imagining What's Next

The final cluster looks ahead: how do innovation, creativity, and community engagement shape a new, climate-friendly future for Munich?

Food & Agriculture

How do you eat sustainably, and where does your food come from? This theme covers sustainable farming, urban growing concepts, and the transformation of regional food systems.

Innovation & Technology

New technologies can accelerate climate action, from startups to research projects. How do innovative solutions make the leap from idea to application?

Arts & Community Engagement

Art and community engagement make climate topics tangible and bring together people who might otherwise never cross paths. This theme covers creative, participatory formats for climate communication.

What's Next

These 14 themes and 4 clusters form the backbone of Munich Climate Week 2026, and of our blog series. In the coming weeks, we'll dive deeper into each cluster, spotlight selected events, and talk to the people working on these themes. For more information, visit munichclimateweek.com.