The Climate Proofing Tool, developed by BuroHappold, supports municipalities in embedding climate neutrality, resilience, and just transition principles into early-stage urban development projects. It enables decision-makers to evaluate the climate impacts of planned developments, helping them identify low-carbon, climate-adapted strategies from the outset.
The tool focuses on integrating both mitigation and adaptation strategies within urban projects, offering a structured pathway toward climate-sensitive planning. As part of UP2030, the tool has been enhanced to include a stronger emphasis on participatory processes, supporting UP2030’s third pillar: Just Transition.
Key features of the methodology include a step-by-step process designed to support early decision-making for long-term climate performance. The tool is also compatible with cross-departmental workflows and planning processes and supports both technical analysis and stakeholder engagement.
In Muenster, the Climate Proofing Tool forms the foundation of a citywide roadmap for climate-friendly neighborhoods. This roadmap aligns with Muenster’s vision by supporting three key goals: Community Involvement, Carbon Neutrality, and Resilient, Livable Neighborhoods.
The tool’s structured methodology helps municipal teams assess climate risks and the carbon footprint of current developments, co-create solutions through collaborative climate training and workshops, prioritize interventions such as retrofitting existing buildings, and support long-term strategic planning across departments.
The roadmap is built around the core Climate Proofing steps:
Identify → Evaluate → Minimize → Implement → Monitor → Document.
Felicitas Leithner
Felicitas.Leithner@BuroHappold.com
Jill Theobald
Jill.Theobald@BuroHappold.com
Peter Scheibstock
Peter.Scheibstock@burohappold.com
