Logistics as a driver of climate transformation. Infrastructure for a climate-neutral future.

Since 2023, the Foundation has been coordinating its climate-related activities at the Kühne Climate Center (KCC) in Hamburg.  The center aims to systematically integrate economic development and climate protection, and to decouple greenhouse gas emissions from economic growth.

KCC combines scientific analysis with operational implementation, develops projects under real-world conditions and collaborates with partners from academia, industry and the public sector. One geographical focus is on East Africa, particularly with regard to the decarbonization of logistics systems. The emphasis here is on the electrification of transport chains, the integration of renewable energies and improving the efficiency of logistics processes. Pilot projects demonstrate how climate-friendly logistics can be operated economically.

At the same time, KCC views logistics as an enabling framework for climate-relevant industries, for example in CO₂ capture and storage. The focus is on establishing new value chains, integrating renewable energy and managing complex material and infrastructure flows in order to develop scalable and economically viable solutions. Globally relevant system solutions are developed in collaboration with partners from academia, industry and the public sector.

In addition, KCC trains decision-makers and practitioners in climate-related logistics, thereby supporting the scaling up and financing of effective solutions. Training programs and applied research strengthen expertise in climate-related logistics and lay the foundations for the development and implementation of new approaches. This creates resilient structures and long-term impact; logistics is transformed from a source of emissions into an enabler.