Regions aiming for climate neutrality face the challenge of aligning mitigation and adaptation strategies across multiple sectors while reflecting local economic and environmental conditions.
Within the Horizon Europe project KNOWING, an integrated modelling framework has been applied to the region of South Westphalia (Germany) to develop climate mitigation pathways tailored to a predominantly rural and industrial context. The region is characterised by extensive forest areas, agricultural land use, and a strong manufacturing base, making it a relevant case for analysing the interactions between land systems, energy, mobility, and socio-economic dynamics.
A regional perspective on climate transformation
South Westphalia illustrates how climate challenges and opportunities are closely linked to regional characteristics. Forest ecosystems, agricultural practices, and industrial activities all play a key role in shaping both greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilience.
In such a context, interventions in land use and forest management are closely connected to broader climate objectives, including carbon storage, soil stability, and ecosystem resilience. At the same time, energy systems and mobility patterns contribute significantly to the region’s emission profile and require coordinated transformation.
Integrating land, energy, transport and behaviour
The KNOWING approach combines multiple domain models to capture interactions across sectors. These include land-use and forestry modelling, energy demand and supply analysis, transport modelling, and behavioural assessment.
By linking these components, the framework enables the exploration of how different measures—ranging from renewable energy deployment and land-use change to mobility strategies and behavioural responses—may interact over time. This integrated perspective helps to identify coherent pathways rather than isolated solutions.
From sectoral analysis to integrated pathways
A central objective of the work is to translate sector-specific insights into an integrated pathway that reflects the combined effects of interventions. The modelling framework allows for the consideration of interdependencies between sectors, including how changes in one domain influence others.
This systems perspective is particularly relevant for regions like South Westphalia, where land use, industrial activity, and infrastructure development are tightly interconnected. It supports a more comprehensive understanding of how climate strategies can be designed to maximise synergies and minimise trade-offs.
Supporting regional decision-making
By combining scientific modelling with regional data and stakeholder input, the KNOWING framework provides a structured basis for exploring long-term climate strategies. It supports local and regional actors in navigating complex transformation processes and in developing pathways that are both ambitious and feasible.
This news item presents a brief overview of the approach. Detailed analyses and modelling results are documented in the project deliverable and will be further elaborated in future scientific publications.
About KNOWING
KNOWING is a Horizon Europe project that develops tools, models and participatory formats to support climate-transformation. By combining scientific analysis with local knowledge and stakeholder input, the project supports regions and sectors to understand climate risks, assess options, and design effective, inclusive pathways for change.