What weather extremes should we prepare for in the future, and how are these extremes changing as a result of climate change? Against the backdrop of extreme heat, precipitation, and storms associated with climate change, the closing conference of the ClimXtreme collaborative project, “Climate Change and Extreme Events in Central Europe,” took place at the German Weather Service in Offenbach.  

In addition to two days of intensive academic exchange, the centerpiece of the conference was a Research-Practice-Interaction Day. Through opening remarks, short presentations, a poster session, and a World Café, approximately 65 practitioners and researchers discussed the latest research findings, their potential applications, and further research needs. Particular emphasis was also placed on the importance of science communication and early and regular dialogue with practitioners. 

In ClimXtreme Phase II (2023–2026), 17 research institutions are collaborating on a total of 17 projects, including the Disaster Research Unit in the ClimXchange project “Science-Stakeholder Exchange on Climate Extremes for Disaster Risk Reduction”. As a social science partner in the ClimXtreme consortium, the Disaster Research Unit supports science communication. To this end, it has facilitated and supported bilateral meetings, workshops, seminars, and events between scientists and practitioners.  

In addition, DRU researchers have developed a toolkit for science-practice interactions designed to motivate and empower scientists to engage with practitioners throughout the research process. A pre-final version of the toolkit was available for viewing at the closing conference and will be published shortly.