Germany: Leading the Renewables Revolution

In the last stop of the 2025 CSM delegation to North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany we arrived by train to Münster – a model city for multi-modal transportation.

Read our story, the final installment in our four-part series highlighting our 2025 delegation.

Dispatch from Münster - Institute on the Environment This is our final recap from the UMN student delegation’s 2025 journey to North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Through these stories, we are sharing innovative sustainability initiatives of our German partners and […]

The 2025 Climate Smart Municipalities (CSM) delegation just wrapped up their visit to Saerbeck, a small community with bold ambitions of a fully climate neutral future. Core to Saerbeck’s efforts – and successes – is a commitment to community-powered solutions. Read our recap to learn more!

Dispatch from Saerbeck - Institute on the Environment This is our third of four recaps from the UMN student delegation’s 2025 journey to North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Through these stories, we are sharing innovative sustainability initiatives of our German […]

Read the recap from our trip to Germany's Ahr Valley – the second stop of the CSM's 2024 student delegation.

During the visit, students heard stories first-hand from community leaders and residents impacted by catastrophic flooding in 2021. Their conversations revealed a community grappling with recovery while demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination to rebuild.

We encourage you to share these stories from our trip with friends and connections – let’s accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future together.

Dispatch from Ahr Valley - Institute on the Environment Welcome to our blog series documenting the University of Minnesota student delegation’s 2025 journey to North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This is our second of four posts from the trip. Through these […]

The Climate Smart Municipalities’ 2025 student delegation has arrived in Germany!

Over the next two weeks, we’ll be sharing four updates from Climate Smart Municipalities’ 2025 student delegation to North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany.

The delegation’s first blog post highlights their experience in Düsseldorf, where they engaged with state and municipal leaders in Germany’s energy and climate transition. Students had the opportunity to hear directly from German leaders about transportation, adaptation strategies, and climate policy. The students also presented insights about Minnesota’s energy transition.

Stay tuned! Over the next two weeks, the delegation will share three more blog posts documenting their journey as they explore sustainability innovation across Germany.

We invite you to follow along and share this story, and other stories from this series, with your network and community. Thank you for your continued support in advancing sustainability innovation.

Dispatch from Düsseldorf - Institute on the Environment Welcome to our blog series documenting the University of Minnesota student delegation’s 2025 journey to North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Through these stories, we are sharing innovative sustainability initiatives of our German […]

Today's city report focuses on White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and their sister city, Lüdenscheid, Germany. City of White Bear Lake - Government

Check out daily dispatch #5 of the delegation in Lüdenscheid, Germany planting the first tree of the Climate-Smart Forest and learning about strategies for climate action.

Daily Dispatch #4: delegation in Lüdenscheid, Germany learning about trees and climate adaptation.

On day 4, delegation visits Schulte-Elektrotechnik company in Lüdenscheid and learns about renewable business. Check out the special report:

EVOline

Today's City Dispatch highlights the city of Duluth, MN, and the city of Tecklenburg in Germany. City of Duluth, MN Government

Check out our Daily Dispatch day #3: delegation visit Stadtwerke Münster, the City’s public utilities company, and the York Barracks, where former military barrack is turned into a sustainable community.

Stadt Münster Stadtwerke Münster

Daily Dispatch #2: delegation in Saerbeck, Germany.