The publication makes it clear that families are key players in the socio-ecological transformation. They are also affected by climate change and help to shape social change through their everyday decisions, the care responsibilities they bear and their intergenerational perspectives. At the same time,
the publication shows that climate-friendly action in everyday family life is often associated with structural hurdles.
In order for families to be able to develop their potential, a political framework is needed that enables sustainable behaviour for all family forms, takes social inequalities into account and strengthens vulnerable groups in particular. With these perspectives, the publication provides important impetus for linking climate, social and family policy.
Several topics are explored in depth in the publication:
- Families caught between climate change, social justice and intergenerational responsibility: the consequences of climate change and climate policy affect all families, but not all equally. Vulnerable groups and families at risk of poverty have fewer opportunities to protect themselves from increasing heat and extreme weather events and are disproportionately burdened by climate policy measures to compensate for this. At the same time, families bear responsibility for future generations and have great potential to help shape transformation processes. Climate policy must therefore be designed in a socially just manner and take into account the diverse life situations of families.
- Structural framework conditions for climate-friendly family life: Individual behavioural changes alone are not enough. What is needed are supportive political and infrastructural measures - for example in the fields of housing, mobility and municipal infrastructure - that make climate-friendly behaviour suitable for everyday life, affordable and accessible to all families.
- Resilience, mental health and participation of families in a changing climate: Climate change also poses emotional and health challenges for families. Support services, participation opportunities and educational programmes strengthen the self-efficacy and resilience of families. In particular, the participation of children,
young people and families in climate protection measures - for example at municipal level - is a key building block for a sustainable transformation.
Background:
The Federal Family Forum (BFF) is a dialogue forum with around 120 organisations from various fields, including welfare, subject area and family associations, foundations, ministries and political parties, research institutions and trade unions. The aim is to improve social structures for families. In two-year discussion processes, the Federal Family Forum discusses various key topics to which the participating organisations contribute their positions and practical experience in order to develop possible solutions.
In 2024/2025, the members worked on the thematic focus "Families and Climate". This publication summarises the specialist events and records the key results. The publication is available as a PDF here and on our website www.bundesforum-familie.de
