New publication for the Federal Environment Agency
How can dialogue on environmental policy be successfully conducted with sceptical groups that are not interested in sustainability?
The socio-ecological transformation of society can only succeed if there is a high level of acceptance and support for it within society. To achieve this, it is necessary for environmental and sustainability policy to better reach sceptical groups that tend not to be interested in sustainability. The project commissioned by the Federal Environment Agency, ‘Environmental Policy in Dialogue – Environment / Populism / Democracy’, therefore aimed to find out which formats can be used to better reach and involve these groups.
The final report on the project has now been published. The report describes the participation and communication formats developed and tested for and with citizens who are currently (still) opposed to or sceptical about ambitious environmental and climate policy. First, the scientific basis for this was established: through socio-cultural analyses and literature reviews, six social figures were identified who are (rather) sceptical about environmental policy and/or participation. Building on this, innovative formats for addressing and engaging in dialogue were developed and tested in practice. The format development and testing were comprehensively evaluated and critically reflected upon from a scientific perspective. Finally, operational and strategic recommendations were derived for the Ministry of the Environment's business area with regard to participation and the promotion of a broader social dialogue on socio-ecological transformation.
The full report can be found here. More information about the project can be found here.
New publication for the Federal Environment Agency
Handbook: How to strengthen youth engagement for sustainability
How can young people who have had little exposure to environmental, climate and sustainability issues be better reached and encouraged to get involved? This question is addressed in a new handbook produced as part of the research project 'Strengthening youth engagement for sustainability through dialogue and transformative learning' on behalf of the German Environment Agency. Entitled 'Reaching young people – shaping sustainability together. Cooperation as the Key to Youth and Association Work' the publication offers practical support for youth work professionals and youth associations.
The handbook is based on research findings, expert interviews and practical experience from three model projects. It brings together practical recommendations for action on addressing, communication, methods, formats, continuity and cooperation. It shows how sustainability issues can be anchored in youth work in a concrete and realistic way.
The recommendations can be summarised in five key statements: (1) Cooperation creates added value by bringing together different strengths and resources. (2) The different framework conditions of youth associations and open child and youth work are both a challenge and an opportunity. (3) A focus on the living environment is crucial; sustainability must be concrete, tangible and relevant to everyday life. (4) A variety of methods and a practical approach promote self-efficacy and strengthen participation. (5) Trust and relationship building form the basis for the long-term involvement of young people who have previously been difficult to reach.
The handbook can be found here. More information about the project can be found here.
Science communication in the Prime project – privacy in the metaverse
What do you know about the metaverse?
The research project ‘Prime – Privacy in the Metaverse’, led by ConPolicy, involves not only intradisciplinary research but also accompanying science communication. Part of this science communication consists of raising public awareness of data protection and the protection of personal rights in the metaverse. To this end, an interactive quiz has been created to help citizens test their knowledge of virtual reality and the metaverse. In addition, the article ‘VR glasses: How much data do they collect?’ was written in collaboration with the joint editorial team of the German consumer centres. The article provides a low-threshold introduction to the topic and gives specific recommendations for action for consumers.
You can find the article from the consumer advice centres here. You can find the quiz here. You can find out more about the project here.
ConPolicy contribution to expert discussion with EU Commission
The consumer perspective on the EU Citizens Energy Package
On 26 February 2026, Baden-Württemberg's Minister for Consumer Protection Peter Hauk hosted an expert discussion on the EU Citizens Energy Package. Part of the exchange included the presentation and discussion of the ConPolicy study on energy consumer rights. In addition to Minister Hauk and ConPolicy Managing Director Prof. Dr Christian Thorun, the discussion was attended by Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER), Prof. Dr Andrea Wechsler (MdEP), Viola Rocher (BDEW) and Thomas Bobinger (vzbv/BEUC).
In his presentation of the study, Prof. Dr. Thorun emphasised the importance of consumers for the success of the energy transition. Consumers make a double contribution here: on the one hand, they play an important role as investors in PV systems, battery storage, heat pumps and wall boxes. They are turning from pure consumers into prosumers. On the other hand, by making their own energy consumption more flexible, they play a central role in stabilising the grid, cushioning peak loads and reducing costs.
The necessary conditions must be created to enable consumers to fulfil their dual role. Based on the study results, Prof. Dr. Thorun emphasised that the conditions for an active consumer role are currently not in place in Germany. With regard to the spread of smart meters, dynamic electricity tariffs and independent comparison portals, there are still serious shortcomings. He also stressed that consumer orientation has so far been understood in a rather exclusive manner. The focus is primarily on homeowners and tech-savvy consumer groups. Low-income earners, tenants and vulnerable groups hardly benefit from prosuming.
He therefore recommended designing incentive structures (e.g. with regard to grid fees) in a socially equitable manner, placing a stronger focus on collective energy infrastructures and systematically addressing the issue of energy poverty.
Dewies & Reisch (2026)
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