Evaluating with Climate Science Requirements

Climate-related measures in politics, business, or education cannot be evaluated solely by
their likelihood of implementation or public acceptance. What is much more important is
how well they actually align with scientifically justifiable climate protection
requirements. This article develops a set of eight indicators that can serve as a normative
reference point for evaluating in your own planning and analysis projects, such as climate
reports, action plans or strategy concepts.
They are based on key concepts from climate science: the IPCC's logic for action, the
CO₂ and greenhouse gas budget, and the structure of the Sustainable Development Goals.
These are used to derive precise and methodologically differentiated requirements that
are effective at three levels: structural, cultural-social and individual. The result is a
theory-based assessment grid that can be used independently of context and at the same
time offers scope for participatory assessment and further development.
The discussion section outlines a proposal for the practical use of this instrument. The
focus is not on standardised measurement methods, but on reflecting on transformation
potentials, possible conflicts of objectives – and also on bringing to light cognitive
dissonances and blind spots in planning and assessment processes. The instrument is
intended as an invitation to differentiated examination and further reflection – in
research, practice and education.