Rebuilding the future: IIASA Director General featured in MUT Magazin on climate-positive architecture

The article presents Bauhaus der Erde, the initiative Schellnhuber founded to promote urban design that is both climate-friendly and socially inclusive and highlights his vision for reshaping cities through climate-positive construction. In the interview, Schellnhuber emphasizes that the building sector, which is responsible for roughly 40% of global emissions, must undergo a fundamental shift.

He warns that the world is approaching critical climate tipping points, calling the crisis “an asteroid impact in super slow motion”. He argues that replacing carbon-intensive materials like concrete and steel with renewable resources such as wood, bamboo, hemp, and straw can dramatically reduce emissions while storing carbon long-term.

“We must end the age of concrete,” he says, highlighting the potential of modern timber construction to create healthier and more attractive urban spaces. 

Reflecting on his motivation, Schellnhuber states: “I do not want to sit back and watch us slide into the abyss - instead I counter with a simple, effective idea.”

Read the full article on page 38 of the 2025 edition of MUT Magazine (in German).