Energy Transition Communication for acatech
"If Not Now, Then When?"
How we translated a wake-up call from three science academies to the government into images
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What the government needs to know: how do you explain what’s decisive for the energy transition to a new federal government in just a few pages? acatech, Leopoldina, and the Union of the German Academies of Sciences faced exactly this challenge. Their approach: a position paper outlining eleven fields of action. Our task: to prepare this scientific expertise so that it would be politically effective and understood by society. A project at the intersection of science communication and civic education.
The Challenge
The Translation Task
Germany's energy transition is at a turning point. After the 2021 federal election, a position paper from the three leading science academies was meant to show the new government the way forward. But scientific evidence alone isn't enough — it has to be understood, discussed, and acted upon. That was the challenge: how do you translate systemic complexity into political capacity to act? How do you turn research findings into societal momentum?
Deliverables
Concrete Deliverables
Our multi-layered communication approach turns scientific facts into vivid stories. Eleven large-format infographics visually structured the complex fields of action, making connections graspable at a glance. Four explainer videos get abstract concepts like carbon pricing and negative emissions straight to the point. The result is a multimedia package that speaks to science, politics, and society alike.
1
Infographic Series (11 Pieces)
A systematic visualization of the fields of action, from carbon pricing to raw materials strategy. Each graphic translates complex systemic relationships into an intuitive visual language and makes political measures tangible.
2
Explainer Videos (4 Videos)
Short animated pieces on hydrogen, carbon pricing, fossil energy, and negative emissions. The videos translate abstract concepts into understandable narratives and reach new audiences through digital channels.
3
Communication Strategy
Development of a coherent visual system that combines scientific authority with social relevance. All elements follow a unified design logic and reinforce the central message.
What the Project Achieves
When Science Becomes Politically Effective
This project is a prime example of how science communication can create real societal impact. Thanks to the multimedia treatment, the position paper didn't disappear onto library shelves — instead, it found its way into political debates, ministry presentations, and classrooms. A coherent communication system that takes science out of the expert niche and turns it into a tool for societal transformation.
