Building Resilience Through Sustainability
Berlin, May 6, 2026 – How resilient is your business? In today’s rapidly changing economic environment, companies of all sizes are facing mounting pressure. Climate change, rising raw material costs and ongoing energy market volatility are fundamentally reshaping the business landscape. But with every challenge comes opportunity. One such opportunity is offered through KEK, Berlin’s Coordination Office for Energy Efficiency and Circular Economy. The advisory program is an initiative of the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises and is implemented by Berlin Partner for Business and Technology in cooperation with the Berliner Energieagentur. KEK provides companies with free, independent and practice-oriented consulting services designed to support their transition toward greater energy efficiency, resource conservation and climate protection. Its mission is simple: helping businesses prepare before disruption becomes crisis. Rather than reacting to external shocks, KEK helps companies build resilience proactively – through strategies that improve energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact and strengthen long-term competitiveness in the face of rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and evolving regulatory and market conditions.
The best way to see this support in action is through real-world examples. One such example can be found in Berlin’s Tempelhof district. Located on an 18,566-square-meter campus, ufaFabrik brings together living, working, culture and community in a uniquely integrated environment. From innovative cultural programming and neighborhood initiatives to ecological pilot projects and energy-efficient building renovations, ufaFabrik has long served as a model for sustainable urban development. People of all ages live and work on the site, while local associations, social initiatives and businesses contribute to a diverse range of programs for children, young people and adults. Working alongside KEK experts, the site’s operators identified opportunities to improve heating infrastructure, electricity generation and energy usage. Together, they developed targeted measures and defined initial implementation steps aimed at improving both energy efficiency and the long-term economic viability of the campus.
Advisory services like these do more than reduce operating costs – they help companies strengthen their competitive position over the long term. Together with KEK, Berlin businesses can further develop existing sustainability initiatives or create entirely new strategies – from optimizing energy consumption to implementing circular resource systems. The program is open to companies across all industries, regardless of prior experience in sustainability. However, it is particularly designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often lack the internal resources needed to conduct in-depth analyses or develop comprehensive transformation strategies. KEK serves not only as an advisor, but also as a strategic guide – connecting companies with expert knowledge, funding opportunities, and practical tools that can accelerate their sustainability journey. To ensure accessibility, the consulting services are intentionally designed to be free of charge, vendor-neutral and implementation-focused. The goal is not simply to generate ideas – but to put them into action.
In addition to one-on-one consulting, KEK also promotes exchange and collaboration among companies through networking events, energy efficiency and climate action networks and roundtable discussions. These formats allow businesses to learn from one another, share best practices, and potentially develop new partnerships. Because when it comes to navigating uncertainty, resilience is built not only through expertise and preparation – but also through strong networks and collaboration.
Interested in learning more? Contact the KEK advisory team today.
Coordination Office for Energy Efficiency and Circular Economy
Telephone: +49 030 29 33 30 610
E-Mail: info(at)kek.berlin.de