The new year is the perfect opportunity to scrutinise some everyday decisions and choose more conscious and sustainable alternatives. By making small changes, you can not only improve your quality of life, but also do something good for the environment. Whether it's less waste, more regional products or simply taking the bicycle more often - sustainability starts with the little things. We have put together 11 concrete resolutions for you that show how easy it can be to make 2025 a little greener.
Tip 1: Start the new year healthy and plant-based
Vegan doesn't automatically mean healthy, as almost everyone should know by now. Ideally, however, you should combine both in January and combine a plant-based diet with a healthy lifestyle. Take on the Veganuary Challenge - if you're not already vegan - and eat without animal products for a month. In Berlin, one of the most vegan-friendly cities in Europe, Veganuary is celebrated in a particularly lively way: With special activities in restaurants, workshops and events, you can discover just how varied and enjoyable a plant-based diet can be.
Tip 2: Discover Berlin sustainably
Berlin offers numerous places that show how modern metropolises can combine climate protection and quality of life. Stroll through second-hand shops and concept stores that focus on upcycling and fair fashion. Visit urban gardens such as the Prinzessinnengärten in Kreuzberg or the Tempelhof community garden, where you can experience sustainability first-hand. And if you want to explore Berlin in a climate-friendly way, hop on a bike or take public transport. The city is full of initiatives and offers that will inspire you to live more sustainably - and have a lot of fun in the process! You can find a complete overview on our Sustainable Berlin page.
Tip 3: Be there when Pollinator Pathmaker comes back to life
The living artwork Pollinator Pathmaker in Berlin was created in spring 2023 on the forecourt of the Berlin Museum of Natural History. It is part of a series of international editions of this project, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and the protection of their habitats. Plan a visit now for spring, when the plants in these specially designed beds for bees, butterflies and beetles will come back to life.
The artwork comprises around 7,000 plants from 80 different species, arranged over an area of 722 square metres. The planting was developed using an algorithm-based planting programme that aims to support the greatest possible diversity of pollinator species.
Tip 4: Visit the Veggienale 2025
Once you've digested Veganuary, you can visit Veggienale in March. This festival combines culinary delights with a sustainable lifestyle and offers a stage for everything the vegan and sustainable scene has to offer. Look forward to innovative products, delicious tastings and exciting talks. Local and international exhibitors will be presenting plant-based delicacies, fair fashion, sustainable cosmetics and more.
When: 8 and 9 March 2025
Where: Loewe Saal, Wiebestraße 42, Mitte
Tip 5: Search for a lost paradise with the Berliner Philharmoniker
The third Berliner Philharmoniker Biennale is dedicated to one of the most pressing issues of our time: the existential threat posed by climate change. Under the title "Paradise Lost?", the Berliner Philharmoniker invite you to an inspiring and thought-provoking festival that focuses on the beauty and vulnerability of our natural world. Three impressive symphony concerts with works such as Beethoven's "Pastorale" or Debussy's "La Mer" celebrate the splendour of our world, while contemporary compositions such as Brett Dean's "Fire Music" depict the destructive consequences of climate catastrophes.
When: 13 February to 1 March 2025
Where: Philharmonie Berlin - Großer Saal, Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße 1, Mitte
Paradise Lost?
Tip 6: Feed the grey matter
Give your brain something to do in the new year and visit some of the numerous exhibitions, lectures or workshops that Berlin has to offer on a wide range of topics. Broaden your horizons and your understanding of the issues surrounding sustainability.
Our suggestions for interesting events:
- Nach der Natur - Exhibition at the Humboldt Forum, running until 8 June 2025
- Sustainable architecture in the 21st century - Talk at the Akademie der Künste, 18. January 2025
- Family Sunday for Future - Craft workshop for families at the Museum of Communication, every third Sunday of the month
- Open Lab Evening - Workshop at Futurium on measuring and visualising environmental data, 6. February 2025
- Audio tour on the topic of Fair Fashion - This tour is available on Spotify and you can do it anytime by bike
Tip 7: Cycling
Biking combines sporting intentions with sustainability. Berlin is the perfect city to get on your bike and discover the diverse neighbourhoods from a new perspective. Explore Berlin's green sides, historical highlights and hidden corners on more than 1,500 kilometres of cycle paths. For example, start with a ride along the Berlin Wall Trail, which takes you through the city in the footsteps of history. Or enjoy the quietness of nature at Wannsee and in the Grunewald forest For urban explorers, there are tours along the Spree or through vibrant neighbourhoods such as Kreuzberg and Neukölln. And if you're still missing the necessary equipment, you'll find it at the bike fair VELOBerlin.
Tip 8: Discover new places
Whether you're a Berliner or visiting the city, there are plenty of hidden places and creative projects to discover in the German capital that are off the beaten track - but no less interesting for that. After all, Berlin has 12 districts, each with their own identity and highlights. Take the time to visit lesser-known places in 2025 and support them. Admission is often free or very cheap.
Tip 9: Visit the European Days of Arts and Crafts
The European Arts and Crafts Days are your opportunity to discover the fascinating world of crafts in Berlin - and learn more about sustainable consumption in the process. From 5 to 7 April, artisans all over the city will be opening their workshops, studios and ateliers to showcase their unique techniques and works.
Be inspired by handmade unique pieces that impress not only with their quality, but also with their sustainable production. Many of the artists rely on recycled materials, local raw materials and traditional production methods that conserve resources while guaranteeing the longevity of their products. Whether ceramics, jewellery, textile art or furniture - behind every piece is a story that tells of creativity and environmental awareness.
When: 4 to 6 April 2025
Where: Various locations in Berlin
Tip 10: Take part in Earth Hour
Earth Hour invites you to turn off the lights for one hour on 22 March at 8:30 pm and send a strong signal for climate protection. What began as a WWF initiative in 2007 has long since developed into a global movement involving millions of people and cities. Organise your own Earth Hour at home, at a romantic candlelit dinner or a get-together with friends in the atmospheric darkness. The campaign is of course symbolic and reminds you to be more aware of your energy consumption and to value the constant availability of electricity.
Tip 11: Pay attention to sustainability when travelling
New year, new holiday. Maybe it's off to Berlin this time? No matter where you're heading, we have a few simple tips for you to help you make your next trip more sustainable.
