The German mid-sized city of Remscheid, located in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, can be characterised as an unlikely climate pioneer. Remscheid is a least likely candidate for pioneering climate policies. Previous research suggests that climate pioneers are typically characterised by a growing population, favourable economic conditions, political influence of green parties, a strong civil society, and a supportive local research environment. However, none of the listed characteristics apply to Remscheid – quite to the contrary. Our paper aims at solving this research puzzle, based on an exploratory in-depth case-study of Remscheid's climate policy pathway since the early 1990s. The city performs much better than most German cities of comparable size because the lack of capacities can be compensated by strong key actors and creative policy-making. Local actors manage to attract external funding from a variety of sources and frequently participate in applied research projects on relevant topics. However, we also find that the uncertainty of planning from project to project has a negative effect on setting long-term climate goals and developing holistic visions for the future. We need more studies on rather disadvantaged cities that have nevertheless managed to become climate pioneers. Models created by unlikely pioneers such as Remscheid have to be made visible and accessible for cities that work under similar conditions.

位于德国北莱茵-威斯特法伦州的德国中型城市雷姆沙伊德可以说是不太可能的气候先驱。雷姆沙伊德最不可能成为开创性气候政策的候选人。先前的研究表明，气候先锋的典型特征是人口不断增长、经济条件有利、绿党的政治影响力、强大的公民社会和支持性的当地研究环境。然而，列出的特征都不适用于雷姆沙伊德——恰恰相反。我们的论文旨在解决这一研究难题，基于对 1990 年代初以来雷姆沙伊德气候政策路径的探索性深入案例研究。这座城市的表现比大多数规模相当的德国城市要好得多，因为能力不足可以通过强大的关键参与者和创造性的政策制定来弥补。当地参与者设法从各种来源吸引外部资金，并经常参与相关主题的应用研究项目。然而，我们还发现，项目之间规划的不确定性对设定长期气候目标和制定未来的整体愿景具有负面影响。我们需要对那些已经成功成为气候先驱的处于不利地位的城市进行更多研究。由雷姆沙伊德等不太可能的先驱创建的模型必须让在类似条件下工作的城市可见和可访问。当地参与者设法从各种来源吸引外部资金，并经常参与相关主题的应用研究项目。然而，我们还发现，项目之间规划的不确定性对设定长期气候目标和制定未来的整体愿景具有负面影响。我们需要对那些已经成功成为气候先驱的处于不利地位的城市进行更多研究。由雷姆沙伊德等不太可能的先驱创建的模型必须让在类似条件下工作的城市可见和可访问。当地参与者设法从各种来源吸引外部资金，并经常参与相关主题的应用研究项目。然而，我们还发现，项目之间规划的不确定性对设定长期气候目标和制定未来的整体愿景具有负面影响。我们需要对那些已经成功成为气候先驱的处于不利地位的城市进行更多研究。由雷姆沙伊德等不太可能的先驱创建的模型必须让在类似条件下工作的城市可见和可访问。我们需要对那些已经成功成为气候先驱的处于不利地位的城市进行更多研究。由雷姆沙伊德等不太可能的先驱创建的模型必须让在类似条件下工作的城市可见和可访问。我们需要对那些已经成功成为气候先驱的处于不利地位的城市进行更多研究。由雷姆沙伊德等不太可能的先驱创建的模型必须让在类似条件下工作的城市可见和可访问。