1. Background of the funding priority

The German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) has already funded numerous projects associated with the topics atmosphere and climate. Many of these projects have focused on a better understanding of the climate system.

The new funding priority "Research for climate protection and protection from climate impacts", which is embedded in the framework program „Research for sustainability" (FONA), has a different priority. Its focus is on the development of strategies for action and practical solutions. The basic research on the climate system that has been conducted so far is now complemented by applied research in the fields of climate protection and adaptation to climate change.

2. Structure and contents of the funding priority

The funding priority comprises the two topics mitigation and adaptation. The projects funded under the first topic aim at the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and thus at the limitation of further man-made climate change. The second topic targets at the development of adaptation strategies to cope with climate trends and extreme weather events.

Topic A: Mitigation

The projects funded under this topic are designed to develop a wide range of new technologies, processes and strategies for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A number of renowned research institutes and companies are involved. The individual projects are assigned to the categories traffic and logistics, information and communication, production and process optimization and utilization strategies.

Topic B: Adaptation

Even if all greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities were reduced significantly from now on, the process of climate change would still continue for decades because of past emissions. The development of adaptation strategies for climate change and extreme weather is therefore the central target of the projects funded in the framework of the second topic. The projects aim at identifying, reducing or eliminating risks resulting from climate change. In addition, the objective of the projects is to develop new markets and to seize opportunities for the German economy through the development of new products and services.

3. Supportive Projects

To complement the projects on climate protection and adaptation to climate effects, BMBF funds three supportive projects. The supportive process carried out by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research is designed to serve as an interface between business and the academic community. The Service Group Adaptation provides a service at a prior process stage: It prepares regional climate observation data and climate model simulation data that can be used by the joint projects. The third supportive project utilizes the results of the klimazwei projects for the implementation of sustainability in schooling.