HUE-3: Federal grants - Research projects Climate change impacts Adaptation

The picture shows a man holding a pair of binoculars in his hands and looking through them. In the background the sun is shining against a bright blue sky.Click to enlarge
Research remains an important basis for sound planning and acting.
Source: Photograph: © tinyakov / stock.adobe.com

2019 Monitoring Report on the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change

Table of Contents

 

HUE-3: Federal grants for promoting research projects on climate change impacts and adaptation

Several Federal departments promote research on the theme of climate change impacts and adaptation by means of grants for time-limited projects. There has been a distinct increase in the volume of such grants since 2006. However, the figures reflect only part of the research grants provided at Federal level. By the same token, any contract research commissioned by Federal ministries is not included.

The line graph shows the development of federal funding for research projects on climate change impacts and adaptation in millions of euros from 1990 to 2017. The trend is significantly upward. Until 2005, grants were at a very low level of less than 3 million, after which there was a steep increase, with stagnation from 2009, a temporary slump in 2015 and a subsequent steep increase. In 2017, there were grants of over 45 million euros.
HUE-3: Federal grants for promoting research projects on climate change impacts and adaptation

The line graph shows the development of federal funding for research projects on climate change impacts and adaptation in millions of euros from 1990 to 2017. The trend is significantly upward. Until 2005, grants were at a very low level of less than 3 million, after which there was a steep increase, with stagnation from 2009, a temporary slump in 2015 and a subsequent steep increase. In 2017, there were grants of over 45 million euros.

Source: BMBF (Förderkatalog - catalog of federal projects funding - own analysis)
 

Promotion of research and development regarding climate change impacts and adaptation

Already now, many decisions affecting the long term have to consider and take into account any potential impacts from climate change and future climatic conditions. Planning and projects financed from the public purse, for example infrastructure projects such as the expansion of extant or the construction of new roads and railway lines or the enhancement of inland waterways for the shipping industry, the construction of new power lines, flood protection measures, the assigning of building sites for municipal developments, or the construction of public buildings – any of these have to be built resilient enough to cope with the impacts of future climatic changes. Likewise, companies are keen to make appropriate location choices for their developments and to make their longterm investments such as the construction of new buildings or works robust enough to withstand the impacts of climatic change. Last not least, private individuals who, possibly with a view to their health or in their capacity as owners, want to ensure that they make the right decisions.

An essential basis for decision-making is, on one hand, a well-informed vision of the future, combining a fairly reliable appraisal of future climatic changes and a solid grasp of existing vulnerabilities and the potential impacts of climate change. On the other, robust and flexible strategic, technical and also practical solutions are required – able to cope with the continuing uncertainties regarding a wide range of potential climatic changes. It is therefore an important aspiration at Federal level to make every effort regarding the expansion of the knowledge base required for adaptation processes or measures and to pursue a methodical approach in promoting relevant research activities.

Many Federal research funding activities on issues of climate change and adaptation are bundled within the framework programme FONA (Research for sustainable development) financed by the BMBF. Besides, there are other programmes sponsored by Federal departments which study adaptation issues and are involved in piloting adaptation measures. In this context, special attention is drawn to the BMU’s focus area ‘Adaptation to the impacts of climate change’ which is part of the departmental research plan. In the run-up to 2015, the BMVI (Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure) has brought together the greater part of its own research activities for adaptation under the auspices of KLIWAS (impacts of climate change on waterways and shipping – development of adaptation options). Since 2016, the BMVI has been developing a network of experts with seven departmental research institutes and competent authorities working on innovation in the fields of adaptation to climate change, protection of the environment and risk management.

In many cases, as for example in respect of the BMU’s departmental research plan, time-limited research and development projects are awarded in a competitive approach (commissioned research). In addition, Federal Government provides funding by way of earmarked grants for the promotion of projects associated with funding programmes and/or specialised programmes. With regard to projects in the field of climate change impacts and associated risks as well as adaptation, the BMBF for example promotes major joint projects such as ‘climate resilience thanks to measures taken in towns and regions’ (within the FONA flagship initiative ‘town of the future’) and RegIKlim (regional information on taking action to prepare for climate change).

To date there has been no cross-sectional compilation of all promotional activities relating to the adaptation to climate change; neither has there been an overview published of the funding disbursed for those purposes. Only the grants contributed by BMBF, BMU, BMVI and BMEL (Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture) as well as the BMWi (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy) are listed centrally in the promotions catalogue published by BMBF, thus permitting evaluation in respect of the themes of climate change impacts and adaptation. Looking at the grants awarded for projects covering these focal areas, it becomes clear that the promotion of research activities regarding this theme has increased since 2006. In those days the BMBF created the promotional focal point ’Klimazwei – Research for Climate Protection and Protection from Climate Impacts’ endowed with a funding volume of approximately 35 million Euros to cover the period 2006-2009. Beginning in 2008, the BMBF awarded the KLIMZUG programme (making climate change sustainable in regions) a total of more than 80 million Euros for projects conducted as part of seven regional joint projects. BMBF measures made the greatest contribution to the funding-based financing of research and development in respect of climate change impacts and adaptation, while other relevant funding was contributed by BMEL and BMU. However, the promotions catalogue does not cover any commissioned research. The figures therefore reflect only part of the funding provided for research and development for the adaptation to climate change.

Any relevant activities such as those conducted by BMG (Federal Ministry of Health) whose planned activities are outlined within the framework plan for departmental research or any relevant parts of the BMU’s departmental research plan are currently not reflected in the indicator. Likewise, any measures which indirectly impact on adaptation, are not covered by the time series. The data do not permit any evaluative statements in respect of quantity or quality of Federal grants.

 

Interfaces

HUE-4: Adaptation to climate change at municipal authority level

 

Objecitves

Expanding and enhancing the scientific foundations for the adaptation process by means of research activities at Federal level (DAS, ch. 5.2)