Social, economic and technological developments are disrupting the climate and the environment on a global scale. This is affecting how we live our lives on Earth because of the changing availability of natural resources such as air, water and vegetation. The basis of the social systems that underpin our lives is also undergoing change. Germany is both affected by and partly responsible for these problems, but in equal measure is also part of the solution.
These issues lead to numerous questions and tasks that cannot be (or are unlikely to be) addressed by parties acting solely in their own private interests, so these must be addressed through research, education and innovation. The BMBF therefore has the role of providing a precautionary public service and safeguarding the fundamental necessities of life. In parallel to this role, the BMBF also has a responsibility to support the German economy as it adapts to fluctuating international markets and competitive conditions.
The BMBF places equal importance on demand-oriented and future-oriented research funding. In this context then, research can be understood as:
providing reliable analyses and predictions of trends (practically-oriented systems knowledge)
predicting consequences, analysing them and providing practical, targeted options for adaptation (adaptation research)
facilitating the development of effective mitigation technologies and processes (mitigation research) and providing instruments and methods to aid decision making (decision making instruments)
It is apparent that research is becoming a increasingly important factor in decision-making processes, as it allows solutions and answers to be found that are not only valid now, but in the future too.
