Helmholtz Dialogue:

Research and innovation for the environment, energy, and health

On September 16, 2025, 42 participants from science and politics, including 16 members of the German Bundestag, gathered at the Jakob Kaiser Building of the German Bundestag. Four directors of the Helmholtz Association presented current research and innovations on the environment, energy, and health. The focus was on solutions to the societal challenges of climate resilience. Particular attention was paid to scientifically sound, multidisciplinary approaches that can be used to develop concrete options for action—for nature-based climate adaptation strategies, the preservation of ecosystems, climate-neutral energy technologies, and early warning systems in the health sector.

The German government is clearly committed to German and European climate targets and is pursuing the goal of making Germany climate-neutral by 2045. In doing so, it is relying on an integrated approach that combines climate protection, economic competitiveness, and social balance—as set out in the coalition agreement. Innovation plays a central role in this.

Germany faces the challenge of effectively combining climate protection, health, biodiversity, and the transformation of the energy system. Against this backdrop, the Helmholtz research areas Earth and Environment, Health, and Energy, as well as the Helmholtz KLIMA dialogue platform, hosted a parliamentary breakfast at the German Bundestag to promote dialogue between politics and science. The event was held under the patronage of Dr. Silke Launert, Member of the German Bundestag and Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

  • Patron Dr. Silke Launert, Member of the German Bundestag and Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (center), together with Helmholtz Directors Prof. Dr. Bernd Rech, Prof. Dr. Katrin Böhning-Gaese, Prof. Dr. Katja Matthes, Prof. Dr. Josef Penninger (from left to right). Picture: Ausserhofer/Helmholtz

  • Prof. Dr. Katja Matthes, Director of GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and Chair of the Helmholtz KLIMA Steering Board, during her introduction to the event. Picture: Ausserhofer/Helmholtz

  • Prof. Dr. Katrin Böhning-Gaese, Scientific Director of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research. Picture: Ausserhofer/Helmholtz

  • Prof. Dr. Josef Penninger, Scientific Director of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research. Picture: Ausserhofer/Helmholtz

  • Prof. Dr. Bernd Rech, Vice President Energy of the Helmholtz Association and Scientific Director of the Helmholtz Center Berlin. Picture: Ausserhofer/Helmholtz

In their feedback on the event, participants described the “interesting data/figures for discussion” as particularly helpful. There is also a desire for more opportunities for exchange between science and politics, as well as for parliamentary events and consultation on biodiversity protection, renaturation, forest protection, and seagrass beds.

Matthes concluded by summarizing: “Decisive action is needed—and time is of the essence. Whether it's the environment, energy, or health, climate change is challenging us in all areas. Effective climate protection, economic competitiveness, and social balance require targeted research and innovation. This is the only way to secure our livelihoods, strengthen Germany's competitiveness, and preserve its sovereignty.”