Helmholtz Climate Initiative

Climate research is a major focus of the Helmholtz Association. In order to pool this expertise and make it accessible in a profound and comprehensible way, the Helmholtz Climate Initiative was launched in 2019.

As part of the Initiative, scientists from 15 Helmholtz Centers are jointly developing strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to unavoidable climate impacts – primarily focusing on Germany. The Initiative is concentrating on the key areas of “Net-Zero-2050” (mitigation cluster) and “Adaptation to Extreme Events” (adaptation cluster).

Knowledge acquired by the Helmholtz Climate Initiative is disseminated to politics, industry, the media, and the interested public (communication cluster). The Initiative's projects from Phase I can be found here, while current projects running until the end of 2024 can be viewed here.

Management and coordination

Sabine Attinger
Sceintific Head of Cluster Adaptation

Daniela Jacob
Scientific Head of Cluster Mitigation

Andreas Marx
Scientific Coordinator, Adaptation

Fiona Köhnke
Scientific Coordinator, Mitigation

Structure and Management

In total, 15 of the 18 Helmholtz Centers are involved in the Helmholtz Climate Initiative.

Overview

The Initiative

The Helmholtz Climate Initiative has the two scientific focal points “net zero 2050” (mitigation) and “adaptation to extreme events” (adaptation). Research results from these and other areas are published in the “Communication” cluster. Read more

Mitigation

The "Mitigation" cluster (net zero 2050) researches various ways of reducing emissions. If we want to stop the rise in global mean temperature, we also have to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In four projects, "Mitigation" is investigating possible strategies and ways to do this.

Adaptation

The "Adaptation" cluster explores how we can adapt to extreme events. The global mean temperature has already increased by 1.1 ° C compared to the preindustrial level. Many changes follow for our lives. "Adaptation" examines how we can cope with it in nine research projects.

Communication

The "Communication" cluster exclusively presents the results of the initiative and communicates the current status of further climate research. The area also offers comprehensive information on climate change beyond the initiative, enters into dialogue with interested parties and provides experts.