Germany

As in other parts of Europe, the impacts of climate change are clearly visible in Germany. Average temperatures have risen by about 2°C since the late 19th century, and the country is experiencing longer dry periods followed by episodes of heavy rainfall. In some parts of eastern Germany, the first half of 2025 was the driest since meteorological records began 130 years ago. Conversely, the flooding in the Ahr Valley in 2021 was one of the most devastating ever recorded. Prolonged droughts, together with storms and severe insect outbreaks, have caused significant forest loss. Another major challenge in eastern Germany is the phase-out of lignite mining and its consequences.

Our work in Germany

Our research in Germany focuses on understanding how climate change affects agricultural and forest production, ecosystem services, biodiversity, water availability, and human health, and on identifying sustainable adaptation and mitigation strategies across sectors. Addressing the complex interactions between these systems is essential for developing integrated approaches that strengthen climate resilience.

Water, agriculture, forest, human health

Long-lasting droughts have severe impacts on water resources especially groundwater and place major strains on water supply management, especially in large metropolitan areas like Berlin. Agriculture, in particular, is highly vulnerable to such climate extremes, often facing substantial yield losses. Our work explores how diversified cropping systems can build resilience, enhance biodiversity, and deliver co-benefits for human health.

Forests play a key role in climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection and the transition towards a sustainable bioeconomy. Timber, as a renewable material, can help replace carbon-intensive products in the construction sector. At the same time, sustainable forest management in Germany must provide a wide range of essential ecosystem services under changing climatic conditions and changes in forest management practices. Our research analyzes how different forest management approaches can balance mitigation, biodiversity, resource use and the provisioning of other ecosystem services to guide climate-smart forestry and nature conservation.

Dietary change offers key opportunities to improve health and sustainability. Our research focuses on integrated food system solutions, such as applying Planetary Health Diet principles in healthcare institutions. This can improve nutrition, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce environmental impacts from food production and consumption.