conference summary report German Future Earth Summit 27. / 28. Jan 2014 Berlin Members of German Committee Future Earth: Prof. Dr. Armin Grunwald, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Lucht, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Prof. Dr. Karen Pittel, ifo Institute Prof. Dr. Christiane Schmullius, Friedrich Schiller University Jena Prof. Dr. Martin Visbeck, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (Chairman) Prof. Dr. Volkmar Wolters, Justus Liebig University Giessen Dr. Christiane Jörk, DFG (ex-officio) Dr. Johannes Karte, DFG (ex-officio) Dr. Bettina Schmalzbauer, DKN Future Earth Secretariat (ex-officio)
Prepared and Published by German Committee Future Earth DKN Future Earth Secretariat Heilbronner Str. 150 70191 Stuttgart, Germany Phone: +49 (0) 711 4900 4240 Email: [email protected] www.dkn-future-earth.org
April 2014 ISBN 978-3-9813068-3-5
Linguistic Editing Jutta Bachmann
Layout DKN Future Earth Secretariat (D. Seidel)
Image Credits (Cover) F. Kraas, www.sxc.hu: Mattox, Flickr.com: cc-by-nc UNclimatechange
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the German Research Foundation (DFG) conference summary report German Future Earth Summit 27. / 28. Jan 2014 Berlin Preface
Human activities are altering the Earth system research themes: “Dynamic Planet”, “Global with significant impacts on the environment Development”, and “Transformations Towards at the local, regional and global scale. Changes Sustainability”. in the Earth’s climate and loss of biodiversity “Future Earth Initial Design Report”. 2013. are undermining improvements in human ISBN 978-0-930357-92-4 wellbeing and poverty alleviation. The challenge of achieving a transition to global sustainability o further develop Future Earth in Germany, is urgent given the potentially catastrophic and Tthe German Committee Future Earth irreversible implications for human societies. On (DKN Future Earth) held the first German one hand, this is a threat to human prosperity on Future Earth Summit in January 2014. The two- Earth, on the other hand, it provides incentives day programme included presentations, panel to exploit and develop new opportunities discussions and workshops. The overall aim was for innovation that supports sustainable to initiate a dialogue on possible Future Earth development. research priorities from a German perspective. The summit also set out to foster interdisciplinary Future Earth is a 10-year international research collaboration across the natural and social programme launched in June 2012 at the sciences, humanities, economics and engineering, UN Conference on Sustainable Development as well as involve policy-makers, funding agencies, (Rio+20) that will provide critical knowledge industry and other sectors of German civil required for societies to face the challenges society. It also provided opportunities to discuss posed by global environmental change and to possibilities for collaboration in cross-cutting identify opportunities for a transition to global Future Earth topics such as research methods and sustainability. concepts, stakeholder involvement, environmental and societal data availability, potential Future Earth is sponsored by the Science and contributions to the UN International Year for Technology Alliance for Global Sustainability. Its Global Understanding and the role of early career members consist of the International Council for scientists. Science (ICSU), the International Social Science Council (ISSC), the Belmont Forum of funding The German Future Earth Summit was intended agencies, the United Nations Educational, to be one of the steps towards the development Scientific, and Cultural Organization of a national perspective and roadmap for Future (UNESCO), the United Nations Environment Earth research. Programme (UNEP), the United Nations University (UNU), and the World Meteorological The overwhelmingly positive response of the Organization (WMO) as an observer. scientific community gives us confidence that Germany is and will remain a strong supporter of Future Earth will answer fundamental questions research on global sustainability. about how and why the global environment is changing, what are likely future changes, what This conference summary report was prepared by are the implications for human development the DKN Future Earth Secretariat and is based on and the diversity of life on Earth, and what discussions between conference participants and the opportunities are to reduce risks and contributions from the workshop organisers. << vulnerabilities, enhance resilience and innovation, and implement transformations to prosperous and Martin Visbeck equitable futures. Currently, Future Earth research (Chairman DKN Future Earth) is organized around three broad and integrated Bettina Schmalzbauer (Scientific Secretary)
i Table of Contents
Preface i
Executive Summary iii
1 Future Earth: Introduction and panel discussion page 01
2 Workshops on Future Earth research topics page 04
2.1 Summary of Dynamic Planet workshop page 06
2.2 Summary of Global Development workshop page 07
Summary of Transformation Towards 2.3 page Sustainability workshop 08
3 Future Earth funding opportunities page 10
4 Network meetings page 12
4.1 Global data management and e-infrastructures page 12
4.2 Integrated research “Lessons learned” page 13
4.3 Early Career Scientists in Future Earth page 14
4.4 Keywords collected during the World Café page 15
5 The Way Forward page 17
ANNEX A Overview of submitted concepts page 18
ANNEX B Workshop documentation: page 21 Transformation towards Sustainability ANNEX C Open Letters page 26
ii
Executive Summary
ver 260 scientists attended the first German In the afternoon, possible research foci for Future OFuture Earth Summit held in Berlin on Earth were discussed in three workshops under the 27th and 28th January 2014. The conference the headings of the Future Earth programme’s was organised by the German Committee Future initial research areas: “Dynamic Planet”, “Global Earth and called on scientists and stakeholders Development” and “Transformation Towards to exchange their views and perspectives on the Sustainability”. The research topics discussed development of an effective research agenda that focused on sustainable use of natural resources, would address the many global and regional the impacts of extreme events, the role of system challenges faced by society today and in the interfaces, sustainable global development, future. The summit was intended to be one of concepts and pathways of transformation as the steps leading towards the development of well as the role of individuals and actors in a German perspective and roadmap for Future transformation processes. Earth research. Prior to the conference, the German Committee Future Earth invited the After a short presentation of the key workshop German scientific community to submit research outcomes, perspectives on Future Earth from topics related to the three broad international research funders were given by Dr. Johannes Karte Future Earth themes. A total of 75 concepts (titles (German Research Foundation), Wilfried Kraus are listed in annex 1) were received and discussed (German Ministry of Education and Research) during the summit. and Kurt Vandenberghe (European Commission). In the afternoon, network meetings provided The German Future Earth Summit opened with a insights into integrated science with stakeholder general introduction to Future Earth international involvement, defined the interests of early by Interim Future Earth Director Prof. Dr. Frans career scientists in Future Earth and facilitated Berkhout with additional remarks from Prof. Dr. the discussion on e-infrastructures and data Martin Visbeck relating to the work of the German management within the framework of a Belmont Committee Future Earth. A panel of experts Forum initiative. expressed their views and expectations of a global research platform on sustainability. Panel members Overall, the discussions at the conference included: Prof. Dr. May-Britt Kallenrode, Prof. Dr. highlighted the need and willingness to integrate Karin Lochte, Prof. Dr. Uwe Schneidewind, Dr. knowledge from different domains and disciplines Eberhard Faust, Prof. Dr. Dirk Messner and Dr. in order to address the role of human activity Ursula Fuentes Hutfilter. in the “Anthropocene” and within the context of sustainable development. The complexity of the issues and breadth and scope of the research portfolio that needs to be implemented may well require new ways of doing science, including new innovative concepts that take environment, economy and society into account. <<
iii
1 Future Earth: Introduction and panel discussion
rof. Frans Berkhout presented his vision and DIVERSITAS), to engage all the existing projects Pthe purpose of the international Future Earth of these programmes, to establish a permanent initiative. The principal aim of the initiative is Future Earth Secretariat as well as completing to develop the knowledge required to be able to and launching Future Earth research priorities in respond effectively to the risks and opportunities 2014. of global environmental change and to support transformation towards global sustainability. Prof. Visbeck’s talk focused on the goals and tasks Berkhout also explained that an international of the newly established German Committee platform for global environmental change science Future Earth whose members were appointed by is needed in order to be able to effectively deal the German Research Foundation in 2013. He with the epistemic fit, to leverage resources and pointed out that in Germany numerous research to actively engage the natural sciences, social projects on global change and environmental sciences, humanities and other sectors across issues already exist and were further developed the world in the search for solutions to global by the former NKGCF (German National problems. Berkhout explained the added value Committee on Global Change Research), to name of international collaboration using best-practice but one example. The NKGCF initiated research examples from core projects supported under projects and programmes addressing topics such the global environmental change programmes. as megacities, integrated water cycles, sustainable Berkhout believes that Future Earth signals the land management and climate engineering. birth of a new scientific era where the co-design Today, the interdisciplinary research community and co-production of knowledge will contribute is well established and similar in size to the to achieving Sustainable Development Goals transdisciplinary research community. Visbeck (SDG), carrying out ecosystem assessments went on to explain that although several such as IPBES and reaching new climate change German research programmes and research agreements. Berkhout also introduced the Future projects are already dealing with sustainability Earth Scientific Committee and the Future Earth and environmental problems, the projects and Interim Engagement Committee and their tasks project groups are nevertheless fragmented due and highlighted the initiative’s efforts to build on to different funding opportunities, research scales the success of international global environmental and research priorities. He believes that Future change programmes (e.g. IHDP, IGBP and Earth will facilitate coordination and international
1 collaboration through new alliances between Hazards at Munich Re), Prof. Dr. Dirk Messner researchers, scientific organisations and research (Director German Development Institute) users who will come together to co-design an and Dr. Ursula Fuentes Hutfilter (Head of the integrated research agenda and co-produce Climate Policy Division of the Federal Ministry knowledge for solutions applicable to the global for the Environment, Nature Conservation, community. Building and Nuclear Safety). The panel addressed The German Committee Future Earth is tasked the challenges of integrated research, especially with the development of a scientific agenda on in terms of education and career development, the national (and international) level, and the with a particular focus on the barriers faced by establishment of a forum that connects Germany’s the social sciences and humanities, the lack of scientific community. The German Committee incentives for integrated research and appropriate Future Earth will support the self-organising funding structures and review procedures, the process of the German research community in its need for the involvement of non-scientific experts efforts to identify socially relevant research topics in the research process of integrated science as and to initiate flagship activities. well as the challenges associated with this, and the need to involve basic research in Future Earth as it The panel discussion focused on the expectations forms the basis for fundamental questions related of German research institutions, universities, the to how the global environment is changing. economy and politicians for a global coordinated platform in terms of sustainability research. The The panel members expressed their support for panel members included: Prof. Dr. May-Britt the conceptual idea and thematic priority of Kallenrode (Vice President for Research and Future Earth, but also emphasised the need to Graduate Student Development, University of improve cooperation possibilities between science Osnabrück), Prof. Dr. Karin Lochte (Director and economy/politics/society, organisational Alfred Wegener Institute), Prof. Dr. Uwe structures (disciplinary vs. interdisciplinary) as Schneidewind (President Wuppertal Institute for well as funding schemes and review processes. << Climate, Environment and Energy), Dr. Eberhard Faust (Head of Climate Risks and Natural
2 Prof. Dr. May-Britt Kallenrode (Vice President for Research and Graduate Student Development, University of Osnabrück) >> Universities are in an excellent position to focus on Future Earth activities. Their broad range of subjects, ranging from the natural and engineering sciences to the humanities and social sciences, lays the foundation for trans- and interdisciplinary research. Moreover, their close integration in society is the basis for applied and accompanying research. However, universities also have problems with the sustainability of sustainability research; career perspectives and assessment standards of up-and-coming scientists need to be tailored to the complexity of research topics in order to inspire brilliant, curious researchers to enter this field of study. <<
Prof. Dr. Karin Lochte (Director Alfred Wegener Institute) >> The global challenges require global efforts in science. Future Earth is the right approach to tackle these challenges in interdisciplinary and international collaboration. The most important step in the future development of Future Earth is linking the science with the needs of society. <<
Prof. Dr. Uwe Schneidewind (President Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy) >> Challenges associated with co- designing and co-producing knowledge: 1. Methodological development: new ways of interdisciplinary modelling, working together in “living labs”, new languages. 2. Structural development: to improve interdisciplinary cooperation at universities, set up new research infrastructures e.g. “living labs”. 3. Civil society capacity building in order to put co-design and co-production into practice. 4. New research funding schemes to support items one to three (see also German agenda for setting up processes related to sustainable cities). <<
3 Dr. Eberhard Faust (Head of Climate Risks and Natural Hazards 2 at Munich Re) Workshops on >> The improved cooperation between Future Earth science and industry while respecting every partner’s self-determination research topics as represented by the programmatic keywords “co-design” and “co- n open call for the submission of concepts production”, is of huge importance Afor Future Earth research topics was for identifying and resolving scientific published prior to the conference with the goal issues in the promotion of global of getting an overview of the interests of German sustainable development. In this respect it is important researchers. Around 75 concepts were submitted, to be aware right from the start of the partners’ different ranging from topics involving individual institutional conditions such as different time horizons and disciplines to those that brought together partners the difference between epistemological risks and risks based from different disciplines. These concepts on implementation choices. << formed the basis for the discussions in the three workshops focusing on the Future Earth themes “Dynamic Planet”, “Global Development” and Prof. Dr. Dirk Messner “Transformation Towards Sustainability”: (Director German Development Institute) >> Sustainability science requires Dynamic Planet: Gaining insights into how massive interdisciplinary effort. the Earth is changing due to natural phenomena However, incentive schemes for and human activities. The emphasis will be scientists, PhD programmes and on observing, explaining, understanding and projecting Earth, environmental and societal university faculties still revolve system trends, drivers and processes and their around individual disciplines. interactions, as well as anticipating global Institutional reforms are thresholds and risks. Building on existing therefore crucial for promoting knowledge, there will be a particular focus on interdisciplinary cooperation. An in-depth knowledge of interactions between social and environmental the methods used in various disciplines is a major driver changes across scales. of scientific innovations. << Global Development: Providing the knowledge for addressing the most pressing Dr. Ursula Fuentes-Hutfilter needs of humanity including sustainable, secure (Head of the Climate Policy Division of the and fair stewardship of food, water, biodiversity, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature energy, materials, and other ecosystem functions Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety) and services. The emphasis of this Future Earth research theme will be on understanding the >> The BMUB very much impacts of human activities and environmental welcomes the notion that future change on the health and well-being of people research activities will be co- and societies and on the interactions of global designed and that cooperation environmental change and development. between scientists, politicians, society and the economy reinforced in order tackle the societal challenges associated with the necessary transition towards environmental/climate compatibility and sustainability. Future Earth has the potential to come up with groundbreaking research, but care must be taken to assess current opportunities and existing structures. The time factor is key, as the time available to make a successful transition is limited. <<
4 Transformation Towards Sustainability: As future studies work with modelling approaches Understanding transformation processes and it was suggested that this could be a branch of the options, assessing how these relate to human social sciences that could be included in integrated values and behaviour, emerging technologies, research very easy. Some participants felt that the and economic development pathways, and ISSC report on “Transformative Cornerstones” evaluating strategies for governing and managing would be an excellent starting point for identifying the global environment across sectors and scales. integrated research priorities and initiating the first The emphasis of Future Earth research will flagship activities. be on solution-oriented science that enables fundamental societal transitions to global The following conclusions can be drawn from sustainability. It will explore the institutional, the discussions: First, knowledge from different economic, social, technological and behavioural domains and disciplines needs to be integrated in changes that can enable effective steps towards order to address and understand the role of human global sustainability and how these changes might activity in the “Anthropocene”. Second, the social best be implemented. sciences play a crucial role in addressing the many challenges that will occur on the move towards a The major objective of the workshops was to sustainable society. And third, the development discuss research interests related to the research of new pathways for global sustainability requires topics and to facilitate the development of Future a new way of doing research, including new Earth. The conclusions drawn from the workshops concepts, i.e. research that not only takes into (see section 2.1 to 2.3) were presented to the account ecological and economic issues, but to a conference participants on Tuesday morning. greater extent all sections of society (e.g. political Amongst other things, the plenum discussed decisions, social issues). << the role of basic research in Future Earth and the need to consider basic research from within the context of Future Earth, how basic research in the humanities can contribute to Future Earth, the need for well recognised communicators/ scientists who are able to bring Future Earth into all disciplines, and the increasing awareness of scientists of the central role of people in the Earth System.
The participants made numerous suggestions as to how the challenge of integration could be tackled and agreed that the social sciences will need to be instrumental in integrated research aimed at achieving global sustainability. It was also emphasised that focusing on environmental issues in the social sciences is not currently a recognised career path, and this presents a challenge in itself.
5 Organisers: Prof. Dr. Christoph Garbe (University of Heidelberg/SOLAS), Dr. Mark Gessner (Leibniz-Institute of 2.1 Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries/ Summary of freshwater biodiversity), Prof. Dr. Patrick Hostert (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin/GLP), Prof. Dr. Martin Visbeck Dynamic Planet (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel/DKN Future Earth), Prof. workshop Dr. Volkmar Wolters (Justus Liebig University Giessen/DKN Future Earth).
wenty-three concepts were submitted to the solving global problems within Future Earth, TDynamic Planet workshop and discussed by as well as the linkage between the regional/ around 50 participants. The concepts proposed local and the global level. Participants agreed and subsequent discussions focused mainly on the that stakeholder involvement in the research following topics: process was necessary from the very outset. Nevertheless it was recognised that broader Sustainable use of natural resources (land stakeholder involvement processes must and water systems) in the face of future trends be based on a concrete research idea. Great in nature and society (e.g. demography, importance was attached to: lifestyles, climate change). Impacts of extreme events from a social Development of research methods and perspective (e.g. civil wars) and a natural concepts in addition to research topics. systems perspective (e.g. natural hazards). The detailed understanding of social System interfaces: spatial aspects (e.g. coastal aspects on a regional level. systems, land-atmosphere interface) or Socio-ecological novelties that deal with systemic aspects (e.g. land use including unpredictable system changes. biodiversity). Cross-system approaches (e.g. including different sub-systems such as land-ocean, It was argued that discussions on land issues social-natural, etc). need to be become more open and need to be Impact on different sub-systems approached in a more comprehensive, systematic (e.g. biodiversity, climate, governance, way (e.g. sustainable resource management), human well-being). and that regime shifts (caused by the impact of The need for multi-scale approaches extreme events) and hotspots of unique complex (e.g. time, space). systems need to be considered alongside system Methods that take into account the interfaces. It was also noted that research concepts disparity and inhomogeneity in such as the planetary boundaries concept have to individual/local communities (e.g. using be revised in the Future Earth context (see also multi-model approaches). conclusions from the World Café in section 4.4). Future Earth methods were also discussed The workshop participants agreed that it was in the World Café (see section 4.4), where necessary to improve cooperation between workshop participants recognised the crucial different disciplines (natural sciences, social role of seed money for transdisciplinary sciences, humanities), including the integration research. They also suggested the of descriptive and normative dimensions as well establishment of platforms that provide broad as social, cultural and natural linkages. “Regional access to research methods and concepts (e.g. realities” was recognised as an important item for “Werkstatt Wissenschaft”). <<
6 Organisers: Prof. Dr. Almut Arneth (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology/AIMES), Prof. Dr. Dagmar Haase (Helmholtz 2.2 Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ/UGEC), Prof. Summary of Dr. Wolfgang Lucht (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Global Development Research/DKN Future Earth), Prof. Dr. Christiane Schmullius workshop (Friedrich Schiller University Jena/DKN Future Earth).
he Global Development workshop opened 1) Transformation pathways Twith Guido Schmidt-Traub (UN Sustainable Development within planetary and regional Development Solution Network/Future Earth boundaries (i.e. sustainable development). Interim Engagement Committee) giving a short Emerging (new) social, industrial and summary of Sustainable Development Goals. information infrastructures. The workshop featured 19 concepts, attracted 60 Temporal trajectories of development, participants and led to a constructive discussion differences in worldviews. of the challenges posed by “new” and “solution- based” research. 2) Ecological services Global patterns and their governance, The majority of the 19 concepts addressed case studies/case problems, teleconnections. research topics and methods. The workshop Shifts in institutional, production organisers grouped the concepts into three main and consumption patterns. categories: first, normative approaches that Water, food, land-use change, urbanisation, focused on planetary and regional boundaries, air quality, multifunctional landscapes. second, regional approaches that focused on analytical components (e.g. global patterns 3) Basic social science research with regional components, production and with regard to global development consumption patterns), and third, temporal Fairness and distribution, political economy approaches combined with different worldviews of change, human behaviour, knowledge and (e.g. human behaviour vs. decision-making). innovation. << The workshop participants suggested that the Future Earth research activities relating to global development could be best grouped into the following three categories:
7 2.3 Summary of Transformation Towards Sustainability workshop
Organisers: Prof. Dr. Ilan Chabay (Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies/IHDP), PD Dr. Marion Glaser (Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Ecology/ LOICZ), Dr. Thorsten Grothmann (Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg), Dr. Jochen Hinkel (Global Climate Forum e.V.), Prof. Dr. Karen Pittel (ifo Institute/DKN Future Earth).
The workshop on Transformation Towards Due to time constraints, the discussions had to be Sustainability attracted great interest. 95 scientists restricted to more or less general statements. The participated in the discussions and 35 concepts following research topics were identified: on potential research topics were submitted. The concepts were grouped into three general topics Research topics relating to the role of and discussed in different breakout groups: individuals in the transformation process: How and when does the self-interested I. The oler of individuals in the transformation individual turn into a collective actor? How process: social and psychological studies of relevant are social identity, (new/local) social human-ecosystem interdependence and norms and collective efficacy in this respect? on how human behaviour can be changed Which role does local context play in accordingly. promoting or hindering decisions for II. The oler of collective action and institutions sustainable actions? in the transformation process: political, What are positive incentives (e.g. positive economic, institutional studies of governance narratives) of sustainable actions and how can at multiple scales/levels. these be further enhanced and how can new III. How to undertake transformation research: ones be catalyzed? a) How to design scenarios, models and narratives. b) How to design solution-oriented empirical research: action research, participation, science-policy interaction, case studies, monitoring and evaluation.
8 Research topics relating to the role of collective “Useful methodological reference frameworks” in this action and institutions in the transformation context mainly referred to methodological process process: quality standards, e.g. ways to involve stakeholders Under which key conditions (e.g. knowledge, in a scientifically sound manner. They were not mechanisms) do individual and collective intended to be outcome quality standards, e.g. governance actors, processes and structures number of stakeholders involved. It was stressed drive transformative change (e.g. tipping that the aim should not be to develop just one points, solutions) efficiently, effectively single methodological reference framework for and legitimately towards the resolution of all types of trans- and interdisciplinary, solution- collective action problems/conflicts in the area oriented transformation research. Instead, a of sustainable development? number of different reference frameworks for different types of transformation research were Research topics relating to the methodological recommended. Establishing such methodological design of transformation research: reference frameworks was identified as an To whom is our research addressed? issue requiring rapid agreement; therefore the Who wants to learn and how do they want to recommendation was that it should be addressed learn, who wants to know? within a Future Earth Fast Track Initiative. << What variety of methods and different ways of didactical and communication methods are needed for different types of stakeholders? How to deal creatively with conflicts between different interest groups? How to establish an authentic vision? Could the development of visions be an effective answer to avoid or resolve conflicts? What are potentially useful methodological reference frameworks for carrying out and assessing trans- and interdisciplinary, solution- oriented transformation research? To answer this question the following “sub-questions” were developed: - What lessons have been learnt about useful reference frameworks from previous and ongoing trans- and interdisciplinary, solution-oriented research projects? - How can existing methodological standards from different disciplines be integrated into trans- and interdisciplinary, solution- oriented research?
9 3 Future Earth research funding opportunities
hile Future Earth is a framework Wilfried Kraus (Director General of the BMBF Wprogramme with the principal goal directorate for Sustainability, Climate and Energy) of promoting and coordinating research on highlighted some of the major challenges faced global sustainability on an international level, by Germany and all other countries of the world: individual Future Earth research projects will changes in energy use, changes in climate and mainly be funded by national research funding limited resources. He also focused on solutions organisations. This section outlines the funding being sought by German researchers. In addition, opportunities provided by the German Research he gave an overview of the BMBF’s research Foundation (DFG), the Belmont Forum, the funding criteria and important structural features German Ministry of Education and Research intended as guidance for further work within (BMBF) and the European Commission (EC). Future Earth. Kraus explained that the BMBF attaches great importance to the collaboration Dr. Johannes Karte (Programme Director and between German scientists and researchers in Coordinator for Environment at DFG) highlighted Europe and the rest of the world and that the in his talk the different stages of the Future Earth BMBF’s Framework Programme “Research for knowledge generation process and explained that Sustainable Development (FONA)” and Joint specific DFG funding is available for the different Programming Initiatives (JPIs) could be key process stages (see Figure below). He explained sustainability research funding tools. In addition, that the Belmont Forum provides multilateral Kraus highlighted the importance of dialogue and funding opportunities. The Belmont Forum is co-operation between research and stakeholders. an international cooperation of national funding He regards Future Earth as a strategic springboard agencies that provide funding to international for current and impending international societal partnerships of social and natural scientists working challenges that could be used to orient national on e.g. freshwater security and coastal vulnerability. research programmes worldwide. Kraus finally Joint research calls that will bring together underlined the importance of global capacity international partnerships on other research topics building within Future Earth, and supported are currently at the preparation stage. the idea that Future Earth research needs to be
Fig. 1: Future Earth knowledge production process and DFG funding options
10 structured according to programmatic priorities, but also needs to take into account specific Dr. Johannes Karte (regional/local) solutions. (Programme Director and Coordinator for Environment at DFG) Kurt Vandenberghe (European Commission, Director Environment DG Research and >> Future Earth is a challenging and inspiring new platform Innovation) reported on possible links between for international and integrated research on global change Future Earth and Horizon 2020 research funding. and sustainability. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Both programmes have introduced specific offers a broad portfolio of funding opportunities to measures to promote excellence and broaden support research within this framework and encourages participation of natural scientists and social the scientific community to develop innovative research scientists. Both programmes have also adopted a challenge- and solution-oriented approach for initiatives contributing to Future Earth. << solving societal challenges of the future, and both focus on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research in order to develop business models for the future and for societal innovations, to name but one example. In addition, both programmes are being developed in such a way as to build Wilfried Kraus global confidence in the knowledge acquired (Director General of the BMBF directorate for during the transition to global sustainability. << Sustainability, Climate and Energy) >> BMBF appreciates in particular the ambition of Future Earth to enhance the dialogue and cooperation between science and stakeholders from society, private sector and politics. This is an important pre-condition to increase relevance and usability of research results. <<
Kurt Vandenberghe (Director Environment DG Research and Innovation of European Commission) >> Both Future Earth and Horizon 2020 are being developed to build global confidence in the knowledge acquired during the transition to global sustainability. <<
11 4 Network meetings
Organisers: PD Dr. 4.1 Birgit Gemeinholzer, Justus Liebig University Global data mangement Giessen; Dr. Christoph Waldmann, MARUM and e-infrastructures University of Bremen.
he German representatives of the international Using existing infrastructures as integration Tscientific “Global Data Management and platforms. e-infrastructures” steering committee of the - GEO/GEOSS (or potentially organisations Belmont Forum were available for discussing on a smaller scale that support GEOSS). issues related to data availability and exploitation. - INSPIRE. Issues raised in the context of the design of - Existing infrastructures must be identifiable global e-infrastructure was the need to take into and made known to all involved (e.g. account the requirements of scientists involved expansion of the website risources.dfg.de). in integrative research such as planned for Future Earth. The suggestions and concepts of the Adopting an unconventional way of thinking. workshop participants can be summarised as - Using concepts and ideas from the private follows: sector without creating dependence. - Private sector needs to see a win-win Need to optimise the organisation of data situation to become an active contributor. discovery and access. - Social science data are acquired differently Need to generate trust & purpose. from environmental data – Future Earth - Using “best-practice” examples to generate research needs to explore new concepts in acceptance, guarantee targeted data order to be able to turn data and availability (linking the goals of science information into knowledge. with those of society). - Interoperability is also an organisational problem → Future Earth offers a platform Strengthening social science infrastructures and for addressing this problem. establishing national research infrastructures. << - Data must be traceable and trustworthy. - Data and information are needed for tackling big problems → Future Earth might contribute to increasing motivation. - Future Earth requires data that cover large geographical areas or have a wide temporal dimension. 12 Organisers: Prof. Dr. Birgit Blättel-Mink, Goethe University Frankfurt; Prof. Dr. Wolfram 4.2 Mauser, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich; Prof. Dr. Integrated research “lessons Armin Grunwald, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology; learned”: design of integrated Dr. Antonietta Di Giulio, University of Bern; Prof. Dr. Ralf research projects Seppelt, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ.
he main objective of the workshop was What is the stakeholders’ role in the research Tto exchange experiences on and learn process? How much does this depend on the from the daily practice of interdisciplinary and stakeholders‘ background (e.g. with regard to the transdisciplinary research projects and to exchange level of education)? experiences on how to set up integrated projects and programmes. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Blättel- The discussion of the workshop participants also Mink and based on statements from Prof. Dr. focused on the “science-society division”, including a Wolfram Mauser, Prof. Dr. Armin Grunwald, Dr. discourse on the role of science in society, the rational Antonietta Di Giulio and Prof. Dr. Ralf Seppelt, of integrated research and the question as to who workshop participants discussed their experiences. should be involved in the early development stages of One of the diverse issues raised was the involvement a research programme. Gender-sensitive language was of stakeholders. The following questions were also criticised. discussed: Ultimately, it is clear that the processes required to When does it make sense to include stakeholders ensure the quality of integrative research are very and in what cases would it be better to involve challenging. Such processes do not just occur by other groups than stakeholders? What other themselves, and will not come about if all parties do groups outside academia have to be identified not show good-will and determination. The success with regard to transdisciplinary research? of process control in an inter- or transdisciplinary - Should they be involved from the very project does not depend on the solitary talent of a beginning, only at the end, at fixed points in particularly charismatic genius. Of course, like any a project? The workshop participants discussed other research approach, creativity is required, but the pros and cons of stakeholder involvement process control is first and foremost based on sound and the involvement of other non-academic theoretical and methodological science, which can be groups at these different stages of a project. learned. Inter- and transdisciplinary processes must be part of methodical research design and the realisation How is a stakeholder defined? of processes needs to be reflected in budget planning - As collective or individual actor (e.g. corporate and resource administration. representative or concerned private consumer), as expert or non-expert (e.g. representative of The workshop participants suggested the trade union or employee of a retail company)? establishment of a mailing list in order to exchange - Are private stakeholders exclusively lead-users information on literature that has been found to (people enthusiastic about the development facilitate the design of transdisciplinary research. << of specific topics/technologies, members of highly educated populations) or also non lead- users (e.g. women; social groups with lower levels of education).
13 4.3 Early Career Scientists in Future Earth
The early career scientists network meeting Pooling of current and planned research attracted over 60 PhD students, post-docs and activities in a strategic-programmatic way. junior professors. The discussions centred mainly Integration of early career scientists in agenda on (1) possible structures, incentives and the setting and research in Future Earth (on a establishment of a German early career scientist national and international level). Future Earth network, (2) the research priorities Internationalisation: involvement of research identified at the German Future Earth Summit, activities in international networks. and (3) potential initial activities and flagship projects of the future German early career
Organisers: Prof. Dr. Antje Bruns, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Prof. Dr. Daniel Lang, Leuphana University of Lüneburg; Dr. Simon Meisch, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen; M.Sc. Moritz Remig, IASS Potsdam; Prof. Dr. Martin Wilmking, University of Greifswald.
scientist network. Finally, the participants showed The early career scientists agreed to publish an great interest in joint Future Earth projects. open letter as one of the network’s first activities. The participants also concluded that the formal The open letter will be based on the draft integration of an early career scientists network version of “Open letter to Future Earth from into the German Committee Future Earth young researchers” and will call for the greater structure would generate a number of mutual integration of young scientists in the Future Earth benefits. Expectations for such a possibility processes (see also annex C). The participants included: agreed to address the open letter to the German Committee Future Earth and German research Improved information exchange on Future funding organisations (DFG, BMBF) and to Earth (global and national activities). submit it in March. Increased knowledge about Future Earth research projects (in particular from and with Possible other future activities might involve early career scientists). the further development of the German early Possibility for scientific exchange and discourse career scientist network structure and associated on inter- and transdisciplinary topics. self-organisation processes as well as the Learning from each other: joint workshops, organisation of a workshop that focuses on the publications, research activities. further development of methods in inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability research. <<
14 4.4 Keywords collected during the World Café “Future Earth Markt der Ideen”
a) Future Earth research methods Seed money for stakeholder Interdisciplinary work and interaction Host: Prof. Dr. Anke Jentsch, involvement is needed (e.g. in budgets on planetary boundaries is key and also University of Bayreuth for transformation research). needs to involve the social sciences and Project duration in Future Earth the humanities. Natural sciences methods are not (extended). sufficient to solve the CO2 problem. Multilateral research programmes Question 2: How should natural and - Research on transformation (such as the Belmont Forum) that also social scientists cooperate to identify in the Anthropocene. include countries in the south need to opportunities for staying within - Political conflict. be developed. planetary boundaries? Participation of all scientific disciplines In education, internationalisation Many socio-ecological questions (e.g. required in order to develop responses already takes place (e. g. Erasmus). distribution of resources, globalisation, to current societal challenges. Research deficit: participation of definition of sustainability criteria). New, adapted research concepts are stakeholders in early stages in order to Relation between planetary boundaries required. inspire researchers for new research foci. and Sustainable Development Goals All three research approaches are The benefits of a platform such as needs to be clarified and balanced. needed in Future Earth: without “Zukunftswerkstatt für Wissenschaftler”. Definition and positioning of disciplinary research, there is no boundaries is a normative question. detailed knowledge; without Cultural differentiation regarding interdisciplinary knowledge, there b) Research concepts: planetary definition of boundaries. is no problem solving, without boundaries research - water, land use, - Need to develop social models transdisciplinary research, there is no ecosystems coupled with natural sciences models. problem definition. Host: PD Dr. Dieter Gerten, Potsdam Research required on “green” Different concepts of transdisciplinarity Institute for Climate Impact Research development options in order to have to be taken into account (“natural stay within boundaries (to oppose sciences and humanities” vs. Question 1: How can the planetary overexploitation of resources). “integration of society and problem- boundaries concept be improved If quantitative options (critical values) specific stakeholders”). and what are the new methods for are defined to help to stay within Regional (continental) socio-ecological exploring (water and land use) planetary boundaries, who is research is difficult and transfer to planetary boundaries? responsible for implementation and other regions is not possible. Water and land use: regional issues which jurisdiction should be adopted - A change in methodology is needed: difficult to aggregate on a global level. (on a local to global level)? depart from reproducible studies Water quality also needs to be taken Adaptation of social systems with and focus on (multi)-regional studies. into account. approaching system boundaries Large functional differences are also Question of how to compensate - Social tipping points may occur if possible on small scales. (regional) exceedance of boundaries in local/global boundaries are Are archetypes of natural sciences other regions. transgressed. transferable and/or extendable to Some weighting of regional exceedance - Need to analyse the political socio-ecological research? (according to the regions’ global implication of planetary Transdisciplinary coordination and relevance) needed to determine the boundaries. synthesis of research are needed. planetary boundary.
15 Discussion on planetary boundaries d) How can stakeholder engagement science data is still an unresolved issue as a social process. in transdisciplinary research in Future - Field study data (harvest). - How to deal with uncertainty, Earth be improved? - Gender data: case economy tradeoffs, particularly on a local level. Host: Prof. Dr. Ilan Chabay, Institute for (distribution under what Advanced Sustainability Studies conditions, basis of comparison in relation to sustainable environment). c) What are the options for involving Clear definition of goals. - Water utilisation data. social sciences and humanities in Developing goals (as part of a - Water quality data. the integrated assessment of global collaborative process). - Economic data (social science studies). sustainability problems? Pre-project funding (explorative phase). - Health data. Host: Prof. Dr. Karen Pittel, Action research (non-experts). Long-term national and international ifo Institute How to reach all relevant stakeholders data preservation is crucial for Future in a timely fashion? Earth. Problems: Explanation to the broader public as to Data quality and traceability has to be Complexity of research: recognition of why there is no alternative to including ensured. individual knowledge boundaries. all relevant stakeholders (given the How to motivate and raise (financial) Evaluation of research outputs by kind and magnitude of problems). support for data collectors? research funding and institutions. Training scientists in stakeholder (e. g. publications, money, research Prejudices caused to other disciplines; engagement. associations). lack of respect. Taking into account stakeholders’ Establishing a joint platform for Time availability – time for constraints, interests and benefits. research data is desirable. projections/visions at the beginning Ensuring stakeholder follow-up. Data on socio-political information and synthesis. Assessing opportunity costs for should be made available as geospatial Different languages, different study stakeholders. information. outlines. Who and what are the relevant Existing platforms and infrastructures Relativisation of disciplinary research stakeholders? need to be used more efficiently. results. Who is to decide what is relevant? Open access to all publically supported What criteria? How to select criteria? observation systems (DWD) should be Action: Clearly establishing the scientist’s provided. Integrated staffing policy (at role: a stakeholder in the process or an Public agencies request data exchange universities and interdisciplinary impartial (→ impossible) investigator? support (research on coastal zones). institutes). Process knowledge to be published too Short distances: multi-disciplinary → incentives also in the natural sciences. faculties. Identification of stakeholder subgroups f) UN “International Year of Extend the evaluation criteria for to develop group-specific strategies. Global Understanding” 2016: successful research. Analysis of stakeholders satisfaction interdisciplinary networking Interdisciplinary aspects in curricula. levels/motivations Host: Prof. Dr. Benno Werlen, Friedrich Demands need to be realistic. The democratic legitimacy of the Schiller University of Jena Training on interdisciplinary research stakeholder role. and team building. Danger of stakeholders “overpowering” Global transformation. Communication and information. untutored academic in Care economy. transdisciplinary dialogue. Gender – age diversity. Doing research as part of Future Earth Teleconnections. means: How can we change our behaviour? Space and time for discussions to e) How to improve data availability in Breaking out of the comfort zone and understand each other. Future Earth (global data management from “business as usual” attitudes is a Centre of excellence for and e-infrastructures)? big problem. interdisciplinary research. Hosts: PD Dr. Birgit Gemeinholzer, Justus Household – locally – globally (gender). Interdisciplinary “hubs” in disciplinary Liebig University of Giessen; Dr. Christoph Grand/greater challenges of society. research landscape (not to forget Waldmann, MARUM University Bremen Video implementation? interactions). Putting in place a coordination or Global thinking and global action demand mediation mechanism, for instance global understanding. This initiative by the by establishing a committee for International Geographical Union aims to coordinating data from different sources. bridge the awareness gap between local acts Fusing socio-economic with natural and global e!ects. It will do this through research, education and information.
16 5 The Way Forward
The first German Future Earth Summit was Building on this momentum of the scientific an enormous success. It provided a stimulating community the German Committee Future Earth environment to discuss integrated research on will continue its role as a national advisory board global sustainability. It became clear that the high on global sustainability science and will provide degree of complexity and the interdependencies of support for the German scientific community Future Earth research topics represent a significant to design, participate in and benefit from Future challenge for research institutions that tend to Earth research. The committee called upon work on the basis of disciplinary science. At the researchers, funding bodies and users to stay national level there is a need to establish enabling involved and engaged in the development of the infrastructure to foster more cooperation between Future Earth programme. << disciplines and encourage capacity building. There appears to be a need for more strategic and collaborative research, especially in the social sciences. The next steps
There was general agreement among participants The German Future Earth Summit was an that communication and appropriate important consultation step for the German interaction between the research community sustainability research community. and its stakeholders will help to advance our understanding of and bring solutions for The German Committee Future Earth will take interconnected problems. However, it was also on board all advice, ideas and criticisms from recognised that these are not fundamentally new the summit in the development of a German challenges and limited progress has been observed perspective on research priorities for Future Earth. over the past decade. In June 2014, an expert discussion will take The new and broader mandate of Future Earth was place to develop a plausible set of 8-10 Future perceived as having significant potential to enable Earth research challenges. The findings will be the scientific community to make a step-change in communicated to Future Earth international the way science is planned, executed and applied and discussed with the broader German research within the context of global sustainability. community.
There is a clear need to mobilise more expert Towards the end of 2014 the German Committee communities, to develop more efficient research Future Earth will establish a process to support methods, to have (free) access to better data sets the self-organisation of the German community to and to provide rewarding career opportunities in further develop integrated research topics, processes integrated global change and sustainability science. and structures in the context of Future Earth. Furthermore, the strong engagement of early career scientists at the summit shows that they are The second German Future Earth Summit will highly likely to become involved in all strategic be held in early 2016 with a possible focus on processes as well as the further development of enabling infrastructure and cross-cutting needs. Future Earth in Germany and globally.
17 for Climate Impact Research, PIK), Jörg Influence of rapid socio - economic ANNEX A Niewöhner (HU Berlin), Sebastian van and environmental changes in BRICS der Linden (HU Berlin) countries for future of our dynamic Overview of planet Understanding the Indian Ocean Sergey Venevsky (Center for Earth submitted System System Studies, Tsinghua University, Hermann W. Bange (GEOMAR Beijing, China) concepts Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel) Frontiers in Sustainability Research: DYNAMIC PLANET Socio-Ecological Novelty (SEN) Revealing Temporal and Spatial Anke Jentsch (Helmholtz Centre for Biosphere-Atmosphere Exchange Human Dimensions of Ecosystem Environmental Research, UFZ), Bernard Processes Developments Slippers (University of Pretoria) Silja Matthias Mauder (Karsruhe Institute of Hermann Jungkunst (University of Klepp (University of Bremen), Vicky Technology IMK-IFU) Koblenz-Landau), Felix Heitkamp Temperton (Jülich Research Centre) (Georg-August-University of Göttingen), Global change and local threats: From Lisa Schüler (University of Bayreuth), Entwicklung von automatisierten coastal and marine typologies to Tobias Rothmund (University of Monitoringstationen für Artenvielfalt governance Koblenz-Landau), Engelbert Niehaus Wolfgang Wägele, Stephanie Pietsch (Zoo- Bernhard Glaeser (German Society for (University of Koblenz-Landau), logisches Forschungsmuseum Köln, ZFMK) Human Ecology (DGH)) Bernhard Köppen (University of Koblenz-Landau), Jörg Bofinger Earth Contraction and Global Earth The Future Frozen Earth: Sustainability Understanding, Documenting, Dynamische Ökosysteme - Forschung Ibrahim M. Metwally (Zagazig University) Communicating and Anticipating in “splendid isolation” oder in Environmental Change and its Socio- ökosystemübergreifenden Ansätzen: A need for large-scale experiments to ecological Implications in the Arctic Analyse und Management globaler forecast consequences of global change and the Antarctic Umweltveränderungen durch on biodiversity, ecosystems and their Karin Lochte / Huhues Lantuit (Alfred Integration mariner, limnischer und services to society Wegener Institute) terrestrischer Forschung Mark Gessner (Leibniz Institute of Helmut Hillebrand (Carl-von- Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Land surface processes in the climate Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg), Antje IGB) system Boetius (Alfred Wegener Institute, Hans-Peter Schmid (Karlsruhe Institute Helmholtz Zentrum für Polar- und Surface ocean lower atmosphere of Technology IMK-IFU) Meeresforschung, Universität Bremen), transport processes in a dynamic planet Klement Tockner (Leibniz-Institut für Christoph Garbe (University of Urban Environment: carbon, climate, Gewässerökologie IGB) Heidelberg), Anja Engel (GEOMAR comfort Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Hans-Peter Schmid (Karlsruhe Institute Towards a re-conceptualization of Kiel), Emilie Breviere (GEOMAR of Technology IMK-IFU) planetary boundaries Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Dieter Gerten, Holger Hoff, Wolfgang Kiel) The Future Digital Earth - Lucht (Potsdam Institute for Climate Establishing Scientific Information Impact Research, PIK) Dealing with complexity: A synthesis Infrastructures for Sustainability approach to a global change hotspot Research Entangled polyrationality: The joint Elisabeth Krueger (Helmholtz Centre for Lars Bernhard (TU Dresden), Ralf Bill venture of Environmental Justice & Environmental Research, UFZ) (University of Rostock), Stephan Mäs Climate Change (German Geodetic Commission, DGK) Götz Kaufmann (FU Berlin) Space Based Solar Power – The next game-changer for Global Energy Decadal mass balance of glaciers and Future Land Development for strategic security ice caps from 2000 to 2012 based on Sustainability regional solutions for Maria C. Pou (B P & Partners) interferometric SAR satellite data global development Dana Floricioiu (Remote Sensing Gerhard Gerold (University of Göttingen), Technology Institute IMF) Patrick Hostert (HU Berlin), Hermann GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT Jungkunst (University of Koblenz- Global Land Use and Resource Landau), Rüdiger Schaldach (USF- Understanding and solving land use Scarcity University of Kassel), Regine Schönenberg conflicts across scales - Identifying Patrick Hostert (HU Berlin), Antje Bruns (FU Berlin) strategies to balance land use and (HU Berlin), Dagmar Haase (Helmholtz conservation goals using place-based Centre for Environmental Research, Transition in (tropical) coastal zones research along global gradients UFZ), Tobias Krüger (Helmholtz – The challenge of global changes to Ralf Seppelt (Helmholtz Centre Centre for Environmental Research, coastal social and ecological systems for Environmental Research, UFZ), UFZ), Tobias Kümmerle (HU Berlin), on regional and local scales Aletta Bonn (Helmholtz Centre Hermann Lotze-Campen (Potsdam Werner Ekau, Marion Glaser, Achim for Environmental Research, UFZ), Institute for Climate Impact Research, Schlüter, Hildegard Westphal (Leipniz Joern Fischer (Leuphana University of PIK), Wolfgang Lucht (Potsdam Institute Center for Tropical Marine Ecology, ZMT) Lüneburg), Tobias Kuemmerle (HU Berlin), Henrique Pereira (University 18 of Halle-Wittenberg), Christian Wirth Securing progress in crop productivity TRANSFORMATION TOWARDS (University of Leipzig), Stefan Klotz with concomitant protection of SUSTAINABILITY (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental natural resources and ecosystem Research, UFZ) services Linking human well-being to Senate Commission on Agroecosystem ecosystem services and biodiversity Green and social: Managing synergies Research, DFG, under the aegis of: Prof. changes: a social-ecological systems and trade-offs between environmental Hartmut Stützel (University of Hannover) perspective sustainability and social inclusiveness Marion Glaser (Leipniz Centre for Markus Loewe, Carmen Richerzhagen, Water-Related Planetary Boundaries Tropical Marine Ecology), Diana Katharina Stepping (German as Basis for a Dedicated Sustainable Hummel (Institute for Social-Ecological Development Institute, GDI) Development Goal (SDG) on Water Research, ISOE), Hauke Reuter (Leipniz Janos J. Bogardi, Anik Bhaduri (Global Centre for Tropical Marine Ecology), The ocean and coastal societies: Water System Project) Matthias Wolff (Leipniz Centre for Pathways towards sustainable Tropical Marine Ecology) development Towards a sustainable management Martin Quaas, Jörn Schmidt, Rüdiger of atmospheric aerosol particles Social Identity and Global Voss, Anna Kropina, Barbara Neumann to minimize risks for humans, Environmental Crises (University of Kiel) ecosystems, and economic systems Immo Fritsche und Philipp Jugert Jürgen Burkhardt (University of Bonn), (University of Leipzig) Livestock: Linkages of production, Otto Klemm (University of Münster) environment and global cycles Foresight and impact assessment – Susanne Rolinski, Jens Heinke, Isabelle An integrated policy framework for Methodological challenges of story Weindl (Potsdam Institute for Climate sustainable development and simulation approaches relevant to Impact Research) Hermann Lotze-Campen (Potsdam regional and local decision makers in a Institute for Climate Impact Research, changing world Deliberation on Sustainable PIK) Jochen Schanze, Axel Sauer, Marco Development Trajectories in South/ Neubert, Rico Vogel, Gérard Hutter East-Asia Nachhaltige geothermische Nutzung (Leipniz Martina Padmanabhan (Alfred Wegener und Speicherung in urbanen Räumen Institute of Ecological Urban and Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar Philipp Blum und Kollegen (Karlsruher Regional Development) and Marine Research) Institut für Technologie) Towards a sustainable use of ocean The Role of Green Infrastructure Potentials of improving food security resources: making the most of marine and Water Sensitive Urban Design in through closing yield gaps and land aquaculture Tackling Water Scarcity and Floods use expansion Lena Göthlich (University of Kiel) Bernd Eisenberg ,Lisa Deister (ILPÖ Ruth Delzeit, Gernot Klepper (Kiel University of Stuttgart) Institute for the World Economy), Traversing the oceans-climate change Wolfram Mauser, Florian Zabel governance divide in addressing A Four-Pronged Approach to Global (Ludwig-Maximilians University of climate change impacts on the marine Development with Open-Source Munich) environment hardware and software Anna-Maria Hubert (Institute for Jose Gama Interactions among Managed Advanced Sustainability Studies, Ecosystems, Climate, and Societies Potsdam) Benefits of the sustainable (IMECS) intensification of small-scale food Almuth Arenth (Karlsruhe Institute of Vergleichende Fallstudien zu production Technology) lokalen Transformationsprozessen Vera Tekken (University of Greifswald) mit Relevanz für Klimaschutz und Options for multifunctional Klimaanpassung Water and sustainable urban futures landscapes in Sub-Saharan Africa Torsten Grothmann, Bernd Siebenhüner and landscapes - Searching realism while aiming (Universität Oldenburg) Angela Hof (Ruhr-University of Bochum) for food security, resilience, climate mitigation and socio-economic Sustainable Multilateralism: Freshwater - Medium for Life and development International Cooperation towards Resource for Humanity (MULTI-SSA) Sustainable Global Development Klement Tockner(Leibniz Institute of Rüdiger Grote (Karlsruhe Institute of Steffen Bauer, Erik Lundsgaarde, Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Technology), Achim Maas (Institute Sebastian Paulo et al. (German IGB), Laura Tydecks (Leibniz Institute of for Advanced Sustainability Studies, Development Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Potsdam), Marcus Kaplan, Michael Institute, GDI) IGB), Daniel Hering (University of Brüntrup (German Development Duisburg-Essen) Institute, GDI) The Sustainable Water Future Programme – Towards a Scientific, Valuing Ecosystem Services Policy Relevant, and Solution Katrin Rehdanz, Christine Bertram, Oriented Global Water Research Angela Kopmann (Kiel Institute for the Program World Economy IfW) Claudia Pahl-Wostl, Charles Vörösmarty, Anik Bhaduri, Janos Bogardi (Global Water System Project)
19 Ko-Produktion von Wissenschaft und Transformation Patterns - An Deutsches Sustainable Low Carbon Politik in Future Earth Integrated Framework for Society Research Network (LCS-R-Net) Jan-Peter Voß (TU Berlin), Silke Transformation Research Stefan Lechtenböhmer, Manfred Beck (Helmholtz-Zentrum für Matthias Falke (Ruhr-University Bochum) Fischedick (Wuppertal Institute for Umweltforschung, UFZ) Clilmate, Environment and Energy) The Global Arctic - Arctic and non- The role of the new Intergovernmental Arctic Interactionsand Feedback Neue Wohlstandsmodelle als Science-Policy Platform on Loops systemische Innovationen Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Ilan Chabay, Kathrin Keil, Achim Maas Maja Göpel, Philipp Schepelmann, (IPBES) in shaping transdisciplinary (Institute for Advanced Sustainability Holger Berg, Uwe Schneidewind exchange between knowledge holders Studies IASS) (Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, and decision-makers on different Energie) levels - A research, action and learning Policy Analysis for Eco-Innovation approach Policy in promoting Sustainable The political dimension of designing Lisa Marquard, Carsten Neßhöver, Katja Electronic Industry in Germany and adapting institutions for Heubach, Christoph Görg (Helmholtz Azhan Hasan (FU Berlin) sustainable transformation Centre for Environmental Research, Carsten Mann (TU Berlin) UFZ); Katrin Vohland, Malte Timpte Improving energy efficiency policies (Museum of Natural History Berlin) in developing countries through Welche Rolle kann Citizen Science behavioural insights bei der Transformation zu einer A Global Water Ethics Charter as Anna Pegels, Aurelia Figueroa, Babette nachhaltigen Gesellschaft spielen? a Science-Policy process for global Never (German Development Institute, Kathrin Vohland (Museum sustainability GDI) für Naturkunde Berlin), Aletta Rafael Ziegler (Universität Greifswald), Bonn (Helmholtz-Zentrum für David Groenfeldt (University of New Developing internationally agreeable Umweltforschung UFZ), Reinart Mexico) assessment criteria for Climate Feldmann, Lisa Liebenau (Helmholtz Engineering Gemeinschaft Deutschland), Matthias Adapting forests to future climates: Gernot Klepper (Kiel Institute for the Premke-Kraus (Leipniz-Gemeinschaft), Bridging the gap of climate change World Economy), Andreas Oschlies Josef Settele (Helmholtz-Zentrum für research and implementation (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Umweltforschung, UFZ), Johannes Lars Opgenoorth, Katrin Heer, Research Kiel) Vogel (Museum für Naturkunde Berlin), Birgit Ziegenhagen, Sascha Liepelt Karoline Weißhuhn (Helmholtz-Zentrum (University of Marburg), Alwin Transformations to low carbon für Umweltforschung, UFZ) Janssen (Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche societies: How resilient and sus- Versuchsanstalt) tainable can these transformations be? Can we use our experience from 1989 Claudia R. Binder, Rolf Hennicke, to meet future challenges? New Sustainability Pathways in Ocean Wolfram Mauser, Michael Meyen, Susan Scharwiess Governance Markus Vogt (Ludwig-Maximilians Katherine Houghton, Sebastian Unger University of München), Andreas Urbane Reallabore (Institute for Advanced Sustainability Rathgeber (University of Augsburg) Uwe Schneidewind, Manfred Studies, Potsdam) Fischedick, Lechtenböhmer, Ralf Schüle, Zukünfte im Anthropozän Daniel Vallentin, Johannes Venjakob Ethics in the Research for Sustainable gestalten, aber wie? – Entwicklung (Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Development neuer integrativer Bildungs-und Energie) Daniel Lang (Leuphana Simon Meisch, Thomas Potthast Kommunikationskonzepte als Universität Lüneburg) (University of Tübingen) Voraussetzung für eine große Transformation zur Nachhaltigkeit What are the implications of Regional solution for solving land use Reinhold Leinfelder (FU Berlin) global environmental change for conflicts conservation of species and landscapes Senate Commission on Agroecosystem Potenziale für Transformation und including the possibilities for Research, DFG, under the aegis of: Prof. Governance restoration, reversal of degradation Ralf Seppelt (Helmholtz Centre for Edgar Göll (Institut für Zukunftsstudien and relocation? Environmental Research, UFZ) und Technologiebewertung, IZT) Birgit Gemeinholzer (University of Gießen) The Role of the State in the Fossil-fuel subsidies: measuring Transformation towards Sustainability impacts and governing reform Transkulturelle Postmaterielle Ines Dombrowsky, Jörg Faust, Katharina Georgeta Vidican, Nannette Lindenberg Didaktik der Transformation für Stepping, Sebastian Ziaja (German (German Development Institute, GDI) Paradigmen Wechseln Training in Development Institute, GDI) einer nachhaltigen Futurologie der Nachfrage und Angebot nachhaltiger Zukunft – Postmaterialism Didactics Global system science: Collective Lebensmittel mit globaler Perspektive for Multicultural Knowledge Holders action in complex and trans- Jing Dai, Claudia Schwirplies, Andreas and Stakeholders jurisdictional systems Ziegler (Universität Kassel) Dirkmarkus Lichtenberger Jochen Hinkel (Global Climate Forum (Freestyleuniversity for sustainable art Impact Assessment for Sustainable e.V.) Carlo C. Jaeger (Potsdam Institute science and technology) for Climate Impact Research) Development – A Vision for the Future Klaus Jacob, Sabine Weiland (Environ- mental Policy Research Centre, FU Berlin) 20 Organisers: Ilan Chabay (Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies); Marion Glaser (Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology); Karen Pittel (ifo Institute); Jochen Hinkel (Global Climate Forum e.V.); Torsten Grothmann (Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg).
ANNEX B Workshop documentation Transformation Towards Sustainability
Introduction At the German Future Earth Summit topic 1 was In order to allow productive discussions with the discussed in workshop group 1, topic 2 – due to 95 workshop participants, who handed in 35 the large number of participants – was addressed submissions to the transformation research theme, in two workshop groups, workshop groups 2 and we clustered the submissions in three general 3. Topic 3 was discussed in workshop groups 4 and research topics that were discussed in different 5. Splitting-up the participants in these workshop workshop groups: groups may have influenced the identified research topics. For example, the separation of 1. The role of individuals in transformation: social participants interested in the role of individuals and psychological studies of human interde- in transformation from participants interested pendence with ecosystems and of influencing in the role of collective action and institutions human behaviour in transformation may have led to the neglect of 2. The role of collective action and institutions in research questions that relate to both, the role of transformation: political, economic, institutional individuals and to institutions. studies of governance at multiple scales/levels. Every workshop group got the following task: 3. How to do transformation research? Please identify one main research question in your (a) How to design scenarios, models and narratives, workshop group that fulfils the following criteria: (b) How to design solution oriented empirical research: action research, participation, 1. Research question is “underresearched”; science-policy interaction, case studies, 2. Strengths in the German research community monitoring and evaluation. to answer the research question; 3. Research question has transformative potential, 9 submissions related to topic 1, 23 submissions i.e. relates to solutions. to topic 2 and 23 submissions to topic 3 (several submissions related to different topics; for a full overview of the categorization of the submissions see table).
21 ID Title The role of The role of How to do Author(s) individuals collective transforma- action and tion research? institutions Linking human well-being to ecosystem services Marion Glaser, Diana TS200 and biodiversity changes: a social-ecological systems X X Hummel, Hauke Reuter, perspective Matthias Wolff TS201 Social Identity and Global Environmental Crises X Immo Fritsche, Philipp Jugert Foresight and impact assessment – Methodologi- Jochen Schanze, Axel Sauer, cal challenges of story and simulation approaches TS202 a + b Marco Neubert, Rico Vogel, relevant to regional and local decision makers in a Gerard Hutter changing world Towards a sustainable use of ocean resources: TS203 X Lena Göthlich making the most of marine aquaculture Traversing the oceans-climate change governance TS204 divide in addressing climate change impacts on X b Anna-Maria Hubert the marine environment Vergleichende Fallstudien zu lokalen Transforma- Torsten Grothmann & Bernd TS205 tionsprozessen mit Relevanz für Klimaschutz und b Siebenhüner Klimaanpassung Sustainable Multilateralism: International Steffen Bauer, Erik TS206 Cooperation towards Sustainable Global X Lundsgaarde, Sebastian Paulo Development et al. Claudia Pahl-Wostl, Charles Ko-Produktion von Wissenschaft und Politik in TS207 X a + b Vörösmarty, Anik Bhaduri, Future Earth Janos Bogardi Ko-Produktion von Wissenschaft und Politik in TS208 X b Jan-Peter Voß, Silke Beck Future Earth The role of the new Intergovernmental Science- Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Lisa Marquard, Carsten Services (IPBES) in shaping transdisciplinary Neßhöver, Katja Heubach, TS209 X b exchange between knowledge holders and Christoph Görg ; Katrin decision-makers on different levels - A research, Vohland & Malte Timpte action and learning approach A Global Water Ethics Charter as a Science-Policy Rafael Ziegle; David TS210 X a + b process for global sustainability Groenfeldt L. Opgenoorth, K. Heer, B. Adapting forests to future climates: Bridging the TS211 X Ziegenhagen, S. Liepelt, A. gap of climate change research and implementation Janssen Katherine Houghton, TS212 New Sustainability Pathways in Ocean Governance X (b) Sebastian Unger Meisch Simon, Potthast TS213 Ethics in the Research for Sustainable Development a Thomas TS214 Regional solution for solving land use conflicts X a Ralf Seppelt Ines Dombrowsky, Jörg Faust, The Role of the State in the Transformation towards TS215 X Katharina Stepping, Sebastian Sustainability Ziaja Global system science: Collective action in complex Jochen Hinkel und Carlo C. TS216 X a and trans-jurisdictional systems Jaeger Transformation Patterns - An Integrated Framework TS217 a + b Matthias Falke for Transformation Research The Global Arctic - Arctic and non-Arctic Ilan Chabay,Kathrin Keil, TS218 X Interactions and Feedback Loops Achim Maas
a: scenarios, models and narratives b: how to design solution-oriented empirical research: action research, participation, and science-policy interaction, case studies, monitoring and evaluation studies
22 ID Title The role of The role of How to do Author(s) individuals collective transforma- action and tion research? institutions Policy Analysis for Eco-Innovation Policy in promo- TS219 X Azhan Hasan ting Sustainable Electronic Industry in Germany Improving energy efficiency policies in developing Anna Pegels, Aurelia TS220 X X countries through behavioural insights Figueroa,Babette Never Developing internationally agreeable assessment Gernot Klepper, Andreas TS221 X b criteria for Climate Engineering Oschlies Claudia R. Binder, Rolf Transformations to low carbon societies: how resili- Hennicke, Wolfram Mauser, TS222 a + b ent and sustainable can these transformations be? Michael Meyen, Andreas Rathgeber, Markus Vogt Zukünfte im Anthropozän gestalten, aber wie? – Entwicklung neuer integrativer Bildungs-und TS223 (X) X b Reinhold Leinfelder Kommunikationskonzepte als Voraussetzung für eine große Transformation zur Nachhaltigkeit Fossil-fuel subsidies: measuring impacts and TS224 X Edgar Göll governing reform Fossil-fuel subsidies: measuring impacts and Georgeta Vidican, Nannette TS225 X governing reform Lindenberg Nachfrage und Angebot nachhaltiger Lebensmittel Jing Dai, Claudia Schwirplies, TS226 X X mit globaler Perspektive Andreas Ziegler Impact Assessment for Sustainable Development - TS227 b Klaus Jacob, Sabine Weiland A Vision for the Future Deutsches Sustainable Low Carbon Society Stefan Lechtenböhmer, TS228 b Research Network (LCS-R-Net) Manfred Fischedick Maja Göpel, Philipp Neue Wohlstandsmodelle als systemische TS229 X a Schepelmann, Holger Berg, Innovationen Uwe Schneidewind Welche Rolle kann Citizen Science bei der Transfor- TS230 X (a) Carsten Mann mation zu einer nachhaltigen Gesellschaft spielen? Vohland, K.; Bonn, A.; Welche Rolle kann Citizen Science bei der Transfor- Feldmann, R.; Liebenau, L.; TS231 X b mation zu einer nachhaltigen Gesellschaft spielen? Premke-Kraus, M.; Settele, J.; Vogel, J.; Weißhuhn, K. Can we use our experience from 1989 to meet TS232 X Susan Scharwiess future challenges? U. Schneidewind, M. Fischedick, Lechtenböhmer, TS233 Urbane Reallabore a + b R. Schüle, D. Vallentin, J. Venjakob, D. Lang What are the implications of global environmental change for conservation of species and landscapes TS234 X Birgit Gemeinholzer including the possibilities for restoration, reversal of degradation and relocation? Transkulturelle Postmaterielle Didaktik der Trans- formation für Paradigmen Wechseln Training in TS235 einer nachhaltigen Futurologie der Zukunft – Post- X b Dirkmarkus Lichtenberger materialism Didactics for Multicultural Knowledge Holders and Stakeholders
23 The role of individuals The role of collective action and Results: Identified research question in transformation institutions in transformation in workshop groups 2 and 3 Although the role of collective action Discussion in workshop group 1 Discussion in workshop group 2 and institutions in transformation was Overall, the discussion had two threads. The participants thought it sensible to discussed in two different workshop One was the incentives and motivation discuss the role of collective action and groups it was possible to identify one for individuals to undertake to change institutions without reference to specific main research question that both themselves in support of sustainability ecosystems, as fundamental principles workshop groups could agree upon: and the other was the relationship and problems of transformation were between individual change processes perceived to be of a general nature. In Under which key conditions and collective societal transformation. the discussion, the following suggestions (knowledge, mechanisms,…) do In the former, the group discussed the for important research topics/foci were individual and collective governance importance of bottom up processes that derived: solution-oriented analysis actors, processes and structures drive acknowledge the needs of individuals to of governance that integrates across transformative change (tipping points, have not only knowledge and sense of different issues, actors and layers; solutions,…) efficiently, effectively personal capacity to act, but also clearer comparative and systematic analysis of and legitimately towards the resolution understanding of how daily activities historical transformation processes and of collective action problems/conflicts connect with social goals, between long- identification of conditions for efficient, in the area of sustainable development? term and short-term impacts. The use of effective and legitimate transformation “nudges” to motivate individual changes processes (beyond selective case toward a culture of action toward studies); research on tipping-points and How to do transformation sustainability was suggested, along with dynamics of regime shifts; resolution research? using challenges, which can activate and productive use of conflicts in personal resources, rather than threats, transformation processes; the importance Discussion in workshop group 4 which can decrease sense of capacity of knowledge for transformation. Workshop group 4 discussed both or agency. To address the German Regarding the methods of this research, aspects of the methodological topic context, the suggestion was made that especially (field) experiments and “How to design transformation the unification of Germany provides an “Reallabore” were suggested as promising research?”: important set of case studies of change and innovative. (a) How to design scenarios, models that could be analysed in the context of and narratives, individual to collective transformation. Discussion in workshop group 3 (b) How to design solution oriented The group saw specific problems relating empirical research: action Results: Identified research questions to oceans and freshwater systems research, participation, science- in workshop group 1 and their hitherto underexplored policy interaction, case studies, Due to time limits it was not possible interlinkages. Complex new problems monitoring and evaluation. for this workshop group to reach a connect the coastal zone, the continental consensus regarding one prioritised margin and the high seas. Research During the discussion of this workshop research question. Instead, three research questions arising from this were seen group several aspects were addressed. questions were identified as important to be: Are current governance systems It was recommended to use a multi- relating to the topic of the role of at various levels and for various method strategy in transformation individuals in transformation: stakeholders, aligned with global changes research including scenarios, modeling, How and when does the self- in the ocean and freshwater realms? How narratives, real world laboratories and interested individual turn into may ocean and freshwater governance integrative didactics. Furthermore, a a collective actor? How relevant be transformed in interaction with focus of transformation research on are social identity, (new/local) such environmental changes? What are cities, energy, mobility, agriculture and social norms, and collective the elements of a hypothetical ideal didactics was seen as useful. Regarding efficacy in thisespect? r governance? the second criterion for identifying a Which role do local contexts It was observed that a more main research question – strengths in play in promoting or hindering comprehensive identification of the German research community to decisions for sustainable actions? stakeholders was required to clarify answer the research question – it was What are positive incentives the potentials for inclusively designed stressed that particularly important (e.g. positive narratives) of innovative solutions and collective research traditions exist in sociology and sustainable actions and how action. philosophy. can these be further enhanced or new ones catalyzed?
24 Also, the high number of past projects process, the lack of understanding By “useful reference frameworks” the on topics related to sustainability was between different scientific disciplines participants of the workshop group stressed. But now there would be the and lack of understanding between mainly referred to methodological need for analysing the results of these scientists and stakeholders, conflicts process criteria, e.g. how to do projects for practical consequences in the interdisciplinary and stakeholder involvement in a and to formulate quality standards for transdisciplinary process, the necessary scientifically sound manner. “Useful transformation research. differentiation between co-design of reference frameworks” were not research questions and co-design of meant as outcome criteria, e.g. how Results: Identified research questions solutions, potentially useful mono-, many stakeholders were involved. in workshop group 4 multi- and interdisciplinary phases in It was stressed that the aim should Unfortunately, due to time constraints it transdisciplinary research processes. not be to develop only one list of was not possible in this workshop group Also some ideas for doing transformation methodological quality standards for to reach a consensus on one research research were mentioned, like creating all types of trans- and interdisciplinary, question only. Several questions were networks of urban “real laboratories” solution-oriented transformation identified as important: (German: Reallabore) that could be research. Instead, a number of different analysed comparatively to generate reference frameworks for different Who is the subject to whom we some generalizable and transferable types of transformation research were address our research? knowledge. Some participants recommended. Who wants to learn and how, also recommended principles for who wants to know? doing transdisciplinary research like Since it was seen as useful to Which variety of methods and transparency of the research process and quickly reach an agreement on such different ways of didactics and (self-)reflexivity of the researchers. methodological reference frameworks communication is needed for for transformation research it was different types of stakeholders? Results: Identified research question recommended to answer this research How to deal creatively with conflicts in workshop group 5 question within a Fast Track Initiative in between groups of interests and groups The discussion of the workshop Future Earth. of society? group showed that there is a lack of How to work out a real vision? Could agreement on how to do trans- and the development of visions be an interdisciplinary, solution-oriented effective answer to avoid or solve transformation research. Hence, the conflicts? participants of the workshop group agreed on the following methodological Discussion in workshop group 5 research question that is very similar Workshop group 5 discussed only the to the recommendation developed in second aspect of the methodological workshop group 4 to formulate quality topic “How to design transformation standards for transformation research: research?”: What could be useful reference How to design solution oriented frameworks for doing and assessing empirical research: action research, trans- and interdisciplinary, solution- participation, science-policy oriented transformation research? interaction, case studies, monitoring and evaluation. To answer this question the following “sub-questions” were developed: Several aspects and problems of doing What are lessons learnt regarding solution oriented, interdisciplinary useful reference frameworks from and transdisciplinary research were previous and ongoing trans- and discussed: problems of internal interdisciplinary, solution-oriented validity, problems of external validity / research projects? transferability / generalizability, analysis How can existing methodological and selection of stakeholders, criteria standards from different disciplines be for stakeholder involvement, lack of integrated for trans- and resources for stakeholder involvement, interdisciplinary, solution-oriented the possibility of reproducing power research? structures by involving mainly / only powerful stakeholders in the research
25 ANNEX C Open letters
A Future Earth for Future Generations? Open letter to DKN Future Earth from early career scientists in Germany
Att: Deutsches Komitee für Nachhaltigkeitsforschung in Future Earth DKN
The below signatory early career scientists are excited to see that the first 10 years of the Future Earth (FE) initiative has been launched. We are very pleased to see a long-term integrative research effort to address global environmental change and the sustainability of human society. We strive to parallel an international effort of young scientists1 to the international FE science steering committee with this open letter to our, national DKN Future Earth.
In particular we welcome the goal of FE to:
“…engage a new generation of diverse researchers from all regions.”2
To succeed in this important mission we feel there are a number of clarifications that should be made regarding the goals of involving young scientists and how their involvement will be initiated and sustained. We acknowledge that Future Earth is probably the most visionary outline for how global sustainability science can be conducted at a national and global level. It is therefore all the more important that this grand vision is supported by clear steps for the engagement of a new, diverse generation of scientists. In the spirit of Future Earth’s transdisciplinary approach we believe the work to develop these next steps should be carried out through collaboration between the national and global FE science community and early career scientists.
We suggest eight concrete steps that can help promote the overall goal of initiating and sustaining the involvement of early career scientists in FE:
1) Integrate early career scientists into the DKN Future Earth as full members as soon as possible (e.g. a representation of the FE early career scientist network), and encourage the integration at the global, continental and other national levels
2) In parallel to 1), initiate a broader dialogue between German early career scientist organizations and the DKN Future Earth
3) Allocate core FE funding for the involvement of early career scientists in Germany and abroad
4) Encourage the DKN Future Earth to work for explicit funding mechanism for early career scientists to do innovative, interdisciplinary and cutting-edge work within the framework of FE
5) Make it an explicit goal to have early career scientist represented at all DKN Future Earth events
6) Recruit a team of skilled early career Future Earth science ambassadors to communicate Future Earth to the broader community
26 7) Initiate broad outreach to the youngest spectra of science students via highly publicized debates where scientists address sustainability issues in an open and constructive dialog.
8) Make use of online communication platforms to reach the nationally and globally distributed community of researchers and to reach all of the above stated goals
Because Future Earth is a ten year initiative, engagement of early career scientists from the start carries the greatest potential to produce longer-term academic impact and returns on investment. Future Earth has the opportunity to put global change and sustainability science higher on the agenda of younger generations, and promote the growth of a truly transdisciplinary approach among young scientists to tackle these critical issues, but it requires that the overall goal to engage early career scientists is followed up with action from the onset. Thus, the DKN Future Earth can set a “best practice” example for other national and international levels of Future Earth of how to involve the next generation of FE scientists in this truly inspiring scientific adventure.
Sincerely yours,
List of signatories
Antje Bruns (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin) Simon Burandt (Leuphana Universität Lüneburg) Sonja Deppisch (HafenCity Universität Hamburg) Daniel Lang (Leuphana Universität Lüneburg) Simon Meisch (Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen) Moritz Remig (Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, IASS Potsdam) Martin Wilmking (Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität Greifswald)
Jürgen Kreyling (Universität Bayreuth) Antje Brock (Universität Bielefeld) Johannes Lundershausen (Universität Tübingen) Christine Moser (Leuphana Universität Lüneburg) Tuck Fatt Siew (Goethe Universität Frankfurt) Andrzej Ancygier (Hertie School of Governance) Nils Droste (Helmholtz Zentrum für Umweltforschung - UFZ) Robert Arlinghaus (Leibniz-Institut für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei) Christopher Reyer (Potsdam Institut für Klimafolgenforschung) Torsten Albrecht (Potsdam Institut für Klimafolgenforschung) Carl-Friedrich Schleußner (Potsdam Institut für Klimafolgenforschung) Kira Rehfeld (Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar und Meeresforschung, Potsdam) Katharina Marquardt (Universität Bayreuth) Kevin Fleming (GeoForschungsZentrum – Potsdam) Bernhard Schauberger (Potsdam Institut für Klimafolgenforschung) Adrian Strauch (Universität Bonn) Dominik Reusser (Potsdam Institut für Klimafolgenforschung) Josefine Lenz (Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar und Meeresforschung, Potsdam) Fanny Frick (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)
27 A Future Earth for Future Generations? Open letter to DKN Future Earth from early career scientists in Germany
Sebastian van der Linden (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin) Tobias Kümmerle (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin) Luise Marie Maier (Universität Trier) Jonathan F. Donges (Potsdam Institut für Klimafolgenforschung und Stockholm Resilience Centre) Denis Kupsch (Georg-August Universität Göttingen) Michael Fritz (Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar und Meeresforschung, Potsdam) Matthias Mauder ( Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) Jonas Ostergaard Nielsen (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin) Sophie Binder (Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH – UFZ) Mandy Singer-Brodowski (Leuphana Universität Lüneburg) Andrea Höing (Universität Passau) Michael Dietze (Geoforschungszentrum GFZ) Holger Janßen (Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde) Martina Padmanabhan (Universität Passau) Felix Heitkamp (Georg August-University Göttingen) Erik Sperfeld (The University of Sydney) Gert Pönitzsch (Institut für Weltwirtschaft, Kiel) Stefan Wirtz (Universität Trier) Jörg Niewöhner (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin) Peter Weißhuhn (Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e. V) Torsten Sachs (Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ) Katja Heubach (Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH – UFZ) Rebecca Stecker (Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg) Gabriela Michalek (Europa-Universität Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder)) Dirkmarkus Lichtenberger (Freestyleuniversity for Sustainable Art Science Technology) Siri Silke Lichtenberger (Freestyleuniversity for Sustainable Art Science Technology) Katrin Heer (Philipps-Universität Marburg) Sebastian Zubrzycki (Universität Hamburg) Rafael Ziegler (Universität Greifswald) Chris Kollas (Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e. V) Karoline Augenstein (Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie GmbH) Alexandra Palzkill (Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie GmbH) Diego Murguia (Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie GmbH)
1 Open Letter: A Future Earth for Future Generations? Letter to Future Earth from young researcher organizations.http://www.sverigesungaakademi.se/download/18.765ed0b614373537481af9/1389888152792/FutureE arth+Young+ScientistsPetition_onlysignatories_115.pdf
2 Reference: Future Earth: Research for global sustainability. A framework document by the Future Earth Transition Team. http://www.icsu.org/future-earth/media-centre/relevant_publications/future-earth-framework-document
28 Offener Nachhaltigkeitsforschung in Future Earth Brief an das Deutsche Komitee für Im Nachgang zum jüngst begangenen German Future Earth Summit Ende Januar 2014 in Berlin möchten wir, eine Gruppe von Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmern des Summit, einige Ideen und Reflexionen zur weiteren Entwicklung und Gestaltung von Future Earth einbringen, die aus den anregenden Diskussionen in Berlin entstanden sind.
Ausgehend von der programmatischen Zielsetzung von Future Earth, deren Umsetzung eine inhaltliche und infrastrukturelle Förderung und Stärkung der inter- und transdisziplinären Forschung in Deutschland erfordert, haben wir nachfolgend einige diesbezügliche Ideen skizziert.
Dies betrifft einerseits die Schaffung von neuen und die Weiterentwicklung von bestehenden Förderinstrumenten sowie die Anpassung der bestehenden Förderungs- und Evaluationskriterien an die Bedingungen der inter- und transdisziplinären Forschung.
Andererseits macht es die systematische Qualifizierung des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses hinsichtlich der spezifischen, integrativen Forschungsansätze und -methoden zur Bearbeitung der Themen von Future Earth unerlässlich.
Darüber hinaus ist es elementar, den wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchs als essentielle Säule der Forschung auch an diesbezüglichen Gestaltungs- und Entscheidungsprozessen adäquat teilhaben zu lassen. Für das DKN Future Earth heißt das, die Repräsentanz des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses in seinen Gremien sowie Veranstaltungen sicherzustellen.
1. Weiterentwicklung der Forschungsförderung für inter- und transdisziplinäre Forschung • Einrichtung einer ergänzenden Förderlinie für inter- und transdisziplinäre Forschung seitens der großen Forschungsförderer (DFG, BMBF etc.) zur Förderung von o Inter- und transdisziplinären Projekten, z.B. zur Transformationsforschung, Zukunftsforschung, … o Wissenschafts-/Prozess-/Begleit- und Umsetzungsforschung zur inter- und transdisziplinären Forschung • Einrichtung eines die Förderlinie begleitenden Fachkollegiats zur Inter- und transdisziplinären Forschung bei der DFG
2. Anpassung des bestehenden Kriterien- und Bewertungskatalogs für Forschungsleistungen an die spezifischen Bedingungen und Produkte/Ergebnisse inter- und transdisziplinärer Forschung durch die Forschungsförderer (im Sinne der Anreizsetzung) • Entwicklung angepasster Qualitätsstandards und Evaluationskriterien für inter- und transdisziplinäre Forschung Anreize für/Aufwertung von Aktivitäten z.B. im Bereich Kommunikation, Outreach, Capacity Building und Lehrforschung als komplementäre Leistungen zu gängigen Produkten (Publikationen)
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29 • Beteiligung der im Bereich inter- und transdisziplinärer Forschung Tätigen an der Weiterentwicklung von Qualitätsstandards und Evaluationskriterien
3. Systematische Qualifizierung und adäquate Beteiligung des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses am Future Earth-Prozess • Integration des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses in das DKN Future Earth durch Repräsentanz als vollständiges Mitglied • Repräsentanz des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses bei allen Future Earth-Veranstaltungen • Unterstützung der Einrichtung eines Arbeitskreises des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses, der sowohl in die Future Earth-Prozesse als auch die weitere Öffentlichkeit hinein agiert und somit Bewusstsein und Verständnis inter- und transdisziplinärer Forschung fördert • Zuweisung eines Budgets zur Unterstützung der Aktivitäten von Nachwuchswissenschaftler/innen im Future Earth-Prozess, z.B. für Symposien, thematische Workshops, konstituierende Sitzungen
4. Einrichtung von Arbeitsgruppen in Future Earth zu essentiellen Themen der Plattform sowie der inter- und transdisziplinären Forschung
(1) AG Implementierungsforschung Als ein wichtiges Ergebnis der Diskussionen während der Tagung des ersten DKN Future Earth Ende Januar 2014 kristallisierte sich die Notwendigkeit der Erforschung von Strategien und Prozessen der Umsetzung von Forschungsprojekten heraus. Die Arbeitsgruppe wird sich dem Thema Implementierungsforschung im Rahmen von inter- und transdisziplinären Forschungsprojekten widmen. Darüber hinaus sollte sich aus Perspektive der Wissenschaftsforschung mit dem Prozess der inter- und transdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit auseinandergesetzt werden.
Initiator/innen/Ansprechpartner/innen:
Prof. Dr. Birgit Blättel-Mink, Biodiversität und Klima Forschungszentrum (BiK-F) / Gothe- Universität Frankfurt am Main, [email protected]
(2) AG Konzepte und Ansätze sowie Qualitätsstandards und Bewertungskriterien der inter- und transdisziplinären Forschung Die Vielzahl der Ansätze und Konzepte in der inter- und transdisziplinären Forschung nimmt stetig zu. Lohnend ist zu diskutieren, wie sich die Konzepte aufeinander beziehen und welche innovativen Potentiale neu eingeführte Konzepte haben. Eine Übersicht in diese Konzeptvielfalt zu bringen, jenseits aller Konkurrenz, ist Anliegen der Arbeitsgruppe Inter- und transdisziplinäre Konzepte und Ansätze.
Aufgegriffen wird des Weiteren die Weiterentwicklung von Qualitätsstandards und Evaluationskriterien für inter- und transdisziplinäre Forschungsprojekte.
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30 Initiator/innen/Ansprechpartner/innen:
Dr. Thomas Jahn, Dr. Alexandra Lux, Institut für Sozial-Ökologische Forschung (ISOE) / Biodiversität und Klima Forschungszentrum (BiK-F), [email protected], [email protected]
(3) AG Inter- und Transdisziplinarität in der Lehre Die systematische Qualifizierung des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses hinsichtlich der spezifischen Anforderungen an inter- und transdisziplinäre Forschung ist elementarer Baustein für eine Forschung im Rahmen von Future Earth. Die AG diskutiert mögliche Formate, darunter beispielsweise die (Weiter-)Entwicklung spezifischer Master-Studiengänge bzw. Module und deren gezielte Förderung.
Initiator/innen/Ansprechpartner/innen:
Prof. Dr. Birgit Blättel-Mink, Gothe-Universität Frankfurt am Main/ Biodiversität und Klima Forschungszentrum (BiK-F), [email protected]
PD Dr. Diana Hummel, Institut für Sozial-Ökologische Forschung (ISOE), [email protected]
(4) AG Stakeholder Engagement & Capacity Building im Future Earth-Prozess Die strategische Ausrichtung von Future Earth als ein inter- und transdisziplinäres Forschungsprogramm impliziert die aktive Beteiligung einer großen Bandbreite verschiedener Akteure in den verschiedenen Themenfeldern, darunter zivilgesellschaftliche Organisationen, die wissenschaftliche Bürgerbeteiligung (Citizen Science) oder Akteure aus kreativen und künstlerischen Feldern. Die Arbeitsgruppe Stakeholder Engagement und Capacity Building will das Future Earth Komitee bei ihren diesbezüglichen Aktivitäten durch das Erproben und Evaluieren verschiedener Beteiligungsformate an Future Earth unterstützen.
Initiator/innen/Ansprechpartner/innen:
Dr. Katja Heubach, Malte Timpte, Dr. Carsten Neßhöver, Dr. Katrin Vohland, Netzwerk-Forum zur Biodiversitätsforschung Deutschland (NeFo), [email protected]
(5) AG Umgang mit Normativität Future Earth ist ein explizit auch evaluatives und normatives Forschungsprogramm. Daher ist es wesentlich, im Rahmen einer sich programmatisch als objektiv und wertfrei verstehenden Wissenschaft akademisch und partizipativ zu diskutieren, wie mit Normativität umgegangen werden kann.
Initiator/innen/Ansprechpartner/innen:
Prof. Dr. Thomas Potthast, Internationales Zentrum für Ethik in den Wissenschaften (IZEW), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, [email protected]
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31 German Committee Future Earth DKN Future Earth Secretariat Heilbronner Str. 150 70191 Stuttgart, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 711 4900 4240 Email: [email protected] www.dkn-future-earth.org
www.futureearth.info www.futureearth.info/blog facebook.com/futureearth.info @FutureEarth