The BMWK is responsible for German economic and climate policy, which are mutually dependent: Climate protection can only succeed on the basis of a strong but sustainable economy. At the same time, there can be no economic success in a world that is suffering from the climate crisis. That is why the transformation to a socio-ecological market economy is at the forefront. Promoting the energy transition, decoupling GDP and CO2 emissions and strengthening industry and SMEs are key factors.

The BMZ devises the main concepts of Germany’s development policy. The core pillars are bilateral cooperation and international partnerships. Economic development in partner countries is encouraged through promoting private sector investment as well as providing loans, grants, or trainings. The BMZ supports multilateral and European cooperation such as the World Bank, regional development banks, UN programs, and the European Development Fund.

As the name suggests, the BMUV is responsible for a wide range of policy areas: environment, nature conservation, nuclear safety and consumer protection. For more than 30 years, the Ministry has been working to protect citizens from environmental toxins and radiation, to promote the wise and efficient use of raw materials, to advance climate action and to ensure that natural resources are used in a way that protects the diversity of animal and plant species and preserves their habitats. The topic of climate protection will remain a central component in the BMUV even after the climate action department was moved to the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) in 2021, with a focus on natural climate protection, climate adaptation and resource policy.

The Federal Foreign Office represents Germany's interests in the world, promotes international exchange and offers protection and assistance to Germans abroad. With its headquarters in Berlin and its network of around 230 missions abroad, the Federal Foreign Office fosters Germany's relations with other countries and with intergovernmental and supranational organizations. It maintains an intensive exchange with the world on the economy, culture, science and technology, the environment, development issues and many other topics. Foreign climate policy is a key area of work for the Federal Foreign Office, which is essentially made up of three pillars: supporting international climate policy, addressing the security policy consequences of climate change and engaging in climate protection dialog with other countries.

The German Meteorological Service (DWD) provides a wide range of climate services to support all areas of society in making the best possible use of existing and future climatic conditions. In particular, the potentials and risks of climate change are presented. 

UBA (Environmental Protection Agency)

Germany's central environmental authority is responsible for ensuring that there is a healthy environment in Germany in which people can live as far as possible protected from harmful environmental impacts, such as pollutants in the air or water. The UBA covers a wide range of topics, from waste prevention and climate protection to the approval of pesticides. Research, policy advice, public relations work and the implementation and monitoring of environmental legislation are important areas of work.

The Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung e.V. (B.KWK) is a broad social alliance of companies, institutions and individuals for the promotion of combined heat and power generation. The association was founded in Berlin in 2001 and now has around 560 members. The aim is to increase the efficiency of energy conversion in order to conserve resources and reduce emissions that are harmful to the environment and climate. (website only available in German)

VDMA represents more than 3200 mostly SMEs (divided into 37 trade associations). Membership covers the entire process chain – including associated tools and components, of process, production, manufacturing, drive-train and automation engineering, office and information technology, software, and product-related services, i.e. from components to plants, from system suppliers and Integrators through to service providers.

German RETech Partnership e.V.

German RETech Partnership e.V. is a neutral organization for companies and institutions interested in exporting circular economy technologies, transferring knowledge and contributing to sustainable waste management worldwide.

The German Biogas Association unites operators, manufacturers and planners of biogas plants, representatives from science and research and all those interested in the industry. Since its establishment in 1992, it has become Europe’s most influential and independent organization in the field of biogas, with its currently 4,900 members. It campaigns for the increased use of biogas through political lobbying at EU, national and state level. 

German Water Partnership (GWP) concentrates the know-how of approximately 350 organizations and research institutions for water-related associations and is the central contact office for foreign partners and clients. GWP has been supported by the Ministry for Environment (BMUB), Research (BMBF), Development (BMZ), Economic Affairs (BMWi), and the Federal Foreign Office (AA) since its foundation in 2008.

CReED e.V. - Center for Research, Education and Demonstration in Waste Management

The consumption of raw materials and energy as well as the associated environmental pollution has increased dramatically over the last 20 years. These developments require ambitious efforts of all stakeholders of the circular economy and strict implementation of holistic solutions. Tackling these demands and requirements, CReED provides knowledge, know how and vast experience with recycling and climate protection techniques already in use at its demonstration center, capacity building and qualification classes.

The VDI is a non-profit association of German engineers and scientists. Its aim is to promote technical science and research as well as technical education. Under the initiative “1.5 degrees - INNOVATIONS.ENERGY.CLIMATE. - Together for the climate goal” initiative, climate-related topics are addressed.

The International Geothermal Office (IGO ) has the aim to encourage the scientific and the technological innovative ability as well as the promotion of the competitive position of German companies. The promotion of scientific institutions working in the sectors of shallow and deep geothermal energy are of course  as well of high importance concerning the work within the IGO. (website only available in German)

The Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ was founded in 1991 under the name UFZ- Environmental Research Centre Leipzig-Halle GmbH and has more than 1,100 employees on its premises in Leipzig, Halle/S. and Magdeburg. We conduct research to support a sustainable use of our natural resources to benefit both mankind and the environment. The UFZ is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres. 

The DLR is the German Aerospace Research and Technology Center. In its core areas, DLR develops technologies for aeronautics and space, energy and transportation, as well as security and defence research. DLR fulfills its responsibility to society through an intensive exchange of knowledge and targeted technology transfer. Currently, 11,000 employees work in 54 institutes and facilities. The observation of climatic changes, research and development of sustainable innovative energy systems, alternative propulsion systems and energy sources, low-CO2 industrial processes and new mobility concepts are examples of DLR's work.

Scientific research (incl. observation and modelling) of climate change, ecosystem adaptation, permafrost thawing, marine littering, bionic light-weight constructions, aquaculture. Contributions to IPCC, Climate Office for polar regions and sea level rise, North Sea Office, German Arctic Office, marine and environmental measuring technologies, knowledge and technology transfer, policy advice.

Scientists at the MPI-M investigate what determines the sensitivity of the Earth system to perturbations such as the changing composition of its atmosphere, and work toward establishing the sources and limits of predictability within the Earth system. For that purpose MPI-M develops and analyses sophisticated models of the Earth system. Targeted in-situ measurements and satellite observations complement the model simulations. 

GERICS offers scientifically sound prototype products, advisory services and decision-relevant information in order to support government, administration and businesses in their efforts to adapt to climate change. The main focus areas of our current activities are water, energy, ecosystems and cities.

The Fraunhofer ISE creates technical conditions for an efficient and environmentally-friendly energy supply in the industry as well as in developing countries. With its foci on power generation, energy efficiency, energy distribution and energy saving technologies it contributes to a broader application of new technologies for the transformation of our energy systems towards more sustainable and renewable sources.

PIK addresses crucial scientific questions in the fields of global change, climate impacts and sustainable development. Researchers from the natural and social sciences work together to generate interdisciplinary insights and to provide society with sound information for decision making. The main methodologies are systems and scenarios analysis, modelling, computer simulation and data integration.

Scientists of the DBFZ are looking for methods that facilitate an effective and sustainable use of solid, liquid and gaseous bioenergy sources. To achieve this, potential analyses, feasibility studies and practical tests are carried out in the laboratories of our research centre. The objectives are to make the utilisation of bioenergy technically simpler and safer, environmentally friendlier and economically more promising.

The Thuenen Institute works in 15 specialist institutes on topics relating natural resources and  the sustainable development of rural areas, agriculture, forestry, timber and fisheries from a scientific, technological and socio-economic perspective.

GEOMAR explores the global ocean from the seafloor to the atmosphere to understand the ocean system and enable the development of sustainable solutions to pressing societal problems.