Osnabrück/Chemnitz. According to German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier , environmental protection and the containment of “undeniable climate change” remain “permanent tasks”. At the presentation of this year’s German Environmental Award, worth a total of 500,000 euros, by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) today (Sunday) in Chemnitz, he said: “Beyond political cycles, they demand our constant attention – everywhere.” In 2025, the award will go in equal parts to climate researcher Prof. Dr. Sonia Seneviratne from ETH Zurich and the management duo Lars Baumgürtel and engineer Dr. Birgitt Bendiek from the steel galvanizing company ZINQ in Gelsenkirchen.
DBU Secretary-General Alexander Bonde: Ecology is the engine of the economy
Steinmeier’s appeal: ‘We must not neglect climate protection just because it is not currently the focus of public attention or because there are no spectacular protests taking place. Climate protection remains an ongoing challenge at all political levels, both nationally and internationally.’ At the same time, the Federal President warned that the alleged conflict between economics and ecology ‘should not be revived’. Steinmeier continued: “Ecologically sound behaviour is, at least for those who understand, a sign of economic rationality. This year’s award winners in particular demonstrate this once again.‘ DBU Secretary General Alexander Bonde called for environmental and climate protection to be seen as part of the solution for economic recovery. ’Ecology is the engine of the economy,‘ said Bonde. ’Environmental and climate protection strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of the economy,” said the DBU Secretary General.
Federal President: pioneering spirit, palpable curiosity and fearlessness for new things
Steinmeier is attending the ceremony for the ninth time in a row. As Federal President, he has deliberately “never missed an award ceremony for the German Environmental Award”. It has become “like visiting the family”. Every year he is amazed anew at “the pioneering, inspiring people who are committed to environmental protection”. They all make their “very special, irreplaceable contribution to the great common cause with their great ideas”. The “pioneering spirit, the palpable curiosity and the fearlessness to constantly try new things” particularly impressed him about the German Environmental Award, said Steinmeier. “You are wonderful,” said the Federal President.
Environmental protection and Chemnitz as European Capital of Culture 2025
In his speech, the Federal President drew a link between environmental protection and Chemnitz as this year’s European Capital of Culture. Its motto “C the Unseen“, i.e. “look at the unseen”, fits in with the German Environmental Award 2025 – especially with regard to the soil, the literal basis of all human life, “on which our daily bread grows”. According to Steinmeier, prizewinner climate researcher Seneviratne’s research has demonstrated the connection between soil moisture and climate change, which is difficult to see but can be measured and proven. In fact, drought forecasts and climate adaptation measures can be derived from soil moisture values – for greater resilience to climate change. With the German Environmental Award, the DBU honors, among other things, Seneviratne’s groundbreaking studies on land-climate dynamics on the interactions between climate, soil moisture, plants and the atmosphere. The award for the Swiss climate researcher also has another significance, according to the Federal President: “This, and this is particularly important to me, also honours fact-based climate science, which is repeatedly and increasingly exposed to unfounded suspicions, false reports and conspiracy theories.” Smart action requires “enlightened science”.
Epochal change in the Ruhr region – similar to the former industrial metropolis of Chemnitz
Steinmeier also drew a connection between Chemnitz and the Ruhr region, where the steel galvanizing company ZINQ has its headquarters in Gelsenkirchen. Similar to the former industrial metropolis of Chemnitz, the Ruhr region experienced an epochal break with the closure of the last coal mine in 2018 – but did not remain there. Intensive research is now being carried out there into a different future “that is climate-friendly and environmentally friendly”. The German Environmental Award to Baumgürtel and Bendiek recognizes innovative ideas and technologies, but also “the remarkable perseverance with which a circular business model has been pursued here for a quarter of a century”. Steinmeier drew particular attention to the company’s patented micro-zinc process, which enables a wafer-thin zinc coating for steel parts that has been reduced by 80 percent: instead of the usual 80 to 100 micrometers, it is only ten micrometers – thinner than a hair. Galvanizing is a method of rust protection for steel alongside coating, but is considered more effective due to the elimination of maintenance costs. Steel is omnipresent – from sheet metal, bridges and balconies to screws, wheelbarrows, wind turbines and solar installations. And even in the Schalke stadium. Steinmeier: “Anyone who learns that the seats in the Schalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen are galvanized on the underside using this process is completely convinced – at least for Schalke fans. And there are at least two of them here in this hall – I just met someone else at the hotel.”
Background:
The DBU’s German Environmental Award, which will be presented for the 33rd time in 2025, honors the achievements of people who make an exemplary contribution to protecting and preserving the environment. Employers’ associations, trade unions, churches, environmental and nature conservation associations, scientific associations, research communities, the media, the skilled trades and business associations are all eligible to submit nominations to the DBU. Self-proposals are not possible. A jury of independent experts from business, science, technology and social groups appointed by the DBU Board of Trustees recommends award winners for the respective year to the DBU Board of Trustees. The DBU Board of Trustees makes the final decision. Information on the German Environmental Award and award winners: https://www.dbu.de/umweltpreis.