In Search of Pioneers
October 16, 2007
The aim is to use climate change as a motor for innovation and to massively expand research in the field. Schavan said Germany must seize the opportunities to develop "new technologies, new products and new procedures."
"German industry must assume a pioneering role in climate matters," she added.
An additional 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion) will be provided by the ministry to fund the scheme over the next 10 years, while German industry is prepared to invest twice that amount, Schavan announced at the second climate research summit in Berlin on Tuesday, Oct. 16.
Cutting times from brainwave to finished product
The initiative aims to improve links between business and research and cut product development times.
The cooperation will focus on four areas at first, including the development of organic photovoltaic materials, energy storage technology, the development of more efficient car electronics and an automatic communication system between vehicles to improve the flow of traffic.
A further business-science alliance is being planned in the area of carbon dioxide capture. The financial services industry is also set to be involved.
Germany's Commerzbank and Dresdner Bank are among those taking part in a finance forum to look into how to improve financing for innovative technology.