Overview
Federal Institute of Hydrology (Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde, BfG) was established in 1948 as a German federal scientific authority. It operates under the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport and serves as the government’s central expert body for hydrology and water-related research. Its work supports evidence-based decision-making for inland waterways, water resources, and climate adaptation. The organisation’s overarching philosophy is to provide independent, scientifically robust knowledge in the public interest. Its mandate is technical and advisory rather than commercial, with a strong emphasis on long-term environmental and societal resilience.
Mission and focus areas
BfG’s mission is to advance understanding of hydrological processes and water systems to support sustainable water management and safe navigation. Core focus areas include river basin hydrology, water quality, sediment dynamics, aquatic ecology, flood risk, drought, and climate change impacts on inland waters. The organisation contributes indirectly to sustainable finance and ESG integration by producing authoritative data and analysis used in climate risk assessment, infrastructure resilience planning, and water-related environmental risk evaluation. These outputs are relevant for assessing physical climate risks, regulatory exposure, and long-term asset sustainability.
Structure and governance
BfG is structured as a federal authority with a president and senior management overseeing specialised scientific departments. These departments cover hydrology, water quality, ecology, sediment management, and climate impacts, enabling interdisciplinary analysis of water systems. Governance is embedded within Germany’s public administration framework, with formal accountability, quality assurance, and reporting obligations. The organisation collaborates closely with federal and state authorities, research institutions, and international river commissions.
Programs and offerings
Key offerings include scientific research reports, hydrological datasets, flood hazard assessments, and technical guidance for policymakers and practitioners. BfG also operates monitoring programmes and contributes to national and international water management initiatives. Its publications and data portals are widely used by government bodies, researchers, and infrastructure stakeholders. For finance and sustainability professionals, these resources provide credible inputs for ESG analysis, climate stress testing, infrastructure finance, and water-related risk assessment.
