Overview

Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ was established in 1991 in Germany as a publicly funded research institute. It is part of the Helmholtz Association, the country’s largest scientific organisation. UFZ’s overarching purpose is to generate scientific knowledge to support the sustainable use of natural resources and to address complex environmental challenges affecting society and the economy.The organisation operates at the interface of science, policy and practice, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary and systems-based research.

Mission and focus areas

UFZ’s mission is to understand the interactions between humans and the environment in order to develop solutions for sustainable development. Its research focuses on climate change, biodiversity, water resources, land use, soil systems and ecosystem services. These themes are examined using integrated approaches that combine natural sciences, social sciences and modelling.While UFZ is not a finance-focused organisation, its work is highly relevant to sustainable finance and ESG integration. Research outputs inform environmental risk assessment, climate adaptation, biodiversity protection and resource efficiency, all of which underpin sustainability-driven value creation and long-term risk management.

Structure and governance

UFZ operates as a non-profit limited liability company (GmbH) under German public law. It is led by a Scientific Managing Director and an Administrative Managing Director, supported by a management board. Governance is complemented by scientific advisory bodies that ensure research quality and strategic alignment.The organisation is structured into research departments and cross-cutting programme areas. It works closely with universities, public authorities and international research partners.

Programs and offerings

UFZ produces peer-reviewed scientific publications, policy-relevant reports and open-access datasets. It develops environmental models, indicators and decision-support tools used by policymakers and practitioners. The centre also hosts long-term research infrastructures and monitoring programmes.In addition, UFZ provides training for early-career researchers and contributes expert input to national and international sustainability initiatives, making its outputs valuable for environmental policy and sustainability analysis.

Our mission

Biodiversity, functioning ecosystems, clean water and intact soils all make up our natural resource base. In the face of global change, employees at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ are united by the goal of demonstrating ways to combine societal development with a healthy environment.

The UFZ conducts excellent research and takes on a shaping role in the scientific community. As a reliable partner, the UFZ supports the political arena, the economy and the general public to better understand the consequences of human actions on the environment and to develop options for social decision – making processes. For this purpose, the UFZ responds to the stimuli created by society and by producing know – how and technologies that should help to rapidly identify problems comprising conflicting priorities between the environment and society. The UFZ will consequently work on precautionary measures.

In dealing with complex environmental issues, the disciplinary borders between the natural- , engineering- and social sciences need to be overcome. The UFZ has extensive competences in integrated environmental research. It boasts innovative scientifi c infrastructures and nurtures indispensable national and international cooperation, enabling problem – solving at the highest level.

Attractive working conditions, the creativity and motivation of UFZ employees, their personal and professional development, and the promotion of young scientists as leading international researchers are all key factors when it comes to successfully promoting this mission.