Together with Fraunhofer ISI, Prognos has evaluated the Federal Ministry of Education and Research’s (BMBF) framework programs for the promotion of research into sustainable development (FONA) that have been in place since 2005. The focus of this evaluation of the FONA 1 and FONA 2 programs was based on the achievement of objectives, the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of support measures and the identification of perspectives for the programs’ further development. FONA’s objective: The further development of research funding for environmental technologies is based on an “end-of-pipe” approach (subsequently added environmental protection measures) to systemic, inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability research. This objective was achieved: This can be seen in the heterogeneity of the associations, cross-disciplinary publication activity - often with international partners - and training for new research approaches (e.g. "socio-ecological research"). The strong international focus is shown not only by their network with top international researchers, but also by the key impulses set by FONA: German research is more concerned with global environmental problems and thus fulfills its international responsibility. Read the Evaluation (PDF, in German) Our work on this topic Take a look at our latest projects and activities. Ecological footprint of the pharmaceutical industry in Germany ongoing | Project We investigate the climate-damaging emissions, water consumption and energy consumption of the German pharmaceutical industry on behalf of the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceu-tical Companies (Verband Forschender Arzneimittel-Hersteller e. V.). Read more Electricity price forecast 2023 2023 | Project In the medium and long term, average wholesale electricity prices are above the 2019/2020 level. Our updated scenarios for the vbw. Read more Article in "Die Volkswirtschaft": EU reaction to electricity prices 2023 | News The liberalisation of the electricity markets in the EU was once supposed to reduce costs. Sven Kreidelmeyer writes in the Swiss magazine "Die Volkswirtschaft" about the effects of free competition and current developments in the European electricity sector, among other things. Read more Economic efficiency of heat pumps 2023 | Project For a paper by Environmental Action Germany, we provided case studies on the question of whether the switch to heat pumps in typical single- and multi-family homes is more economical than exchanging gas boilers. Read more Decarbonisation of raw materials industries in Germany 2022 | Project A study for the Bertelsmann Stiftung shows which climate policy measures can best support the switch to low-emission production processes. Read more Gas balance: Saving efforts must be intensified 2023 | News If savings continue to be as low as in January and February, the risk of a gas shortage will in-crease in the coming winter. Read more Accompanying research on the FONA strategy ongoing | Project The Research for Sustainability (FONA) funding programme is intended to contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Will this target be achieved and which methods can be used to measure this? We investigate this together with partners for the BMBF. Read more Gas consumption in Germany’s production sectors 2023 | Project One potential building block: the Federal Network Agency commissioned Prognos to conduct a study that can support the necessary assessment in the case of gas shortages. Read more Background paper for a buildings strategy for climate neutrality 2023 | Project How can existing buildings become climate-neutral by 2045? On behalf of the BMWK, we devel-oped scenarios and develop measures. Read more Gas balance: Too little is being saved 2023 | News Although German gas storage tanks remain at good levels, our vbw monitoring revealed that sav-ings due to behavioural changes were no longer detectable. Read more Accelerated climate protection does pay off 2023 | Project If the expansion of renewable energy and the implementation of efficiency measures are ac-celerated, electricity prices will fall more quickly, and the GDP will grow faster. These were the findings of our short study for the INSM. Read more Overall impact of climate change, mitigation and adaptation on the German economy ongoing | Project For the first time, an expert report for the Federal Ministry of Economics will jointly assess the economic impact of climate change, mitigation and adaptation. Read more Ecological transformation and the labour market in Schleswig-Holstein ongoing | Project How many specialists will Schleswig-Holstein need to implement its climate protection measures? What are the key professions necessary for successful implementation? Read more Sustainable end-of-life vehicle recycling ongoing | Project Circular economy in practice: As part of the MaterialLoop project, we have been working with Audi and TSR on how more materials from end-of-life vehicles can be used in the production of new vehicles. Read more DG REGIO – Evaluation of the European Green Deal ongoing | Project How effective has the EU cohesion policy been in driving green change in Europe? This and other questions are being investigated jointly with COWI, Milieu, and CSIL, on behalf of the European Commission (DG REGIO). Read more Mild weather in winter takes off the pressure 2023 | News So far, Germany has made it through the winter with relatively little gas. But savings will still be necessary if a gas shortage is to be prevented. Read more Policy Paper MEPS: Minimum efficiency standards for existing buildings 2023 | Project Energy-efficient building renovation is an important part of achieving climate protection goals in the buildings sector. A brief summary of the role of MEPS within this context. Read more 11th Energy Transition Monitoring 2023 | Project Our data shows: As the expansion of renewable energies has been particularly paralysed, a lot still needs to happen in the coming years if Germany is to achieve its energy and climate goals. Read more Regulation of third-party access to heating networks 2022 | Project The EU Commission wants to make third-party access to district heating networks mandatory. We assessed the consequences for Germany and the possible contribution to decarbonisation on behalf of the BMWK. Read more Interview with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung 2022 | News Energy expert Dr Almut Kirchner talks to the Neue Zürcher Zeitung about the Swiss energy system. Read more Adobe Stock - CleverStock About us Prognos – Providing Orientation. Prognos is one of the oldest economic research centres in Europe. Founded at the University of Basel, Prognos experts have been conducting research for a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors since 1959 – politically independent, scientifically sound. Learn more