DBU launches Digital.Nature.Landscape initiative for environmental protection

The German Federal Foundation for the Environment (DBU) has initiated a new funding program called Digital.Natur.Landschaft. This initiative aims to support digital developments that make a tangible contribution to environmental protection within land use. The program is specifically designed to leverage digital technologies for the enhanced monitoring, assessment, and management of ecological processes.

According to Dr. Steffen Walther, head of DBU's department for Land Use and Digitalization, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between environmental challenges and digital solutions. "We asked ourselves how environmental tasks can be managed efficiently despite a shortage of skilled workers. We see a growing need for the use of digital processes," Walther stated. He added that the rapid advancement of digital technologies presents an opportunity to develop innovative and effective measures for biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management.

The program focuses on key areas including biodiversity (data collection, monitoring, and management), climate adaptation (preparing for drought, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall, as well as water retention and usage), and soil protection (erosion, soil moisture, and site assessment). The goal is to foster the development, testing, and implementation of interoperable, scalable, and sustainable digital applications.

Digital.Natur.Landschaft targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as collaborations between practitioners and research institutions. DBU encourages SMEs to submit individual applications. The projects supported are expected to demonstrate clear environmental impact, utilize measurable indicators, and incorporate open interfaces and data standards where possible, ensuring their transferability to other regions and applications. Applications are now being accepted.