DBU Mourns Environmental Prize Winners Haber and Schmitt

The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) has announced the passing of Professor Wolfgang Haber and entrepreneur Carl H. Schmitt, both recipients of the German Environmental Prize. Haber died at the age of 100, and Schmitt at 95, both on August 13.

Haber, an ecologist and pioneer in environmental and nature conservation, received the inaugural German Environmental Prize from DBU in 1993. This award recognized his decades of work in nature conservation, landscape ecology, and landscape management. Considered a founder of landscape ecology, Haber significantly influenced the scientific and environmental policy development of nature and landscape protection in Germany. His contributions included involvement in the development of biotope mapping and advocating for the establishment of the first national parks over 50 years ago.

Schmitt, through his company Konvekta GmbH, was instrumental in developing environmentally friendly alternatives to climate-damaging refrigerants starting in the 1980s. He and his development leader, Professor Jürgen Köhler, were awarded the DBU Environmental Prize in 2007 for their innovative and eco-friendly air conditioning and refrigeration systems for the automotive industry.

DBU Secretary-General Alexander Bonde acknowledged the profound impact of both men. He stated that Haber tirelessly championed the ecological foundations of nature conservation, while Schmitt demonstrated entrepreneurial responsibility in preserving the environment. Both individuals have left a lasting legacy on environmental protection efforts in Germany.