Learning from Lusatia

For the BTU, President Grande and Vice President Hübner discussed with the participants the challenges and opportunities that the coal phase-out creates for Lusatia. The role of the BTU as the largest scientific institution in a growing network of research and science-related partners (Lausitz Science Network e.V.) was of particular interest. With numerous structural strengthening projects, the BTU not only contributes to the change to an innovation path, but also strengthens its own profile in the areas of decarbonization and energy transition, artificial intelligence and sensor technology, global change and life sciences.

Christine Herntier, mayor of the city of Spremberg, reported on her work in the Growth, Structural Change and Employment Commission, which laid the foundation for the structural strengthening projects of the present.

The delegation of members of the Chinese National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation and experts from the National Panel on Climate Change were joined by representatives of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Öko-Institut.

The Federal Environment Agency has recently established a presence in Cottbus with its own staff. Together with the Federal Network Agency, the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, the PtX Lab and the Competence Center for Climate Protection in Energy-intensive Industries, the visibility of federal authorities in Lusatia is thus increasing. Two institutes of the German Aerospace Center and several Fraunhofer facilities underscore the will of the federal and state governments to actively shape the transformation.