Summer School on Net-Zero-2050 at GERICS

Young researchers from the Helmholtz Association met at GERICS for a week to discuss the topic of CO₂ neutrality

The Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS), an independent scientific organizational unit of the Helmholtz Centre Hereon, hosted a summer school for the first time as part of the Net Zero 2050 project. Over 20 scientists from various research areas came together to discuss the complex topic and learn from each other. In addition to some lecturers, young doctoral students and postdocs from five different Helmholtz Centers were also present.

Die Teilnehmenden der Summer School vor dem Algenhaus in Hamburg Wilhelmsburg. Foto: Hereon / Cicilia Steffi Lukman

Net-Zero-2050, Cluster I of the Helmholtz Climate Initiative, entered its first research phase in summer 2019. The main result is a guide with over 100 technology-based and decision-supporting recommendations for action for a CO₂-neutral Germany by the middle of the century. Phase 2 of Netto-Null-2050 started in March 2023 and will run until the end of 2024. One of the main focuses is to carry out a reality check of the research results from phase 1 with practitioners.
The summer school at GERICS was attended by doctoral students and postdocs who had not previously worked on net zero 2050. They were given insights into various strategies and possible measures that are being researched within the project. Prof Daniela Jacob, Director of GERICS, gave an overview of how the achievement of Net-Zero CO₂ emissions can be approached systemically. Other presentations covered, for example, technologies for hydrogen production and storage, membrane processes for capturing CO₂ as well as carbon cycles and renewable energies. Participants were also able to present their own research work in short pitches.

The Summer School program also included excursions that offered a practical insight into the research and implementation of CO₂ reduction or CO₂ avoidance options. The excursions led to the Algae House in Hamburg Wilhelmsburg and to the Helmholtz Center Hereon to visit various research laboratories. In addition, a hike across the Baltic Sea peninsula of Priwall in Lübeck focused on the coastal ecosystem and how it can be adapted to the consequences of climate change. During the summer school, the participants not only expanded their professional expertise, but also their network.

In summary, it was noted that research on the topic of CO₂ neutrality must be further advanced - even beyond the borders of the Helmholtz Association. Co-organizer Bettina Steuri said at the end of the Summer School: “We have thus passed on the philosophy of the Net-Zero-2050 research project to a new generation.”

GERICS-Institutsleiterin Prof. Dr. Daniela Jacob hält einen Vortrag über den systemischen Netto-Null-Ansatz. Foto: Hereon / Bettina Steuri

Even though the project will come to an end in 2024, the Net-Zero-2050 network will be expanded in the future. There are plans to hold further summer schools as part of this. “The path to a carbon-neutral Germany presents us with complex challenges that can only be overcome if we all work together. To achieve this, we need the cooperation of many experts from different research areas” adds Steuri.

The following scientists from the Net-Zero 2050 team from four Helmholtz Centers took part in the Summer School: Torsten Brinkmann (Hereon), Daniela Jacob (GERICS, Hereon), Thomas Klassen (Hereon), Fiona Köhnke (GERICS, Hereon), Enric Prats Salvadó (DLR), Thomas Pregger (DLR), Björn Rau (HZB), Imke Rhoden (FZJ) and Bettina Steuri (GERICS, Hereon).

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