Jump directly to the page contents

Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ

The mission of the UFZ

Biodiversity, functioning ecosystems, clean water and intact soils all make up our natural resource base. In the face of global change, employees at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ are united by the goal of demonstrating ways to combine societal development with a healthy environment.

The UFZ conducts excellent research and takes on a shaping role in the scientific community. As a reliable partner, the UFZ supports the political arena, the economy and the general public to better understand the consequences of human actions on the environment and to develop options for social decision-making processes. For this purpose, the UFZ responds to the stimuli created by society and by producing know-how and technologies that should help to rapidly identify problems comprising conflicting priorities between the environment and society. The UFZ will consequently work on precautionary measures.

In dealing with complex environmental issues, the disciplinary borders between the natural-, engineering- and social sciences need to be overcome. The UFZ has extensive competences in integrated environmental research. It boasts innovative scientific infrastructures and nurtures indispensable national and international cooperation, enabling problem - solving at the highest level.

Attractive working conditions, the creativity and motivation of UFZ employees, their personal and professional development, and the promotion of young scientists as leading international researchers are all key factors when it comes to successfully promoting this mission.

More about UFZ

Main research areas:

  • Biodiversity and ecosystem services
  • Quality and quantity of water resources
  • Climate mitigation and adaptation research
  • Land use conflicts
  • Energy transition
  • Bioeconomy
  • Effects of chemicals on humans and the environment

UFZ in figures

1.210

employees (as of Dec. 2023)

51

percentage of women at the UFZ

44

joint appointments with universities

News

  • Earth & Environment

    A new basic AI model will help to better understand the global carbon cycle and make predictions about future changes. The project needs one thing above all else: Lots of high-quality data from…

  • Earth & Environment

    They can be found in pizza packaging, medical devices and fire extinguishing foams: PFAS are extremely water-, grease- and dirt-repellent chemicals. But there is a problem: PFAS accumulate in the…

  • Earth & Environment

    The EU has passed the landmark nature restoration law (NRL) on 27 February 2024. Ecologist Guy Pe’er from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ explains why the NRL is so important and…

  • Earth & Environment

    Since the German government cut the subsidy for agricultural diesel, farmers have been rallying across the country in noisy protests. They complain that the financial burden is too great. What is…

  • Earth & Environment

    Why we need the national water strategy: Hydrobiologist Dietrich Borchardt on heavy rains and crop failures, the ecological health of our rivers, and Germany's path to a sustainable water supply.

  • High-rise buildings made of mushrooms, with cooling facades and vegetable gardens on the roof: Architecture must change to become more sustainable and climate-friendly, and solutions are coming from…

Contact

Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung - UFZ

Permoserstraße 15
04318 Leipzig

As curious as we are? Discover more.