Environmental protection requires central political measures. But to what extent are environmental policy reforms guided by scientific findings? Many researchers in the field of environmental, climate and sustainability issues consider their own work to be policy-relevant. But when are research findings actually taken into account in the political process? What measures can young researchers in particular take to increase the visibility of their own work in the political arena?

The publication explores these questions. The focus is on non-institutionalized forms of scientific policy advice beyond expert committees and commissioned research. In particular, the members of Die Junge Akademie's Research Group “Sustainability” held a structured discussion with 13 political decision-makers in fall 2023 on how research on environmental issues specifically influences their work. The discussion partners work at federal and state level in public administration in Germany and in international institutions. Many of them have a scientific background, particularly in the field of environmental economics. The political decision-makers identified a total of five conditions as conducive to science reaching them as effectively as possible. The publication analyses the five conditions of reputation, contacts, channels, conciseness and timing.

This publication is only available in German. Download pdf here.