Environmental and sustainability research using the example of water

Hillenbrand, T.; Hiessl, H.; Marscheider-Weidemann, F.; Niederste-Hollenberg, J.; Sartorius, C.; Walz, R. (2024): Understanding the Co-Evolution of Research and Water Protection Policies: From Single Technologies to Systemic Integrated Approaches for the Sustainable Use of Water. In: Edler, J.; Walz, R. (Ed): Systems and Innovation Research in Transition. Research Questions and Trends in Historical Perspective. Cham: Springer.

The developments that have been seen in water management since the 1970s can be divided into various phases based on how research and policy interact and on the environmental status in the water sector. This classification into different groups was made possible by evaluating funding databases and analyzing patents and publications.

In the first phase (“Establishment”), which was particularly prevalent during the 1970s, specific individual measures were needed as a direct response to the critical pollution being experienced in the water sector. The basic relationships of cause and effect were largely known and the necessary measures were derived from them directly. This meant that research activity focused on developing the required technologies, for example to achieve better treatment of wastewater. Due to the prevailing implementation requirements, it was important to try and ensure the work had a practical slant by getting practical partners more heavily involved in the research projects, for instance.

Greater cooperation and comprehensive solutions

In the subsequent second phase (“Expansion”), which ran from the 1990s and 2000s right through until around 2010, the research expanded its focus considerably. Investigations into how to rectify the ongoing deficiencies in water pollution control identified an incredibly complex set of relationships and a need for comprehensive action that required interdisciplinary, cross-regional, cross-media and integrated solutions.

The content and structure of the research changed accordingly: Research projects became much more important, not only because of the opportunity to get practical partners involved so the results could be implemented as directly as possible, but also to ensure the (new) issues would be dealt with in an interdisciplinary and integrated way. The results of the research highlighted just how important environmental factors and processes of change are. The uncertainties that are bound up with these factors, the long lifetimes involved and the strong path dependencies at play when it comes to water infrastructure meant scenario processes were employed to illustrate development options. The research results demonstrated a need for comprehensive action. At the same time, international activities and requirements were becoming much more important, particularly at EU level.

A third phase (“Transformation”) took hold from 2010 on, with the need for action becoming even more urgent and pronounced. The rising number of heavy precipitation events or very hot and dry summers were specific illustrations of how climate change will impact water management in Germany too. It therefore became even more important to use resources and energy efficiently, and to take action against contaminating water with nutrients and micropollutants.

Research looks into many factors

Research began looking into the issues that had been thus identified, with the results showing a need for far-reaching change in water management as well as for integrated concepts at various levels (interaction between waters and their surroundings; connection of source-directed and downstream measures to reduce micropollutants in waters; interlinking of water infrastructure systems in the urban environment). Additional instruments were then used on the measures side (participatory approaches, stakeholder processes, and campaigns to provide information and raise awareness), based on the corresponding research results. The need to transform water management as a whole has been recognized and is reflected in the objectives set out in Germany’s draft national water strategy, for example. 

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