Environmental research provides a basis for the early detection and analysis of environmental problems and for developing solutions to protect our environment and resources. It is essential for developing and efficiently implementing environmental policy. The FOEN conducts strongly practice-oriented research so that policy-makers and the authorities can make direct use of the findings to conduct their tasks.
Aim and purpose of policy research
The FOEN concentrates on practical research, the results of which can be directly applied by policy-makers and the authorities to conduct their tasks. The environmental research conducted by the FOEN must both provide the basis for tackling environmental challenges in the long term and identify possible solutions to current and urgent problems in the short term. It is shaped on the one hand by environmental legislation and by current political needs on the other. When research activities are planned, flexibility is therefore required to identify and deal with new topics and urgent issues.
Unlike other policy areas, the FOEN does not have its own research facilities and is therefore dependent on cooperation with external experts from universities, universities of applied sciences, research institutes, private institutions and other federal agencies to meet its research needs.
Every four years, the FOEN draws up the Environmental Research Master Plan. This provides an overview of research in the environment policy area, sets out the FOEN's research requirements for the respective four-year period and serves as an internal planning instrument.
All FOEN research projects are listed in the ARAMIS research database.
Research conducted by the Federal Administration is referred to as policy research. The following brochure in German briefly explains what the federal government understands by policy research and the benefits it brings:
FOEN Advisory Group for Environmental Research (OFU/ORE)
OFU/ORE is the FOEN's scientific advisory group in the field of environmental research. It acts as a discussion platform for researchers, research funding bodies and anyone interested in the research results. It also advises the FOEN when it draws up the Environmental Research Master Plan.
OFU/ORE comprises members from the academic community, business and administration:
The work of OFU/ORE is based on a mandate from the FOEN:
Further information
Last modification 12.06.2025
