UK and Germany strengthen R&D plans for clean energy market

The UK and Germany have enhanced their partnership in science, research and innovation with new and creative plans. In a recent meeting, the UK Science Minister Michelle Donelan and German representative Bettina Stark-Watzinger formed a joint declaration committing both nations to strengthening their science and technology partnerships.

The plan includes creating a dedicated task force to ensure ambitious plans are converted into structured projects in emerging and critical industries like clean energy, AI and security. To drive the partnership forward, the UK is allocating part of the International Science Partnerships Fund to support collaborative projects between Germany and the UK. Other groups, including the British Academy and the German-based Alexander Von Humboldtz Foundation, are contributing over the next few years to support the younger generation in their education pathways.

Donelan explains that by supporting the next generation and ensuring leading organisations work together, we can strengthen the opportunities to deliver new jobs and build businesses. Stark-Watzinger highlighted the necessity for Germany and the UK to take action, explaining that with our current challenges, it’s critical that both nations work together and focus on delivering joint research solutions.
These challenges include the climate crisis and energy security to emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence.

By combining resources, talent and experience, the UK and Germany hope they can accelerate developments to enable both nations to tackle these challenges. While there are some concerns regarding a possible refocus of priorities impacting domestic research plans, the hope is the agreement will strengthen the entire research ecosystem.

The latest announcement comes after a number of agreements between Germany and the UK. Last year, both countries confirmed a partnership to accelerate the deployment of low-carbon hydrogen technologies. This agreement intends to create a leading hydrogen market, generate new jobs and support additional investment in the low-carbon industry. The plan consists of five collaborative measures, including accelerating hydrogen projects, creating a leadership stance on hydrogen markets and supporting trade in hydrogen-based goods, technologies and services.

Further partnerships include the agreement between Imperial College London and Technical University Munich, launching the Imperial-TUM Zero Pollution Advanced Fund, and strengthening research plans in the clean tech industry.