TA in dialogue: Sustainable water management in agriculture

  • Type of event:

    Impulsvorträge und Podiumsdiskussion

  • Venue:

    Paul-Löbe-Haus, Sitzungssaal E 400

  • Date:

    27.11.2024

  • Organiser:

    TAB und Ausschuss für Bildung, Forschung und Technikfolgenabschätzung des Deutschen Bundestages

  • Time:

    15.00 - 17.00 Uhr

  • Broadcast:

    Die Veranstaltung ist öffentlich und wird auf www.bundestag.de übertragen.

Sustainable water management in agriculture

New forms of cultivation, closed production systems and innovative irrigation techniques for greater resilience
Enjoy/Adobe Stock (generiert mit KI)

What is it all about?

In a time of numerous crises and uncertainties, the radar and orientation function of parliamentary technology assessment is becoming increasingly important. For this reason, the TAB has expanded its foresight activities: In addition to the already established horizon scanning, a resilience radar has been introduced which, together with an in-depth resilience check, assesses the resilience of selected infrastructure systems.

This year, the focus of the resilience check is on water management in agriculture. In the face of climate change, increasing droughts and unevenly distributed rainfall in Germany, agriculture must find new ways to deal with the changing conditions. Efficient irrigation techniques, new forms of cultivation and closed production systems offer promising approaches to make better use of water resources and make agriculture more resilient.

As part of the public discussion event "TA in Dialogue", the interim results of this year's Resilience Check will be presented and discussed together with experts from the scientific community, members of the German Bundestag and other social actors.

The following questions will guide the discussion:

  • How does climate change affect water supply in agriculture and what specific risks does it pose?
  • To what extent can new forms of cultivation, closed production systems and innovative irrigation techniques increase the resilience of agriculture, and what long-term potential do they offer?
  • What political and legal framework conditions are required to ensure a sustainable water supply in agriculture, and what governance structures are necessary for this?

The IZT - Institute for Futures Studies and Technology Assessment, consortium partner of the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB), is leading the resilience check.

>> Register now

Programme

3.00 p.m.

Welcome address

  • Kai Gehring, Member of the German Bundestag, Chairman of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment
  • Michaela Evers-Wölk, Head of TAB Cooperation of the IZT


Moderation of the expert discussion

  • Prof. Dr. Armin Grunwald, Head of TAB and ITAS
15.10 hrsKeynote speech "Influence of climate change on water availability and water demand"
  • Dr. Tim aus der Beek, IWW Centre for Water
3.20 pm

Resilience Check 2024: Water management in agriculture

Overview and theses on strengthening the resilience of water supply,
Ingo Kollosche, Resilience Check project team, IZT


Potentials of possible development paths

  • Innovative irrigation systems, André Uhl, Resilience Check project team, IZT
  • New forms of cultivation, Carolin Kahlisch, Resilience Check project team, IZT
  • Closed production systems, Dr. Nona Bledow, Resilience Check project team, IZT
3:40 p.m.

Statements by the rapporteur TA

  • Dr. Holger Becker, SPD;
  • Lars Rohwer, CDU/CSU;
  • Laura Kraft, Alliance 90/The Greens;
  • Prof. Dr. Stephan Seiter, FDP;
  • Prof. Dr. Michael Kaufmann, AfD
4:00 p.m.

Panel discussion and questions from the audience

Discussion with experts, participants in the TAB project and members of the German Bundestag

  • Dr. Tim aus der Beek, IWW Centre for Water
  • Mareike Jäger, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences
  • Dr. Roland Nolte, Head of TAB Cooperation at the IZT
  • Martin Peter, CEO lite + fog
  • Dr.-Ing. Martina Winker, ISOE - Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Member of the Institute Management


Questions from the audience: on site and online via adhocracy+

16.55 hrsSummary of the discussion and farewell
17.00 hrsEnd of the event

Programme (PDF)

The event is open to the public and will be broadcast on www.bundestag.de. Conversation language is in German only.

Registration is required for participation on site. This must be sent to the secretariat of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment by November 21, 2024 using the registration form or by e-mail, stating your name, date of birth and, if applicable, institution. Early registration is requested due to the limited number of places.

Further information on the Resilience Check and other foresight activities of the TAB.

Blick auf das Paul-Löbe-Haus und das Reichstagsgeäbaüde im Hintergrund. © DBT / Axel Hartmann
Anmeldung zur Teilnahme vor Ort