Sustainable Resource Management – Audi presents graduate award

In May 2023, the Audi Environmental Foundation once again honored two graduates of the Technical University of Munich for their outstanding master's theses in the "Sustainable Resource Management" program. This year, Franziska Kraft and Alena Anderson Chilian-Heeb received the "Sustainable Resource Management" (SRM) Award.

Franziska Kraft's master's thesis entitled "Central European wildfire regimes under climate change: a sensitivity analysis based on simulations with iLand" deals with process-based simulation models that take into account both forest development and the simulation of forest fires. This makes it possible to assess the consequences of an increase in forest fires, which, according to the current state of affairs, are still largely unexplored in Central Europe. Her thesis thus makes an important contribution to research on the topic of fire, forests and climate change.

Alena Anderson Chilian-Heeb's master's thesis topic was: "Consequences of land-use change on soil carbon storage forms, microbial 13C incorporation, and C-P relationships in Amazonian Dark Earth and Acrisols from Brazil". In it, she dealt with sustainable soil fertility management and the function of soils as carbon sinks in the Amazon, which is particularly important in times of global change. In addition, dwindling soil fertility plays an important role in sustainable management.

For the second time, the SRM Award could only be presented digitally due to the pandemic. This time it was awarded to two prize winners whose research focussed on the topic of water.

In February 2022, the "Sustainable Resource Management" (SRM) Award, endowed with 1,500 Euros, was presented for outstanding theses in this field. As in the previous year, the ceremony was held digitally due to the pandemic and the students were able to follow the presentations of the award winners in a live stream. Both theses dealt with the topic of water.

In her master's thesis entitled "Water Supply Diversifications in Bavaria and California", Lauren Former compared the different ways of dealing with water management in Bavaria and California. From her analysis, she derived recommendations for dealing with increasing drought and the contamination of water with chemicals.

In her master’s theses entitled "Impact of urban green spaces on storm water management – a meta-analysis", Yanin Pawijit presented the effects that different land uses in urban areas can have during heavy rainfall events and conclusions that can be drawn for the selection of certain tree species in cities.

The evening ended with a guest lecture also dealing with the topic of water: "Using the water scarcity footprint against problem shifting – Insight into methodological development and applications". It was a successful event that received great interest from the audience, as the topic of water resources has become increasingly important in times of climate change.

The SRM Award of the Audi Environmental Foundation was presented for the tenth time on March 9, this year due to Corona in a digital format as part of a joint event with the “Thurn und Taxis Förderpreis für Forstwissenschaft” (forestry sponsorship award). Even without any personal presence, the ceremony was a successful event that received great interest, as evidenced by the large number of students who participated virtually.

We met the winners in our oak forest in Kösching a few days earlier. According to the current coronavirus measures, the official handover of the awards took place outdoors which created a very special atmosphere.

Two researchers received the 1,500 Euro prize “Sustainable Resource Management” (SRM) award: Astrid Manciu and Tiffany Yu from the Technical University of Munich dealt with different aspects of the interactions between humans and the environment in their master’s theses. “With their master’s theses, the two junior researchers Tiffany Yu and Astrid Manciu offer a vivid and important insight into a more sustainable way of living together. This is exactly the kind of research approaches we need in order to even better understand environmental impacts. This is the only way we can support targeted measures for the preservation of the ecosystems”, says Rüdiger Recknagel, Managing Director of the Audi Environmental Foundation.

Astrid Manciu examined the role of vegetation in the climate system using the example of the tropical rainforests of Colombia. In the tropics, the interaction between vegetation and climate plays an important role. Colombia is a biodiversity hotspot and highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The rainforest has high deforestation rates, which makes Astrid Manciu's study highly relevant. She researched how global warming and the increasing deforestation of Colombia’s tropical rainforests affect the regional climate. Land-cover change lead to a reduction of precipitation mostly over deforested areas. With the help of a climate model, she was able to simulate her results and proved that climate change leads to a rise in temperature in Colombia, especially at high altitudes.

Tiffany Yu’s research dealt with the positive effects of nearby nature on human health and the criteria for well-being in urban areas. Since there are usually few opportunities to have daily contact with nature in metropolitan areas, public green spaces are important for people to relax and relieve stress. To create effective, restorative environments in cities and to encourage residents to use them, urban planners need to understand people's environmental perceptions and preferences. For the data collection on this topic, Yu developed an original research design using participant-generated photo grouping. One of the results of her analysis is that the residents perceive pictures of “hidden” gardens and green spaces far away from city life as pleasant and more beautiful. With her master's thesis, she provides pioneering insights into how urban areas can be equipped with effectively designed green spaces for the people.

The Audi Environmental Foundation has honored the master’s thesis of a young researcher from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) with the “Sustainable Resource Management Award” (SRM). The prize, which was awarded for the ninth time, went to Dayana Ramirez Gutierrez. The scientist delved deeper into “Stakeholder Knowledge Mapping” (SKM) and developed a concept for initial operationalization. The award winner received EUR 1,500 for her academic thesis.
 

Dayana Ramirez Gutierrez wrote her master’s thesis as part of the EU research project “PHUSICOS.” The project examines the development and acceptance of nature-based solutions involving natural resources for adapting to climate change in Europe’s rural areas. Ms. Gutierrez addressed the question as to how the knowledge of various stakeholders can be bundled and utilized. The aim is to incorporate the knowledge of the region held by local residents, experts, and other stakeholders into the process of shaping the environment and to thereby ensure a higher level of acceptance. The young Columbian also highlights the challenges that arise when involving various stakeholders in environmentally relevant decision-making-processes. Living laboratories in the pilot regions in Norway, the Pyrenees, Italy, Austria, and Germany use the theoretical groundwork established by Gutierrez to co-design their climate protection solutions.
 

The Audi Environmental Foundation has been supporting young scientists whose ideas make valuable contributions to resources management since 2009. “Dayana Gutierrez takes a descriptive and creative approach to addressing a problem that concerns us all. By pointing out how local residents must be approached and involved in order to implement nature-based solutions, she creates a basis for developing concrete programs,” says Rüdiger Recknagel, Managing Director of the Audi Environmental Foundation.

The Audi Environmental Foundation has presented two master’s graduates from the Technical University of Munich with the Sustainable Resource Management (SRM) Award. For the eighth time now the Audi Environmental Foundation has honored outstanding master’s theses in the Sustainable Resource Management course of study in this way. This year’s award went to Julia Möbius and Sebastian Heinz. Each of the winners received prize money of 1,500 euros.


In her master’s thesis, Julia Möbius analyzed how young people perceive and use the Berlin city forest. The result: They have hardly discovered the forest as a recreational area for themselves. On site, she interviewed 800 Berlin residents aged between 14 and 25 about their expectations of forests and thus created a comprehensive basis for planning future design concepts for forest areas.

The second prize-winning thesis was written by Sebastian Heinz. The master’s graduate dealt with the socio-economic consequences of climate change and the associated uncertain environmental conditions. During a research stay in Hangzhou, China, he conducted an economic experiment with students and farmers to investigate how people living in river basins react to social dilemmas. In his work, Sebastian Heinz showed that fairness and trust contribute to the successful organization of unequally distributed access to water.

“Since 2009, the Audi Environmental Foundation has been promoting innovative ideas for environmental protection, as well as scientists and their research into sustainable resource management. With the SRM Award, we are honoring two young researchers who are concerned with the forest and the important resource of water – and are thus contributing to greater sustainability,” says Rüdiger Recknagel, Chief Executive of the Audi Environmental Foundation.

Audi Environmental Foundation GmbH and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have presented the Sustainable Resource Management Award (SRM Award) to two young scientists for their master’s theses. The SRM award is remunerated with prize money of 1,500 euros and has been awarded to TUM graduates of the Sustainable Resource Management degree course for the seventh time. Prizes are awarded for particularly environmentally friendly and sustainable ideas. Prizewinner Daniela Angelova developed concepts for future-oriented urban development and Diana Young developed approaches for more efficient biogas plants.

Daniela Angelova (28) dealt with urban living environments using the example of Bahir Dar in Ethiopia. She investigated land use in and around the African provincial capital and analyzed socio-economic factors. According to her results, built-up areas had grown in Bahir Dar over the past 30 years at the expense of arable land, grassland and fallow land and of the nearby alluvial forest of the Blue Nile. This resulted in damage to the ecosystem. Angelova identified factors such as population growth and proximity to hospitals, schools and other public facilities as drivers of urban growth. “The Audi Environmental Foundation has supported projects for the reforestation of oak forests since 2009. We are now interested in how much the influence the proximity of forests to the city can have,” said Recknagel. 

The second winner of the SRM Award, Diana Young, investigated fungi in biogas plants. On the basis of this, she developed scenarios of how the promotion of fungi growth could contribute to a more efficient and sustainable biogas production. Young also analyzed temperature, oxygen content and pH in the plants and used the results to develop hypotheses for improved processes. Follow-up studies could build on this. “Biogas is regarded as an important sustainable energy source, because its production can make use of renewable resources, dispose of wastes and recycle nutrients. In Germany alone, there are several thousand plants that could profit from the results,” estimated Philipp Benz of the TUM Professorship for Wood Bioprocesses.

“The theses of both scientists impressively demonstrate that the prudent use of resources can have a major impact. They also provide answers to the important questions of our time,” said Rüdiger Recknagel, Managing Director of the Audi Environmental Foundation. The Foundation supports technologies for the sustainable and environmentally friendly use of natural resources and supports research and development.

2016 SRM AWARD - Audi Environmental Foundation honors young scientists 

For the sixth time, Audi Environmental Foundation GmbH has presented the SRM Award for the best thesis in the resource management degree course at the Technical University of Munich.

The Audi Environmental foundation has honored two young scientists with the Sustainable Resource Management Award (SRM). For the sixth time now, the Foundation has presented this award for the best theses on the master’s course for sustainable management at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). The prize winners addressed the CO2 footprint as a climate protection measure in the German construction machinery industry and discussed strategies for the more sustainable use of hydroelectric power. Anne Katrin Kleih and Veda Sara Sayakoummane received prize money of 1,500 euros for their achievements.

Digitization, sustainability and urbanization are the three megatrends of our time and, with its ecological focus, the Audi Environmental Foundation promotes the aspect of sustainability in particular. With the presentation of the SRM Award, the Foundation actively supports the responsible use of resources. The two scientists’ results provide important findings for environmentally compatible technologies of the future and can be transferred into the climate-protection strategies of companies.

The research assistant and doctoral student at the School of Horticultural Economics at Geisenheim University, Anne Katrin Kleih from Wiesbaden, examined the current situation regarding the level of knowledge concerning the CO2 footprint of production and processes in the German construction machinery industry. This CO2 footprint is regarded as a key factor for climate protection. At the same time, she assessed the attitude of people involved in the industry. Her thesis constitutes a database for the further development of companies’ ecological purchasing decisions. Kleih also pointed out the untapped potential for products of the construction machinery industry with low carbon footprint.

The second prizewinner, Australian-born Veda Sara Sayakoummane, determined ways for the private sector to contribute towards the more efficient and sustainable development of hydroelectric projects. She refers to the controversial debate about the planned expansion of the use of hydroelectric power as a source of energy in Laos and provides an insight into the complex subject, which is relevant for the overall development of Southeast Asia. This knowledge lays the foundation for a constructive discourse between private-sector project developers, government departments and other involved parties.

2015 SRM AWARD - Audi Environmental Foundation presents the award for a master’s thesis on climate protection 

For the fifth time, Audi Environmental Foundation GmbH has presented the SRM Award for the best thesis in the resource management degree course at the Technical University of Munich.

Audi Environmental Foundation GmbH has awarded the Sustainable Resource Management Award (SRM) for the fifth time. With this prize, the Environmental Foundation recognizes the best theses each year in the degree course in sustainable resource management at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). This year, the prize goes to the Australian Samuel Gordon Munro for his master’s thesis on carbon storage in the semi-arid Mongolian steppes. The winner receives prize money of 1,500 euros.

Munro investigated the potential of the Mongolian grasslands for binding atmospheric CO2. Focusing on largely untouched grasslands, he succeeded in creating the first ever reference for their maximum carbon storage capacity. Soil is regarded as the largest terrestrial carbon sink. In his thesis, Munro discovered that, surprisingly, land that has been affected by severe erosion, arable farming or intensive grazing has a markedly high level of carbon saturation and consequently only a very low CO2 storage capacity. With this finding that is contrary to original assumptions, the quantitative contribution of grasslands to the global storage capacity must be reassessed. His thesis supplies important data on how land usage can be changed in the future to benefit climate protection.

2014 SRM AWARD - Award presented for a thesis on the topic of sustainability 

For the fourth time, Audi Environmental Foundation GmbH has presented the SRM Award for the best thesis in the resource management degree course at the Technical University of Munich.

The SRM Award (Sustainable Resource Management), which was presented this year for the fourth time, went to Pauline Chepchirchir Cherunya and William Meister. The results of their research make a contribution to the responsible use of resources to improve the quality of life in developing countries. Each prizewinner received a prize of € 1,500 for their outstanding master’s theses.

2013 SRM AWARD - Award presented for master’s theses on resource management 

Prize for the best theses: For the third time, Audi Environmental Foundation GmbH has presented the SRM Award in the Sustainable Resource Management (SRM) master’s degree course at the Technical University of Munich. This year the jury honored Desislava Dimkova and Abo El Wafa for their research results concerning a sustainable man-environment system. Each of the winners were delighted to receive a prize of € 1,500.

Desislava Dimokova focused her work on the challenges involved in the integration of renewable energy sources into the electric power system. Her concept serves as an important basis for the design of future power systems with a high proportion of fluctuating energy sources such as wind and the sun. The second prizewinner, Abo El Wafa, designed a possible scenario for urban development in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa against the background of climate change and the urbanization process in Africa. With this, he made an important contribution to the EU-sponsored research project “Climate Change and Urban Vulnerability in Africa”.

2012 SRM AWARD - Award presented for a thesis on the topic of sustainability 

For the second time, Audi Environmental Foundation GmbH has presented the SRM Award for the best thesis in the resource management degree course at the Technical University of Munich.

This year, the Foundation awarded equal first prize to two young scientists for their persuasive theses. With their results, the two prizewinners, Therese Hertel and Christina Deibl, have made an important contribution to climate protection and the preservation of biodiversity and both will certainly have been thrilled to receive the prize money of € 1,500.

2011 SRM AWARD - Award presented for a thesis on the topic of sustainability

For the first time, Audi Environmental Foundation GmbH has awarded a prize for the best thesis in the resource management degree course at the Technical University of Munich.

As part of the Audi commitment to more sustainability, the new SRM Award promotes outstanding achievements in the Sustainable Resource Management (SRM) field of science. The Foundation has awarded the prize to the 27-year-old scientist Astor Toraño Caicoya for his innovative contribution to climate research. The prize money is € 1,500.