On 02 November 2010, Prof Dr Annette Schavan, then Federal Minister of Education and Research opened the conference „Research for Sustainability – International“ at the axica in Berlin. The aim of the conference was to strengthen the international collaboration of politics, science and industry for the generation of sustainable innovation. 500 international experts from more than 20 countries discussed the strengthening of international collaboration in this field as well as current innovations for climate and resources.

During the opening session of this 7th BMBF Forum for Sustainability, Schavan offered the “Green Talent Award” to 20 young scientists from across the world. In 2010 the award was offered for the second time to outstanding scientific talents whose research is making a long-term contribution to resolving global challenges such as climate change, diminishing energy resources and large-scale environmental pollution.