Munich Sustainability Award for Two LMU Theses

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The Munich Sustainability Award recognizes outstanding scientific work in the field of sustainability produced at Munich’s universities. Moritz Gschlößl received the Munich Sustainability Award for his bachelor’s thesis on the development and modeling of Swiss glaciers. In his thesis, he examined changes in glaciers using glaciomorphological parameters and employed models to estimate future developments in the context of climate change. According to Gschlöß, such analyses could provide a scientifically sound basis for long-term decisions regarding environmental change.

“Receiving the Munich Sustainability Award means a great deal to me,” explains the award winner. “It shows that research on environmental changes and climate impacts—in my case, the development of Swiss glaciers—is not only academically relevant but can also make an important contribution to understanding and addressing current challenges.”

“The award demonstrates that sustainability issues are gaining recognition beyond academic circles and encourages researchers to integrate their findings more closely into societal and practical contexts,” said Gschlößl. When it comes to climate change in particular, he noted, it is crucial that scientific findings not only exist but are also translated into concrete actions and planning processes. The award helps to strengthen this bridge between knowledge and action.

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Another award went to Dr. des. Lena Schlegel for her dissertation on new human-nature relationships in the context of Australia’s “Black Summer.” Schlegel emphasizes that the award sends an important signal that climate protection must no longer be viewed purely in technocratic terms, but must also be considered from social and cultural perspectives.

Especially in times of increasing political polarization, she believes it is important to strengthen shared societal challenges such as climate protection. “Receiving the Munich Sustainability Award allows me to make the results of my research accessible to a broader public and to contribute to an understanding of the hurdles and potential of socio-ecological transformation,” explains Schlegel. “On a personal level, I am also delighted by this recognition, which motivates me to continue on my path in academia.”

Along with the Munich Sustainability Prize, the ESD Special Prize is awarded every two years, and this year, for the first time, the ESD Teaching Prize will also be presented. The awards are sponsored by RCE BenE München e.V., the Munich Center for Sustainability (LMU), the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society (LMU), and the Association for Sustainability e.V. The Munich Sustainability Award is funded by the Selbach Environmental Foundation.