Environmental research is an important instrument of sustainable environmental policy which delivers scientifically founded information for environmental policy decisions and identifies ways and means of safeguarding fundamental natural resources. Environmental research provides valuable input for environmental policymaking as well as the work undertaken by public administrations, local authorities, business, the media and NGOs. Although the emphasis of environmental research in recent years has been on the analysis of environmental problems, the focus today is increasingly on topics such as the development of practical management approaches or problem-solving technologies.
New environmental technologies and innovative environmental technology products hold particular promise. There is a large number of companies in Baden-Württemberg which produce environmental technologies which make a valuable contribution to protecting the environment and climate. The focus is squarely on interdisciplinary and cross-media research. The Ministry awarded the Baden-Württemberg Environmental Technology Prize for best products for the first time in 2009. This prize covers four categories and is awarded every two years.

The Baden-Württemberg-Programm Lebensgrundlage Umwelt und ihre Sicherung (BWPLUS) [Natural Resources and Environment Safeguard Programme] encourages new practically-focused scientific ideas which are particularly important for Baden-Württemberg.

The Herausforderung Brennstoffzelle [Fuel Cells Challenge] research programme provides targeted project support for research excellence in Baden-Württemberg. The Ministry has a total of 3 million euros available for the research programme. Innovative research projects should, in particular, generate solutions which encourage the rapid dissemination of stationary fuel cell applications.

The Ministry also works in European networks.