Analysis of Innovation Potentials

For the analysis of information potentials, two areas of innovation were defined which were considered relevant for the effects to be expected from climate change.

The first area of innovation involved innovations designed to optimize existing processes under the altered conditions of climate change. Following up on the vulnerability analysis, it was possible to identify the assurance of an unbroken sequence of cooling, and the constant, sufficient cool temperature in the stalls as a factor of key importance for major areas of the value-added chains. As a result, technological innovation solutions were primarily sought in this area. Particularly sought after were solutions which would be implemented by such means as energy-efficient and environmentally appropriate materials, such as water as a solar energy carrier.

In the second innovation area by contrast, approaches were sought which targeted more thoroughgoing systemic transformations. For example, we investigated new marketing strategies for old and new varieties and breeds, in order on the one hand to introduce humidity or heat-resistant plant or animal species into production, but also to expand regionally effective pathways and cooperative efforts, so as to expand the scope of resources, or for example link with social networks, so as to make use of new media and information technologies. The goal was to ensure that information and opportunities would be better accessible for actors and consumers, with the assumption that this would not only promote flexibility and learning capacity at the business level, but that we could also in the long-term open up very interesting new markets.

The results of the analysis of innovation potentials are to be fitted into the continual work on innovation pathways of the partners in practice, and in the cooperative efforts with other stakeholders. Based on the analysis of specific regional situations, innovation potentials can then be displayed at targeted locations, in order to derive recommendations for successful climate adaptation and to encourage implementation in an appropriate manner.