News & Stories

Across Brazil, the foundations for climate-resilient urban living already exist — from nature-based infrastructure to community-led innovation. What’s missing is collaboration infrastructure powered by connection that can turn promising pilots into systems. This BMW Foundation publication explores how collaboration can unlock scale, accelerate adaptation, and shape cities that are livable for all.

Energy has become the defining issue with regard to Europe’s security, prosperity, and global influence. As an official partner of the Munich Security Conference, the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt convened a total of 750 international leaders from business, policy, science, and civil society in the heart of Munich to address this challenge head-on. Over three days, the Energy Security Hub 2026 provided a vibrant forum for strategic exchange.

A representative survey, commissioned by the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt and conducted by the Allensbach Institute, shows that public acceptance of Germany’s energy transition is weakening. While a majority of citizens continues to see the energy transition as fundamentally necessary, confidence in its current implementation is eroding, and concerns about costs, energy security, and economic competitiveness are growing. Through the monitor, the BMW Foundation aims to contribute empirical evidence to the public debate and to support decision-makers in developing energy policies that are not only ambitious but also broadly accepted. German version

The year 2024 was characterized by the BMW Foundation’s strategic development and refocusing. We concentrate our resources in specific focus areas. These are: Energy Transition & Climate Action, Urbanization & Infrastructure, Education & Qualification.

Under the guiding principle “Securing Energy. Advancing Society,” the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt initiated an engaging discussion that highlighted new approaches and solutions to the future issue of energy security. Read our Executive Summary.

2023 was a successful year with many thematic highlights for the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt and it was also a year of transformation.
The Foundation is realigning and refining its mission as part of its further strategic development. The focus 2023 was on the internal transformation process that will be continued in 2024. Our Annual Review 2023 reflects this organizational shift in our programmatic work, our impact, as well as investment activities.

A collaboration between the BMW Foundation, remove, and the Sustainability in Business Lab (sus.lab), this report provides decision-makers and sustainability leaders with a detailed framework for developing successful CDR initiatives.

During the two-day BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Hub at the 2024 Munich Security Conference, our primary focus was on discussing promising solutions to global challenges and the transformation of societies and democracies as a collective effort. This approach allows us to actively engage in solution-oriented debates and discussions, enabling us to find effective strategies for tackling both current and future challenges. Our main emphasis lies in promoting a positive narrative that outlines a clear and actionable path towards a fair and livable future.

Together with the American-German Institute, we published a series of 3 policy papers outlining key factors of the transatlantic partnership accelerating in the economic transformation. The third paper shows what a pluralist international economic landscape may look like and what global strategies are needed to implement a sustainable economic order.

Together with the American-German Institute, we published a series of 3 policy papers outlining key factors of the transatlantic partnership accelerating in the economic transformation. The second paper deals with challenges and goals in the transition of the global economy. 

Together with the American-German Institute, we published a series of 3 policy papers outlining key factors of the transatlantic partnership in accelerating in the economic transformation. This first paper focuses on how to craft a sustainable global economic order.

A key issue on the climate action agenda, carbon removal is also the topic of one of our latest reports, “Accelerating the Carbon Removal Market through Responsible Corporate Leadership,” developed in collaboration with the Carbon Business Council. Tailored to corporate decision-makers seeking to integrate carbon removal strategies into their climate initiatives, the report offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within this rapidly growing field. The report draws upon the collective wisdom gathered from experts during events held in the past year, including Climate Week NYC 2022, COP27, and the World Economic Forum 2023.

A long-time partner of the MSC, the BMW Foundation Pavilion in the heart of Munich served as its official hub where global security was addressed through the lens of Responsible Leadership. The Responsible Leaders Hub also showcased our initiatives and ambition to drive the sustainable transformation of societies, kicking off our Policy Innovation work in 2023.

A magazine about the city of the future in which ten experts outline where action needs to be taken to tackle the challenges of urban living – now and in the future.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the BMW Foundation has recalibrated itself. We have learned that our mission – promoting Responsible Leadership – can be achieved through different pathways. One major learning born out of the crisis is the understanding that integrating the BMW Foundation's different approaches and programs is key to greater flexibility in times of disruption. This also demonstrated the interconnectedness of finance, tech, climate & policy. Our 2021 Annual Report documents our programmatic work, our impact, and our investment activities, reflects this organizational shift.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the BMW Foundation we launched a special publication. “Change Focus to Change – 50 Years of Inspiring Responsible Leadership” is available as an e-book as well as a hard copy. The book showcases our impact as a global leadership organization. It highlights the achievements of our Responsible Leaders Network in advancing the UN 2030 Agenda.

We see impact investing as an important building block towards a sustainable and impact-oriented economic and financial system. In the report, we show that our impact investing portfolio contributes to solutions addressing today's most pressing global challenges. Specifically, we support 12 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is based on leading approaches to quantifying and comparing impact, such as that suggested by the Impact Management Project (IMP). In addition to demonstrating the impact of our impact investments, we want to inspire other investors to join us on our journey toward greater impact orientation.