Two engineers and a biologist have been honored with one of the most valuable environmental awards in Europe because they have done outstanding things for climate, nature and environmental protection. Engineers Friedrich Mewis and Dirk Lehmann as well as biologist Christof Schenck received the German Environmental Award from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Sunday in Magdeburg. The award from the Federal Environmental Foundation is endowed with 500,000 euros.

Mewis and Lehmann were honored for developing a more environmentally friendly ship propulsion system - the duo had developed energy-saving propulsion technology for large ships. Christof Schenck is Managing Director of the Frankfurt Zoological Society and was honored for his commitment to species protection.

Myriam Rapior and Kathrin Muus share an honorary prize worth 20,000 euros. According to the jury, both of them played a key role in the final report of the "Future Commission for Agriculture".