For his commitment as a bridge-builder between science, technology, politics, and society

Bertrand Piccard grew up in a family where it was a tradition to make the impossible possible. His grandfather Auguste Piccard was the first human to venture into the Earth’s stratosphere, reaching an altitude of 15,781 meters with a balloon in May 1931. Bertrand’s father Jacques Piccard, however, was drawn to the depths. In January 1960, he descended 10,916 meters into the Mariana Trench with the Trieste.

Bertrand Piccard, in turn, pushed the limits of what is possible in the skies of our planet, just like his grandfather. In 1999, he became the first person to circumnavigate the Earth nonstop in a balloon. And from March 2015 to July 2016, he flew around the globe in stages with the “Solar Impulse 2”, an airplane powered exclusively by sunlight.

Technological progress is unthinkable without people like Piccard, who push the boundaries of the possible in order to surpass them. It is not always scientists and engineers who open the doors to new technologies. Sometimes, it can be highly motivated adventurers such as the Swiss Bertrand Piccard.

To circumnavigate the planet in a solar-powered airplane was a vision that initially earned Piccard scepticism and even ridicule. Yet, through years of development work, his engineering team succeeded in creating the technologies necessary to turn the dream into reality. They had to push limits in many respects: extremely lightweight fiber-reinforced materials, electric motors with an incredible 97 percent efficiency, vast surfaces covered with highly efficient solar cells, and aerodynamic optimizations. Many of the technologies developed or refined in this project have since found other uses – for instance, in highly energy-efficient electric motors for cars. But at least as important as the technical innovations was the fact that Piccard, with his record flight, inspired and fascinated millions. He instilled courage to pursue new technological paths toward sustainable energy use – not only in aviation.

“Yes, my mission is political,” Piccard once said in an interview. “It’s about changing energy policy. I speak with heads of state, government leaders, ministers, and UN representatives. My message is that we must change our attitude toward climate change.” Piccard participated several times in the World Economic Forum in Davos to convey his message to politicians and business leaders worldwide. Thus, Piccard is not only a visionary, adventurer, and technology pioneer; he is also an ambitious and tireless communicator, able to link his commitment against climate change and for renewable energy with positive emotions. Piccard is a successful bridge-builder between science, technology, politics, business, and the general public. His voice carries weight.

Abstract debates about climate change and its mitigation often get stuck in ideological trenches. Overcoming them is one of Piccard’s goals, which he pursues with extraordinary communication skills. He speaks the language of hope, opportunity, and new beginnings – not the language of renunciation. With passion, he takes the stage in international forums, convincing decision-makers and the public alike that many renewable energy technologies are already market-ready. He succeeds in embedding powerful images in people’s minds – for example, the silent aircraft floating above the clouds, a symbol that solar energy can do far more than simply light lamps.

The circumnavigation with the “Solar Impulse 2” was therefore not only a technological masterpiece but also an environmental and communicative project. Piccard wanted to show the entire world that renewable energy could achieve far more than previously imagined. In 2017, Piccard founded the “World Alliance for Efficient Solutions,” renamed “Solar Impulse Foundation” two years later. With this foundation, he set the goal of presenting 1,000 clean and efficient solutions to the climate crisis. This ambitious target was already reached in 2021, and by now more than 1600 proposals are on the table – solutions that are not only sustainable but also economically viable.

Piccard announced his next major goal in 2024: he wants to be the first to circumnavigate the world nonstop in a hydrogen-powered aircraft. In his words, he hopes to send a signal against “pessimism and inaction in environmental protection”. If everything goes according to plan, the “Climate Impulse” will take off in 2028. Piccard is not discouraged by setbacks, which he has faced repeatedly in past projects. His recipe for success is simple: You have to try one more time than the number of failures.”

Beyond technology and climate protection, Piccard, a trained doctor and psychiatrist, is also involved in medical aid projects. In 2000, he co-founded the foundation “Winds of Hope,” which, among other things, fights against the little-known disease Noma. Noma, also called cancrum oris, is caused by bacteria and often affects children in developing countries.

Bertrand Piccard has proven that visions know no boundaries. He is an ambassador of confidence, reminding us that every great transformation begins with a vision – and the courage to communicate it fearlessly and clearly. The oft-heard argument “It can’t be done” is not acceptable to Piccard. His message instead is: “Make the effort – only then do you stand a chance of reaching great goals.”

Ultimately, it is thanks to technology pioneers like Piccard that we will be able to live in a better world in the future. For this reason, and in recognition of his unique and tireless commitment as a communicator and bridge-builder between science, politics, business, and society, the Eduard-Rhein-Foundation honors Bertrand Piccard with the Culture Award 2025.

Dr. Norbert Lossau