Apart from increasing the environmental performance of inland navigation, via donau has also made it one of its key concerns to study climate change by partaking in a range of international research projects.

A changing climate may affect the Danube's discharge regime and thus the waterway infrastructure, the flood control system as well as the riverine ecosystem.

Some first studies concerning the Austrian section of the river lead to the assumption that climate change might have a rather beneficial effect on inland navigation by favourably balancing the river's discharge conditions throughout the year.

No scientific findings have been made so far on the impact of the changing climate on extreme floods. By and large, knowledge on the effects of climate change on the discharge regime of the whole Danube system and inland navigation is not yet comprehensive enough and as such offers extensive room for speculation and discussion.

via donau intends to scientifically substantiate current knowledge through comprehensive scientific studies thus helping to elucidate the topic.

via donau, furthermore, focuses on operative and vessel-related solutions to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by inland navigation thus slowing down global warming and adjusting to a potentially forthcoming change in fairway conditions.