PIK Research Days 2025: Interdisciplinary climate research under one roof
13.03.2025 - From the stability of the Atlantic overturning circulation and new findings on climate solutions to the social dynamics of populism and climate policy - the PIK Research Days 2025 on March 11 and 12 offered a comprehensive insight into the latest research findings of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). In addition to intensive discussions and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, the focus was also on diversity, freedom and inclusion: values that characterize PIK's scientific approach.
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A wealth of evidence: PIK compiles 85,000 individual studies about climate policy
11.02.2025 – Research on climate policy is growing exponentially. Of the approximately 85,000 individual studies ever published on policy instruments for mitigating global heating, a good quarter are from 2020 or later. A study led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) in the journal npj Climate Action, using machine learning methods, now shows how this vast knowledge is distributed – by instrument, country, sector and policy level – and identifies research gaps. A corresponding web tool, the “living systematic map”, will help to guide science and policy. It will be continuously updated to reflect the current state of research.
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Two PIK researchers involved in new IPCC Special Report on cities
04/02/2025 – Gunnar Luderer and Felix Creutzig from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) will contribute to the new IPCC Special Report as lead authors. In March 2027, the IPCC will publish its fourth Special Report, this time on “Climate Change and Cities”. The team of 97 authors from 56 countries has now been announced.
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Climate fee on food could effectively cut greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture while ensuring a social balance
10.01.2025 - Greenhouse gas emissions in German agriculture could be significantly reduced in a socially equitable way through a climate fee on food, combined with climate dividends. This is the key finding of a study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). The study suggests that pricing greenhouse gas-intensive foods could help meet climate targets for agriculture while generating over 8.2 billion Euros annually. If these funds were redistributed to households through a lump-sum compensation scheme, it would ease the financial burden on households, especially those with lower incomes and at the same time encourage sustainable consumption.
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The time has come: PIK’s strategic expansion will take place at the turn of the year
09.12.2024 – Bundling climate expertise from the natural sciences to policy advice: at the beginning of 2025, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) will implement its long-planned strategic expansion through additional institutional funding. As announced in October 2023, the Berlin-based climate research institute MCC (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change) will be integrated into PIK. In addition, expertise in previously under-researched and future-oriented topics will be specifically strengthened. The Joint Science Conference of the German federal and state governments has now formally approved the necessary increase in long-term basic state funding.
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It’s time: MCC will be part of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research from early 2025
09.12.2024 –
Continuing the success story after 12 years of funding by Stiftung Mercator. “Climate Economics and Policy – MCC Berlin” to be the fifth research department.
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Stopping climate change protects human health – a major project helps to pool the knowledge
05.12.2024 –
The Wellcome Trust has commissioned a consortium led by MCC researchers to push the boundaries of research synthesis through artificial intelligence.
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“At best the avoidance of a diplomatic disaster”
24.11.2024 –
Statement by MCC Director Ottmar Edenhofer at the conclusion of the world climate conference. “It is now abundantly clear that we need additional negotiation formats.”
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A concept for a heating transition free of hardship
21.11.2024 –
Differentiated climate money for buildings can defuse the controversial issue of “climate protection in the boiler room”. MCC now provides a scientific basis for this.
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At the World Climate Summit, a financing concept for carbon removals is launched
11.11.2024 –
Joint proposal of PIK and KfW, with input from MCC Co-Chairs Sabine Fuss and Matthias Kalkuhl: rapid development of the market within emissions trading.
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Carbon pricing in Uganda – only an option with revenue redistribution
30.10.2024 –
Without compensation, there is a risk of malnutrition and deforestation. An MCC model study calculates how climate protection and development can go hand in hand.
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Scientists caution no guarantees when it comes to overshooting 1.5°C
09.10.2024 –
A study co-authored by MCC analyses scenarios in which we temporarily exceed this limit and bring temperatures back down later. Rapid emission reductions are essential.
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Germany’s 49-euro ticket resulted in significant modal shift from road to rail
08.10.2024 –
MCC analysis for the Ariadne energy transition project shows 30 percent more rail journeys. The announced increase in price to 58 euros per month undoes half of this.
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How a carbon central bank can turn Europe into a CO2 “eater”
17.09.2024 –
Net-negative emissions are feasible: in the “Thünen Lecture” of the German Economic Association, MCC Director Ottmar Edenhofer has been looking far beyond today.
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Revenue distribution increases public acceptance of carbon pricing
09.09.2024 –
An MCC-led study analyses survey findings: climate-friendly investments are appreciated, uniform lump sum transfers need some further explanation.
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What works: groundbreaking evaluation of climate policy measures over two decades
23.08.2024 –
International research team co-led by MCC analyses 1,500 interventions in 41 countries. What appears to be crucial is the interaction of policies with price instruments.
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MCC researcher Hannah Klauber honoured with the German Thesis Award
30.07.2024 –
For the latest MCC-led study on the health effects of low emission zones. The Körber-Stiftung foundation recognises doctoral theses of particular social relevance.
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MCC study sheds light on the fragile financing of climate policy in Germany
19.06.2024 –
With a view to the current budget discussions for 2025: the “KTF” is overburdened, federal money is needed for important funding and investment programmes.
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The rate of global heating caused by humans is at an all-time high
05.06.2024 –
Second update of the “Indicators of Global Climate Change” research initiative with contributions from MCC. The 1.5-degree Celsius threshold is all but breached.
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Humanity must extract seven to nine billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere every year
04.06.2024 –
New State of CDR report shows the need for a much stronger set of policies. Joint press release of MCC, SWP, IIASA, University of Oxford and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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Will the climate transition be a battle of materials? Study forecasts the increase – and shows solutions
04.06.2024 –
Heavy additional demand for commodities like cobalt, lithium, copper, aluminium and iron. Countermeasures include behavioural changes in mobility, housing and nutrition.
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Carbon pricing works – major meta-study shows findings more comprehensively than ever
16.05.2024 –
MCC Director Ottmar Edenhofer: “The conflict of beliefs over the core instrument of climate policy can be resolved with facts.” Calculation concept is also suitable for updates.
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Shared taxis, car-sharing, ridesharing: how pooling solutions can be strengthened in road transport
14.05.2024 –
Two studies co-authored by MCC shed light on the opportunities for policymakers to incentivise this, and on the importance of this topic using China as an example.
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13 percent reduction in asthma in children born in an urban low emission zone
13.05.2024 –
An MCC-led study based on health insurance data uses rigorous methodology to quantify the cause-effect relationship. Relevant also for more far-reaching driving bans.
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MCC-led research team quantifies the “gap” in carbon removal for the first time
03.05.2024 –
Taking its cue from the UN Emissions Gap Report. Countries’ current plans to extract CO2 from the atmosphere are off-track to comply with the 1.5-degree limit.
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From wooden buildings to air filters – how green cities could remove CO2 from the atmosphere
02.05.2024 –
One gigatonne per year by mid-century. An MCC study determines the potentials, various co-benefits and possible barriers to implementation.
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Study on climate-damaging palm oil production in Indonesia shows push for industrialisation
10.04.2024 –
Understanding governments’ motives is crucial to strengthening climate action. Analysis in the top journal JAERE with confidential data from the world’s fourth largest country.
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Coal phase-out could be cheaper than currently implemented in Germany
09.04.2024 –
A study in the top journal JAERE quantifies welfare losses for employees and recommends that policymakers compensate by subsidising job changes instead of early retirement.
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How Germany should allocate financial aid for climate-friendly home heating
08.04.2024 –
Study shows costs of a hypothetical carbon price path in line with EU climate targets. On average 15 percent of basic rents, large differences depending on the building.
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How carbon removal fits into the architecture of EU climate policy
28.03.2024 –
Research team, including MCC Director Ottmar Edenhofer, presents an economically sound governance concept. Key role for a European Carbon Central Bank.
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