Dr. Jessica Strefler

Working Group Leader
Lead Integrated Assessment Modelling Group, lead Carbon Management Team
Strefler

Jessica Strefler is a senior scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). She leads the Integrated Assessment Modelling Group including the Carbon Management Team in Research Department 3 (Transformation Pathways).

Jessica is also an assisstant research professor at Aarhus University and a PI at CORC. Her research focusses on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and she is PI in the projects UPTAKE, ASMASYS II, and CDRSynTra.

Jessica studied physics in Heidelberg, Hamburg, and Berlin and earned her doctorate at the TU Berlin on the topic of non-CO2 emissions in global energy systems. She joined PIK in 2009 where she is a developer of the hybrid energy-economy model REMIND. Her current research is focused on the influence of different carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies on global climate change mitigation strategies, and on carbon capture use and storage (CCUS).

Jessica Strefler also served as a judge in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition. Here is my own personal opinion on the result.

Department

Transformation Pathways

Curriculum Vitae

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Contact

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
T +49 (0)331 288 2475
jessica.strefler[at]pik-potsdam.de
P.O. Box 60 12 03
14412 Potsdam

  • carbon dioxide removal technologies
  • carbon capture and use
  • non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions
  • air pollution
  • contributions to the development of the REMIND-Model

2025

ISI Publications

  • van der Spek, M., Campbell, J., Foteinis, S., Garcia, S., Renforth, P., Cox, E., Smith, S.M., Psarras, P., Wilcox, J., McCoy, S., Sleep, S., Pang, S.H., Pike, D., Maesano, C.N., Strefler, J. (2025). "Universities must lead capacity building in carbon dioxide removal". Nat. Rev. Clean Technol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44359-025-00039-z

2024

ISI Publications

  • Strefler, J., Merfort, L., Bauer, N., Stevanović, M., Tänzler, D., Humpenöder, F., Klein, D., Luderer, G., Pehl, M., Pietzcker, R.C., Popp, A., Rodrigues, R., Rottoli, M., Kriegler, E. (2024). "Technology availability, sector policies and behavioral change are complementary strategies for achieving net-zero emissions". Nat. Comm. 15, 8440. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52424-0

  • Kowalczyk, K.A., Amann, T., Strefler, J., Vorrath, M., Hartmann, J., De Marco, S., Renforth, P., Foteinis, S., Kriegler, E. (2024). "Marine carbon dioxide removal by alkalinization should no longer be overlooked". Environ. Res. Lett. 19 074033.https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad5192

Non-ISI

  • Abrahão, G. M., Keppler, D., Moreno Leiva, S., Weindl, I., Strefler, J., Sörgel, B., Baumstark, L., Bertram, C., Crawford, M., Dietrich, J. P., Dirnaichner, A., Hasse, R., Heinke, J., Humpenöder, F., Klein, D., Luderer, G., Müller, C., Pehl, M., Pietzcker, R. C., Piontek, F., Popp, A., Rauner, S., Rodrigues, R., Kriegler, E., Rockström, J., Ishii, N. (2024): Transforming human systems to safeguard the Global Commons, Tokyo : Center for Global Common
  • Löschke, S., Oschlies, A., Boersma, M., Fuhr, M., Hauck, J., Moosdorf, N., Strefler, J., Rehder, G., Riebesell, U., Riekhof, M.-C., Suitner, N., Voss, R. und das RETAKE-Konsortium (2025): CDRmare Insights: Neues Wissen zur CO2-Entnahme durch die Erhöhung der Alkalinität des Meeres: Die sieben wichtigsten Erkenntnisse aus der RETAKE-Forschung, pp. 1-12, DOI 10.3289/CDRmare.47

2023

ISI Publications

  • Merfort, L., Bauer, N., Humpenöder, F., Klein, D., Strefler, J., Popp, A., Luderer, G., Kriegler, E. (2023). “State of global land regulation inadequate to control biofuel land-use-change emissions”. Nat. Clim. Chang. 13, 610–612 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01711-7
  • Merfort, L., Bauer, N., Humpenöder, F., Klein, D., Strefler, J., Popp, A., Luderer, G., Kriegler, E. (2023). “Bioenergy-induced land-use-change emissions with sectorally fragmented policies”. Nat. Clim. Chang. 13, 685–692 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01697-2
  • Bauer, N., Keller, D.P., Garbe, J., Karstens, K., Piontek, F., von Bloh, W., Thiery, W., Zeitz, M., Mengel, M., Strefler, J., Thonicke, K., Winkelmann, R (2023). “Exploring risks and benefits of overshooting a 1.5 °C carbon budget over space and time”. Environ. Res. Lett. 18 054015 https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/accd83
  • Prütz, R., Strefler, J., Rogelj, J., Fuss, S. (2023) “Understanding the carbon dioxide removal range in 1.5 °C compatible and high overshoot pathways” Environ. Res. Commun. 5 041005 https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/accdba

Non-ISI

  • Merfort, A., Stevanović, M., Strefler, J. (2023): Energiewende auf Netto-Null: Passen Angebot und Nachfrage nach CO2-Entnahme aus der Atmosphäre zusammen? Kopernikus-Projekt Ariadne, Potsdam. https://ariadneprojekt.de/publikation/energiewende-auf-netto-null-passen-angebot-und-nachfrage-nach-co2-entnahme-aus-der-atmosphaere-zusammen/
  • Kriegler, E., Strefler, J., Gulde, R., et al. (2023) “How to achieve a rapid, fair, and efficient transformation to net zero emission. Policy findings from the NAVIGATE project”. Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. DOI: 10.48485/pik.2023.024
  • Smith, S., Geden, O., Nemet, G., Gidden, M., Lamb, W., Powis, C., Bellamy, R., Callaghan, M., Cowie, A., Cox, E., Fuss, S., Gasser, T., Grassi, G., Greene, J., Lück, S., Mohan, A., Müller-Hansen, F., Peters, G., Pratama, Y., Repke, T, Riahi, K, Schenuit, F, Steinhauser, J, Strefler, J, Valenzuela, JM Minx, J. (2023). The State of Carbon Dioxide Removal – 1st Edition.

2022

ISI Publications

  • Luderer, G., Madeddu, S., Merfort, L., Ueckerdt, F., Pehl, M., Pietzcker, R., Rottoli, M., Schreyer, F., Bauer, N., Baumstark, L., Bertram, C., Dirnaichner, A., Humpenöder, F., Levesque, A., Popp, A., Rodrigues, R., Strefler, J., Kriegler, E. (2023) “Impact of declining renewable energy costs on electrification in low-emission scenarios”. Nat Energy 7, 32–42. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-021-00937-z

Non-ISI

  • Erlach, B., Fuss, S., Geden, O., Glotzbach, U., Henning, H.-M., Pittel, K., Renn, J., Rens, S., Sauer, D.U., Schmidt, C.M., Spiecker, I., Stemmler, C., Stephanos, C., Strefler, J. (2022). Was sind negative Emissionen, und warum brauchen wir sie? Akademienprojekt ‘Energiesysteme der Zukunft’ (ESYS). Halle (Saale): Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina. doi:10.48669/ESYS_2022-2.

2021

    ISI Publications

    • Strefler, J., Kriegler, E., Bauer, N., Luderer, G. Pietzcker, R.C., Giannousakis, A., Edenhofer, O. (2021) "Alternative carbon price trajectories can avoid excessive carbon removal". Nat. Comm. 12, 2264. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22211-2
    • Strefler, J., Bauer, N., Humpenöder, F., Klein, D., Popp, A., Kriegler, E. (2021) "Carbon dioxide removal technologies are not born equal". Env. Res. Lett. 16, 074021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac0a11
    • Luderer, G., Madeddu, S., Merfort, L., Ueckerdt, F., Pehl, M., Pietzcker, R. C., Rottoli, M., Schreyer, F., Bauer, N., Baumstark, L., Bertram, C., Dirnaichner, A., Humpenöder, F., Levesque, A., Popp, A., Rodrigues, R., Strefler, J., Kriegler, E. (2021) "Impact of declining renewable energy costs on electrification in low-emission scenarios". Nat. En. 7, 32-42, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41560-021-00937-z
    • Sörgel, B., Kriegler, E., Weindl, I., Rauner, S., Dirnaichner, A., Ruhe, C., Hofmann, M., Bauer, N., Bertram, C., Bodirsky, B. L., Leimbach, M., Leininger, J., Levesque, A., Luderer, G., Pehl, M., Wingens, C., Baumstark, L., Beier, F., Dietrich, J. P., Humpenöder, F., von Jeetze, P. J., Klein, D., Koch, J., Pietzcker, R. C., Strefler, J., Lotze-Campen, H., Popp, A. (2021) "A sustainable development pathway for climate action within the UN 2030 Agenda". Nat. Clim. Change, 11, 656-664, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41558-021-01098-3
    • Harmsen, M., et al., (2021) "Integrated assessment model diagnostics: key indicators and model evolution". Env. Res. Lett. 16 054046, . http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abf964
    • Baumstark, L., Bauer, N., Benke, F., Bertram, C., Bi, S., Gong, C., Dietrich, J.P., Dirnaichner, A., Giannousakis, A., Hilaire, J., Klein, D., Koch, J., Leimbach, M., Levesque, A., Madeddu, S., Malik, A., Merfort, A., Merfort, L., Odenweller, A., Pehl, M., Pietzcker, R.C., Piontek, F., Rauner, S., Rodrigues, R., Rottoli, M., Schreyer, F., Schultes, A., Soergel, B., Soergel, D., Strefler, J., Ueckerdt, F., Kriegler, E., Luderer, L. (2021) "REMIND2.1: Transformation and innovation dynamics of the energy-economic system within climate and sustainability limits ". Geoscientific Model Development 14, 6571–6603. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-6571-2021

    Non-ISI Publications

    2020

    • Schweizer, V.J., Ebi, K.L., van Vuuren, D.P., Jacoby, H.D., Riahi, K., Strefler, J, Takahashi, K., van Ruijven, B.J., Weyant, J.P. (2020) "Integrated Climate-Change Assessment Scenarios and Carbon Dioxide Removal". One Earth 3, 2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2020.08.001
    • Bauer, N., Rose, S.K., Fujimori, S., van Vuuren, D.P., Weyant, J., Wise, M., Cui, Y., Daioglou, V., Gidden, M.J., Kato, E., Kitous, A., Leblanc, F., Sands, R., Sano, F., Strefler, J., Tsutsui, J., Bibas, R., Fricko, O., Hasegawa, T., Klein, D., Kurosawa, A., Mima S., Muratori, M.(2020) "Global energy sector emission reductions and bioenergy use: overview of the bioenergy demand phase of the EMF-33 model comparison". Climatic Change 163, 1553–1568. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-018-2226-y
    • Bauer, N., Klein, D., Humpenöder, F., Kriegler, E., Luderer, G., Popp, A., Strefler, J. (2020) "Bio-energy and CO2 emission reductions: an integrated land-use and energy sector perspective". Climatic Change 163, 1675–1693. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-020-02895-z
    • Muratori, M., Bauer, N., Rose, S.K., Wise, M., Daioglou, V., Cui, Y., Kato, E., Gidden, M.J., Strefler, J., Fujimori, S., Sands, R.D., van Vuuren, D.P., Weyant,J. (2020) "EMF-33 insights on bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)". Climatic Change 163, 1621–1637. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-020-02784-5
    • Rauner, S., Hilaire, J., Klein, D., Strefler, J., Luderer, G. (2020) "Air quality co-benefits of ratcheting up the NDCs". Climatic Change 163, 1481–1500. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-020-02699-1

    2018

    • Strefler, J., Bauer, N., Kriegler, E., Popp, A., Giannousakis, A., Edenhofer, O. (2018) "Between Scylla and Charybdis: Delayed mitigation narrows the passage between large-scale CDR and high costs". Enivronmental Research Letters 13, 4.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aab2ba
    • Strefler, J., Amann, T., Bauer, N., Kriegler, E., Hartmann, J. (2018) "Potential and costs of carbon dioxide removal by enhanced weathering of rocks". Enivronmental Research Letters 13, 3.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aaa9c4
    • Rogelj, J., Popp, A., Calvin, K.V., Luderer, L., Emmerling, J., Gernaat, D., Fujimori, S., Strefler, J., Hasegawa, T., Marangoni, G., Krey, V., Kriegler, E., Riahi, K., van Vuuren, D.P., Doelman, J., Drouet, L., Edmonds, J., Fricko, O., Harmsen, M., Havlík, P., Humpenöder, F., Stehfest E., Tavoni, M., (2018) "Scenarios towards limiting global mean temperature increase below 1.5 °C". Nature Climate Change 8, 325–332. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0091-3
    • Kriegler, E., Luderer, L., Bauer, N., Baumstark, L., Fujimori, S., Popp, A., Rogelj, J., Strefler, J., van Vuuren, D.P. (2018) "Pathways limiting warming to 1.5°C: a tale of turning around in no time?". Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A. 37620160457. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2016.0457

    2017

    • Riahi, K., van Vuuren, D.P., Kriegler, E., Edmonds, J., O'Neill, B.C., Fujimori, S., Bauer, N., Calvin, K., Dellink, R., Fricko, O., Lutz, W., Popp, A., Cuaresma, J.C., Samir, KC., Leimbach, M., Jiang, L.W., Kram, T., Rao, S., Emmerling, J., Ebi, K., Hasegawa, T., Havlik, P., Humpenoeder, F., da Silva, LA., Smith, S., Stehfest, E., Bosetti, V., Eom, J., Gernaat, D., Masui, T., Rogelj, J., Strefler, J., Drouet, L., Krey, V., Luderer, G., Harmsen, M., Takahashi, K., Baumstark, L., Doelman, JC., Kainuma, M., Klimont, Z., Marangoni, G., Lotze-Campen, H., Obersteiner, M., Tabeau, A., Tavoni, M. (2017) "The Shared Socioeconomic Pathways and their energy, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions implications: An overview". Global Environmental Change 42, 153-168.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2016.05.009
    • Rao, S., Klimont, Z., Leitao, J., Riahi, K., van Dingenen, R., Reis, L.A., Calvin, K., Dentener, F., Drouet, L., Fujimori, S., Harmsen, M., Luderer, G., Heyes, C., Strefler, J., Tavoni, M., van Vuuren, D.P.  (2017) "A multi-model assessment of the co-benefits of climate mitigation for global air quality". Environmental Research Letters 11, 12.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/11/12/124013
    • Rao, S., Klimont, Z., Smith, S.J., Van Dingenen, R., Dentener, F., Bouwman, L., Riahi, K., Amann, M., Bodirsky, B.L., van Vuuren, D.P., Reis, L.A., Calvin, K., Drouet, L., Fricko, O., Fujimori, S., Gernaat, D., Havlik, P., Harmsen, M., Hasegawa, T., Heyes, C., Hilaire, J., Luderer, G., Masui, T., Stehfest, E., Strefler, J., van der Sluis, S., Tavoni, M. (2017) "Future air pollution in the Shared Socio-economic Pathways". Global Environmental Change 42, 346-358.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2016.05.012
    • Kriegler, E., Bauer, N., Popp, A., Humpenoder, F., Leimbach, M., Strefler, J., Baumstark, L., Bodirsky, B.L., Hilaire, J., Klein, D., Mouratiadou, I., Weindl, I., Bertram, C., Dietrich, J.P., Luderer, G., Pehl, M., Pietzcker, R., Piontek, F., Lotze-Campen, H., Biewald, A., Bonsch, M., Giannousakis, A., Kreidenweis, U., Muller, C., Rolinski, S., Schultes, A., Schwanitz, J., Stevanovic, M., Calvin, K., Emmerling, J., Fujimori, S., Edenhofer, O. (2017) "Fossil-fueled development (SSP5): An energy and resource intensive scenario for the 21st century". Global Environmental Change 42, 297-315.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2016.05.015

    before 2017

    • Harmsen, M.J.H.M., van den Berg, M., Krey, V., Luderer, G., Marcucci, A., Strefler, J., Van Vuuren, D.P. (2016) "How climate metrics affect global mitigation strategies and costs: a multi-model study". Climatic Change 136, 203-216.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-016-1603-7
    • Lucas, P.L., Nielsen, J, Calvin, K., McCollum, D.L., Marangonid, G., Strefler, J., van der Zwaan, B.C.C., van Vuuren, D.P. (2015) "Future energy system challenges for Africa: Insights from Integrated Assessment Models". Energy Policy 86, 705‐717. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.08.017
    • Gernaat, D., Van Vuuren, D.P., van den Berg, M., Calvin, K., Lucas, P., Luderer, G., Otto, S.A.C., Rao, S., Strefler, J. (2015) "Understanding the contribution of non‐non‐CO2 gases in deep mitigation scenarios". Global Environmental Change 33, 142-153. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2015.04.010
    • Strefler, J., Luderer, G., Kriegler, E., Meinshausen, M. (2014): "Can air pollutant controls change global warming?". Environmental Science & Policy 41, 33-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2014.04.009.
    • Strefler, J., Luderer, G., Aboumahboub, T., Kriegler, E. (2014): "Economic impacts of alternative greenhouse gas emission
      metrics: a model-based assessment". Climatic Change 125 (3-4), pp 319-331. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-014-1188-y.
    • Rose, S.K., Richels, R., Smith, S., Riahi, K., Strefler, J., van Vuuren, D. P. (2014): "Non-Kyoto radiative forcing in long-run greenhouse gas emissions and climate change scenarios". Climatic Change 123 (3-4), pp 511-525. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-013-0955-5.
    • Steckel, J.C., Brecha, R.J., Jakob, M., Strefler, J., Luderer, G. (2013): "Development without energy? Assessing future scenarios of energy consumption in developing countries". Ecological Economics 90, pp 53-67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2013.02.006.
    • Klein, D., Luderer, G., Kriegler, E., Strefler, J., Bauer, N., Leimbach, M., Popp, A., Dietrich, J.P., Humpenöder, F., Lotze-Campen, H., Edenhofer, O. (2013): "The value of bioenergy in low stabilization scenarios: an assessment using REMIND-MAgPIE". Climatic Change 123 (3-4), pp 705-718. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-013-0940-z.

    EnergyRD3 - Transformation PathwaysDecarbonizationCarbon PricingREMINDCO2 Removal1.5/2°C limitMitigationGlobal
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