When was the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research founded?
PIK was founded in 1992 by Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, who became its first director.
Questions about Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who leads the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research?
PIK is led by three directors: climate economist Ottmar Edenhofer, Earth scientist Johan Rockström, and administrative director Bettina Hörstrup. Edenhofer and Rockström became joint directors in 2018 when founding director Hans Joachim Schellnhuber stepped down.
How is the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research funded?
PIK is funded in roughly equal parts by the Federal Republic of Germany and the Federal State of Brandenburg. In 2020, institutional funding totalled around 12.4 million euros, with an additional approximately 14.4 million euros from external project sources, mainly European Union research programmes and the German Research Foundation.
What is the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research's role in IPCC reports?
PIK researchers have contributed to multiple IPCC assessment cycles. Ottmar Edenhofer co-chaired the IPCC working group on climate change mitigation from 2008 to 2015, and PIK scientists contributed to the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2017), the Special Report on Climate Change and Land (2019), and served as chapter authors for the Sixth Assessment Report published in 2021-2022.
Where is the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research located?
PIK is located on Telegrafenberg, a historic hill in Potsdam, Germany. Around 400 people work at the institute.
What research departments does the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research have?
PIK has four research departments: Earth System Analysis, Climate Resilience, Transformation Pathways, and Complexity Science. The institute also operates seven Future Labs, six of which are time-limited and evaluated after five years, and one permanent lab focused on social metabolism.