At the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), natural and social scientists conduct research on global climate change and its ecological, economic and social effects. They study the ecological capacity of the earth system and design strategies for the sustainable development of humankind and nature.

Development scenarios for different world regions
What are the technological and economic effects of climate policy on energy systems in different regions in the world? PIK tried to answer this question by developing the energy-economy model ReMIND. With this model, scenarios for mitigating climate change can be calculated and analysed for selected, widely differing world regions (e.g. India and Western Europe). The research results are used for the scientific debate and for societal and political decision-making processes.

Global networks on issues relating to global climate change
Understanding the earth system is a huge task that no institution or country can tackle alone. PIK is part of a global network on questions relating to global environmental change. It cooperates closely with numerous international partners. PIK plays an active role in activities such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), the EU-Project ADAM (Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies) and the European Geoscience Union (EGU). As a member of the European Climate Forum (ECF), the Institute is in direct and continuous exchange with decision-makers from industry, politics and civil society. Since September 2008, IPCC Working Group III (Mitigation of Climate Change) is chaired by a PIK scientist. Therefore, PIK hosts the group's Technical Support Unit.