The steering group and board of the Sustainability Transitions Research Network (STRN) has elected Dr. Florian Kern as the network’s new chair. Dr. Kern will take over from Dr. Jochen Markard as of 20th of June. Today, the change was announced to the STRN community at the 15th International Sustainability Transitions Conference. Dr. Florian Kern has been a member of the STRN steering group since 2016. He is head of the research field “Ecological Economics and Environmental Policy” at the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) in Berlin. more

Increasing weather extremes are putting cities and countries under pressure worldwide. Adaptation is a comparatively new and complex field of activity that benefits from exchange and mutual learning. The Federal Foreign Office and the Goethe-Institut have invited leading experts from fifteen countries on a trip to provide insights into climate change impacts and adaptation measures in Germany. On May 13, 2024, the delegation visited the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW). Professor Jesko Hirschfeld and Johannes Rupp discussed climate adaptation strategies and the costs of the climate crisis with the visitors. more

Since January 2024, the political scientist Jonas Pentzien is head of the research field “Business, value chains and consumption” at the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) in Berlin. He heads the field together with the sustainable business researcher Dr. Christian Lautermann. more

Since December 2023, the agricultural scientist and environmental economist Dr. Alexandra Dehnhardt is head of the research field ‘Ecological Economics and Environmental Policy’ at the Institute for Ecological Economic Research (IÖW) in Berlin. She jointly leads the research field together with the sustainability and transformation scientist Dr. Florian Kern. more

Who can take responsibility for steering problematic developments in AI back in the right direction? This is the question addressed in the third and final issue of the SustAIn magazine. Before the EU starts the final negotiations on the AI regulation on 6 December 2023, AlgorithmWatch, the IÖW and the DAI Lab at TU Berlin provide an up-to-date overview of the sustainability impacts of AI – from AI resource consumption through online marketing to the water footprint of AI systems. The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment. more

To strengthen economic and social cohesion within the European Union, the European Commission provides “cohesion funds”. These make up around a third of the EU budget. To date, the funds have mainly been used for roads, motorways and bridges in structurally weak regions. Since 2021, cohesion policy should also take much greater account of environmental goals, such as the Paris Climate Agreement. An Academic Sounding Board is now to help channel investments in a sustainable way. Florian Kern, research group leader at the IÖW, has been appointed to the board, which will meet for the second time on 22 November 2023. more

Existing consumption and production systems, which use natural resources to meet societal needs for food, shelter, energy and health, are unsustainable. Although researchers from different disciplines have long investigated how these systems can become more sustainable, scientists from socio-technical and socio-environmental research communities are now seeking to join forces. A special feature in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which was guest edited by researchers from the University of Manchester, the Institute for Ecological Economy Research, and Harvard University, presents new findings about transitions in electricity, food, and mobility systems. more

Which alternatives exist to replace coal, oil and natural gas? Hydrogen increasingly gains attention in connection with decarbonization internationally. In Germany, hydrogen has become a central component of climate protection policy and is seen by some players almost as a panacea for decarbonization. An article by IÖW authors analyzes the expectations of relevant stakeholders regarding the future development of the energy carrier. Conclusion of the researchers: A targeted political prioritization of hydrogen applications could defuse tensions and support a common vision. more

From artificial intelligence and the environmental impact of the digital economy to global justice: the digital transformation presents numerous challenges and risks. The book “Shaping Digital Transformation for a Sustainable Society”, which is being presented today by the Bits & Bäume network at the re:publica conference in Berlin, shows how society can become digitally sustainable. more

Conventional food production and consumption accounts for one third of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. It contributes significantly to biodiversity loss and can be detrimental to human health. In many cases, it does not ensure fair economic returns and livelihoods for those involved in the industry. The European Commission has set out a programme for sustainable food systems with the ‘Farm to Fork Strategy’ as part of the European Green Deal, and set ambitious goals in developing an EU legislative framework for sustainable food systems this year. A new report from the European Environment Agency shows that this shift to sustainable food systems will require huge changes in the ways food is being produced and consumed. more