Our topic areas
A good life for all and a thriving economy within planetary boundaries – there is a better way than today. At the IÖW, we specialize in identifying solutions, pathways, and visions for a sustainable future. Our work focuses on the following key areas:
Companies and value creation
Dr. Christian Lautermann | Patrick Schöpflin
What is the purpose of companies and value creation? Our understanding at the IÖW is that their purpose is to benefit society and contribute to sustainable development. > more
Alternative economies
Dr. Christian Lautermann | Jonas Pentzien
The IÖW supports the development, consolidation, and scaling of alternative economies. In our projects, we work closely with pioneers in this field and critically and constructively examine both their potential and limitations. > more
Policy and governance
Dr. Florian Kern | Helen Sharp
In close dialogue with stakeholders from politics, business and civil society, the IÖW develops system, orientation and decision-making knowledge in order to support the readjustment of existing governance structures. > more
Climate mitigation and adaptation
Prof. Dr. Bernd Hirschl | Dr. Esther Hoffmann
The IÖW develops, analyzes and evaluates political strategies and instruments as well as concepts and concrete measures for climate mitigation and adaptation and examines corresponding technologies. > more
Lifestyles and consumption
Dr. Vivian Frick | Dr. Julia Fülling
The IÖW investigates how lifestyles and consumption practices can be made more sustainable to enable a good life for all without overburdening the environment. > more
Nature and ecosystems
Dr. Alexandra Dehnhardt | Prof. Dr. Jesko Hirschfeld
As an important contribution to a transformative change, we at the IÖW are working on making the values of nature and ecosystems visible so that they are taken into account in political and social decisions to a greater extent than before. > more
Cities and regions
Dr. Alexandra Dehnhardt | Johannes Rupp
We view urban and rural areas as interdependent systems that act in partnership. Together with practitioners, we develop target images of green, equitable, health-promoting and cycle-oriented cities and regions. > more
Digital transformation
Hannes Bluhm | Jonas Pentzien
Our research at the IÖW spans topics such as commons-oriented approaches in the platform economy, digital technologies for nature-based climate protection in municipalities, and the development of a digital, decentralized energy system of the future. > more
Innovation and technology
Dr. Florian Kern | Dr. Sabine Hielscher
We draw on methodologies from technology analysis, technology assessment, and transformation and innovation research to explore the technical, social, economic, and ecological opportunities and risks associated with innovations. > more