Wuppertal Institute

The Wuppertal Institute is an implementation-oriented research institute with roots in North Rhine-Westphalia and a global outlook. Together with its stakeholders, the Institute’s researchers shape transformation processes with the vision of creating a better world for all. They develop science-based solutions to ecological, social and economic challenges, ranging from specific measures for cities, companies, federal states, the German government and the EU to input and ideas for international climate negotiations. In doing so, the Institute’s specialists never lose sight of the big picture and combine future knowledge from various fields of research and subject areas. With over 320 employees, a transdisciplinary and implementation-oriented research approach and integration in a variety of scientific networks, the Institute is exceedingly well positioned to perform this task.

The Wuppertal Institute focuses its research on specific problems facing society. It aims to better understand the needs and potential for change, actively engaging with relevant stakeholders to develop solutions – because implementing complex changes calls for more than simply theoretical solutions. Achieving a sustainable world will require simultaneous transformations in numerous areas: it means transformation of the energy industry, the mobility and transport sector and industrial systems, while promoting the circular economy, healthy and sustainable food production, liveable cities and sustainable consumption. Building a sustainable future requires knowledge of how the systems that need to change actually work. The Institute’s researchers therefore strive to generate systems knowledge by examining which stakeholders shape a system, how decisions are taken and what links connect social, economic and technical variables. In pursuit of this target knowledge, they research the intentions associated with transformation processes and the interactions between different objectives. Their work also includes identifying potential conflicts and synergies as early as possible. Ultimately, what we need is transformation knowledge: How can stakeholders be encouraged to take concrete action? How can they leverage their target knowledge and system knowledge to implement change processes, whether in politics, municipal administrations or companies? The Institute describes this trifecta of system knowledge, target knowledge and transformation knowledge as “future knowledge” and works intensively with partners from the worlds of science and practice to generate it.

The Wuppertal Institute structures its work in 15 Research Units within four Research Divisions: Future Energy and Industry Systems; Energy, Transport and Climate Policy; Sustainable Production and Consumption; and Circular Economy. At present, the Institute has over 320 employees, over 50 per cent of whom are women. Every year, the Institute’s researchers advance roughly 150 projects in 50 countries, release around 350 scientific publications and hold 450 lectures. Many employees are directly involved in teaching through collaborations with universities. Staff actively communicate the results of their research to the spheres of politics, business and wider society in over 4,000 media reports per year related to the Institute. In addition to support from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as the sole shareholder in this non-profit limited company, the Institute relies primarily on grants and assignments for wide-ranging research and transfer projects.