Topics

Ice, Oceans & Sea Level Rise

Identifying long-term dynamics to assess the risks. This is one of our research topics.

Topics

Planetary Boundaries, Tipping Elements & Global Commons

Grand concepts put to work to tackle grand challenges. This is one of our research topics.

Topics

Land Use, Food, Water & Ecosystems

Understanding the multiple interactions is key to sustainable development. This is one of our research topics.

Topics

Health, Security & Development

Keeping people safe in the face of climate impacts. This is one of our research topics.

Topics

Climate Policy, Economics & Energy

Finding ways to stabilize our climate and ensure equitable prosperity. This is one of our research topics.

Topics

Complex Networks, Machine Learning & Decision Theory

Frontier science with new methods. This is one of our research topics.

Topics

Weather, Extremes & Atmosphere

What happens high up in the sky affects everyone’s life down on the ground. This is one of our research topics.

From natural science to social science, from risks to solutions, from identifying Planetary Boundaries to managing Global Commons: The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) is advancing the frontier of integrated research for global sustainability, and for a safe and just climate future. A member of the Leibniz Association, the institute is based in Potsdam, Brandenburg and connected with the global scientific community. Drawing on excellent research, PIK provides relevant scientific advice for policy decision-making. The institute’s international staff of about 480 is led by a committed interdisciplinary team of Directors. This is science – for a safe tomorrow.

News

Press Release

Deforestation lowers threshold for Amazon degradation to below 2°C warming

News

Programme overview: PIK and Ariadne at the Potsdam Science Day

News

PIK presents core research topics in a YouTube series

News

Girls’ Day 2026: From Ocean Current Experiments to the World Climate Conference

Press Release

A third of animal habitats on land could experience multiple extreme events by 2085, new study

News

New Lancet Europe report shows increase in heat‑attributable deaths and ballooning energy costs from fossil fuels

Press Release

Nordic Seas Overturning Circulation strengthens as Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation weakens, new study

Press Release

The 2040 milestones that Europe must meet to achieve climate neutrality by 2050

Press Release

Ottmar Edenhofer re-elected Chair of EU climate advisory board

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Videos

Video series: “Core research topics at PIK”

Episode 1: How stable is our planet? PIK Director Johan Rockström explains the “Planetary Boundaries” scientific framework. These limits refer to the stability of the Earth, its capacity to support life – and ultimately the safe operating space for humanity.