Schellnhuber was chosen for “his outstanding leadership in the intellectual and conceptual development of Earth System science as well as for his ability to forge exceptionally powerful and effective links between science and policy at the highest levels around the world”.
He developed several iconic concepts that have given important impulses to international research. For instance the analysis of “tipping elements” in the climate system, but also the now internationally widely accepted two-degree-target for limiting climate change that was conceived under the leadership of Schellnhuber by the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU). Almost 20 years ago he founded the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research that he heads today.
