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Digitalisation and Climate Action

With the German economy undergoing a comprehensive transformation process, the Digitalisation and Climate Action Research Unit examines how companies operate in a market environment that is evolving in line with these structural changes.

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Firms are currently being impacted by two trends in particular: digital transformation and the government’s climate policy targets. Both necessitate adjustments to business processes which require capital investments. However, these trends also represent opportunities for companies to adapt their products and services, and even their business models, and to position themselves optimally for the future.

For this to happen, it is vital that the framework conditions are set such as to ensure a functioning competition, to facilitate the founding of successful start-ups, and to promote business development. Moreover, the work of our Research Unit is based on the conviction that Germany can only develop sustainably if climate protection is pursued efficiently, energy is generated in an affordable, reliable and environmentally friendly manner and enterprises enjoy access to the necessary resources. If this succeeds, companies in Germany will be able to take advantage of market opportunities and shape their future in an attractive business location.

Contact Persons

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Andreas Fischer

Andreas Fischer

Economist for Energy and Climate Policy

Tel: +49 221 4981-402
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Malte Küper

Malte Küper

Researcher for Energy and Climate Policy

Tel: +49 221 4981-673 Malte Küper
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Sarah Lichtenthäler

Dr. Sarah Lichtenthäler

Economist for Environment, Circular Economy and Sustainability

Tel: +49 221 4981-838
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Adriana Neligan

Dr. Adriana Neligan

Senior Economist for Environment, Circular Economy and Sustainability

Tel: +49 30 27877-128 Adriana Neligan @a_neligan
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Thomas Puls

Thomas Puls

Senior Economist for Transport and Infrastructure

Tel: +49 221 4981-766
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Klaus-Heiner Röhl

Dr. Klaus-Heiner Röhl

Senior Economist for SME Policy and Regional Policy

Tel: +49 30 27877-103 Klaus-Heiner Röhl
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Thilo Schaefer

Dr. Thilo Schaefer

Head of Digitalisation and Climate Action Research Unit

Tel: +49 221 4981-791 Thilo Schaefer
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Marc Scheufen

Dr. Marc Scheufen

Senior Economist for the Economic Analysis of Law

Tel: +49 221 4981-742 @MarcScheufen
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All news

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How Companies and Employees Assess its Effects on Productivity
IW-Trends No. 4 22. January 2025

More Productive with AI?: How Companies and Employees Assess its Effects on Productivity

Andrea Hammermann / Roschan Monsef / Oliver Stettes

Almost one third of all employees in Germany have had at least one new artificial intelligence (AI) application introduced at their workplace since 2022. AI is most commonly used for automatic data processing and text recognition.

IW

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Financing the Sustainability Agenda
External Publication 22. January 2025

Financing the Sustainability Agenda

Markus Demary / Adriana Neligan in Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies

Financing the necessary innovations and investments for a successful decarbonisation in the EU is challenging. The main reasons are tighter banking regulations, increased bureaucracy for loan applications and portfolio reallocations away from carbon-intensive industries.

IW

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Digitalisation of the economy in Germany
Expertise 16. January 2025

Digitalisation Index 2024: Digitalisation of the economy in Germany

Jan Büchel / Marc Scheufen / Barbara Engels

The Digitalisation Index 2024 shows that the German economy has become around 14 percent more digital in the last five years. However, despite this progress, key challenges remain: The East has not been able to escape its role as the digitalisation bottom performer in the past five years.

IW

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Market Report of Circular Business Models in the Electronics Market in Germany
Expertise 8. October 2024

Market Report of Circular Business Models in the Electronics Market in Germany

Adriana Neligan / Lennart Bolwin / Circularity* / Deloitte* / Fraunhofer IZM* / Systemiq*

Electronic devices are essential in daily life, but their widespread use has led to environmental challenges. Circular business models—such as second-hand sales and rental services —are key to mitigating these effects by extending the useful life of a product or intensifying the usage.

IW

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