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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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Barbara Engels

Barbara Engels

Senior Economist for Sustainable Digitalisation and AI

Tel: +49 221 4981-703 Barbara Engels @BarEngels
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Andreas Fischer

Andreas Fischer

Senior Economist for Energy and Climate Policy

Tel: +49 221 4981-402
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Malte Küper

Malte Küper

Senior Economist for Energy and Climate Policy

Tel: +49 221 4981-673 Malte Küper
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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 Artificial Intelligence and Data Regulation

Tel: +49 221 4981-742 Marc Scheufen

All news

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Critical Choices: How Malaysia and Germany can Navigate Shifting Energy Geostrategy
External Publication 26. October 2026

Critical Choices: How Malaysia and Germany can Navigate Shifting Energy Geostrategy

Stewart Nixon* / Malte Küper in Policy Ideas

Malaysia and Germany, as constructive and reliable participants in globally interdependent energy (as well as trade and financial) markets, face an increasingly hostile, volatile, and uncertain environment surrounding energy choices.

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Fiscal Effects of Having Children
IW-Report No. 43 15. October 2026

Fiscal Effects of Having Children

Wido Geis-Thöne

The fiscal effects of children are relevant to various areas of policymaking.

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Event 14. October 2026 Alexander Radunz

Expert Workshop on the Industrial Accelerator Act

The German Economic Institute (IW) and Frontier Economics are pleased to invite you to a rapporteur & stakeholder workshop on the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) in Brussels.

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Universal entitlement, unequal provision: childcare in segregated German cities
External Publication 13. October 2026

Universal entitlement, unequal provision: childcare in segregated German cities

Matthias Diermeier / Jan Engler* / Melinda Fremerey / Leon Wansleben* in Journal of Social Policy

One mechanism driving persistent inequalities in childcare provision, despite rising investments and a substantial expansion of childcare facilities, may consist in the locational choices of providers, who eschew poorer neighbourhoods.

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A Comparison of Public Revenues Across the Federal States
IW-Report No. 41 12. October 2026

A Comparison of Public Revenues Across the Federal States

Björn Kauder

To ensure equivalent living conditions, the federal government influences the revenues of the states and municipalities. Under the fiscal equalization system, financially weak states receive surpluses in the distribution of sales tax revenues, while financially strong states must accept shortfalls.

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