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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Digitalisation and Climate Action
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
Dr. Vera Demary
Head of Digitalisation and Climate Action Research Unit
Tel: +49 221 4981-749 Mail: vera.demary@iwkoeln.de Vera DemaryBarbara Engels
Senior Economist for Sustainable Digitalisation
Tel: +49 221 4981-703 Mail: engels@iwkoeln.de Barbara Engels @BarEngelsAndreas Fischer
Economist for Energy and Climate Policy
Tel: +49 221 4981-402 Mail: fischer@iwkoeln.deMalte Küper
Researcher for Energy and Climate Policy
Tel: +49 221 4981-673 Mail: kueper@iwkoeln.de Malte KüperDr. Sarah Lichtenthäler
Economist for Environment, Circular Economy and Sustainability
Tel: +49 221 4981-838 Mail: Lichtenthaeler@iwkoeln.deDr. Adriana Neligan
Senior Economist for Environment, Circular Economy and Sustainability
Tel: +49 30 27877-128 Mail: neligan@iwkoeln.de Adriana Neligan @a_neliganThomas Puls
Senior Economist for Transport and Infrastructure
Tel: +49 221 4981-766 Mail: puls@iwkoeln.deDr. Klaus-Heiner Röhl
Senior Economist for SME Policy and Regional Policy
Tel: +49 30 27877-103 Mail: roehl@iwkoeln.de Klaus-Heiner RöhlDr. Christian Rusche
Senior Economist for Competition and Structural Change
Tel: +49 221 4981-412 Mail: rusche@iwkoeln.deDr. Thilo Schaefer
Head of Digitalisation and Climate Action Research Unit
Tel: +49 221 4981-791 Mail: thilo.schaefer@iwkoeln.de Thilo SchaeferDr. Marc Scheufen
Senior Economist for the Economic Analysis of Law
Tel: +49 221 4981-742 Mail: scheufen@iwkoeln.de @MarcScheufenAll news
Market Report of Circular Business Models in the Electronics Market in Germany
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.
Adriana Neligan / Lennart Bolwin / Circularity* / Deloitte* / Fraunhofer IZM* / Systemiq* IW
The automotive industry in 2024
Since the turn of the millennium, the epicenter of the global automotive industry has shifted to Asia. Virtually all growth has taken place in Asia and China in particular. In 2023, almost 60 percent of all motor vehicles were built in Asia and almost 50 percent were sold there.
Thomas Puls IW
Crypto regulation in the EU
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Markus Demary / Vera Demary IW
Compendium 5.5: CO2 Regulation of Road Transport in Europe
With the Compendium CO2 Regulation in Europe, the IW has been providing the interested public with a comprehensive collection of data on the development of CO2 emissions from passenger car traffic in the European Union, as well as on the applicable regulatory framework, since 2015.
Thomas Puls IW
Data Utilisation and Data Sharing: The Potential and the Reality in German Companies
Companies that store their data extensively in digital form, process it in a structured manner and use it in a variety of ways can become particularly efficient members of the data economy.
Dennis Bakalis / Jan Büchel IW
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