Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies
(2009, Potsdam; ~200 staff; iass-potsdam.de/en)
A multidisciplinary research institute that aims “to develop transformative knowledge which is needed to pave the way towards sustainable societies through transdisciplinary research.” Created on the recommendation of the Alliance of German Scientific Organizations. The overarching topic: sustainable development in the Anthropocene. Aims to pursue” development pathways that enable us to build globally just, environmentally sustainable and economically viable societies for the present and the future.” In this context they work towards aligning “our politics, culture, economy and technologies with the vision of sustainable development.” The work is guided by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Programs:
Publications:
- Blog
- A series of research dossiers
- An extensive library of academic research, policy briefs, fact sheets, papers, reports, etc.
- HIGHLIGHTS:
- Breakdown or Breakthrough? Degrowth and the Great Transition(Blog article, Feb 2020)
- Changing the scientific approach to fast transitions to a sustainable world: Improving knowledge production for sustainable policy and practice (Juli 2019, 35p)
- CO2 as an Asset: Challenges and potential for society (Nov 2016, 126p)
- Earth’s Future in the Anthropocene: Technological Interventions between Piecemeal and Utopian Social Engineering (Feb 2014, 5p)
Leadership: Prof. Ortwin Renn (Managing Scientific Director), Prof. Karin Lochte (Chair)
Note: Prof. Klaus Töpfer was the Founding and Executive Director of the IASS. He was also former Director General of the UN Environment Programme.