As climate policy becomes increasingly interconnected, so too does the expertise required to support it.

Ecologic Institute’s new Climate Programme, jointly led by Eike Karola Velten and Matthias Duwe, brings together our work on climate mitigation and energy, climate adaptation, and legal and economic analysis under one single programme structure.

This setup reflects the growing need for integrated climate policy approaches that bridge different governance levels, policy sectors and disciplinary perspectives.

For Matthias and Eike, the joint leadership model is a deliberate element of the programme’s strength.

Together, they combine complementary expertise across climate governance, policy implementation, economics, data-driven analysis and international climate diplomacy.  As long-standing colleagues, they bring more than 40 years of experience in climate policy to the role, including three decades at Ecologic Institute.

“We want to further strengthen collaboration across disciplines and policy areas, so that we can develop integrated, practical and impactful policy solutions,” says Eike.

A programme spanning all levels of climate governance

The Climate Programme brings together a team of around 25 experts working across international, European, national and local climate policy.

Its work spans a broad range of issues, including but not limited to:

• tracking Europe’s progress towards climate neutrality,
• advising on international climate negotiations,
• analysing climate laws and governance frameworks,
• working on energy security,
• providing trainings on carbon pricing,
• designing incentives for sustainable carbon dioxide removals, and
• advancing the understanding of the economics of adaptation.

This broad scope reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of climate policymaking, where questions of mitigation, adaptation, competitiveness, resilience and social acceptance can no longer be addressed separately.

A crucial window for climate policy

The coming years will be decisive for shaping the transition towards a climate-neutral, competitive and prosperous future.

“In the EU and Germany, decisions are being taken now - and will continue to be taken over the next two years - on the policies that have to take us towards climate neutrality,” says Eike, with a view to the post-2030 architecture.

The programme aims to support policymakers with robust analysis and practical recommendations that help translate climate goals into effective action and implementation.

The programme also emphasises the economic rationale for ambitious climate action. “Every Euro spent on climate action is worth ten in avoided damages, and an investment into a resilient, healthy and prosperous future,” adds Matthias.

Watch the video to hear more about the Climate Programme and its vision for supporting effective and integrated climate policymaking.