International Climate Policy and Politics

How do geopolitics, populism, and global power relations influence international climate politics? Our researchers analyse these interdependencies and examine how countries of the Global South can promote sustainable development to engender fairer and more effective climate policy worldwide. 

International Climate Policy and Politics

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    Current Research

    Countries and Regions


    • Negotiations and stakeholder dialogue
    • Conflict management
    • Transformation to sustainability
    • Care and human flourishing
    • Governance of sustainability transitions
    • Knowledge cooperation, knowledge/science diplomacy
    • Scenario-building and futures scenarios
    • Sustainable energy
    • Urban mobility
    • Food security
    • Climate change, climate governance
    • Environmental and climate justice
    • Asia and Pacific
    • Latin America and the Caribbean
    • Southern Africa
    • Philippines
    • Indonesia
    • India
    • Japan
    • Mexico
    • Brazil
    • South Africa
    • Jamaica
    • Analysis of land-use changes in tropical and subtropical regions, emphasizing institutional, governance, and technological drivers.
    • Integration of social, economic, technological, and environmental perspectives to advance sustainable rural and agri-food system transformation.
    • Investigation of and engagement with science-policy interfaces in climate, biodiversity, agriculture, and food systems to bridge research and policy action.
    • Exploration of innovations, including digital tools and policy frameworks, to strengthen sustainability, resilience, and adaptation in food systems and landscapes.
    • Asia

    Anna Fünfgeld

    Anna Fünfgeld

    Research Project | 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2025

    Climate Obstruction and Foreign Policy in Comparative Perspective

    The fight against climate change continues to be hindered by campaigns of corporate and other actors who seek to prevent global and/or national action on climate change. This research group is set up to a joint and comparative research agenda on climate obstruction in and across key Global South countries. The lead institutions are the GIGA and the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ).
    DAAD/CAPES, 2024-2026

    Research Project | 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2026

    Leibniz Research Network “Integrated Earth System Research” (iESF)

    Humanity is increasingly influencing the Earth system that has evolved over millions of years. Visible signs of this 'Anthropocene' are global warming, pollution of the oceans and the decline in biodiversity. In the coming years, therefore, societal decisions of civilization-historical significance will have to be made. A fundamental question is: How can the Earth system be ecologically stabilized in such a way that well-being, prosperity, justice, peace and security for all people are secured or even achieved?
    Leibniz Association, 2022 - 2026

    Research Project | 01/05/2021 - 31/12/2025

    SAGE-Centre: Sustainable Adaptation to Global Change in the Middle East

    The overarching goal of SAGE is to contribute to sharing of and exposure to knowledge and capacity-building in disciplines relevant for sustainable resource management, to conduct multilateral, inter- and transdisciplinary research on areas of concern, and to make cutting-edge, relevant research available for decision-makers.
    DAAD, 2021-2025


    Chapter in Edited Volume | 02/2025

    When Energy Transition Does Not Meet Energy Poverty Mitigation: The Case of Ceará State in Brazil

    Energy transitions should prioritize justice, ensuring universal and reliable energy access at an affordable price for lower-income groups. Our analysis focuses on the significant expansion of wind and photovoltaic energy in Brazil’s northeastern state of Ceará from 2012 to 2022.

    T4T Co-LABorate Series | 2025

    Global Perspectives on Responsible Economic Statecraft

    With insights from more than 30 global experts on Global Perspectives on Responsible Economic Statecraft we discuss how economic tools can be used to navigate geopolitical tensions, balance diverging interests, and contribute to more stability through forward-looking and proactive strategies. Download the report in this page.

    Nature Climate Change | 01/2025

    Tax Carbon Cautiously for Sub-Saharan Africa

    A carbon tax will not curb current emissions in sub-Saharan Africa and is unlikely to prevent future carbon lock-in effects. Meanwhile, a carbon tax could hit the poor in this region, thus the international community should be careful in pushing sub-Saharan Africa towards carbon taxation.

    GIGA Focus Latin America | 6/2024

    Brazil G20 Summit 2024: The Global South Takes Centre Stage

    The G20 summit in Brazil will take place at a crossroads in the global power dynamic. The traditional dominance of the rich nations is being challenged by a more united Global South, while diplomatic bridges need to be built to address pressing economic, political, and environmental issues.

    Cooperation Event | 27/02/2025

    From Promise to Practice: Assessing Global Carbon Markets

    The Digital Development Dialogue (3D) seminar explores the gap between the promises and realities of global carbon markets focusing in particular on REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects within the voluntary carbon market. While nature-based solutions, particularly conservation projects under REDD+, constitute a significant share of carbon credits, their effectiveness and social impact have been widely debated.

    SRF, Schweizer Rundfunk | Interview | 05/09/2024

    SRFglobal: Sudan zwischen Goldgier und Gewalt

    Zwei Generäle bringen den Sudan an den Rand des Abgrunds. Es geht um persönliche Ambitionen, um Rohstoffe und Häfen, um den Einfluss ausländischer Mächte – und um ethnische Säuberungen. Die Folgen sind eine Hungerkatastrophe und mehr als zwölf Millionen Vertriebene. In der Sendung «#SRFglobal» mit Moderator Sebastian Ramspeck äussern sich der ehemalige Uno-Sonderbeauftragte Volker Perthes sowie die Politikwissenschaftlerin Hager Ali.

    Seminar | 14/10/2024

    Socioeconomic Impact of Climate Change on Southern Marshes of Iraq

    This roundtable discussion targets academics, policymakers, and experts from various regions, including Iraq, Germany, Europe, and the Mashriq with expertise in environmental studies, migration, climate policy, social sciences, and public administration. They are actively engaged in research, policy development, and implementation related to environmental crises, migration dynamics, and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Organised with generous funding from the DAAD Ta’ziz Programm.

    Hamburg Ministry of Science, Research, and Equality | 02/10/2024 - 08/10/2024

    Ghana Science Delegation

    Organiser: Hamburg Ministry of Science, Research, and Equality Dr. Julia Grauvogel (Invited Guest)

    Senior Research Fellow Dr Julia Grauvogel took part in a delegation trip to Ghana from 2 to 8 October 2024. The trip was organised by the Hamburg Ministry of Science, Research, Equalities and Districts (BWFGB) under the leadership of Second Mayor and Senator for Science Katharina Fegebank. The delegation's intensive discussions led to promising research collaborations.

    President (ad interim)

    Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach is President (ad interim) of the GIGA.

    Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

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    Africa|Asia|Latin America|Middle East

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