Climate Politics and the Global South

We work on the politics of climate change. We investigate options to enable low- and middle-income countries to achieve reduced carbon trajectories without compromising economic development and poverty reduction, alongside studying also the role of the Global South in international climate negotiations.

Climate Politics and the Global South

  • 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.

    GIGA Focus Global | 2/2024

    Why Just Energy Transition Partnerships Are Not Enough

    JETPs are envisioned as catalysts for socially just energy transitions in fossil fuel-dependent countries. Yet, shortcomings of the mechanism, political-economic structures, and the initial implementation plans of South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam leave major doubts this goal will be reached.

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    Current Research

    Countries and Regions



    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


    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.

    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.

    Environmental Research Letters | 11/2024

    Re-Imagining the Use of Integrated Assessment Models from a Social Science Perspective: Lessons from the Sustainable Development Pathways (SDP)

    We address critiques of integrated assessment models, advocating for robust interdisciplinary integration and clearer methodological transparency. Our recommendations stem from expert interviews from 2019 to 2024, emphasizing the need for comprehensive social science engagement.

    Bjoern Soergel

    Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

    Blog Article | 06/2024

    Klimawandel, Migration und Konflikt (Update): Der Klimawandel bringt nicht nur Ökosysteme durcheinander, er bedroht auch die Lebensgrundlage vieler Menschen

    In frühen Einschätzungen der möglichen Zusammenhänge zwischen Klimawandel und Gewaltkonflikten spielte Migration eine bedeutende Rolle. Es wurde oftmals vermutet, dass eine große Zahl von Menschen ihre Heimat infolge des Klimawandels verlassen müsste.

    Prof. Dr. Michael Brzoska

    Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy

    Committee on World Food Security (CFS 51) - Side Event | 27/10/2023

    Just Transition or Green Grabbing?

    Large-scale commercial agriculture continues to replace agricultural practices of indigenous peoples (IPs), pastoralists, and smallholder farmers worldwide. To avoid “green grabbing” but achieve a “just transition” the side event will raise awareness for the scale of the problem, present evidence about the contribution of these communities in tackling climate change, highlight lessons learned from the “global land rush” and discuss the role of strengthening international frameworks and land tenure rights.

    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

    Regional Institutes

    Africa|Asia|Latin America|Middle East

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