The Wuppertal Institute mission, scientific approach, structure, financing

The Wuppertal Institute mission, scientific approach, structure, financing Prof. Dr. Manfred Fischedick Vice President September 2012

The Mission of the Wuppertal Institute Inter- and transdisciplinary Sustainability Research The WI explores and develops models, strategies and instruments to support a sustainable development at local, national and international levels. Sustainability research at the WI focuses on ecology and its relation to economy and society. Our research analyses and initiates technological and social innovations that decouple economic growth from nature use. September 2012 2

Background of Foundation Why such an institute and why in Wuppertal (Northrhine Westphalia) Funding impulse from Johannes Rau the former prime minister of NRW and president of Germany NRW as central energy and industry country of Germany Growing environmental pressure: necessity to shape economies in a more environmental way Lack of independent science based knowledge Lack of unconventional think tanks Scientific policy consulting body (think tank): no university Independent connecting point between basic science (universities) and policy/business September 2012 3

Wuppertal Institute at a glance Legal and financial status President: Prof. Dr. Uwe Schneidewind Vice President: Prof. Dr. Manfred Fischedick Head of Administration: Brigitte Mutert Setting up: 1991 conducted by Prof. Dr. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker (-2000), followed by Prof. Dr. Peter Hennicke (-2008) Legal form: Ltd., Non-Profit-Organisation; Ownership: State of North Rhine-Westphalia Staff: ca. 200 members from all disciplines (plus approx. 50 PhD Students) Projects: 80-120 projects per year Budget 2011: 3.4 Mio. Euro basic funds from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (increase expected) > 9.0 Mio. Euro of third party funds (UN, EU, Ministries, Private Sector, NGOs) Common daughter with UNEP UNEP Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP) September 2012 Wuppertal headquarter Berlin Office

Science Company Wuppertal Institute Locations Where we are? Wuppertal headquarter Berlin Office September 2012 5

What are the specifics of the Wuppertal Institute? Selected examples Specifics of the Wuppertal Institute - a broad Transition Competence Focus on energy/climate and resource issues and its interlinkages. Integration of different sectors within its research groups (e.g. energy and mobility) Transition research as specific type of problem oriented research High competencies in system analysis and system evaluation to desribe system transformation and transitions Time Scope: Ability to develop and analyse short term (e.g. implementation projects with companies, municipalities), mid-term (2020-scenarios) and long-term transitions (e.g. Munich 2050, Sustainable Germany) Spatial Scope: Integration of local, regional, national and international sustainability Issues. Broad integration of stakeholders (transdiciplinary approach) Integration of sustainability issues with its economic opportunities and social challenges (socio-economic research focus) Integrational competence is essential for the Institute September 2012

Research Topics and Organisation Research Groups, Focus Subjects, Cross Cutting Subjects - cross problem oriented (integrative) approach Technologies & Infrastructures Market Actors Governance RG1 RG3 Future Energy and Mobility Structures Material Flows and Resource Management Integration of Climate-, Energy- and Resourcerelated Aspects Energy, Transport and Climate Policy Sustainable Production and Consumption RG2 RG4 Macro Meso Micro September 2012 7

Wuppertal Institute Transition Research Research related to the transformation of the energy system Mission How can sustainable energy and mobility structures be shaped in the future? How can the transition to such structures take place? What are the implications and chances connected to the transformation process? How can the process be guided? Approach Technology (multi criteria) assessment Scenario analysis (back- und forecasting) Life Cycle and Material Flow Analysis (Dynamic LCA, MFA) Dynamic bottom up (market) potential analysis: technologies, system solutions Others (e.g. socio-economic analysis, impact and stakeholder analysis, infrastructure concepts, road mapping processes) The options in general: CONTINUATION OF THE FOSSIL-EXPANSIVE PATH structural adaptation ENERGY DEMAND REDUCTION ad-hoc adaptation reduction of energy services Possible integrated strategies: efficiencyenhancement September 2012 9 carbon sequestration renewable option nuclear option ENERGY CARRIER SUBSTITUTION

Integrated research perspective at the Wuppertal Institute How do we look on the energy system transition process (holistic approach) Technology challenge: further development of system integration technologies (e.g. storage and hybrid systems, prognosis methods, smart grid) Compatibility challenge: cooperation between conventional and new technology options Capital challenge: covering investment needs (early investment: pay now earn back money later) Infrastructure challenge: further development of appropriate infrastructure (e.g. smart und super smart grid) Resource challenge: avoid negative resource impacts (critical resources, toxic materials) Stakeholder challenge: persistence forces of established stakeholder Policy challenge: Integrated regional, national and international policy initiative (multi-level approach) Social challenge: Public perception and societal acceptance (incl. infrastructure measures and paradigm shift: renewable energies are no more only decentralized technologies) September 2012

Integrated perspective requires interdisciplinary staff The Team in 2011 ca. 200 Staff members 90 Employed scientists (= 70 scientific full-time jobs) Scientific Disciplines Natural sciences Environmental sciences Geography Systems sciences Engineering sciences Share 41% Planning sciences Economics Political science and law Social sciences Share 59% Further team members Scientific Services Administrative Services Ph.D. students (status 2010: 48) Research students and trainees September 2012 12

What are the success needs for the Wuppertal Institute? Selected examples Problem oriented research focus Focus on relevant research questions for society: gaining knowledge for solving problems not gaining knowledge about something Integration of relevant knowledge for complex issues: interdisciplinary approach Integration of stakeholder in the concrete research work: transdisciplinary approach Independency from political parties from single third party clients and financing bodies from single research topics International and national cooperation (WI as part of the scientific community) Scientific excellence in selected fields as sound basis for acting as consulting body (e.g. for industry, administrations and policy decision makers) with high credibility (e.g. through regular evaluation process through German Scientific Council) September 2012

Third Party Funds a diversified structure to guarantee independent work guarantees independency Projects - Budget - Clients Projects 80-120 Projects per year 9 m Euro third party funds (2010) 68 % by public clients 32 % by private clients National Federal Government / Lower House of German Parliament (Bundestag) The State of North Rhine-Westphalia Further German states Communes and districts Universities, research institutions Enterprises and associations in economy Communal enterprises, municipal utilities Foundations Associations and institutions International European Commission Governmental organisations Research institutions Enterprises and associations in economy NGO and other September 2012

International cooperation - networks with Universities and Scientific Partners Formal cooperations DESERTEC University Network September 2012 15

National cooperation networks Wuppertal Institute as facilitator for cooperation "Policy Advice"- Institutes "Traditional" Research Institutes "Consultants" Applied Sustainability Research Institute with a Focus on Transformation/Transition Processes Sustainability Initiatives of the national Science Organisations Sustainability Universities" Sustainability Initiatives of the National Academies September 2012 16

International Activities of the Wuppertal Institute Selected research networks with strong links to renewable energies Coordinating Lead Author IPCC Special Report Renewable Energies (Mitigation potential and costs) 5 th Assessment Report (Industry) Member in the United Nations Resource Panel Working group coordinator Biofuels German representing institute G8 Low Carbon Society Research network Low carbon strategies (communities, countries) September 2012 17

Selected examples for independent scientific based policy and industry consulting of the Wuppertal Institute Scientific background and impulses for the creation of policy instruments e.g. German Renewable Energy Law EU Directive for Energy Efficiency Scenario analysis and multi-criteria technology assessment as basis for policy maker decisions on energy system development e.g. European Union, Germany, NRW, Tunisia, Turkey etc. Low Carbon Cities (e.g. Innovation City Ruhr, Munich, Düsseldorf - Wuxi) Scientific background and impulses for the creation of new utility business fields e.g. Biogas feed in strategy Energy service strategy Impulses for public and scientific debates on sustainable consumption and production standards e.g. G8 Low Carbon Society Research network Sustainable Germany and Sustainable Europa September 2012 18

Transition Research as specific type of problem oriented research a blueprint for DISEM Agenda and scientific approach? Understanding the System Policies Economy Society Technology Infra- structure Climate Resources Landuse Enabling Transitions Multilevel Transition- Cycle Learning & Up-scaling Evaluating, monitoring and learning for large-scale diffusion Mobilizing actors and executing projects and experiments Experiments Problem - Problem assessment, establishment and further development of the transition arena Developing Sustainability visions, concrete concepts and transition agendas Development Experiments Assessment Vision - Transitions to what? Defining Targets Land use Climate Global justice Resssource Wealth System-Knowledge (Understanding socio-technical systems in their natural environment) Transformation- Knowledge (Enabling complex societal transitions) Target-Knowledge (Defining socio-ecological targets for a sustainable world) September 2012 19

Thank you very much for your intention " Prof. Dr. Manfred Fischedick! Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie GmbH D-42004 Wuppertal Tel. +49 202 2492-109 (-198 Fax), manfred.fischedick@wupperinst.org http://www.wupperinst.org!