Elmar Kriegler

Elmar Kriegler is Head of the Research Department "Transformation Pathways" at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and Professor for Integrated Assessment of Climate Change at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Potsdam. His work focuses on climate change mitigation, sustainable development pathways, and integrated assessment modeling.

His educational background includes:

• Diploma (MS equivalent) in Physics from the University of Freiburg, Germany (1998)
• Ph.D. from the University of Potsdam, Germany (2005)
• Marie Curie Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA

Professor Kriegler's research centers on integrated assessment of climate change, scenario analysis, and decision analysis. His expertise lies in developing and applying models to explore mitigation pathways compatible with long-term climate goals, particularly the Paris Agreement targets. He has contributed significantly to understanding the interplay between climate policy, sustainable development, and socioeconomic factors through his work on Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs).

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on climate policy assessment, integrated modeling approaches, and the practical implications of climate science for decision-making. The articles span disciplines including climate science, economics, energy systems, and policy analysis, with particular emphasis on mitigation pathways, climate scenarios, and the socioeconomic dimensions of climate action.

Among his notable scientific achievements:

• Named Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics every year since 2018
• Lead author for multiple IPCC reports, including the Sixth Assessment Report on "Mitigation pathways compatible with long-term goals"
• Coordinator of international integrated assessment modeling projects
• Member of the scientific steering committee of the Integrated Assessment Modelling Consortium (IAMC)

Professor Kriegler has played a significant role in coordinating and contributing to major international climate research initiatives. His leadership in the development of the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways has been instrumental in advancing climate change research methodologies. Through his work at PIK and with international collaborators, he continues to shape the scientific understanding of climate mitigation pathways and sustainable development.

As Head of the Transformation Pathways department at PIK, he leads a research team focused on integrated assessment modeling and climate policy analysis. His department contributes to major international climate assessments and collaborates with policymakers to translate scientific findings into actionable insights for climate governance.