Karen Pittel

Prof. Karen Pittel is a Professor of Economics at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) and Director of the ifo Center for Energy, Climate, and Resources. She specializes in energy economics, climate policy, and sustainable development. Her academic roles include leadership in research and teaching at the intersection of environmental and resource economics.

• Habilitation: ETH Zürich (2010)
• PhD: Technische Universität Chemnitz (2000)
• Diplom in Economics: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (1995)

Her research focuses on energy systems, climate change adaptation, and sustainable resource management. Recent projects include analyses of EU energy policy, adaptation financing, and carbon management strategies. She has contributed to high-impact studies on the economic impacts of energy supply disruptions and climate policy frameworks.

Key awards include the 2017 ifo Award for exceptional success in managing third-party funded projects. She actively participates in national and international committees, such as co-chairing the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) and serving on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change.

Her teaching includes courses on climate economics, energy policy, and environmental sustainability, reflecting her commitment to bridging academic research and policy application.