Katja Mintenbeck

Katja Mintenbeck is a marine biologist and scientific director of the IPCC Working Group II Technical Support Unit, based at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI). Her work focuses on synthesizing climate change impacts, adaptation strategies, and vulnerability assessments across natural and social sciences. She leads interdisciplinary efforts to ensure the IPCC’s rigorous, policy-relevant reports are accessible to global decision-makers.

Research Interests: Climate change impacts on ecosystems, ocean acidification, marine carbon dynamics, and the integration of climate science with socioeconomic frameworks. She emphasizes the IPCC’s role in bridging disciplinary gaps and addressing challenges like pandemic-era digital collaboration.

Key Projects: Coordinated the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) for Working Group II, contributing to the Synthesis Report and Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere. Her research also includes Antarctic marine ecology, fish trophodynamics, and biodiversity responses to environmental disturbances.

Grants & Collaborations: Involved in EU projects like BIOACID and TROPOS, focusing on ocean acidification and multipurpose marine platforms. Collaborates globally to assess climate risks for vulnerable regions like mountains and polar areas.

Labs/Teams: Directs the IPCC Working Group II Technical Support Unit, fostering international collaboration among scientists and policymakers. Engages with AWI’s marine and polar research groups, particularly in Antarctic and Arctic studies.