Ecological Economics deals with the question of how human activities can be shaped within the boundaries and conditions of ecological systems. For this purpose, an holistic perspective is taken to understand the relationships between economy, society and nature and to develop sustainable solutions.

How we work: 

To implement our understanding of Ecological Economics, we work together with researchers from various scientific disciplines and practice partners (inter- and transdisciplinary). Our partners are individual and organisational stakeholders from politics, administration, science, economy, and civil society. We use a great variety of qualitative and quantitative methods by which we compile insights for the scientific debate as well as problem-solving solutions for practice. In numerous projects, we accompany local and regional processes (among others in the region of the north-western German coast, sub-Saharan Africa) within the global context. Our societally relevant research topics are climate protection and adaptation, sustainable land use and urban development, biodiversity, social-ecological systems, governance, participation as well as social learning.

For addressing these issues, we value an open, respectful and humorous atmosphere within our team, which is strengthened with regular team activities.