Overview
NewClimate Institute is a non-profit think tank established in November 2014, headquartered in Germany with offices in Cologne and Berlin. It focuses on climate policy and global sustainability, generating ideas and helping to implement them. Its core mission is to support sustainable development by informing effective climate action and raising ambition worldwide.
Mission and focus areas
NewClimate Institute aims to accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon, sustainable future through independent research, policy design and knowledge sharing. Its work spans several thematic areas including energy transition, carbon markets, mitigation targets and actions, governance and diplomacy, sustainable development and just transition, and sustainable finance. By producing rigorous analysis and evidence-based recommendations, the Institute supports ESG integration and sustainability-driven value creation for governments, businesses and other stakeholders.
Structure and governance
The Institute is legally constituted as a non-profit limited liability company (gGmbH), managed by six partners who are the only shareholders. Senior leadership includes founding members such as Dr Niklas Höhne. With a diverse, international team, the organisation operates through collaborative projects funded on a per-project basis rather than via core funding.
Programs and offerings
NewClimate Institute delivers a broad range of outputs including policy reports, academic studies, briefing papers and blog posts. Its tools and resources help track national and sectoral climate targets, evaluate corporate climate claims, assess carbon market mechanisms, and provide guidance on sustainable finance and climate diplomacy. Notably, it co-publishes the Climate Action Tracker (CAT), a widely used resource for assessing country-level emission trajectories against agreed climate goals. Through these offerings, the Institute facilitates evidence-based decision-making for policymakers, businesses and financial actors working on climate and sustainability.
