About

In 2001, a group of people representing European research institutes, NGOs, and businesses founded the European Climate Forum. Gradually, our network has expanded well beyond Europe, through linkages with America, China, Australia and other regions of the world. Therefore, in 2011 the members' assembly decided to change the name of the organization to Global Climate Forum – GCF.

The Global Climate Forum initiates and performs innovative research on climate change and related global challenges. We are an association of institutes, companies, NGOs and individual researchers. We work in the network of governments, corporations and social movements that has formed around the issue of climate change. We do this by embedding our research in long-term stakeholder dialogues. Our aim thereby is not necessarily to reach a consensus, but to develop a variety of well-considered opinions. Often, this is the best foundation for sound decisions.

Our studies provide arguments for long-term climate mitigation and adaptation policies, ultimately leading towards a sustainable development path. GCF joint studies focus on problems, which different stakeholders have differing views on. GCF's goal is to clarify differences and produce analyses that summarise and advance our state of knowledge in critical areas. The forum cultivates a pluralistic exchange in which different points of view are freely expressed and debated, on a basis of mutual respect.

Topics of interest for GCF joint studies are:

• questions related to green growth
• global aspects of the interaction between climate change and the socio-economic system
• regional impacts of climate change
• adaptation and mitigation
• economic and political instruments for controlling greenhouse gas emissions
• technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as more efficient energy use
• the introduction of renewable technologies
• CO2 sequestration
• integrated risk management related to climate change, etc.
  
  

GCF has considerable experience in participating in and organising national and international research projects and interdisciplinary science-stakeholder dialogues, organising international scientific conferences, and encompassing scientists, stakeholders (from energy, insurances, financial, computing and other economic sectors), NGOs, as well as policy makers through such activities.

The Board of Directors consists of a minimum of four and maximum of seven members, including the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson. Members are elected for a period of two years. Re-election is possible.

Council of Process Leaders

The Council constitutes the assembly of the research process leaders. Current members are:

• Antonella Battaglini (SuperSmart Grid)
• Sebastian Gallehr (GCF Capacity Center)
• Carlo Giupponi (Participatory Methods)
• Jochen Hinkel (Adaptation and Social Learning)
• Armin Haas (Integrated Risk Governance)
• Klaus Hasselmann (Socio-Ecological Modelling)
• Eva-Britt Isager (Sustainable Cities)
• Carlo C. Jaeger (Green Growth)
• Ola Johannessen (Arctic)
• Gerd Leipold (Earth League)

Internal Auditors for the year 2012 are:

• Sebastian Gallehr
• Antoine Mandel

Click here for the GCF's Objectives & Vision and a complete list of our members, constituting the Members Assembly.