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We do research on Biomass
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We do research on Resources
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We do research on Mobility
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We do research on Nutrition
We do research on Industry & Products
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We do research on Energy

Welcome to ifeu

ifeu researches and advises on all important environmental and sustainability issues worldwide. With over 45 years of experience, it is one of the most important ecologically oriented research institutes in Germany. Our work is characterised by experience, independence, practical relevance and a goal-oriented approach. At present, ifeu has over 120 employees from the fields of natural sciences, engineering and social sciences at its sites in Heidelberg, Berlin and Hamburg.

ifeu News

01/16/2026

Shaping climate change in a socially responsible manner

As part of the event series ‘Treffpunkt Transformation – Zukunftswissen im ifeu’ (Meeting Point Transformation – Future Knowledge at ifeu), Dr Brigitte Knopf, founder of the think tank ‘Zukunft KlimaSozial’ (Future Climate Social) in Berlin, spoke about the central importance of socially just climate policy. In her presentation, she made it clear that climate protection and social policy must be considered together from the outset – especially in the areas of housing, energy and mobility, which have a profound impact on people's lives.

01/08/2026

Brochure: Shaping the heat transition – knowledge and ideas for local activists

‘Shaping the heating transition – knowledge and ideas for local activists’ is a new brochure from BUND and ifeu that helps citizens to gain a thorough understanding of the heating transition and actively shape it. It is aimed at committed individuals who want to promote climate-friendly, affordable and socially equitable heating – both in their own homes and at the local level.

12/17/2025

Ready for a heat pump? Online tool gives homeowners an initial assessment

Is my house suitable for heating with a heat pump? The new ‘Heat Pump Building Check’ provides homeowners with a quick assessment. Using a simplified room-by-room heating load analysis, the online tool shows whether the building is ‘low-temperature-compatible’, i.e. which rooms can be heated sufficiently with a flow temperature of maximum 55 °C or where this can be achieved with minor measures. The ‘Heat Pump Building Check’ is a new, free online tool that is now available to homeowners to assess the technical suitability of existing buildings for the use of a heat pump. The application was developed on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency under the leadership of the ifeu Institute, together with the non-profit consulting company co2online and the engineering firm Heckmann.

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Projects

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Reduction and regulation of embodied carbon emissions in the German building sector

Comparison of the options for Germany

In this project, embodied emissions from new buildings and possible development paths are examined and policy instruments for addressing them are developed.

Plug in PV

Plug in PV – very small PV systems, suitable especially for tenants – is increasingly gaining in importance. ifeu analysed the economic and energetic benefits as well as the societal framework and the…

Evaluation of the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve as an energy-efficiency region

In the context of the project “Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve as an energy-efficiency region” carried out by BUND Baden-Württemberg State Association, the idea was to promote energy saving measures and…

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ifeu Newsletter

Would you like to stay up to date with the latest news from ifeu? Subscribe to our newsletter now and find out what's on our minds about once a month (only in German)

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ifeu- Podcast

Scientists from ifeu talk to editors from the Berlin communications agency Ahnen&Enkel about current research topics. Only available in German.

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Carbon Calculator

Calculate your personal CO₂ footprint and optimise it for the future. ifeu has created the data basis for the UBA CarbonCalculator and is constantly developing it further.

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New: The electricity application check. This gives you more transparency about the most important electricity consumption in your household and compares it with statistical average values for households of your size. (in German)

Start check