The Institut für ökologische Wirtschaftsforschung (IÖW) is an independent German research institute focused on applied sustainability research. Based in Berlin, it studies how economic activity can be aligned with environmental limits and social goals. The institute describes its core task as developing strategies and practical approaches for “sustainable economic activity” — in other words, an economy that supports a good life while preserving natural resources.
Founded in 1985, the IÖW works across a broad set of topics, including companies and value creation, alternative economics, policy and governance, the energy transition, climate protection and adaptation, consumption and lifestyles, nature and ecosystems, cities and regions, digital change, and innovation and technology. Its work is interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary, bringing together researchers from different fields and partnering with actors from science, business, civil society, politics, and public administration.
The institute’s research is not limited to academic output. It also develops policy recommendations and advisory work for decision-makers, including members of the German Bundestag, federal ministries, and agencies. Among its better-known contributions is a sustainability ranking of German corporate sustainability reports, which it has carried out since 2005. The IÖW also publishes the journal Ökologisches Wirtschaften and runs the blog Postwachstum.
Recent projects show the institute’s strong policy relevance. In 2026, it presented findings on how regional value creation from renewable energy could increase significantly by 2033, and it has been involved in research on sufficiency, photovoltaics, and the wider energy transition. The IÖW’s profile places it firmly in the German and European sustainability research landscape.