adelphi
adelphi is a Berlin-based independent think-and-do tank and consultancy advising governments, international organizations, foundations, and corporates on climate, environment, and sustainable development policy across six thematic fields.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What adelphi does
adelphi (legally adelphi consult GmbH) is a Berlin-headquartered independent think-and-do tank and consultancy focused on climate, environment, and sustainable development. Founded in 1999 and operating with 251-500 employees, the firm is structured around two core operating subsidiaries (adelphi research and adelphi global) and the sub-brand phiyond by adelphi, which targets corporate sustainability advisory. The company works across six thematic fields: Climate, Energy, Resources, Economy, Finance, and Diplomacy, delivering services including climate adaptation and vulnerability assessments, carbon markets and pricing analysis, international energy transition consulting, biodiversity and extractive resources analysis, circular economy advisory, sustainable finance policy work, and climate security assessments.
Underlying capability rests on policy research and consulting methodologies rather than proprietary technology platforms. The firm combines research publications, policy advisory, project implementation, and convening roles (e.g., supporting UN climate negotiations, contributing to climate diplomacy dialogues). Its core technology is human-expert-led analysis supported by deep publication libraries and institutional partnerships, including a research collaboration with IIASA. No software products, APIs, or AI-driven offerings are indicated in the available data.
Revenue is generated through project-based consulting engagements and grants/contracts with governments, international organizations, multilateral development banks, foundations (Rockefeller Foundation, Foundation S), NGOs, and private-sector clients. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and engagements appear to be quotation-based. Notable contracts include participation in a Capgemini-led consortium acting as exclusive European Investment Bank partner for Project Development Assistance under the €40 billion EU Innovation Fund (expected to deliver 150+ PDAs over four years). The firm also executed an EU-Japan Green Alliance Facility project and commissioned work on climate and health finance flows for the Rockefeller Foundation. Customer segments are predominantly governmental and intergovernmental, with growing exposure to private-sector sustainability advisory via phiyond by adelphi.
adelphi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- adelphi
- Legal name
- adelphi consult GmbH
- Website
- https://adelphi.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- adelphi is a Berlin-based independent think-and-do tank and consultancy advising governments, international organizations, foundations, and corporates on climate, environment, and sustainable development policy across six thematic fields.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
adelphi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Consulting and Policy Advisory
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (541620)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Climate Risk & Scenario Analysis (TCFD/IFRS S2) (EUAHAJAD)
Keywords
Where adelphi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
adelphi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Consulting Services: Project-based consulting engagements for climate, environment, and sustainability policy research and advisory services
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
adelphi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
adelphi provides research, consulting, policy advisory, and project implementation services across climate, environment, and development. The firm works on climate adaptation and vulnerability assessments, carbon markets and pricing, international energy transition consulting, biodiversity and extractive resources analysis, circular economy and resource efficiency, sustainable finance policy advisory, and climate and security assessments. It also produces publications, opinions, and insights while supporting climate negotiations and policy development globally.
Product overview
adelphi is Europe's leading independent think-and-do tank and consultancy for climate, environment, and development. The organization operates through six thematic fields of action: Climate, Energy, Resources, Economy, Finance, and Diplomacy. Under these themes, adelphi offers research, consulting, policy advisory, and project implementation services rather than a traditional software product portfolio. Services include climate adaptation and vulnerability assessments, carbon markets and pricing, international energy transition consulting, biodiversity and extractive resources analysis, circular economy and resource efficiency, sustainable finance policy advisory, and climate and security assessments. The organization also produces publications, opinions, and insights while supporting climate negotiations and policy development globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- phiyond by adelphi: A brand for future of business sustainability initiatives.
Products and services
- Research and Consulting Services on Climate, Energy, Resources, Economy, Finance, and Diplomacy Project-based consulting and research engagements across six thematic fields of action — Climate, Energy, Resources, Economy, Finance, and Diplomacy — covering climate adaptation and vulnerability assessments, carbon markets and pricing, international energy transition, biodiversity and extractive resources, circular economy and resource efficiency, sustainable finance policy, and climate and security assessments. Served to governments, international organizations, NGOs, and private sector clients.
- EU Innovation Fund Project Development Assistance (PDA) Services Project Development Assistance services delivered as part of the Capgemini-led consortium selected as exclusive European Investment Bank partner under the €40 billion EU Innovation Fund. The consortium (including Capgemini, HINICIO, Grant Thornton Greece, Adelphi, Stantec, and LDK Consultants) is expected to deliver over 150 PDAs in four years, helping organizations secure EU climate technology funding.
- Communications & Events Services Communication and event services supporting climate negotiations, policy development, and stakeholder engagement, including COP participation and the Berlin Climate Security Conference.
- phiyond by adelphi — Future of Business Sustainability A dedicated brand for adelphi's corporate sustainability initiatives, targeting private sector clients with advisory on ESG, sustainability strategy, and corporate climate action.
Quantifiable outcome
- EU Innovation Fund: €40 billion budget with consortium expected to deliver over 150 PDAs in four years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use adelphi
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
adelphi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
adelphi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- CapgeminicoreCapgemini leads a consortium selected as an exclusive European Investment Bank partner to deliver Project Development Assistance services for the EU Innovation Fund. The consortium includes HINICIO, Grant Thornton Greece, Adelphi, Stantec, and LDK Consultants, expected to deliver over 150 PDAs in the next four years.
- HINICIOcorePart of the EU Innovation Fund consortium led by Capgemini, providing Project Development Assistance services to help organizations secure EU climate technology funding.
- StanteccorePart of the EU Innovation Fund consortium led by Capgemini for Project Development Assistance services.
- LDK ConsultantscorePart of the EU Innovation Fund consortium led by Capgemini for Project Development Assistance services.
- IIASAcoreadelphi global and IIASA collaborated on a research report examining interlinkages between climate change, human mobility and security in South-Eastern Europe.
- SEEK DevelopmentmajorDeveloped comprehensive white paper analyzing international finance flows for climate and health from 2018-2022, as part of Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH).
- AfriCatalystmajorCollaborated with SEEK Development and adelphi consult on Rockefeller Foundation-commissioned analysis of climate and health finance flows.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
adelphi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Carbon Brief: UK-based climate science and policy website covering international climate negotiations, energy transition, and climate policy. Adjacent to adelphi's climate diplomacy and policy communications work, with overlapping subject matter rather than direct consulting competition.
Broad incumbents
- Ramboll: Global engineering, architecture, and sustainability consultancy with a large climate and environment practice. Comparable to adelphi on sustainability strategy and energy transition advisory but as a broad incumbent across engineering, design, and consulting.
- ERM (Environmental Resources Management): Global environmental, sustainability, and engineering consultancy serving corporates and financial institutions. Overlaps with adelphi's sustainability and climate advisory footprint but operates at significantly larger scale across a broader service portfolio.
Direct peers
- Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI): Independent international research institute focused on environment and development policy, bridging science and policy across climate, water, and energy. Closely mirrors adelphi's think-and-do tank model and public-sector client mix.
- SYSTEMIQ: Systems-change advisory and investment firm focused on climate, land use, circular materials, and energy transitions. Comparable to adelphi given its consulting-style engagement model serving governments, multilaterals, and corporates on sustainability transformations.
- NewClimate Institute: Climate policy research and applied analysis organization working on NDCs, carbon markets, climate finance, and corporate climate action. Directly comparable to adelphi on climate governance, NDC support, and policy implementation.
- South Pole Group: Climate solutions and advisory company providing carbon market, climate strategy, and ESG advisory services to corporates and governments. Comparable to adelphi on climate, carbon markets, and corporate sustainability advisory, though more commercially oriented.
- World Resources Institute (WRI): Global independent research organization operating across climate, energy, food, water, and sustainable cities. Closely comparable to adelphi as a mission-driven research and policy advisory institution serving governments and multilaterals.
- Climate Analytics: Climate science and policy institute producing research to support ambitious climate action, with strong focus on 1.5°C alignment, NDCs, and fossil fuel transition. Comparable to adelphi on the science-policy interface and international climate negotiations support.
- E3G: Independent climate change think tank operating across Europe and internationally, focused on diplomacy, finance, and policy. Strongly comparable to adelphi given its independent, policy-oriented advisory model targeting governments and EU institutions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
adelphi social profiles
Digital presenceadelphi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
adelphi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
adelphi subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
adelphi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
adelphi M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about adelphi
What does adelphi do?
adelphi provides research, consulting, policy advisory, and project implementation services across climate, environment, and development. The firm works on climate adaptation and vulnerability assessments, carbon markets and pricing, international energy transition consulting, biodiversity and extractive resources analysis, circular economy and resource efficiency, sustainable finance policy advisory, and climate and security assessments. It also produces publications, opinions, and insights while supporting climate negotiations and policy development globally.
Is adelphi a public or private company?
adelphi is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was adelphi founded?
adelphi was founded in 1999. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is adelphi based?
adelphi is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does adelphi make money?
One revenue line is on record: consulting Services.
Who are adelphi's main competitors?
Carbon Brief is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Ramboll and ERM (Environmental Resources Management). Direct peers are Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), SYSTEMIQ, NewClimate Institute, South Pole Group, World Resources Institute (WRI), Climate Analytics and E3G.
Does adelphi have an API?
No public API is recorded for adelphi.
What industry is adelphi in?
adelphi's product category is Environmental Consulting and Policy Advisory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADALAA, Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support, with a secondary code of EUAHAJAD, Climate Risk & Scenario Analysis (TCFD/IFRS S2). Its NAICS code is 541620 and its SIC code is 8731.