adelphi

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.

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

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

• Environmental consulting
• Climate policy advisory
• Sustainability research
• Climate diplomacy
• Sustainable finance consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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

Core 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

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• CapgeminicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapgemini 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.
• HINICIOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the EU Innovation Fund consortium led by Capgemini, providing Project Development Assistance services to help organizations secure EU climate technology funding.
• StanteccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the EU Innovation Fund consortium led by Capgemini for Project Development Assistance services.
• LDK ConsultantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the EU Innovation Fund consortium led by Capgemini for Project Development Assistance services.
• IIASAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partneradelphi global and IIASA collaborated on a research report examining interlinkages between climate change, human mobility and security in South-Eastern Europe.
• SEEK DevelopmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped 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).
• AfriCatalystmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated 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

Emerging 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/adelphiConsult
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/adelphi-berlin
• Xx.com/adelphi_berlin
• Facebookfacebook.com/adelphi.de

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about adelphi