What Global Climate Forum does

Global Climate Forum (GCF) is a Berlin-based, non-profit global research association conducting high-level interdisciplinary research on climate change and related global challenges. Founded in 2007 by Klaus Hasselmann (2021 Nobel Prize in Physics), GCF is structured as a process organization whose members comprise research institutes, insurance and reinsurance companies, NGOs, and individual researchers. It operates through three core processes: Adaptation and Social Learning, Green Growth, and Macro-Financial Governance. Its work spans coastal adaptation, climate risk assessment, green-transition financing, monetary architecture, and policy-relevant economic analysis.

GCF's product surface consists of research methodologies, models, and publications rather than commercial software. Core offerings include the Decision Theatre method (combining mathematical modeling, simulation, and stakeholder dialogue), DIVA coastal adaptation modeling, the OBFA-TRANSFORM framework on off-balance-sheet fiscal agencies and monetary architecture, the Computational Platform for DT Models, and a working paper and peer-reviewed publication series. Active research projects cover regions including the Baltic, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and global financial systems.

GCF's business model is funded through member contributions (institutes, insurance companies, NGOs, individual researchers) and project-based grants from government agencies, international organizations, and foundations. GCF does not sell commercial products or services; publications, working papers, and reports are distributed open access. Distribution occurs through peer-reviewed journals, working papers, events, seminars, and the GCF website. Customer and member concentration spans multiple academic institutions (Potsdam, Beijing Normal, ASU, Leuphana, Hertie), Munich Re, Germanwatch, IASS Potsdam, Max Planck Institute, GeSI, and HEKS, indicating a horizontally distributed member network rather than a concentrated commercial customer base.

Name

Global Climate Forum

Legal name

Global Climate Forum

Website

https://globalclimateforum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Global Climate Forum is a Berlin-based, non-profit global research association conducting high-level interdisciplinary climate change research through member institutes, insurance companies, NGOs, and individual researchers, organized around Adaptation and Social Learning, Green Growth, and Macro-Financial Governance processes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Change Research and Policy

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Finance, Carbon Markets & MRV Systems (BPADALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA), Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK)

Keywords

• Climate change research
• Sustainability research
• Climate adaptation studies
• Macro-financial governance
• Environmental policy research

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: GCF is a global association whose members comprise institutes, (insurance) companies, NGOs, and individual researchers who likely contribute membership fees to support operations.
2. Research Grants and Project Funding: GCF conducts funded research projects with various partners and sponsors, including government agencies, international organizations, and foundations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Global Climate Forum (GCF) is a Berlin-based global research association that conducts high-level interdisciplinary research on climate change and related global challenges. It operates as a process organisation, running research projects through three core processes — Adaptation and Social Learning, Green Growth, and Macro-Financial Governance — and delivering outputs as working papers, peer-reviewed publications, reports, events and decision-support methods such as the Decision Theatre.

Product overview

Global Climate Forum (GCF) is a research association structured as a process organization conducting climate change research. Its offerings center on research methodologies and publications rather than commercial software products. The core products include the Decision Theatre methodology for stakeholder engagement and science communication, DIVA coastal adaptation modeling, and the OBFA-TRANSFORM research framework on monetary architecture and sustainable finance. GCF publishes ongoing research through its Working Paper series covering topics such as climate adaptation, green growth, and macro-financial governance. Additional products include various climate research projects and the Computational Platform supporting Decision Theatre models.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OBFA-TRANSFORM: Research project on Off-Balance-Sheet Fiscal Agencies focusing on monetary architecture and the green transition
• Decision Theatre
• Adaptation and Social Learning
• Green Growth
• Macro-Financial Governance

Products and services

• Decision Theatre An interactive science communication, decision support and co-production method that brings researchers and stakeholders together to address societal challenges such as sustainable mobility and climate adaptation. For climate researchers, policymakers and civil society stakeholders.
• DIVA Modelling Coastal adaptation modelling tool for analysing and quantifying climate change impacts on coastal regions, including sea level rise scenarios and adaptation strategies. For coastal researchers, regional planners and adaptation practitioners.
• OBFA-TRANSFORM Research Framework Research framework and working paper series examining how states can use Off-Balance-Sheet Fiscal Agencies to steer financial activity for the green transition. For macro-financial researchers, central bank analysts and climate finance policy researchers.
• Computational Platform for DT Models

Quantifiable outcome

• Landmark report on financing public investments required by climate goals showing how Germany can finance climate transition

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GermanwatchcoreOthersNetwork member organization. Germanwatch is an environmental and development organization that collaborates with GCF on climate policy research and advocacy.
• GeSI (Global e-Sustainability Initiative)coreOthersNetwork member organization. GeSI focuses on Information and Communication Technology sustainability and partners with GCF on related research.
• IASS Potsdam (Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork member and research collaborator. IASS is a German research institute focused on sustainability transitions that works with GCF on climate and sustainability research.
• Leuphana UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork member organization. Leuphana University contributes researchers to GCF processes and collaborates on climate adaptation research.
• Munich RecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance industry member of GCF network. Munich Re contributes expertise in climate risk assessment and insurance solutions for climate adaptation.
• Arizona State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork member organization. ASU contributes researchers to GCF including Manfred Laubichler, and collaborates on climate systems research.
• Max Planck InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork member organization. The Max Planck Society contributes scientific expertise to GCF research processes.
• IMK (Institute for Macroeconomics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork member organization. IMK contributes economic research expertise to GCF's macro-financial governance processes.
• HEKS (Swiss Evangelical Reformed Church Aid Organization)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned a study on climate change impacts on Pari island (Indonesia), supporting GCF research on sea level rise and small island vulnerability.
• Hertie SchoolminorOthersHost venue for GCF research seminars including the Money and Payments seminar by Prof. Dr. Jörg Bibow.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Climate Analytics: Climate science and policy institute producing research on 1.5°C pathways, NDCs, and climate finance. Strong overlap with GCF's policy research, especially its climate policy, governance, and NDC-support work.
• Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC): Berlin-based applied research institute working on climate and sustainability economics. MCC is closely comparable to GCF on climate-economics integration, monetary sustainability, and policy advising, and draws on overlapping German academic networks.
• Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK): Germany-based climate impact research institute also connected to Potsdam-based academic networks. PIK shares GCF's focus on climate economics, adaptation, and policy-relevant research, and competes for the same pool of German and European research talent and grants.
• E3G: European climate think tank focused on accelerating the green transition. E3G's policy and finance research is highly comparable to GCF's macro-financial governance and Green Growth processes, with similar European policy focus.
• Stockholm Resilience Centre: Research center on resilience and sustainability science. Overlaps with GCF's Adaptation and Social Learning process and related interest in socio-ecological systems and complex climate dynamics.
• International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA): International research institute applying systems analysis to climate, energy, and sustainability challenges. IIASA shares GCF's interdisciplinary modeling orientation, including DIVA-style integrated assessment approaches for climate adaptation and mitigation.
• Climate Policy Initiative (CPI): Global policy analysis and advisory organization focused on climate finance and effective climate policy. Directly comparable to GCF's macro-financial governance and OBFA-TRANSFORM work on climate transition financing.
• Stockholm Environment Institute: International non-profit research and policy organization focusing on environment and sustainable development. Comparable to GCF in operating as a multi-stakeholder research network producing policy-grade environmental and climate research.

Broad incumbents

• World Resources Institute (WRI): Large global research organization with broad climate, energy, and sustainable development research portfolio. Overlaps with GCF on climate finance, adaptation, and policy, but at materially greater scale and global brand presence.

Emerging players

• Germanwatch: German environmental and development NGO and GCF network member. Germanwatch shares GCF's German base and climate policy advocacy focus, though it operates as a campaigning NGO rather than a research forum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Global Climate Forum