Global Issues

The Global Issues Division examines the diverse thematic fields of global governance and the underlying conflict lines and actor constellations at the governmental, intergovernmental, and non-state level; the common point of reference are the preconditions, potentials and limits of rule-based and efficient global cooperation.

External publications

- Christian Schaller
Sabotage of Submarine Cables and Pipelines as a Use of Force and Armed Attack

in: International Law Studies (ILS), 106 (2025), 173–205
- Ole Adolphsen
- Marian Feist
Nach der Wahl: Was von der Klimaaußenpolitik bleiben sollte

Hinter dem Schlagwort Klimaaußenpolitik steckt der ambitionierte Versuch, Deutschlands Klimadiplomatie grundsätzlich zu reformieren und wirkungsvoller zu gestalten. Sie wieder abzuwickeln, würde die Gewinne an interner Effektivität und externer Geltung aufs Spiel setzen. Unabhängig davon, welche Partei die kommende Regierung stellt: Strategische Erwägungen sprechen dafür, die bisherige Klimaaußenpolitik weiter auszubauen.

Gastbeitrag, in: Climate.Table, table.media, 11.02.2025
- Ole Adolphsen
- Jule Könneke
Neue Kräfteverhältnisse auf der 29. Weltklimakonferenz

Die Zukunft der internationalen Klimapolitik nach den US-Wahlen

in: Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftspolitik, Heft 74, Januar 2025

doi:10.1515/zfwp-2025-2001
- Sonja Thielges
Donald Trump und Klimaschutz

Neue Klimapolitik der USA: Nur Pauken und Trumpeten?

Interview mit Florian Zinner, in: mdr Wissen, 24.1.2025
- Sonja Thielges
Trumps Energiepolitik: Öl und Gas statt Klimaschutz

US-Präsident Trump hat den Energienotstand ausgerufen. Damit lassen sich mehr fossile Energien fördern. Außerdem hat er den Ausstieg aus dem Pariser Klimaschutzabkommen verkündet, der in einem Jahr wirksam wird, erklärt die Politologin Thielges.

Interview von Jule Reimer, in: Deutschlandfunk, 21.01.2025
- Ole Adolphsen
Klimapolitik-Experte warnt vor weiteren Austritten aus Paris-Abkommen

Interview mit Moritz Elliesen, in: Evangelischer Pressedienst, 21.1.2025

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Projects

Cross-border migration is on the rise worldwide. Every year sees new record levels of forced displacement, and with the Covid-19 pandemic subsiding, the number of international migrants is also on the rise again. Migration presents significant challenges for many host countries, and German and European refugee and migration policies have already changed significantly as a result of the 2015/16 arrivals and the current displacement from Ukraine. Unlike seven years earlier, EU member states have responded to the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in a united and welcoming manner.
This research project investigates the debate around the reforms that the UN member states are negotiating for the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in 2019/2020; these reforms are expected to be implemented in 2021. The empirical research strives to identify options for reform and, on that basis, will inform recommendations for action.
Founded in 2012, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) connects scientists around the world to develop solutions for sustainable development. The SDSN Germany combines knowledge and capacity within Germany to promote sustainable development within the country as well as promoting the German commitment for sustainable development worldwide.
The Covid-19 pandemic was and continues to be an endurance test for global and European health governance. Health governance refers to all institutionalised forms of social and political coordination aimed at developing and implementing binding rules and non-binding standards on health issues, or providing collective health goods for the benefit of society.
The project analyses current developments and challenges in international climate cooperation as well as their implications, options and priorities for German and EU climate diplomacy

Strategic Refugee and Migration Policy

Cross-border migration is on the rise worldwide. Every year sees new record levels of forced displacement, and with the Covid-19 pandemic subsiding, the number of international migrants is also on the rise again. Migration presents significant challenges for many host countries, and German and European refugee and migration policies have already changed significantly as a result of the 2015/16 arrivals and the current displacement from Ukraine. Unlike seven years earlier, EU member states have responded to the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in a united and welcoming manner.
High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) / (2019-2021)

This research project investigates the debate around the reforms that the UN member states are negotiating for the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in 2019/2020; these reforms are expected to be implemented in 2021. The empirical research strives to identify options for reform and, on that basis, will inform recommendations for action.
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN Germany)

Founded in 2012, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) connects scientists around the world to develop solutions for sustainable development. The SDSN Germany combines knowledge and capacity within Germany to promote sustainable development within the country as well as promoting the German commitment for sustainable development worldwide.
Health governance in crisis

The Covid-19 pandemic was and continues to be an endurance test for global and European health governance. Health governance refers to all institutionalised forms of social and political coordination aimed at developing and implementing binding rules and non-binding standards on health issues, or providing collective health goods for the benefit of society.
German climate diplomacy in the context of the European Green Deal

The project analyses current developments and challenges in international climate cooperation as well as their implications, options and priorities for German and EU climate diplomacy

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Sabine Herrmann

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