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Welcome to the Institute for Environmental Decisions (IED)

IED is interdisciplinary and brings together economists, psychologists, and political scientists.

Our aim is to analyze individual and collective decisions in the context of natural resource utilization and environmental problems. Furthermore, we strive to support private and political decision makers to achieve sustainability in the face of today’s risks and uncertainties. Management issues affecting climate change present a prominent example of decisions that have traditionally been made on a very weak basis of knowledge about future states of the world.

IED Seminar

Join the biweekly seminars and discuss the newest research on climate, energy, resources, and related topics over a free lunch. News about the upcoming seminars can be found here.

Research Groups

Agricultural Economics + Policy

Enlarged view: Knowledge, Trade, Research, Resources, Marketing, Production
AECP

The AECP group aims to improve the understanding of linkages between policies and production and risk management decisions taken in the agricultural and food sector. > More


Consumer Behavior


Enlarged view: Shopping trolley
CB

Our aim is to enhance understanding of individual and organizational decision-making under conditions of uncertainty. > More

Natural Resource Policy Group

Enlarged view: Logging in Swiss Forest
NARP

NARP’s research integrates political science and law in the analysis of environmental policy and governance. The research is applied and problem-​driven, addressing socio-​ecological challenges such as the use and protection of natural resources like forest, landscape, soil and water. The geographic focus is Switzerland, Europe and North America. > More


Weather + Climate Risks


Enlarged view: Flood at Locarno (TI)
WCR

Driven by curiosity and responding to societal needs, our group engages in research and teaching on weather and climate risks. We bridge the gap between science and society through reflection, modelling, and engagement with stakeholders in order to support option appraisal and decision making. > More

Climate Policy Lab

Enlarged view: Solar panels
CP

The CP lab conducts problem-driven research on the strategies to address climate change and related environmental problems. > More


Food Systems Economics + Policy


Enlarged view: food market
FSEP © Adobe Stock/Javier Ballester Legua

The Food System Economics and Policy Group conducts applied research that contributes to a better understanding of how to promote sustainability goals in global food systems. > More

USYS TdLab


USYS TdLab (D-USYS)

Enlarged view: Students at Work
TdLab

The TdLab is a place where students, teachers, researchers, and other societal actors collaboratively define and tackle the complexities of sustainable development to respect environmental limits and uphold social justice for present and future generations. > More

Associated Research Groups

International Political Economy


Enlarged view: Thomas Bernauer
IPE

Our research and teaching focuses on political and other conditions under which environmental and economic problems that extend beyond national borders can be solved. > More


Sustainability + Technology



Enlarged view: VPPL Hoenggerberg
SUSTEC

At SusTec, we investigate organizational, technological and institutional change in the energy sector on two complementary levels: The system level and the firm level. > More

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