PIK undertakes research in the natural and social sciences, studying global change and its impacts on ecological, economic and social systems. Research projects are interdisciplinary and implemented by scientists from the following five departments: Integrated Systems Analysis, Climate System, Natural Systems, Social Systems and Data & Computation.
Research outputs are intened to provide decision makers with sound information and tools for sustainable development. In addition to publishing results in scientific journals the Institute gives advice to national and regional authorities and, increasingly, to global organisations such as the World Bank.
The PIK website presents thier current research activities, as well as past research outputs in the form of publications, reports, and other articles. The site also has a news link and a press archive.