PEAK -Spotlight on Climate, Biodiversity and Sustainability

The effects of human-induced climate change are evident across many sectors of society and are set to become more pronounced in the near future. The regular reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlight the serious nature of the situation. However, they also shed light on possible solutions, which call for a significant societal transformation. At the University of Innsbruck, researchers tackle various aspects of climate and sustainability. Both the natural sciences and the insights from social sciences and humanities are instrumental in this endeavor. The University's communications team has unified this breadth of expertise under the banner of PEAK (Perspectives on Engagement, Accountability, and Knowledge).

The climate crisis is not one topic but — like democracy and human rights — is one dimension of every topic.
Charter of the Climate Journalism Network Austria

LATEST RESEARCH

One Whale in Ten Liters of Water

Effective and non-invasive whale and biodiversity monitoring is now possible with the help of citizen scientists, opening up new opportunities for marine conservation. Water samples collected during whale-watching tours contain enough whale DNA to yield detailed information about the animals sighted using molecular methods. However, as two independently published papers show, samples must be collected promptly and following specific protocols.

Climate Action Workshop 2025

On 28 May, the 3rd edition of the Climate Action Workshop took place at the University of Innsbruck engaging over 50 participants for a half day of thought-provoking discussions and cutting-edge research on human responses to the climate crisis.

Cross-alpine transit protests

When the large highways crossing the Austrian and Swiss Alps were built, citizens’ movements protesting the transalpine traffic started to form in both countries from the 1970s onwards. They found common ground in blaming EU policy but overall employed distinct methods, also with varying success, and never really joined forces. In a recent project, historians in Innsbruck, Basel and Munich made these two environmental initiatives the subject of their comparative research.

People sitting on steps in an auditorium

Climate report for Austria

Since March 2022, 125 experts from Austrian climate, biodiversity and sustainability research have been working on the 2nd National Assessment Report on Climate Change in Austria (AAR2).

PEAK-EXPERTS

Experts at a glance

Alongside an overview of current research at the University of Innsbruck, PEAK also includes an expert database. Each researcher is featured here with an overview page containing contact details, key topics, a short biography and a selection of their previous media presence.

All of this content feeds a full-text search, which makes it possible to access this database based on a thematic interest and thus individual keywords.

Please note: This list is constantly being expanded!