Welcome to KIT/IMKIFU
The IMKIFU, KIT-Campus Alpin, is the largest Bavarian climate research institute and has been based in Garmisch-Partenkirchen since 1962. Founded in 1954, it is the oldest continuing research institute on global environmental issues in Germany. After 40 years in the Fraunhofer-Association, it has been part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers as part of today's KIT since 2002. Research at the institute is characterized by great complexity and high social relevance. KIT/IMKIFU research is active worldwide in projects and partnerships - because the global dimension of climate change and the impact of humans on the environment make it necessary to deal with local environmental issues in a global context.
Researchers at IMKIFU are investigating changes in the atmosphere, the water balance and living conditions for vegetation and society in the context of global climate change. Studying the processes at the boundary between the atmosphere and the land surface is an essential basis for understanding climate change and developing strategies to help us deal with the changing conditions.
Together with partner institutes at KIT and other Helmholtz centers, IMKIFU participates in the Helmholtz research program Changing Earth – Sustaining our Future, as well as many other national and international research networks.
Prof. Dr. Almut Arneth was a member of the writing team for this Leopoldina discussion paper. The study outlines ways in which international agricultural trade can be structured in such a way that it contributes equally to achieving food security, climate goals, and biodiversity goals.
more (German)
VFF-IFU e.V. sponsorship award presented to Dr. Kathrin Fuchs (right) and Judith Kloibhofer (left) for outstanding research in the field of Global Biogeochemical Cycles in Sub-Sahara Africa and Climate-smart rewilding in Europe.
United Nations Climate Change Side Event “Side-Event „Early Warning, Anticipatory Action and Risk Insurance for Proactive Disaster Risk Management” with Prof. Dr. Harald Kunstmann as part of the World Climate Conference from November 10 to 21, 2025, in Belém.
more
The ITMS user meeting 2025 at the German Environment Agency(UBA) in Dessau-Roßlau focused on technical exchanges with federal institutes. Discussions centred on how ITMS results can be explicitly used for future national emissions reporting.
more
At the third ITMS General Assembly in 2025 at Heidelberg University, around 100 researchers discussed current findings and strategies for the further development of the greenhouse gas monitoring system in Germany and Europe.
more
PD Dr. Ralf Sussmann at MAI THINK Gas leaks in Germany: Completely uncontrolled? on ZDF. Interview and background information on leaks, dealing with leaks, methane emissions and the EU Methane Regulation (minute 25:00).
more (German)
KIT Campus Alpin has developed a method that enables citizens to contribute actively to Greenhouse Gas Measurements. A Citizen Science Pilot Project by Surfrider Foundation Europe Germany e.V. and KIT Campus Alpine for GHG measurements in water bodies.
more
Dr. Imhof reports in the InnovationsraumGAP at St. Irmengard Gymnasium on how greenhouse gases are measured at Campus Alpin and how these findings help to better understand the formation of greenhouse gases in Germany and Europe.
more
The three-day International Grassland Conference of the SusAlps project at Campus Alpin was attended by 58 participants from academia, government agencies, and industry in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.
more