Climate study withdrawn by PIK: responsibility and new opportunities!

Climate study withdrawn by PIK: responsibility and new opportunities!

On December 3, 2025, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) announced that it was withdrawing the study “The economic commitment of climate change”. This move followed the publication of serious criticisms that appeared in the journal Nature as “Matters Arising.” The research team took the feedback seriously and reviewed the analyses, but found that the changes made were considered too far-reaching to simply correct. Therefore, the team plans to submit a fully revised new version of the study for peer review to continue the discussion on the economic consequences of climate change.

The updated analysis, published in August 2025, is available in open access but has not yet undergone peer review. The new results show that the economic damage from climate change could be clearly felt by the middle of the century. Low-income regions with minimal historical emissions are particularly affected. These findings echo the cautionary tales of the 2022 IPCC report, which warns of the severe impacts of climate change on global agriculture, food security, health services and livelihoods, particularly for vulnerable communities in climate hotspots.

Climate change as a factor in conflict

The study by NETZ Bangladesh highlights the social and economic problems that are being exacerbated by climate change. People in the poorest regions are particularly affected by extreme weather events - a fact that is also noticeable in the PIK analysis. Over 90% of respondents in coastal villages report conflicts over vital resources such as water and fishing grounds. These conflicts are often fueled by local power elites who assert themselves in control of resources, often without the consent of those affected.

Women and socially excluded groups are particularly vulnerable. Bangladesh's national adaptation plan (2023-2050) identifies the significant burdens on the environment and the affected population. This development shows how profoundly climate change is exacerbating existing inequalities and affecting the resilience of communities.

A call to action

Both the work of PIK and the research of NETZ suggest that it is high time to develop new, fair approaches to crisis management. The need for profound transformation is not only a question of climate protection, but also of social justice. Dr. Dwijen L. Mallick, director at the Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies, emphasizes the importance of socially just adaptation to climate impacts.

As the Federal Environment Agency makes clear, cost-effective and sustainable technologies are available in the energy sector and can make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. If we manage to cap emissions before 2025 and reduce them dramatically by 2030, there is a chance of achieving the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C under the Paris Agreement.

The PIK reports about the withdrawal of the study, while NETZ Bangladesh draws attention to the communities at risk. The Federal Environment Agency delivers important insights into the measures required to limit climate change.