The Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy is a non-profit limited company (gemeinnützige Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, according to German law; Wuppertal Register of Companies HRB 7619) and belongs to the area of responsibility of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Members of the Management Team are the Scientific Managing Director and the Administrative Managing Director.

The International Advisory Board stands for the independence of research and the institute's scientific quality of work. It evaluates the Wuppertal Institute's annual research agenda, which is then passed by the Supervisory Board.

At the Wuppertal Institute, the Sustainability Management coordinates all activities in that field. As part of the reporting activities, reports on the developments in ecological, social and economical sustainability are regularly published.

Both Management and Supervisory Board compile reports on the Corporate Governance regularly.

The Equal Opportunity Commissioner looks after the area of equality and diversity at the Wuppertal Institute. She reports to the management. The Equal Opportunity Commissioner supports the Wuppertal Institute in ensuring equality between women and men. The aim is to promote and ensure equal rights, equal treatment and equal opportunities for all employees with regard to gender and diversity outside the Institute and also internally.

The Friends of the Wuppertal Institute is a non-profit association of individuals who identify with the institute's goals and work and support its activities.