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 for Innovation, Science, and Research of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Dr. Thomas Grünewald, State Secretary in the Ministry, is Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

Members of the Management Board are the President (Chief Research Executive), the Vice President (Authorised Representative) and the Business Manager.

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.

The working group Sustainability Management coordinates all activities in that field. Both Management and Supervisory Board compile reports on the Corporate Governance regularly.

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.