The Ecologic Institute EU is a think tank for applied environmental research, policy analysis and consultancy. Ecologic is dedicated to bringing fresh ideas to environmental policy and sustainable development. The institute places primary emphasis on generating real-world results. It covers the entire spectrum of environmental issues, including the integration of environmental concerns into other policy fields. The Ecologic Institute in Berlin was founded in 1995 and serves as the Ecologic head office. The Ecologic Institute in Brussels was established in 2001.
Where do Saudi Arabia and Germany stand in the area of renewable energies and energy efficiency? Which initiatives and projects are leading? Who is driving development – and how can Saudi Arabia profit from Germany’s experiences?
These and other questions framed the Saudi-German Youth Forum that took place 13 to 22 November 2011 in Berlin and Hamburg. The program, developed and...Read more
There is ample evidence that climate change may threaten human security. An obvious conclusion would be to use human security as a way of framing climate adaptation policy-making. However, as a new paper shows, this is seldom done. A paper, presented by Katriona McGlade at the Third International Conference on Global Environmental Change and Human Security in Marrakesh, discusses if and how the concept of human security is being used in climate adaptation policies and whether the concept is relevant or useful in this context.
Climate change will have severe impacts on countries,Read more
On behalf of the Competence Centre on Climate Impacts and Adaptation of the German Federal Environment Agency, Ecologic Institute is conducting an online survey on the further development of the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change. The survey will help prepare for the 2014 update of the Adaptation Action Plan, which will be presented in a progress report on the German adaptation strategy. It is targeted at representatives of regional and local politics and administration, enterprises and business associations, research and consultancy institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations in Germany.
This study investigates the importance ascribed to the actions taken by water providers to ensure the protection of water bodies and human health in current benchmarking approaches of drinking water utilities. New indicators to improve the representation of these services are also suggested. Additionally, light is shed upon the risks these measures may face should centralized economic regulation, such as that currently implemented in England and Wales, be introduced. Finally, the study summarizes the possible role benchmarking approaches can play in price oversight as well as in creating a...Read more
As part of the ELEEP Network’s ongoing investigation of the changing energy landscape in Europe and the United States, ten ELEEP members participated in a study tour to Denver, Colorado and San Francisco, California from 19 to 24 August 2012. This trip served as a counterpoint to earlier trips to Germany/Austria in August 2011 and Germany/Denmark in March 2012, augmenting...Read more
The ELEEP Network, which is run and operated by Ecologic Institute, Berlin, Ecologic Institute, Washington DC, and the Atlantic Council of the United States, has received grant funding from the European Commission and the Robert Bosch Stiftung to continue operations through mid-2014.
The requirements of EU Directive 1999/94/EC on fuel efficiency labeling of passenger cars are implemented differently in the Member States. In addition, several non-EU countries have developed their own labeling schemes. Ecologic Institute compared the different schemes in a research report. In addition, an Excel tool has been prepared to illustrate the different approaches used.Read more
The requirements of EU Directive 1999/94/EC on fuel efficiency labeling of passenger cars are implemented differently in the Member States. In addition, several non-EU countries have developed their own labeling schemes. Ecologic Institute compared the different schemes in a research report. In addition, an Excel tool has been prepared to illustrate the different approaches used.Read more
The Ecologic Institute evaluates and supports the implementation of auctions in the EU's emissions trading scheme third trading period in the aviation sector and for stationary sources, focusing on economic aspects.
In this context, Ecologic Institute will assess potential benchmarks and criteria for the auctioning of emissions certificates based on an assessment of the current markets for EUAs.
Additionally, the terms for the direct and indirect access to auctions – e.g. via banks - and platforms will be monitored and empirically evaluated.
Moreover, the interactionRead more
Ecologic Institute and partner institutes support the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) to strengthen the understanding of the economic and social impacts of the use of the marine environment. In doing so the consortium assists the ongoing implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in the North-East Atlantic and provides input into OSPAR’s 15 Contracting Governments for their respective socio-economic analyses, which the Directive requires.
The MSFD requires that EU Member States develop strategies toRead more
80 specialists from academia, government agencies, and various associations participated in the workshop at the Schleswig-Holstein representation in Berlin, where they discussed how the EU can learn from such country experiences. The event was organized by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation with the help of Ecologic Institute.
At the workshop, it became clear during the working groups and panel...Read more
The Adaptation Action Plan constitutes the central reference document for measures targeting adaptation to climate change in Germany. A first progress report is envisaged for 2014. It will encompass an evaluation of the implementation progress made so far, as well as an update of the catalogue of measures based on current identified needs and proposals concerning the further development of the German Adaptation Strategy. Ecologic Institute supports the German Federal Environment Agency in this process.
In December 2008, the Federal Cabinet adopted theRead more
What are the expected impacts of climate change at the regional and local level at the German Baltic Sea coast? How can local stakeholders adapt to these? What kind of scientific information do they need as a basis for implementing such measures? These questions were discussed by 75 scientists in the fields of climate and natural science research, political science...Read more
"Consumer Preferences for Smart Homes: A Comparative Study between the UK, Germany, and Italy" aims to deliver significant, comparative insights into consumer attitudes towards energy and resource efficient smart home technologies and the potential for consumer acceptance of these technologies. The study will be used to gain knowledge about how country specific characteristics such as institutional support or cultural aspects affect the uptake of smart home technologies. The purpose of the study is to give decision makers and energy providers an idea of consumer interests and issuesRead more
An expert discussion took place on the premises of Ecologic Institute on 11 December 2012 regarding the possible support of an initiative entitled "100% Climate Protection for Retailers." The support would help retailers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from sales venues, production locations, and logistics.
The concept was developed by the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and...Read more
The economic evaluation of measures for adaptation to climate change was the central topic of discussion on 18 September 2012, as the Ecologic Institute in Berlin welcomed a delegation of government officials and academics from Peru. At the event, participants were able to exchange their relevant experiences on the topic and introduce some of the methods being applied in Peru...Read more
On 28 January 2013, the Embassy of Canada to Germany hosted an Arctic panel discussion in partnership with Ecologic Institute, Berlin. The session focused on the role of social science in better understanding and addressing environmental change in the Arctic and its impact on the inhabitants of the region. Read more
From 12 to 18 December 2012, an informational tour on low-carbon development took place as part of the Sino-German Climate Partnership, which was organized and designed by Ecologic Institute on behalf of the GIZ.
The trip provided the participants with information on the important aspects of German environmental policy regarding low-carbon development through presentations, speeches, and discussions. The program was complemented...Read more
The study tour, which took place as part of the Sino-German Climate Partnership, provided the participants with information on the important aspects of German environmental policy regarding low-carbon development through presentations, speeches, and discussions. The tour was organized and designed by Ecologic Institute on behalf of the GIZ.
The program was complemented by excursions and visits to institutions relevant for environmental policy in Berlin.
Various event formats (discussion events, individual presentations, excursions, and cultural programs) with representativesRead more
This video deals with the British family "Electron" who use Smart Home technologies for environmental protection reasons. The video illustrates the advantages of Smart Homes including among other features a detailed control over power consumption.
The video is part of a video series about Smart Homes. It was presented for focus group workshops with the purpose of distinguishing potential target groups for Smart Home devices. The goal of the videos was to allow focus group members to...Read more
