Dr. Heidi Stockhaus

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Dr. Heidi Stockhaus

Ass. iur.

Coordinator International Development
Senior Fellow

Team
Topics

Dr. Heidi Stockhaus works as a Senior Fellow for the Ecologic Institute's Legal Team and as a Coordinator for International Development. Her main areas of expertise are German, European and international environmental law. Heidi Stockhaus has experience in the implementation of international environmental treaties in developing countries. Heidi Stockhaus works in German and English and has basic knowledge of French and Vietnamese.

At Ecologic Legal, Heidi Stockhaus works on various projects for German and European funders. In the field of international environmental law, she has worked on projects concerning international governance of mineral extraction, international soil governance and transboundary environmental impact assessment. Since 2021, she is the German Member of the Implementation Committee under the Espoo Convention on Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment.

At the European level, the projects of Heidi Stockhaus primarily deal with the implementation of EU environmental law in the Member States and mechanisms to assure compliance. She also works on legal projects in Vietnam, most recently on climate change legislation and air quality management. Other projects of Heidi Stockhaus include projects on national soil protection law, on the enforcement of environmental criminal law in the federal states, on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and on the Federal Climate Protection Act.

Before joining Ecologic Institute Heidi Stockhaus had already worked in Southeast Asia. As an integrated expert for the Vietnamese Ministry of Environment she supported the Legal Department with the implementation of international environmental treaties and in ongoing legislative processes. From 2009 to 2012 she also worked for the German Advisory Council on the Environment as researcher. During this time she contributed to the reports on precautionary strategies for nanomaterials and on the responsibility in a finite world.

Heidi Stockhaus studied law in Bonn (Germany) and Brighton (United Kingdom) with a focus public economics law and German, European and international environmental law. She then obtained a doctorate from Freie Universität Berlin with a thesis on the Regulatory Approach of the European Chemicals Legislation. During her legal traineeship she worked for the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the Legal Assistance Centre in Namibia.

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Selected projects by Dr. Heidi Stockhaus

International Environmental Law

ProjectApplicability of the Espoo Convention to the Lifetime Extension of Nuclear Power Plants
 
| Markus Distelrath | Pixabay.com
Many lifetime extensions for nuclear power plants are planned for the coming years. Ecologic Institute supports the German government in negotiations under the Espoo Convention on the question of whether a transboundary environmental impact assessment is required... Read more

Applicability of the Espoo Convention to the Lifetime Extension of Nuclear Power Plants

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Funding
ProjectInternational Governance for Environmentally Sound Supply of Raw Materials (InGoRo)
 
| Fotolia © Andreas F
Resource extraction has often significant impacts on the environment. Ecologic Institute analyses for the German Federal Environment Agency governance instruments which can foster, establish and enforce global standards for environmentally sound raw material extraction.... Read more

International Governance for Environmentally Sound Supply of Raw Materials (InGoRo)

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ProjectFurther Development of the International Soil Protection Law
 

© Heidi Stockhaus

Soil degradation has been on the international political agenda for several years. This development is also reflected in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in September 2015. In order to achieve these globally, international soil protection law must be... Read more

Further Development of the International Soil Protection Law

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Funding

Vietnam and Asia

ProjectA Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution – Perspectives from Asia
 

Richard Whitcombe | Fotolia.com

Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues. Calls for a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution have increased over the last years, discussions will continue at the next sessions of the UN Environment Assembly in February 2022. After... Read more

A Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution – Perspectives from Asia

Duration
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Funding
ProjectAir Quality Planning and Control of Industrial Emissions in Vietnam
 

© Heidi Stockhaus

In order to reduce air pollution, especially in large cities, Vietnam is discussing the introduction of air quality planning and an integrated permit system as part of the revision of its Law on Environmental Protection. Together with the Independent Institute for... Read more

Air Quality Planning and Control of Industrial Emissions in Vietnam

Duration
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Funding
ProjectClimate Change Legislation in Vietnam
 
| Thomas Gerlach | Pixabay.com
Vietnam is currently revising its Law on Environmental Protection and therefore also revisiting the chapter on climate change. Ecologic Institute supports the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in adapting the provisions to the requirements of the... Read more

Climate Change Legislation in Vietnam

Duration
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Funding

Enforcement of Environmental Law

ProjectImplementation of the European Union's Action Plan on Environmental Compliance Assurance and Governance
 
| © Europäische Kommission
In January 2018 the European Commission adopted an Action Plan to improve compliance with EU environmental rules. Ecologic Institute and its partners support the European Commission in implementing the Action Plan. In particular, the project assists the European... Read more

Implementation of the European Union's Action Plan on Environmental Compliance Assurance and Governance

Duration
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Funding
ProjectDevelopment of an Assessment Framework on Environmental Governance in EU Member States
 
|Fotolia © hin255
In February 2017, the European Commission published for the first time an Environmental Implementation Review (EIR). The EIR aims to improve implementation in the field of EU environmental policy, by trying to identify the causes of implementation gaps, and to find... Read more

Development of an Assessment Framework on Environmental Governance in EU Member States

Duration
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Funding
Selected publications by Dr. Heidi Stockhaus
PublicationReportInternational Governance for Environmentally Sound Supply of Raw Materials – Policy Options and Recommendations
 
UBA TEXTE 31|2020
This research report of the Ecologic Institute addresses how Germany can contribute, through international governance, to reduce the environmental impacts of mining activities outside its territory. It provides a stocktake of existing governance approaches at the... Read more

Bodle, Ralph et. al. (2020): International Governance for Environmentally Sound Supply of Raw Materials – Policy Options and Recommendations. Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt.

PublicationReportImproving International Soil Governance
 
This research report by Ecologic Institute identifies ways in which Germany can improve international soil governance in the short, medium and long term. It begins with an inventory of existing international instruments and institutions relevant to soil governance at... Read more

Bodle, Ralph et. al. (2020): Improving international soil governance – Analysis and recommendations. Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt.

PublicationReportGeeignete Rechtsinstrumente für die nationale Umsetzung der bodenbezogenen SDGs, insbesondere des Ziels einer 'land degradation neutral world'
 
UBA TEXTE 48|2019
The research report by Ecologic Institute provides a legal assessment of whether German law is suitable to achieve the sustainable development goal "land degradation neutral word" (LDN) by 2030, and recommends options for improvement. The analysis focuses on rules for... Read more

Bodle, Ralph and Heidi Stockhaus 2019: Geeignete Rechtsinstrumente für die nationale Umsetzung der bodenbezogenen sustainable development goals, insbesondere des Ziels einer "land degradation neutral world". Abschlussbericht. Umweltbundesamt: Dessau-Roßlau.

PublicationReportStatus quo und Weiterentwicklung des Umweltstrafrechts und anderer Sanktionen
 
UBA TEXTE 135/2019
A 2018 report co-published by Interpol estimates the annual turnover generated by environmental crime at 110 - 281 billion US dollars. Environmental crime causes significant damage to the environment and public health. This report presents insights on environmental... Read more

Gerstetter, Christiane et. al. 2019: Status quo und Weiterentwicklung des Umweltstrafrechts und anderer Sanktionen: Instrumente zur Verbesserung der Befolgung von Umweltrecht (Compliance). Umweltbundesamt: Dessau-Roßlau.

PublicationReportKlimaschutzgesetze in Europa
 
This study by Ecologic Institute shows that Germany can learn a lot from experiences made in its neighbouring countries to give its climate policies a robust framework and thus make it more reliable, also for investments in climate-friendly measures. At the same time,... Read more

Duwe, Matthias und Heidi Stockhaus 2019: Klimaschutzgesetze in Europa. Überblick und Bedeutung für ein deutsches Klimaschutzgesetz. Kurzstudie des Ecologic Institut im Auftrag des WWF Deutschland.

PublicationReportLandesklimaschutzgesetze in Deutschland
 
In the current debate about a Federal Climate Change Act, people often overlook that in Germany about half of the federal states already have a climate change law as a comprehensive legal framework. In a study for WWF Germany, Ecologic Institute gives an overview over... Read more

Sina, Stephan and Heidi Stockhaus 2019: Landesklimaschutzgesetze in Deutschland. Überblick und Bedeutung für ein Klimaschutzgesetz des Bundes. Study by Ecologic Institute on behalf of WWF Germany.

PublicationReportFAQ Note on the Links between the Nature Directives and the Nitrates Directive
 
This FAQ note presents the links between the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Nitrates Directive. The FAQ note specifies the legislations’ objectives, highlight the interactions between both areas of legislation, and points to the opportunities for greater... Read more

European Commission (ed.) 2019: FAQ note on the links between the Nature Directives and the Nitrates Directive.

Selected events by Dr. Heidi Stockhaus
EventConferenceRaw Materials & Environment 2019 – International Conference
 
Mehr als 25 Referierende waren Teil des zweitägigen Programms | Foto: Stephan Röhl
On 19 and 20 February 2019, the German Environment Agency (UBA) hosted the international conference "Raw Materials & Environment 2019" in Berlin. More than 25 speakers and about 150 participants - decision makers and experts in the thematic areas of mining... Read more

Conference:Raw Materials & Environment 2019 – International Conference

Date
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Location
Berlin, Germany
EventVisitors ProgramAir Quality Management in Germany
 
© UfU Unabhängiges Institut für Umweltfragen
A delegation of Vietnamese government representatives took part in a study tour on "Air Quality Management in Germany" in Berlin from 24 to 30 November 2019. The Independent Institute for Environmental Issues organized the study tour together with Ecologic Institute on... Read more

Visitors Program:Air Quality Management in Germany

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Location
Berlin, Germany

Recent content by Dr. Heidi Stockhaus

Publication:Article
 
screenshot first page
Preparations are currently underway for negotiations on a global plastics treaty. The treaty is intended to respond to the increasing plastic pollution, especially of the oceans, which requires international cooperation along the value chain and thus binding rules at the international level. The timetable for the negotiations is extremely ambitious, with a draft to be available as early as the end of 2024. In her editorial, Heidi Stockhaus highlights the global dimension of the problem and points to the responsibility of Germany and the EU to help the negotiation process succeed.

Verhandlungen zu einem globalen Plastikabkommen – Zeit Verantwortung zu übernehmen

Standpunkt

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Event:Conference
 
On 11 May 2022, the RECIPES project has held its dissemination conference "Precaution for Responsible Innovation: New Options to Move Forward". At the conference, the RECIPES project presented and discussed some ideas on how to improve the use of the precautionary principle that were developed in consultation with several stakeholders at various points during the project period (the RECIPES guidance). The conference brought together around 90 participants from a range of different actor groups, including several of those who had participated in one or more of the RECIPES workshops. The conference was carried out in hybrid format, so the participants joined it on-site or online.

Precaution for Responsible Innovation: New Options to Move Forward


online and Brussels, Belgium

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the publication "Datengovernance und -regulierung für ein nachhaltiges Berlin. Übergeordnete Erkenntnisse und Empfehlungen"
This paper describes important findings from the project "Data Governance and Regulation for a Sustainable Berlin" and formulates – in addition to the application field-specific papers – overarching recommendations.

Datengovernance und -regulierung für ein nachhaltiges Berlin

Übergeordnete Erkenntnisse und Empfehlungen

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Publication:Report
 
cover of the publication "Nachhaltige Datenregulierung für die Kreislaufwirtschaft in Berlin. Hintergründe und Policy-Empfehlungen"
This paper examines the concept of an "extended" digital product passport from a socio-ecological perspective using the example of batteries for electric vehicles. It evaluates different approaches to data regulation and formulates policy recommendations for decision makers in Berlin. It is based on preliminary work from the project, in which in particular three ideal types of data regulation and a methodology for their scenario-based evaluation were developed.

Nachhaltige Datenregulierung für die Kreislaufwirtschaft in Berlin

Hintergründe und Policy-Empfehlungen

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Publication:Report
 
Report cover with image of fish, title, and logos of participating institutions
This research report studies the Asian perspectives on a global plastic pollution treaty against the background of a growing momentum for the establishment of a negotiation process during the second part of the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in February 2022. It identifies solutions already pursued by Asian countries to tackle marine plastic pollution, describes the challenges and needs expressed by government officials from the region, and discusses possible treaty elements taking into account experiences of countries in the Asian region.

A Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution

Perspectives from Asia

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Publication:Book Section
 
Cover of the publication International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy
Based on a stocktake, we present options to improve international soil governance in the short, medium and long term. The stocktake includes existing international instruments and institutions that are relevant for soil protection and its governance at the international level. It assesses the actual and potential steering effect of, inter alia, the Desertification Convention, the Biodiversity Convention, the Paris Agreement and climate regime, regional treaties, FAO, UNEP, IPBES and IPCC.

The Future of International Soil Governance

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Project
 
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues. Calls for a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution have increased over the last years, discussions will continue at the next sessions of the UN Environment Assembly in February 2022. After the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Expert Group on Marine Litter and Microplastics concluded its work in November 2020, various countries have started to prepare positions and forge alliances in preparation of these pending discussions.

A Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution – Perspectives from Asia

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Project
 
Ramboll and Ecologic Institute joined forces to develop and implement a 2-year outreach and engagement campaign, intended to draw new visitors and users to the Climate-ADAPT platform in five selected Eastern and Central European countries (Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia). The objective of the outreach and user engagement activities was to make new users aware of the huge potential of the Climate-ADAPT and encourage them to share relevant data and information, turning more users from passive consumers of information into proactive providers of information and contributors to the platform.

Promoting Climate-ADAPT for Better Knowledge Sharing on Climate Adaptation

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