Contents:

1. State of Nature in the EU – Publication
2. Addressing Climate Change in Cities – Policy instruments to promote urban nature-based solutions – Publication
3. Addressing Climate Change in Cities: Order your free copy of the publications – News
4. Our Rivers and Brooks: Restoration - development – near-natural maintenance – Publication
5. Ecosystem-Based Management, Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Biodiversity – Publication
6. SDG 12 – Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns – Online Database
7. Possible Courses of Action for a Sustainable Bioeconomy Policy – Publication
8. Analyzing the Impact Assessment on Raising the EU 2030 Climate Target – Publication
9. EU Framework for CO₂ Removals – Targets and Commitments – Publication
10. Conference of the Food Industry in Berlin/Brandenburg – Presentation
11. The European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy – Presentation
12. Harnessing the European Green Deal to Address the Climate Crisis – Think2030 Conference

1. State of Nature in the EU – Publication

   The European Environmental Agency (EEA) published their landmark report on the state of nature in the EU. Supported by Ecologic Institute through the European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity (ETC-BD), the publication analyzes data reported by the Member States. The findings indicate that the majority of Europe's biodiversity continues to decline at an alarming rate and identify the agricultural sector as the major driver behind this ongoing biodiversity loss. The report is available for download.

   https://ecologic.eu/17606

2. Addressing Climate Change in Cities – Policy instruments to promote urban nature-based solutions – Publication

   Although significant potential exists, nature-based solutions (NBS) remain underutilized by cities as a solution to address climate change. Reasons for this include a lack of relevant experience with and knowledge of NBS planning and implementation as well as a shortage of locally adapted policy instruments to support mainstreaming across sectoral policies. Illustrated by case studies from across Germany and Europe, this guidance document responds to these gaps and presents policy instruments to help cities plan, implement and maintain NBS to address urban challenges. The guidance document is available for download.

   https://ecologic.eu/17604

3. Addressing Climate Change in Cities: Order your free copy of the publications – News

   Hard copies of the two publications "Catalogue of urban nature-based solutions" and "Policy instruments to promote urban nature-based solutions" from the "Addressing Climate Change in Cities" series can now be ordered free of charge. Illustrated with real-life application examples, these two books offer a comprehensive introduction to the world of urban nature-based solutions (NBS) and aim to inspire planners and policymakers to address climate change in cities using NBS.

   https://ecologic.eu/17605

4. Our Rivers and Brooks: Restoration - development – near-natural maintenance – Publication

   This brochure provides insights into the contents of the Federal Environment Agency's online information platform "River restoration". The aim of the platform and this brochure is to motivate and support potential actors in increasing the implementation of river restoration measures. Therefore, basic knowledge on the ecological development of rivers and brooks is provided in a clear and understandable way. It also provides information on practical issues of planning, financing and land provision, as well as flood protection, nature conservation, agriculture and recreation. Restoration project examples further illustrate these topics. The brochure is available for download.

   https://ecologic.eu/17348

5. Ecosystem-Based Management, Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Biodiversity – Publication

   Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is the most promising approach for balancing sustainable development and biodiversity protection in aquatic ecosystems. This book introduces the essential concepts and principles required for the implementation of EBM, detailing tools and techniques and describing the application of these concepts and tools. This book is a joint effort of researchers from Ecologic Institute, the University College of Cork and the US Environment Protection Agency and can be accessed free of charge.

   https://ecologic.eu/17592

6. SDG 12 – Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns – Online Database

   SDG 12 "Ensuring Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns" aims at the necessary changes in our lifestyles and ways of doing business. Together with Adelphi and Wuppertal Institute, Ecologic Institute set up a database of activities in Germany, which contribute to implementing SDG12 in Germany. The database currently comprises more than 120 activities, including civil society and business initiatives as well as policy programs and actions.

   https://ecologic.eu/17591

7. Possible Courses of Action for a Sustainable Bioeconomy Policy – Publication

   "Where there is a will, there is a way." – but what exactly does that way look like? Bioeconomy currently enjoys a high political priority; but at the same time, the concept is not without controversy and contains many conflicting goals. In this article, Dr. Zoritza Kiresiewa (Ecologic Institute), Franziska Wolff and Martin Möller (both Öko-Institut e.V.) argue that bioeconomy can only contribute to the achievement of sustainability goals if the political framework is appropriate. Whether or not strategies will have an impact depends on each individual case. Bioeconomy pathways should be designed and tested accordingly. The article is available for download.

   https://ecologic.eu/17610

8. Analyzing the Impact Assessment on Raising the EU 2030 Climate Target – Publication

   The European Commission proposed to raise the EU climate target for 2030, so as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% compared to 1990. In this policy brief, CLIMACT and Ecologic Institute unpack the Commission's impact assessment for the new target. The brief analyzes key policy options and analytical results and compares them to recent studies, in particular CLIMACT's 2030 modeling results. The policy brief is available for download.

   https://ecologic.eu/xxxxx

9. EU Framework for CO₂ Removals – Targets and Commitments – Publication

   Carbon dioxide removals (CDR) are an important element of all scenarios compatible with the Paris Agreement. This discussion paper examines the EU's governance framework for CDR and states that the new EU climate architecture should include a separate CDR target. This should be legally binding and quantified, enshrined in European Climate Law and it should give priority to the restoration of damaged ecosystems. The discussion paper is available for download.

   https://ecologic.eu/17590

10. Conference of the Food Industry in Berlin/Brandenburg – Presentation

    On 22 September 2020 the 10th Day of the Food Industry in Brandenburg took place. For the first time through an online format, the food industry of the Berlin/Brandenburg metropolitan area discussed future paths for the development of the food industry in 2030. Stephanie Wunder from Ecologic Institute held the keynote speech. The video recording of the event is available online.

    https://ecologic.eu/17608

11. The European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy – Presentation

    On 12 and 13 October 2020 the European Sustainable Development Network (ESDN) Annual Conference took place. Together with prominent speakers like Angela Merkel and Achim Steiner participants discussed the transformative potential of the EU Green Deal. Stephanie Wunder presented the steps which are needed next to implement the Green Deals' Farm to Fork Strategy.

    https://ecologic.eu/17609

12. Harnessing the European Green Deal to Address the Climate Crisis – Think2030 Conference

    On 16 and 17 November 2020 this year's Think2030 conference "Harnessing the European Green Deal to Address the Climate Crisis: Anticipating Risks, Fostering Resilience" will take place online. The conference is organized by Ecologic Institute, together with the Institute for European Environmental Policy and ThinkTank for Sustainability on the occasion of the 25th anniversary. In the context of the acute crisis posed by the pandemic, the conference will focus on the European Green Deal and the related developments in EU policy including their potential contributions to address climate change. This year's Think2030 conference is organized as an idea lab.

    https://www.ecologic.eu/17558