The European Union is making progress in implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals – but not all trends are heading in the right direction. The new Eurostat report "Sustainable Development in the European Union – 2025" provides a detailed analysis of where the EU stands, with contributions from Ecologic Institute on seven key SDGs, including energy, climate, water, and biodiversity. Positive developments such as a record share of renewable energy and greener consumption patterns contrast with warning signs related to ocean health, land degradation and extreme weather events. A concise overview brochure presents the key trends in a visually appealing and data-driven format.

How can the EU Methane Regulation be effectively implemented at national level? Two new practical guides for the Czech Republic and Romania offer concrete answers. They provide an overview of key regulations, sector-specific emission analyses, and recommendations for competent authorities. A particular focus is placed on inspection obligations, national emission inventories, and the resource requirements for competent authorities. Other EU Member States can also benefit from the transferable findings and best practices.

Without CO₂ removal, climate neutrality is impossible – but scaling it up brings with it considerable risks and conflicts of interest. A new paper by Ecologic Institute and Oeko-Institut analyses how policies on carbon removal can be effectively designed and sensibly incentivized. Among other issues, it discusses a removal trading system, feed-in tariffs, contracts for difference, and integration into existing EU climate instruments.

Targeted water-saving measures could be key to making ecosystems and economic sectors more resilient to the impacts of climate change. This new ETC-BE report explores the savings potential in agriculture, industry, electricity production, and water supply – and how this potential can be unlocked through technology, economic incentives, and smart governance.

How can EU policy and private sector initiatives support a transition towards a nature-positive economy? A new in-depth report developed under the EU-funded GoNaturePositive! project outlines how nature positive principles are currently being considered and highlights specific opportunities, challenges, and examples of positive practices. The report and five accompanying briefs – focusing on the agri-food, blue economy, tourism, built environment, and forestry sectors – will be published ahead of our GoNP! webinar on 26 June. Last-minute registrations are welcome!

Panel Discussion: Dr. Grit Martinez

Climate change, overfishing, and pollution are threatening marine biodiversity worldwide. To discuss how to better protect our oceans, experts from politics, science, and environmental organizations gathered at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in Nice. European countries were strongly represented, as were nations from the Global South and key G20 states such as Australia, India, Brazil, and China. Dr. Grit Martinez of Ecologic Institute's Coastal and Marine team contributed to the dialogue, highlighting in her panel discussion the importance of local engagement in developing sustainable solutions.

Speeches and Moderation: Hugh McDonald, Jonathan Gardiner, John Tarpey

How can an EU purchasing program for permanent CO₂ removal be designed effectively? On 21 May 2025, experts from politics, business, and research discussed approaches to promote market and technology development in the field of permanent CO₂ removal at a half-day workshop. Key topics included purchase criteria, innovation-promoting elements, and options such as offtake agreements and competitive tendering. A pre-read paper by Ecologic Institute served as the basis for discussion, offering in-depth preliminary insights into an upcoming report on strategies for financing carbon removals in the EU.

Speeches and Chairing: Holger Gerdes, Zoritza Kiresiewa and Gerardo Anzaldúa

At the European Rural Circular Bioeconomy Conference 2025, the SCALE-UP project presented practical solutions for accelerating rural bioeconomy – highlighting regional success stories, providing policy recommendations, and using interactive formats. The focus was on experiences from six focus regions and discussions with political decision-makers about the role of the bioeconomy in the future EU strategy.

Speech: Natalia Burgos Cuevas

As cities across Europe face increasing pressure from climate risks such as heatwaves and flooding, digital platforms are becoming key enablers of effective and inclusive adaptation planning. The Adaptation AGORA webinar, hosted by the Stockholm Environment Institute, brought together over 100 participants to explore three leading platforms that support nature-based solutions (NbS) in urban contexts. Natalia Burgos Cuevas, Fellow at Ecologic Institute, presented the Urban Governance Atlas – an interactive online database of over 250 policy instruments that support NbS and ecosystem restoration across Europe, Latin America, and beyond.

On 4 June 2025, the Otter class from Berlin's Schinkel Primary School set out on a mission along the River Spree as part of the Citizen Science initiative "Plastic Pirates – Go Europe!", supported by Doris Knoblauch and Hannah Brunkhorst from Ecologic Institute. With great curiosity and enthusiasm, the young "pirates" collected and documented litter samples following scientific standards and made some surprising discoveries – including an aluminum grill and a pair of handcuffs. Their findings were uploaded to the project's interactive platform and will now contribute to a broader scientific analysis coordinated by Kiel Science Factory and Ecologic Institute.

How can policy measures and private sector initiatives promote the transition to a nature-positive economy? Find out in our webinar "Mapping policies and private sector initiatives for a nature-positive economy: Insights from the GoNP! Project" on 26 June 2025 from 11:00–12:00. Organized by Ecologic Institute in collaboration with the University of Oxford, ICLEI Europe, and Trinity College Dublin, we will present key findings and outputs from the EU project "GoNaturePositive!" – with insights into existing policy instruments, private sector initiatives and opportunities for engagement. 

Join us for the final event of the MEER:STARK Project on 3 and 4 November 2025! This two-day workshop – Day 1 hybrid, Day 2 in-person in Berlin – brings together experts and decision-makers from marine conservation, coastal planning, and climate policy to discuss project results, co-develop actionable recommendations, and strengthen the marine–climate nexus. If you are interested in contributing with a short input or by showcasing a related initiative, we warmly invite you to get in touch by 30 June 2025. Further details and registration information will follow soon.

Ecologic Institute invites you to join the in-person workshop "Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Coastal Resilience: In-depth workshop on stocktake and finance perspectives" on 7 and 8 October 2025 in Berlin. Experts, practitioners, and policymakers will assess the current state of coastal EbA, exchange lessons learned, and explore finance and funding perspectives. If you are interested in contributing with a short input or showcasing a related initiative addressing one or more of the workshop's focus areas, please get in touch with us by the end of June 2025. Further details and registration information will follow soon.

Do you have leadership experience in finance and a passion for sustainability and environmental protection? Join Ecologic Institute in Berlin as Head of Finance and Accounting! In this key role, you’ll lead a dedicated team, shape strategic financial processes, and work closely with the management to support our mission through sound financial governance. Apply by 22 June 2025!