Eike Karola Velten

Eike Karola Velten

Diplom-Wirtschaftsingenieurin (Graduate Industrial Engineer of Energy and Environmental Management)

Coordinator Energy
Senior Fellow

Team
Topics

Eike Karola Velten (née Dreblow) is a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Energy team at Ecologic Institute. She studies the transition to climate neutrality, with a focus on climate mitigation policies for the energy sector in particular. A trained industrial engineer, Eike Velten specializes in data collection and analysis, and indicator-based assessments. She works in German and English.

Eike Velten has led and contributed to a wide range of projects for European and German institutions during her more than fifteen years at Ecologic Institute. In particular, she develops and checks planning and monitoring exercises. Currently, she tracks EU progress towards climate neutrality across a range of building blocks under the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO) being the lead author of the first flagship report. Eike Velten also supports Eurostat in its yearly monitoring of the sustainable development goals, covering SDG7 on energy and SDG13 on climate action. From its beginning in 2011 until 2019, she provided scientific support to the expert commission of the monitoring process on the energy transition in Germany.

In addition, Eike Velten analyzed the EU Member States' long-term climate strategies and their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) in several projects with a cross-cutting view on the societal changes and related policies. She also evaluates innovative climate mitigation projects carried out under the German National Climate Initiative (NKI).

Eike Karola Velten studied industrial engineering with an emphasis on energy and environmental management at the University of Flensburg (Germany). In her diploma thesis at Fichtner, she researched how concentrating solar power plants could be registered under the Clean Development Mechanism. She spent a year abroad at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain) to attend classes on marine science.

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Selected projects by Eike Karola Velten
ProjectEU Policy Initiatives and Methodological Assistance on Indicators
 
EU Policy Indicators Project

© Pixabay 2023

Sustainable development is a long-term political goal of the European Union (EU), which has become even more important since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Green Deal. Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union,... Read more

EU Policy Initiatives and Methodological Assistance on Indicators

Duration
-
Funding
European Commission, Eurostat (Eurostat), International
ProjectImpact Assessment of the Governance Regulation Revision
 

Image by Tom from Pixabay

The European Union is entering a new phase of climate and energy policymaking. As ambition increases for 2040 and 2050, the EU’s climate governance framework must evolve accordingly. This project supports the European Commission in carrying out a comprehensive impact... Read more

Impact Assessment of the Governance Regulation Revision

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectEnhancing the Climate Mitigation Policies and Measures (PaMs) database
 

Canva and https://climate-energy.eea.europa.eu/topics/policies-and-measures/climate-and-energy-policies-and-measures/data

This project for the European Environment Agency (EEA) aims to improve both the number and quality of reported climate policies and measures (PaMs) and to increase the visibility and utilisation of the PaMs database.Despite countries' long-standing reporting obligations... Read more

Enhancing the Climate Mitigation Policies and Measures (PaMs) database

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectAssessment of the European Commission's Assumptions about Industrial Removals for the 2040 Target
 

Foto von Anton Pavlov auf Unsplash

On 6 February 2024, the European Commission published its communication on the EU's 2040 climate target, proposing a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels. The accompanying Impact Assessment (IA) outlines possible pathways, emphasizing... Read more

Assessment of the European Commission's Assumptions about Industrial Removals for the 2040 Target

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectEU Policies to Reduce CH4 and H2 Emissions from the Energy Sector
 

W.carter, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

This project, funded by the Environmental Defense Fund Europe, identifies and develops EU policy opportunities to mitigate methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2) emissions from the energy sector. Methane is a highly impacting greenhouse gas, second only to CO2. CH4... Read more

EU Policies to Reduce CH4 and H2 Emissions from the Energy Sector

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectEvaluation, Monitoring and Adaptation of Existing Funding Programmes and Further Development of the National Climate Initiative (NKI) 2019-2023
 

Photo by Lukas on Pexels

With the National Climate Initiative (NKI), the Federal Environment Ministry has been supporting climate protection projects throughout Germany since June 2008, contributing to the achievement of Germany's climate protection goals. During this time, the NKI's guidelines... Read more

Evaluation, Monitoring and Adaptation of Existing Funding Programmes and Further Development of the National Climate Initiative (NKI) 2019-2023

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectAssessing Policy Evaluations in the Context of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs)
 

© Laurens Duin

The aim of this project is to assess – for a selection of EU Member States – the impacts of policies and measures (PaMs) as described in their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). To this end, the project team identifies specific policy instruments and related ex... Read more

Assessing Policy Evaluations in the Context of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs)

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectAssessments Supporting EU Progress towards Climate Neutrality
 

Understanding potential pathways towards net-zero

|

© Ecologic Institute 2022

Reaching climate neutrality by 2050 in the EU requires strong policy making and monitoring to ensure all areas of the European economy get and remain on track. Additionally, EU climate governance must ensure cohesion between EU Member States' short-term actions and the... Read more

Assessments Supporting EU Progress towards Climate Neutrality

Duration
-
Funding
Selected publications by Eike Karola Velten
PublicationReportState of EU Progress to Climate Neutrality
 
Cover page of the "2025 Flagship Report: State of EU progress to climate neutrality" by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO). The image shows a panoramic view of a green urban park with various climate-related icons overlayed, and a city skyline in the background. The title highlights the report’s focus on indicator-based assessment across 13 building blocks for a climate-neutral future. Dated September 2025.

© Ecologic Institute, 2025

The EU is making promising progress on the road to climate neutrality but needs to keep up the pace to achieve the goal. This is the result of the third progress report by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO), which has analysed developments in over 150... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola et al. 2025: 2025 Flagship Report: State of EU progress to climate neutrality. An indicator-based assessment across 13 building blocks for a climate neutral future. European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO).

PublicationReportRenewables, Electrification and Flexibility – for a competitive EU energy system transformation by 2030
 
Cover of the EEA report "Renewables, electrification and flexibility for a competitive EU energy system transformation by 2030"
© European Environment Agency, 2025
The European Union has committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2050. On the way to climate neutrality, however, it must first meet its interim 2030 target, which requires a profound transformation and decarbonisation of the energy system – comprising the electricity,... Read more

European Environment Agency, Renewables, electrification and flexibility for a competitive EU energy system transformation by 2030, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2800/4558900

PublicationPolicy BriefDelivering the EU's 2030 Climate and Energy Targets: Gaps in National Contributions and Policies
 
**Alt text:** Cover of a briefing titled "Delivering the EU’s 2030 climate and energy targets: Gaps in national contributions and policies" by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory, showing a cloudy sky viewed from above.

© ECNO, 2025

A new analysis of 22 updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) shows that many EU Member States are falling short of the bloc's 2030 climate targets. This briefing, led by Ecologic Institute in collaboration with the New Climate Institute and Reform Institute,... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola et al. 2025: Delivering the EU's 2030 climate and energy targets: Gaps in national contributions and policies. An analysis of 22 final national energy and climate plans. European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO).

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2025
 
Cover of the report titled 'Sustainable development in the European Union: Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context, 2025 edition' by Eurostat. The design features shades of blue with a colorful tree graphic in the lower half.

© European Union 2025

Eurostat's "Sustainable Development in the European Union: Monitoring Report on Progress towards the SDGs in an EU Context" (2025 edition) offers the ninth comprehensive assessment of the EU's journey toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Researchers from... Read more

Hijman, Remko et al. (ed.) 2025: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2025 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationReportIntegrating Hydrogen Emissions Into the EU Policy Framework
 
Cover of Ecologic Institute's report entitled "Integrating Hydrogen Emissions Into the EU Policy Framework. Why hydrogen emissions matter, when they will become significant, and how the EU can tackle them"

© Ecologic Institute, 2025

While hydrogen (H2) emissions make up a negligible fraction of today's GHG emissions, they are set to become more significant in the 2030s and, should the EU and the global community progress towards climate neutrality, will likely be substantial in the 2040s, as... Read more

Piria, Raffaele, and Eike Karola Velten: Integrating hydrogen emissions into the EU policy framework. Ecologic Institute, Berlin, 2025. Available at: https://www.ecologic.eu/19988.

PublicationReportIndustrial Removals' Resource Use in the 2040 Climate Target Impact Assessment
 
Cover page of a report titled "Industrial Removals’ Resource Use in the 2040 Climate Target Impact Assessment." The report is authored by Eike Karola Velten, Charlotte Felthöfer, and Benedikt Decker, with a review by Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf. It is labeled as the "Final report" and dated February 2025. The logos of "Ecologic Institute" and the "European Climate Foundation" appear at the top.

© Ecologic Institute, 2025

This report, funded by the European Climate Foundation (ECF), examines the assumptions for industrial carbon removals in the European Commission's 2040 Climate Target Impact Assessment. It focuses on the deployment of industrial carbon removal technologies and their... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola; Decker, Benedikt; Felthöfer, Charlotte; Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils (2025): Industrial removals' resource use in the 2040 climate target impact assessment – An analysis of biomass, electricity, and water needs for Bioenergy and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS and DACCS) in the EU Commission's Impact Assessment of the 2040 target. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationPolicy BriefNext Steps in Setting up EU Progress Monitoring for Climate Neutrality
 
Commission Assessment Briefing ECNO

© ECNO 2024

In October 2023, the European Commission presented its first ever assessment of progress towards climate neutrality – and acknowledged the lack of depth in its current progress monitoring. Not checking the development of enabling conditions for the transition creates... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola et al. 2024: Next Steps in Setting up EU Progress Monitoring for Climate Neutrality: A review of the European Commission’s assessment of progress towards climate neutrality. European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO).

Further assessments of EU policy planning and reporting

PublicationReport2024 Report: State of EU progress to climate neutrality
 
The image is a cover page for a report titled "State of EU progress to climate neutrality." The cover features the following elements: Title: The title "State of EU progress to climate neutrality" is prominently displayed in bold white text on a deep purple background. Subtitle: Below the title, the subtitle reads, "An indicator-based assessment across 13 building blocks for a climate neutral future." Date: The date "July 2024" is shown below the subtitle.

©European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO) 2024

The EU is making promising progress on the road to climate neutrality but needs to keep up the pace to achieve the goal. This is the result of the second progress report by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO), which has analysed developments in over 100... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola et al. 2024: Flagship Report: State of EU progress to climate neutrality. An indicator-based assessment across 13 building blocks for a climate neutral future. European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO).

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2024
 
Cover of the report titled 'Sustainable development in the European Union: Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context, 2024 edition' by Eurostat. The design features shades of blue with a colorful hot air balloon graphic in the lower half. The balloon consists of vertical stripes in various colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The title of the report is in white text at the top left.

© European Union 2024

The 2024 publication is Eurostat's eighth regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context.  Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7),... Read more

Gebers, Kathrin et al. (ed.) 2024: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2024 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationReportState of EU Progress to Climate Neutrality
 
Cover of the ECNO flagship report "State of EU progress to climate neutrality. An indicator-based assessment across 13 building blocks for a climate neutral future"

© European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO) 2023

The EU Climate Law legally binds EU countries as a whole to become climate neutral by 2050. Achieving this goal requires transforming the way we produce, consume, travel, and eat. EU institutions have already put in place many measures to guide and support governments,... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola et al. 2023: Flagship Report: State of EU progress to climate neutrality. An indicator-based assessment across 13 building blocks for a climate neutral future. European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO).

PublicationReportNational Energy and Climate Plans: Evidence of Policy Impacts and Options for more Transparency
 
Report cover of the German Environment Agency on climate change with a light blue banner with the text 'CLIMATE CHANGE' and the number '38/2023'. Below the banner, in bold, large font, the title 'National Energy and Climate Plans: Evidence of Policy Impacts and Options for more Transparency' including the subtitle 'A Meta Study assessing Evaluations of selected Policies reported in the Danish, French, German, Slovenian, and Swedish Plan'. List with the authors' names underneath. At the bottom the logo.

© German Environment Agency

This study aims to contribute to the further development of the Member States' reporting to the EU with regard to the National Energy and Climate Change Plans (NECPs), especially with regard to the national progress reports, the NECP updates and a possible revision of... Read more

Wachsmuth, Jakob et al. 2023: National Energy and Climate Plans: Evidence of Policy Impacts and Options for more Transparency. A Meta Study assessing Evaluations of selected Policies reported in the Danish, French, German, Slovenian, and Swedish Plan. Final report. Dessau-Roßlau: German Environment Agency.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2023
 
Cover of "Sustainable development in the European Union Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context 2023 edition"

© European Union, 2023

The 2023 publication is Eurostat's seventh regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 ... Read more

Petri, Ekkehard, et al. (ed.) 2023: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2023 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationReportCharting a Path to Net Zero
 
Cover of the publication with net zero 2050 and Ecologic logo. Background image: Two young hikers in the mountains holding a map and looking down into the valley.

© Ecologic Institute

This report presents the findings from an assessment of 22 long-term strategies (LTSs) of the EU Member States available as of March 2022. It is complemented by a briefing that summarizes the key findings and recommendations, as well as an overview of the underlying... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola, Nick Evans, Deyana Spasova, Matthias Duwe, Ramiro de la Vega, Laurens Duin, and Harrison Branner (2022): Charting a path to net zero: An assessment of national long-term strategies in the EU. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationPolicy BriefPlanning for Net-zero: Assessing the Draft National Energy and Climate Plans
 
A report by Ecologic Institute and Climact shows that the draft National Energy and Climate Plans presented by governments at the start of 2019 are in acute need of improvement. They suffer from inadequate targets and insufficient details on the policies and financing... Read more

Duwe, Matthias; Eike Karola Velten, Nick Evans, Mona Freundt, Julien Pestiaux, Benoît Martin, Pascal Vermeulen (2019): Planning for net-zero: Assessing the Draft National Energy and Climate Plans. Berlin, Louvain-la-Neuve, Bruessels.

PublicationPolicy BriefAnalysing the Impact Assessment on Raising the EU 2030 Climate Target
 
Cover publication AIA EU 2030

Ecologic Institute

On 17 September 2020, 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... Read more

Climact, Ecologic Institute (2020): Analysing the impact assessment on raIsing the EU 2030 climate target - How does the European Commission’s approach compare with other existing studies?

Evaluation of innovative climate protection projects

PublicationReportBericht zum Förderaufruf Innovative Klimaschutzprojekte
 
Cover of the publication "Evaluierung der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative. Bericht zum Förderaufruf Innovative Klimaschutzprojekte"

© Öko-Institut

The funding call for the Innovative Climate Protection Projects is part of the National Climate Protection Initiative (NCI) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Since 2008, the NCI funds climate protection projects... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola 2021: Evaluierung der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative. Bericht zum Förderaufruf Innovative Klimaschutzprojekte. Ecologic Institute: Berlin.

Sectoral assessments

PublicationReportWeiterentwicklung des "Monitoringsystem Bioökonomie" unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Aspekten des vorsorgenden Umweltschutzes
 

Photo: Zoritza Kiresiewa, Cover: UBA, 2025

Against the backdrop of the new German Bioeconomy Strategy (BMEL & BMBF 2020), this study outlines how a monitoring system needs to be designed to assess whether the transformation towards a bio-based economy is progressing in line with sustainability goals and the... Read more

Best, Aaron et al. 2025: Weiterentwicklung des "Monitoringsystem Bioökonomie" unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Aspekten des vorsorgenden Umweltschutzes. Abschlussbericht. Umweltbundesamt: Dessau-Roßlau.

PublicationReportTasks and Resources Needed at the National Level
 
Updated cover page

Ecologic Institute

The EU Methane Regulation (EU-MER) is crucial for reducing methane emissions from the energy sector, thereby enhancing our chances at achieving the climate targets. This paper describes the tasks of the Member States' responsible ministries and competent authorities,... Read more

Piria, Raffaele, Ramiro de la Vega, Leon Martini and Eike Karola Velten 2024: Implementing the EU Methane Regulation, Working paper N° 1. Tasks and resources needed at the national level. Ecologic Institute, Berlin. Available at: https://www.ecologic.eu/19718

PublicationReportEU 2040 Climate Target: Contributions of the industry sector
 
Cover of the report "EU 2040 Climate Target: Contributions of the industry sector"

© Ecologic Institute 2024

The EU will adopt a climate target for 2040 and a framework for its implementation in the coming years. The 2040 target and its implementation framework will be pivotal milestones on the EU's journey towards achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and ultimately attaining... Read more

Kögel, Nora; Velten, Eike; Martini, Leon (2024): EU 2040 Climate Target: Contributions of the industry sector. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportUsed Vehicle Trade and Fleet Composition in Europe
 
In Europe, limited information is available about the environmental characteristics of the vehicles stocks and of traded used vehicles in terms of vehicle's air pollutant and CO2 emissions. In this report Ecologic Institute and Fraunhofer ISI explore available national... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola; Clemens Brauer, Jan-Erik Thie (2020): Used vehicle trade and fleet composition in Europe. Final report of the project "Used vehicle trade and fleet composition in Europe" on behalf of the EEA. Ecologic Institute and Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI: Berlin, Karlsruhe.

PublicationReportMeasures for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles
 
The introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) is one way to significantly reduce emissions from cars — if combined with a transition to a renewable electricity system — thus helping countries meet their climate and air quality goals. Numerous governments around the world... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola, Stoll, Theresa; Meinecke, Lisa (2019): Measures for the promotion of electric vehicles. Ecologic Institute, Berlin. Commissioned by Greenpeace e.V.

PublicationReportLessons Learned to Inform Integrated Approaches for the Renovation and Modernization of the Built Environment
 
Report cover with title and partner logos

© European Commission

A better performing and smarter building stock is the cornerstone of the EU decarbonised energy system. In addition to the vast energy saving potential, the building sector has the potential to provide flexibility to the energy system, through energy production, control... Read more

Steuer, Sibyl et al. 2020: Lessons learned to inform integrated approaches for the renovation and modernisation of the built environment. Final Report to the European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy. ENER/C3/2019-468/03

Recent content by Eike Karola Velten

Event:Digital Event
 
On 24 March 2026, the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO) will present its new Clean Industrial Transition Monitor and discuss whether current EU policy creates the enabling conditions needed for a successful industrial transformation.

Reality Checking the Clean Industrial Deal

Launch of the Clean Industrial Transition Monitor


online

Read more
Publication:Report
 
Against the backdrop of the new German Bioeconomy Strategy (BMEL & BMBF 2020), this study outlines how a monitoring system needs to be designed to assess whether the transformation towards a bio-based economy is progressing in line with sustainability goals and the protection of natural systems. The report is aimed at policymakers, public authorities and the expert community, summarising the key findings and recommendations from several years of project work.

Weiterentwicklung des "Monitoringsystem Bioökonomie" unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Aspekten des vorsorgenden Umweltschutzes

Year

Read more
Publication:Policy Brief
 
The EU must rethink its energy security in light of increasingly renewable, decentralized, and electrified energy systems. Energy security already benefiting from the early start of the energy transition. In the transition phase now beginning, a forward-looking and adaptable approach is needed to maximize synergies and manage potential conflicts between decarbonization and energy security.

Europe's Energy Security on the Path to Climate Neutrality

Devising a resilience strategy for the mid-transition

Year

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Event:Digital Event
 
On 3 September 2025, the European Climate Neutrality Observatory presented their latest findings on EU's progress toward climate neutrality and discussed the ensuing recommendations with high-profile EU policy stakeholders, including members of the European Parliament, the European Commission and the business community.

Tracking the Transition to a Clean, Competitive and Fair EU Future

Launch of the 3rd Assessment by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory


online

Read more
Publication:Report
 
Cover page of the "2025 Flagship Report: State of EU progress to climate neutrality" by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO). The image shows a panoramic view of a green urban park with various climate-related icons overlayed, and a city skyline in the background. The title highlights the report’s focus on indicator-based assessment across 13 building blocks for a climate-neutral future. Dated September 2025.
The EU is making promising progress on the road to climate neutrality but needs to keep up the pace to achieve the goal. This is the result of the third progress report by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO), which has analysed developments in over 150 indicators across all areas of society. The weak points identified provide crucial information for the work of the EU institutions.

State of EU Progress to Climate Neutrality

2025 Flagship Report

Year

Read more
Publication:Book
 
Cover of the 2025 edition of Eurostat’s “Overview of progress towards the SDGs in an EU context.” The design mirrors the full report cover, featuring a white tree with multicolored leaves, this time on a grey-blue background. The Eurostat and SDG logos appear below the tree.
The 2025 overview brochure accompanies Eurostat's ninth regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The brochure is available for download.

Sustainable Development in the European Union – 2025 Overview

Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

Year

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