Matthias Duwe

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Matthias Duwe

MSc (Development Studies)

Head, Climate

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Matthias Duwe is Head, Climate at Ecologic Institute. He coordinates the institute's climate policy related work strands. His work focuses primarily on the European Union's (EU) energy and climate policies, including their connections to national policy, as well as the international regime. He has more than twenty years of experience in EU climate policy, working in Brussels and in Berlin for more than a decade each, and has developed a rich network of experts and policy-makers. He is an accomplished speaker and facilitator and works in both German and English.

At Ecologic Institute, Matthias serves as senior project leader and expert contributor to a variety of projects looking at EU climate policy and its national implementation, as well as international climate diplomacy. Since 2016, his primary focus has been on various elements of transformative climate governance, involving framework climate laws, long-term climate strategies, national energy and climate plans and advisory bodies – but also progress monitoring systems and policy mainstreaming. He has presented his analyses to decision-makers across Europe.

Beyond that, Matthias also teaches his research topics regularly, for example as part of the Institute's involvement in "Duke in Berlin" or through individual training courses. Matthias also engages in discussions on the role of civil society in climate policy and its decision-making processes.

Prior to joining Ecologic Institute, Matthias Duwe worked with Climate Action Network Europe (CAN Europe), a leading NGO umbrella organization, from 2001 to 2011 – originally serving as Policy Researcher, then taking on the role of Director from 2005, where he led a team of ten in the Brussels Secretariat. During his time in Brussels, Matthias Duwe participated actively in a variety of key political processes, including the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) and the development of the Climate and Energy Package – with a focus on the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). He also served as an expert on an array of EU working groups, covering topics such as alternative fuels, hydrogen technologies and carbon capture and storage. In addition, Matthias Duwe spent six years on the Board of Directors of Climate Action Network International (CAN International).

Matthias Duwe is a social scientist by training, having studied at Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg (Germany) with a focus on Environmental Politics and Planning. He was also awarded a Master of Sciences from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London in 2000.

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Selected projects by Matthias Duwe
ProjectDialogue on Pathways and Policies for a Climate-neutral EU (Climate Recon 2050)
 

© Ecologic Institute

The EU has agreed to become climate neutral by 2050. Achieving climate neutrality in the next 30 years is a great societal, economic and political undertaking, presenting many challenges and opportunities. The Climate Recon 2050 project addresses the central process of... Read more

Dialogue on Pathways and Policies for a Climate-neutral EU (Climate Recon 2050)

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectHorizon 2020Transformative Policies for a Climate-neutral European Union (4i-TRACTION)
 

© Ecologic Institute

To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, EU policy will have to be reoriented – from incremental towards structural change. As expressed in the European Green Deal, the challenge is to initiate the necessary transformation to climate neutrality in the coming years, while... Read more

Transformative Policies for a Climate-neutral European Union (4i-TRACTION)

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectThe EU Long-term Strategy – the implications of striving for net-zero emissions
 
| Fotolia © bluedesign
A Climate Neutral Europe by 2050 – a possible vision for the future? On 28 November 2018, the European Commission published analysis to underpin a new long-term strategy (LTS) on climate policy for the EU, laying out a vision of how to decarbonize the European... Read more

The EU Long-term Strategy – the implications of striving for net-zero emissions

Duration
-
Funding
Selected publications by Matthias Duwe
PublicationDocumentMaking EU Climate Governance Fit for Net Zero
 
Cover of the scientific opinion paper "Making EU climate governance fit for net zero"

© Federal Environment Agency (UBA)

The paper "Making EU Governance Fit for Net Zero" analyses the current landscape of climate policy governance against eight core parameters at EU level and for Member States, and identifies a number of remaining weaknesses.  Improvements should address several key... Read more

Duwe, Matthias 2022: Making EU climate governance fit for net zero. An analysis of the current landscape of relevant EU climate policy processes and recommendations for alignment with the climate neutrality objective. Scientific opinion paper. Dessau-Roßlau: Federal Environment Agency.

PublicationDocumentCharting a Path to Net Zero – Summary
 
first page of the summary "CHARTING A PATH TO NET ZERO: AN ASSESSMENT OF NATIONAL LONG-TERM STRATEGIES IN THE EU"

© Ecologic Institute

This summary distills the insights from the technical report "Charting a Path to Net Zero: An assessment of national long-term strategies in the EU" commissioned by the European Climate Foundation and written by Ecologic Institute. It summarizes the key findings and... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola, Duwe, Matthias, Evans, Nick (2022): Charting a path to net zero: An assessment of national long-term strategies in the EU. Summary. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationPolicy BriefLong-term Strategies: state of play, challenges and possible support through the G20
 
Cover of policy brief

@Climate Recon 2050

The G20 summit 2022 under Indonesia's presidency is a central moment for geopolitics, as representatives of the most powerful economies convene to discuss important worldwide developments. One central topic is the advancement of climate action. As the G20 countries are... Read more

Haase, Isabel; Duwe, Matthias (2022): Long-term strategies in a G20 context. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportMeasuring Progress towards Climate Neutrality
 
1st page of the summary report "Measuring progress towards climate neutrality" with logos, text and infographic

© Ecologic Institute

Achieving climate neutrality requires structural changes to our economic system, with solutions that work across sectors. Correspondingly, measuring progress and designing policy towards the EU's net zero ambition requires a framework that captures the complexity of the... Read more

Duwe, Matthias; Eike Karola Velten, Isabel Haase, Nicolas Berghmans, Nick Evans and Deyana Spasova (2021): Measuring progress towards climate neutrality. Ecologic Institute, Berlin / IDDRI, Paris

PublicationReportClimate Laws in Europe
 
No two climate laws are the same, but an analysis of nine existing laws in Europe finds that most draw on a set of common design elements to streamline action, align policy goals, establish expert and public review mechanisms and monitor progress towards national... Read more

Duwe, Matthias and Evans, Nicholas (2020): Climate Laws in Europe: Good Practices in Net-Zero Management. Berlin, Den Haag.

PublicationReportClimate Governance Systems in Europe: the role of national advisory bodies
 
Climate governance systems in Europe: the role of national advisory bodies

© Ecologic Institute 2021

The number of scientific climate advisory bodies is growing rapidly across European countries, including the establishment of one at the EU-level. Under the right conditions, such expert councils can help governments not only make the right climate policy decisions but... Read more

Evans, Nick; Matthias Duwe (2021): 'Climate governance systems in Europe: the role of national advisory bodies'. Ecologic Institute, Berlin; IDDRI, Paris.

PublicationCase StudyLong-term Climate Strategies in Europe: Experience from National and EU-wide 2050 Climate Planning
 
This case study, prepared by Ecologic Institute and published by World Resources Institute (WRI) describes the status quo and relevant recent developments at the EU and national levels on long-term climate strategies, detailing relevant insights on legal obligations,... Read more

Matthias Duwe and Ewa Iwaszuk, Ecologic Institute. 2019. "LTS in Europe: Experience from National and EUwide 2050 Climate Planning."

PublicationDocumentResult Oriented Spending for the Climate
 
There are many promising ways in which the next EU budget could help EU Member States achieve their climate and energy targets. Explicitly targeting EU public spending towards climate could send a signal to other investors, creating a shift in financial flows. Existing... Read more

Duwe, Matthias 2018: Result Oriented Spending for the Climate: Creating strong connections between the EU budget and National Energy and Climate Plans. Berlin: Ecologic Institute.

PublicationBook SectionFrameworks for Regional Co-operation: The EU
 
The European Union (EU) is more than the sum of its parts. With the rise of nationalistic ideals and populist sentiment within and outside its borders—now more than ever, it stands for far more than an experiment in regional cooperation. A contentious history... Read more

Görlach, Benjamin; Matthias Duwe and Nick Evans 2016: Frameworks for Regional Co-operation: The EU. In: Robert E. Looney (ed.): Handbook of Transitions to Energy and Climate Security. Routledge: New York. 79-96.

PublicationReportBringing Paris into the Future EU Budget
 
UNFCCC – Paris Agreement Cycle
The European Union is currently pursuing two important processes that can mutually support one another: implementing its 2030 climate and energy targets and defining the EU budget for the years 2021-2027. An Ecologic Institute analysis points out several ways to... Read more

Duwe, Matthias 2018: Bringing Paris into the future MFF: how to maximise the benefits of EU funding for the achievement of EU climate objectives. Integrating the 2021-2027 MFF and the new 2030 energy and climate target governance. Ecologic Institute: Berlin.

PublicationPolicy BriefProfessionalizing Climate Policy via Legislation
 
publication's cover

© Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

Governments around the world are seeking to improve the way they organize their climate policy-making. Many countries are adopting national framework laws to do so. Choosing the right design is key for making these laws effective. This paper provides an update on the... Read more

Duwe, M. & Evans, N. (2021). Professionalizing Climate Policy via Legislation: Good Practices in Long-Term National Climate Framework Laws. Policy Paper Series "Shaping the Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy: Perspectives from Israel and Germany". Israel Public Policy Institute and Heinrich Böll Foundation Tel Aviv.

PublicationReportTurning Points for the Ambition of European Climate Targets
 
A new paper by Öko-Institute and Ecologic Institute contributes to the upcoming discussion on the EU climate target for 2030 and the accompanying review of central policy instruments and governance structure. A successful implementation of a climate-neutrality... Read more

Gores, S., Fallasch, F., Siemons, A., Duwe, M., Evans, N. 2020: Turning Points for the Ambition of European Climate Targets. Getting granular on the process and identifiying cornerstones for discussion, Studie im Auftrag des Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit, Berlin: Öko Institut and Ecologic Institute.

PublicationReport"Paris Compatible" Governance: long-term policy frameworks to drive transformational change
 
Governments around the world have already adopted long-term climate frameworks, many in legal form. Many others are in the process of developing similar laws or strategies. These overarching long-term frameworks are critical to effectively implementing the Paris... Read more

Duwe et al. (2017) "Paris compatible" governance: long-term policy frameworks to drive transformational change. 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.

PublicationReportThe Innovation Fund: How can it support low-carbon industry in Europe?
 
| iStock_© TommL_M
The long-term transformation to a low-carbon economy requires innovation in technology and existing practices in all sectors of the economy. The Innovation Fund under the EU Emissions Trading System is meant to support such innovation projects in industry and energy.... Read more

Duwe, Matthias; Ostwald, Robert (2017): The Innovation Fund: how can it support low-carbon industry in Europe: Design recommendations for the successor instrument to the NER 300 in Phase 4 of the EU ETS. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationFact SheetEU 2050 Strategic Vision "A Clean Planet for All"
 
In late November 2018, the European Commission published a "strategic vision" for a European economy with net-zero emissions by 2050 – this factsheet provides an overview of those documents. It explains, summarises, and evaluates the scenarios, proposals, and... Read more

Federal Environment Agency (2018). Fact Sheet: EU 2050 strategic vision "A Clean Planet for All". Brief Summary of the European Commission proposal. Berlin: 10 December 2018.

PublicationConference PaperThe Paris Agreement: Analysis, Assessment and Outlook
 
Ecologic Institute's new research paper provides a comprehensive overview and assessment of the Paris Agreement, including the agreed next steps, an outlook on implementation and key political messages. It is now available for download. Key messages are: The... Read more

Bodle, Ralph, Lena Donat and Matthias Duwe (2016). The Paris Agreement: Analysis, Assessment and Outlook. German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) Research Paper. Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt.

Selected events by Matthias Duwe
EventConferenceCharting a Path Towards EU Climate Neutrality in Turbulent Times
 

Photo taken by Paula Schöberlein

The EU's toolbox on climate action has been significantly expanded since the adoption of the Paris Agreement: targets have been increased and the climate neutrality goal is legally binding. New planning processes have been started and new institutions created. And with... Read more

Conference:Charting a Path Towards EU Climate Neutrality in Turbulent Times

Date
Location
Brussels, Belgium
EventDigital EventA Climate Neutral Europe by 2050
 

○ A Climate Neutral Europe

On 26 March 2021 the Climate Recon 2050 Platform hosted an online debate with the European Commission and national government experts, discussing the impact of the climate neutrality target on EU climate policy and national planning processes. The virtual discussion,... Read more

Digital Event:A Climate Neutral Europe by 2050

Date
Location
online
EventDigital EventThe EU Climate Law: Holding the EU Accountable for Delivering on the Paris Agreement
 
The Ecologic Institute and the European Climate Foundation (ECF) hold an online conference on the forthcoming EU Climate Law. The European Commission's proposal for a European climate law was discussed  with insight from experts and policy-makers and followed up by... Read more

Digital Event:The EU Climate Law: Holding the EU Accountable for Delivering on the Paris Agreement

Date
Location
online
Selected presentations by Matthias Duwe
PresentationSpeechProfessionalizing Climate Policy
 

© IPPI

Countries around the world are considering the introduction of national framework laws to make their climate policy more effective. A debate is underway in Israel on the adoption of such a climate law, to establish a clear institutional set-up and regular processes for... Read more

Speech:Professionalizing Climate Policy

Date
Location
online
PresentationSpeech"Paris Compatible" Governance: insights from climate law case studies
 
| © Gonzalo Escribano
On 4 December 2017, Matthias Duwe presented insights on national climate laws to inform Spanish debate gained from a joint research effort on long-term climate frameworks at a roundtable discussion organized by the renowned thing tank Elcano Royal Institute. He joined... Read more

Speech:"Paris Compatible" Governance: insights from climate law case studies

Date
Location
Madrid, Spain
PresentationSpeechHow to Integrate European Lessons Learned on Climate Laws in the Slovenian Context?
 
slides

Ecologic Institute

In the webinar series "Why do we need a climate law?" Matthias Duwe, Head Climate at Ecologic Institute, presented three key elements of a sound climate law: (1) the coordination of long-term planning and short-term policy, (2) monitoring progress, and (3) mechanisms... Read more

Speech:How to Integrate European Lessons Learned on Climate Laws in the Slovenian Context?

Date
Location
online, Slovenia
PresentationChairingClimate Protection and Artificial Intelligence – How can AI help us reach the Paris Agreement?
 
Climate change and artificial intelligence (AI) are two intensely debated topics, but mostly treated by separate communities. While climate change is one of the most urgent and pressing challenges the world is facing, AI is creating new opportunities for all sectors,... Read more

Chairing:Climate Protection and Artificial Intelligence – How can AI help us reach the Paris Agreement?

Date
Location
Berlin, Germany

Recent content by Matthias Duwe

Event:Conference
 
The 4i-TRACTION research has identified additional instruments with untapped potential and possible game changer qualities, that can help tackle challenges of transformative change other policies struggle to address. In this side event, the 4i-TRACTION project presents three policy instruments that can support transformative change: transition plans for banks, public procurement for climate neutrality and integrated infrastructure planning.

Innovative Policies for the Path to Climate Neutrality – COP Side Event

A UNFCCC Side Event by Ecologic Institute with project partners I4CE and CE Delft


Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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Publication:Report
 
Landscape of climate framework laws in Europe - Status update - cover
National climate framework laws have become a common approach for establishing the governance machinery required to tackle the transition to a climate neutral society. This memo serves as a brief update on the status and substance of such laws in Europe as of summer 2023, with a focus on framework laws aimed at achieving long-term transformational change.

The Landscape of National Climate Framework Laws in Europe

A Status Update – Summer 2023

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the report Progress on the implementation of national Multilievel Climate and Energy Dialogues: Assessing Member States Owen Reporting
This paper examines to what extent and how Member States have met the obligation to carry out multilevel climate and energy dialogues. It does so on the basis of national reporting on the mandatory implementation of multilevel climate and energy dialogues (MLCEDs) against the requirements set out in Article 11 of the Governance Regulation.

Progress on the Implementation of National Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogues: Assessing Member States' own reporting

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Publication:Report
 
Climate laws
This policy paper serves as a German translation of a memo on the 'Landscape of climate framework laws in Europe'. It provides a brief overview of the current status of national climate laws in Europe. It focuses in detail on the pending revisions to the German Climate Protection Law passed in 2019 and amended in 2021.

Good Practice in europäischen nationalen Klimaschutzgesetzen

Input für den WWF Deutschland

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the report titled 'Transformative procedural climate governance: Mechanisms, functions, and assessment criteria'. At the top, a modern logo consisting of intertwined loops in multiple colors, representing the brand '4i TRACTION', which stands for innovation, investment, infrastructure, and integration. At the bottom, the authors' names and the 4i TRACTION brand element at the bottom, subtly repeating the logo's color scheme.
This report presents an approach to studying the EU’s procedural climate governance, namely the frameworks, instruments and institutions that shape and support the climate-related decision-making process of the EU.

Transformative Procedural Climate Governance

Mechanisms, functions, and assessment criteria

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Publication:Report
 
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"
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, businesses, and citizens in this transition. To be effective, policy-makers must now understand how – and at what pace – these measures translate into changes in the real world. The European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO) flagship report is the first ever assessment to provide this information at an economy-wide level.

State of EU Progress to Climate Neutrality

An indicator-based assessment across 13 building blocks for a climate neutral future

Year

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Event:Conference
 
ECNO's first annual flagship report on the EU's progress to net zero was presented on 26 June 2023 at the official Brussels launch of the initiative. The report is based on a vision of a climate neutral future composed of 13 essential sectoral and horizontal net-zero "building blocks".

Climate Neutrality: Is the European Union on track?

Launch of the European Climate Neutrality Observatory


online and Brussels, Belgium

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Event:Digital Event
 
The EU's carbon-neutral future
On 6 March 2023, participants joined webinar hosts Ewa Iwaszuk and Aaron Best from Ecologic Institute and their expert guests Claire Dupont, Professor at the Department of Public Governance and Management, Ghent University, and Matthias Duwe, Head of the Climate Team at Ecologic Institute. Together, they discussed the central role climate policy plays in the European Green Deal and explored how policy can spur innovation and reduce net emissions to zero in the European Union.

The EU's Carbon-neutral Future: Achieving net zero by 2050


online, Germany

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Publication:Document
 
Title of the NZI scoreboard report
Indicators measuring progress towards climate neutrality must address the often structural, sectoral, and cross-sectoral changes implied by the transition, covering both the economic and social dimensions. To address this, Ecologic Institute developed this working document, testing an indicator framework for assessing the progress to climate neutrality by 2050. The document offers a glimpse at areas where developments are currently headed in the right direction or lagging behind.

A Look Under the Emission Curve: Setting up a Net Zero Scoreboard

Testing a progress measurement framework on a sample of indicators

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