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Biodiversity

Biodiversity

Ensuring the health of ecosystems and the species contained therein is vital to ensuring societal well-being and a sustainable economic recovery. Yet many of these ecosystems are threatened by human-induced pressures, including pollution, habitat degradation, and urbanization, as well as by climate change. Ecologic Institute works to safeguard biodiversity against these and other threats through its activities. Specific contributions include policy support (e.g. policy assessments, recommendation provisioning, data collection, and analysis) as well as activities to increase societal awareness, capacities, and engagement. The team further supports the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals and the mainstreaming of biodiversity considerations into other sectoral policies, such as water, agriculture, and climate. Team members have specific expertise in the EU Biodiversity Strategy and Birds and Habitats Directives, Natura 2000 management, and the global UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Specifically, Ecologic Institute supports, for example, the effective implementation of environmental policies related to biodiversity, the improvement of coherence and quality of data use or the integration of socio-cultural ecosystem services into green urban planning. Another focus is the research and use of the multifunctional potential of green and blue infrastructure for biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services.

Climate

Adaptation

Cities

International Development

Biodiversity

Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure

Natalia Burgos Cuevas
Researcher
Coordinator International Development

Cities

Biodiversity

Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure

International Development

Adaptation

Land Use

Evaluation

Health

McKenna Davis
Coordinator Nature-based Solutions
Senior Fellow

Environmental Law – Ecologic Legal

Biodiversity

Energy

Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure

Water

Felix Dengler
Researcher
Data Protection Officer

Biodiversity

Coastal + Marine

Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure

Gregory Fuchs
Co-Coordinator Coastal and Marine
Researcher

Bioeconomy

Economics

Land Use

Agriculture

Biodiversity

Holger Gerdes
Coordinator Bioeconomy
Senior Fellow

Coastal + Marine

Arctic

Biodiversity

Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure

Fenja Kroos
Researcher

Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure

Biodiversity

Water

Education

Dr. Benjamin Kupilas
Coordinator Biodiversity
Fellow

Biodiversity

Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure

Coastal + Marine

Land Use

Agriculture

Bioeconomy

Resource Conservation + Circular Economy

Evaluation

Indicators

Water

Coastal + Marine

Biodiversity

Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure

Julia Maund
International Fellow

Economics

Climate

Agriculture

Land Use

Finance

Biodiversity

Coastal + Marine

Selected Projects for Biodiversity
 

© Canva.com | alex.west, Getty Images 2024

This project supports the European Commission (EC) in enhancing the integration of environmental, biodiversity, and climate goals in the EU budget post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). It provides insights and concrete recommendations for effective, efficient... Read more
 

by Felicidad & Growfish 

Nature-Positive Economy – a Challenge and an OpportunityThe world’s economic systems do not adequately acknowledge the valuable role nature plays in planetary and human health. The degradation of land, freshwater and marine ecosystems undermines the well-being of... Read more

GoNaturePositive!

Duration
-
Funding
 

Bild von Gerd Altmann auf Pixabay

https://pixabay.com/de/illustrations/europa-wiese-gr%C3%BCn-green-deal-4689510/

The EU is deeply committed to combatting climate change and protecting biodiversity. As the impacts of these environmental challenges become more pronounced, the EU is increasing efforts to address them through its policies and actions. One of the EU's key strategies to... Read more
The project is targeted at postgraduate students, practitioners and managers from developing countries and provides them with a wide range of skills in environmental management. It combines lecture series and interactive workshops to deepen the understanding of... Read more
 
Fotolia© manfredxy
The European Topic Center on Biodiversity and Ecosystems supports the European Environment Agency on the topic area of terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity and ecosystems for the period 2023-2026. Biodiversity and ecosystems is one of five strategic work... Read more
In the frame of the European Green Deal, a new and ambitious EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (BDS 2030) was adopted in 2020. Building on previous strategies and long-standing EU nature legislation, the new strategy places a strong emphasis on more effectively... Read more

Analytical and Technical Support During the Negotiations Process for the Nature Restoration Law

Duration
-
Funding
 

© Sandra Naumann

Peatlands are ecosystems for a variety of specialised plant and animal species and serve as important natural carbon reservoirs. They also have a regulating effect on the water and nutrient balance and a cooling evaporation effect, which is important for the local and... Read more
 

Landscape features

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Photo: uschi dreiucker | pixelio.de

The CAP 2021-2027 aims to be a key tool in reaching the sustainability transition goals of the European Green Deal, including the climate action, the Farm-to-Fork Strategy and the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. It aims at ensuring a sustainable agriculture considering... Read more
 
project logog

© MarineSABRES project

Marine Biodiversity loss is continuing to decline despite current conservation efforts. Reversing the decline in biodiversity requires the rapid roll-out of effective conservation measures that can also enable a sustainable and resilient blue economy. Social-ecological... Read more

Marine Systems Approaches for Biodiversity Resilience and Ecosystem Sustainability (HEU Marine SABRES)

Duration
-
Funding
 
NICHES project logo: Project name in capital letters. in the letters you can see a skyline, above it green and blue horizon

© NICHES

Heavy rainfall events increasingly overload combined sewage systems, resulting in an overflow of contaminated water into the nearby environment and threats to aquatic biodiversity. There is thus an urgent need to identify new, more sustainable solutions which are... Read more
 

Mangrove seedlings growing in Tanjung Puting National Park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia.

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Photo by Daniel Murdiyarso/CIFOR, 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly and officially launched on World Environment Day in June 2021. The aim is to more effectively address the urgent need to restore important ecosystems and habitats.... Read more
Biodiversity is a key asset of conservation and – in the urban context –  the basis for providing diverse urban green areas and provisioning ecosystem services. In the German Nature Conservation Offensive 2020 (the German Federal Environment Ministry's action... Read more
All projects on Biodiversity
Selected Publications for Biodiversity
 
Cover of the "Ponderful: Ponds for Climate" technical guide. The top section shows a serene pond surrounded by lush greenery and a large tree in the foreground. Below, the title "Ponds and Pondscapes" appears on a blue background, followed by the subtitle: "A technical guide to the use of ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation." The bottom section features an underwater image of a colorful newt among aquatic vegetation.

© PODERFUL project, 2024

The technical handbook of the PONDERFUL project shows how ponds and pond landscapes can be used as Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to tackle societal challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and water scarcity. Ponds – small standing bodies of water with an... Read more

Biggs, J., Hoyle, S., Matos, I., McDonald, H., Nicolet, P., Oertli, B., Teixeira, J. (2024). Ponds and pondscapes: a technical guide to the use of ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, EU Horizon 2020 Ponderful project, University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13844497

 
Cover of the "Using Ponds and Pondscapes as Nature-Based Solutions" guidance document. The left side shows a young girl sitting on a wooden pier extending into a calm pond surrounded by lush greenery. The right side features the title and subtitle in bold white text on a green gradient background: "Using Ponds and Pondscapes as Nature-Based Solutions: Guidance for policy makers on the use of ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation."

© PONDERFUL project, 2024

The recently published guide "Using ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions" is a practical guide for policy makers. The guide provides detailed recommendations on using ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions, in particular to adapt to climate change and... Read more

Biggs, J., Hoyle, Matos, I., Oertli, B., Teixeira, J. (2024). Using ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions. Guidance for policy makers on the use of ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, EU Horizon 2020 Ponderful project, University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13847395

 
Screenshot from an online course platform for a course titled 'Nature-based Solutions: How to regenerate nature to make neighborhoods more livable, biodiverse, and resilient to climate change.' The image shows an aerial view of a neighborhood with the course title overlaid. On the right, it states 'All lessons have been completed,' and a progress bar shows 100% completion. Below, a section for reviewing an introduction module is visible along with the Interlace project logo.

© #LearningWithUclg and Interlace 2024

Urban areas across the globe are facing unprecedented challenges – pollution, climate change, urban sprawl – and traditional solutions are falling short. Join the INTERLACE project's free online course to discover how nature-based solutions offer a promising approach to... Read more

INTERLACE 2024: Nature-based Solutions: How to regenerate nature to make neighborhoods more livable, biodiverse, and resilient to climate change. Massive Open Online Course. Online: https://learningwith.uclg.org/p/restoring-urban-ecosystems.

 
Cover of a guide titled "Städte grün und vielfältig (um)gestalten" by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN). The cover features four images of urban green spaces, including a small park, a wooded area, a nature path, and a neighborhood with graffiti art. The guide provides practical advice for municipalities on integrating biodiversity into urban development projects.

© Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) 2024

In the context of increasing environmental challenges, the urban development program is calling for greater integration of biodiversity and urban nature into urban development. The new practical guidance "Green and diverse urban (re)design" shows how local authorities... Read more

Bundesamt für Naturschutz (Hrsg.) (2024): Städte grün und vielfältig (um)gestalten. Praxisleitfaden für Kommunen zur Berücksichtigung von biologischer Vielfalt in Gebieten der Städtebauförderung. Bonn.

 
cover page of a document titled "Stadtnatur-Plan: Lebensqualität, Klima und biologische Vielfalt zusammendenken!" published by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN).

© Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) 2024

The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 calls on cities to promote urban nature in the form of “Urban Nature Plans” for the protection of biodiversity, for climate protection and adaptation and for the quality of life in cities, and to set ambitious targets for this. This... Read more

Bundesamt für Naturschutz (Hrsg.) (2024): Stadtnatur-Plan: Lebensqualität, Klima und biologische Vielfalt zusammendenken! Leitfaden zur Umsetzung der EU-Biodiversitätsstrategie 2030 in urbanen Gebieten. Bonn.

 
Cover of the final report "Compilation of existing guidance on ecosystem restoration. Reference document for Member States to inform nature restoration planning.

© Ecologic Institute

Last month, the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) was formally adopted. A majority of EU member states (MS) gave the final green light on 17th June 2024 during a Council meeting. This regulation sets legally binding targets to restore at least 20% of the EU's degraded... Read more

Kupilas, Benjamin, et al. (2024): Compilation of existing guidance on ecosystem restoration. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

 
PONDERFUL Financing Instruments

© Ecologic Institute 2023

The PONDERFUL Sustainable Finance Inventory (below) consists of a total of 22 financing instruments for nature-based solutions (NBS). Each instrument is matched by at least one concrete example of the financing instrument in action. Different financing instruments have... Read more

McDonald, H., Seeger, I., Lago, M., & Scholl, L. (2023) Synthesis report on sustainable financing of the establishment of ponds and pondscapes. PONDERFUL Project (EU Horizon 2020 GA no. ID869296), Deliverable 1.4.

 
Cover of Policy Paper No. 7 from the series for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), entitled 'The Results of the CBD COP15 and their Importance for the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.' It displays the emblem of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection. Below, an image of a mist-laden rainforest is visible. Authors Gregory Fuchs and Rebecca Noebel from the Ecologic Institute, and Mathias Bertram from GIZ.

© BMUV 2023

This policy brief offers a nuanced analysis of the outcomes from CBD COP15. It particularly focuses on the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and its ramifications for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It meticulously examines the GBF’s strategic... Read more

Fuchs, Gregory et al. 2023: Die Ergebnisse der CBD COP15 und ihre Bedeutung für die UN-Dekade zur Wiederherstellung von Ökosystemen. Papier Nr. 7 der Policy Paper Reihe zur UN-Dekade für die Wiederherstellung von Ökosystemen (2021-2030). Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, Berlin.

 
Screenshot of the MoorNet homepage

© Ecologic Institute

Ecologic Institute designed and developed the MoorNet website and embedded peatland protection database. In addition, the website offers a filterable list of peatland-related events as well as quick access to the overview of already gained knowledge. Stakeholders in... Read more

Ecologic Institute (2023): MoorNet. Website. URL: https://moor-net.de

 
CLEVER Cities Guidance homepage: a platform to explore insights, tools, indicators and lessons learned about nature-based solutions (NbS) for sustainable urban regeneration. It provides evidence-based approaches, innovative case studies and lessons learned on: NbS mainstreaming in policy and planning, social impact generation and measurement, and co-creation and stakeholder empowerment.

© CLEVER Cities project

The CLEVER Cities Guidance was officially launched on 27 September 2023 at the CLEVER Cities final conference in Hamburg, Germany. The online platform developed by Ecologic Institute features insights, tools, indicators and lessons learned about nature-based solutions ... Read more

CLEVER Cities 2023: CLEVER Cities Guidance. Website. Online: https://clever-guidance.clevercities.eu

 
Cover of the independent expert report "Harnessing the power of collaboration for nature-based solutions : new ideas and insights for local decision-makers"

© European Union, 2023

Step into a realm of collaborative innovation with our insightful briefing paper, a product of the Nature Based Solutions Task Force 6 joint efforts. This paper focuses on co-creation for nature-based solutions, providing practical examples and guidance for local... Read more

European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Naumann, S., Burgos Cuevas, N., Davies, C., et al., Harnessing the power of collaboration for nature-based solutions : new ideas and insights for local decision-makers, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/954370

 
Cover of the ETC CE Report 2023/7 "ETC CE Report 2023/7 "Circular Economy and Biodiversity"

© European Topic Centre on Circular economy and resource use, 2022

This report analyses how a circular economy can contribute to halting biodiversity loss. It concludes that while circular economy measures (directly and indirectly) contribute to meeting biodiversity and climate strategic objectives, the combination with biodiversity... Read more

Günther, Jens et al. 2023: Circular Economy and Biodiversity. ETC CE Report 2023/7. European Topic Centre on Circular economy and resource use.

 
Graphic presenting the key figures of the Urban Governance Atlas at the time of launch.

© Ecologic Institute

The INTERLACE Urban Governance Atlas was officially launched on 11 May 2023 at the INTERLACE Cities Talk Nature Conference in Chemnitz. The first of its kind, the online database showcases 250 policy instruments from 41 countries supporting nature-based solutions and... Read more

INTERLACE project consortium 2023: Urban Governance Atlas. Interactive database. Published on 11 May 2023. Online: https://interlace-hub.com/urban-governance-atlas.

 

© Ecologic Institute

Our planet is experiencing a biodiversity crisis. And the problem across the EU is also severe, with more than 80% of habitats in the EU now in a bad or poor conservation status. To reverse this alarming trend, the European Commission has proposed the Nature Restoration... Read more

Ecologic Institute 2023: Nature Restoration Law: restoring Europe's ecosystems & protecting biodiversity. Online: https://www.greendealbigdeal.eu/podcast/episode-10/

All publications on Biodiversity
Selected Events for Biodiversity
With increasing extreme weather events, overloaded sewer systems and associated combined sewer overflows are no longer a rarity in Berlin. In order to develop sustainable and future-oriented solutions, close cooperation between experts from the fields of urban... Read more

Workshop:Transformation of Berlin's Rainwater Management through NbS

Date
Location
Berlin, Germany
 

Unsplash

Peatlands are unique habitats for highly specialised animal and plant species, and their protection plays a decisive role in climate protection and other environmental goals. When rewetting degraded peatlands, including near-natural peatlands with an impaired water... Read more
 
Promotional image for the Interlace Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) launch webinar. The background shows a scenic cityscape during sunset, with a hot air balloon in the sky and church spires visible. The text invites users to 'Join the launch webinar' and learn more about the course, with the Interlace logo and tagline 'Restoring Urban Ecosystems' at the top left.

© INTERLACE project 2024

Urban areas across the globe are facing unprecedented and complex challenges, including urban sprawl, pollution, and the increasing impacts of climate change. To help address these pressing issues, the INTERLACE project is pleased to announce the launch of a new, free... Read more
 
Tagung BioVibes Stadtnatur

© Ecologic Institute 2023

The online conference "Shaping urban nature – now!" took place on 7 March 2024 and discussed opportunities around increasing and improving urban nature. In addition to the opportunities offered by urban development funding, the focus was on Urban Greening Plans as... Read more

Conference:Shaping Urban Nature – Now!

Date
Location
online and Leipzig, Germany
 
Social media card of the conference "Cities Talk Nature: Rethinking urban-rural linkages for people and biodiversity"

© INTERLACE project

Join us on 23-24 November 2023 in the city of Envigado (Colombia), for a special conference and engagement event, through which you will be able to learn in detail from Envigado's experience, as well as from the examples of other cities from the Cities Talk Nature... Read more

Conference:Rethinking Urban-rural Linkages for People and Biodiversity

Date
-
Location
Envigado, Colombia
 
Nature Restoarion Law

Ecologic Institute

What can be done to restore ecosystems and protect biodiversity in the EU, where more than 80% of habitats are now in a bad or poor conservation status? Amid a planet-wide biodiversity crisis, the European Commission has proposed the Nature Restoration Law to address... Read more
 

Foto von: MART PRODUCTION

In Germany, climate adaptation measures have gained increasing attention due to recent extreme weather events, such as the flash flood in the Ahr valley in 2021 as well as heatwaves and droughts of recent years. In this context, nature-based solutions are increasingly... Read more

Digital Event:Fit for Summer

Date
Location
online
 
Social Media Card of the Event "Cities Talk Nature Europe" on 11 and 12 May 2023. In the Background a green riverbank in the City of Chemnitz, Germany

© City of Chemnitz

Urban nature has the potential to provide many benefits for society and the environment. As an example, urban green and blue can reduce the negative impacts of heat waves and heavy rainfall events. This makes the creation and protection of urban spaces for nature... Read more

Conference:Cities Talk Nature Conference: Unlocking the potential of underutilised urban areas

Date
-
Location
Chemnitz, Germany
All events on Biodiversity
Selected Presentations for Biodiversity
 
Cover slide of the presentation titled "Creating a National Plan for Ponds: Recommendations from the PONDERFUL Programme." The background image shows a tranquil landscape featuring shallow ponds surrounded by grassy fields and scattered trees under a blue sky with light clouds. The title and subtitle are written in white text, with authors Jeremy Biggs and Hugh McDonald listed below, along with their affiliations: Freshwater Habitats Trust, UK, and Ecologic Institute, Germany.

© Ecologic Institute, 2024

On 8 November 2024, the final practitioners webinar of the EU project PONDERFUL took place. Led by Professor Jeremy Biggs (Freshwater Habitats Trust) and Hugh McDonald (Ecologic Institute), it discussed how national and regional plans can be developed to protect,... Read more

Speech:Creating a National Plan for Ponds

Date
Location
online
 

© Natalia Burgos Cuevas 2024

On 25 and 26 September 2024, McKenna Davis and Natalia Burgos of Ecologic Institute contributed to two landmark nature-based solutions (NbS) events in Brussels, focusing on advancing NbS through collaborative efforts.Networking and collaboration at the NbS Task Forces... Read more

Speech:Ecologic Team Active at the Network Nature Annual Events in Brussels

Date
-
Location
Brussels, Belgium
 

© Ecologic Institute, 2024

In the face of rapidly changing marine environments, innovative strategies are essential to preserve biodiversity and promote sustainability. Gregory Fuchs recently led a series of workshops on the island of Vilm (Baltic Sea, Germany), highlighting how Ecosystem-Based... Read more

Speech:Advancing Ecosystem-Based Management and Nature-Based Solutions – Workshop Series

Date
-
Location
Vilm, Germany
 
Social media card of the workshop hybrid workshop entitled "Making people part of ecosystem restoration in Europe".

© Federal Agency for Nature Conservation

Ecosystem restoration is gaining momentum in science and policy as a process that can jointly tackle biodiversity loss, climate change and other societal challenges. The human and social dimensions of restoration projects, however, often insufficiently considered. The... Read more

Speech:Creating Enabling Conditions for Ecosystem Restoration

Date
Location
online and Bonn, Germany
All presentations on Biodiversity