The recent decisions by the Constitutional Court and the German government on national climate legislation have brought new wind to the climate debate. But what does this mean for Berlin? Are the new targets suitable for transfer to the capital? Is the level of ambition sufficient to limit CO2 emissions "in line with Paris requirements" and allow Berlin to shoulder its fair share of the 1.5 degree target? And which areas of improvement do Berlin's politicians have to tackle now in order to set the course towards a climate-neutral Berlin 2045 without burdening the city's most disadvantaged residents in particular?

Nature-based solutions have been gaining attention as effective solutions to address important global challenges. A virtual breakfast briefing was held on 18 May 2021 with around 140 participants to discuss these topics and launch the Think2030 paper 'Using nature-based solutions to foster synergies between biodiversity and climate: Missed chances and opportunities for a sustainable future', co-written by the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) and Ecologic Institute.

The 6th expert dialogue on sustainable timber construction took place on 6 May 2021. Speakers included architects and engineers as well as experts from relevant research projects who presented and discussed practical topics related to timber construction in the capital region.

On 30 April 2021 at the online Berliner ENERGIETAGE, the research network Ecornet Berlin presented how tenants can benefit from the energy transition.

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 International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) in cooperation with the Asia Society Policy Institute convened an online Seminar from 22 to 26 March 2021, focusing on Southeast Asian countries. The Seminar was implemented by the Ecologic Institute and ICF as part of the ongoing programme for Training and Capacity Building on Emissions Trading. 35 participants from six Southeast Asian countries attended the seminar, which introduced them to the basic concepts and key elements of emissions trading. Drawing on examples and experiences from existing systems, the Seminar explained the main design choices for setting up an ETS and convey solutions for their implementation.

The central objective of the Hydromorphology IV Workshop was to exchange experiences and information and to identify and reflect on challenges of the administrative and practical implementation processes of watercourse development measures.

The ICAP online ETS Workshop conducted with focus on Latin America under the theme "Emissions Trading in Latin America: Developments on the Ground, Role for Cooperation" was held virtually from 8 to 10 December 2020, convened by the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) and co-organized by the Ecologic Institute, Get2C and ICF.

As part of the Berlin Re-Use Initiative, the online expert dialog on the recycling of gypsum took place on 26 November 2020. This expert dialogue, to which the Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection of the State of Berlin invited together with relevant associations and companies, was dedicated to important issues around gypsum recycling. Eighty-five people took part in the expert dialog.

On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, Ecologic Institute, together with the Institute for European Environmental Policy and TMG, hosted the Think2030 conference "Harnessing the European Green Deal to Address the Climate Crisis: Anticipating Risks, Fostering Resilience" on 16 and 17 November 2020. More than 300 participants from across Europe made the conference an interesting, stimulating and enjoyable event. Keynote speeches by high-level speakers and interactive breakout sessions provided new perspectives on how the European Green Deal can be harnessed to address the climate crisis and foster a green recovery.

Berlin is increasingly developing as a dynamic innovation field of the circular economy – a circular, resource-saving economy. (Social) innovations are no longer generated only in the field of waste recycling, but increasingly in the design and manufacture of sustainable products or with new business models. The event provided insights into current research on the development of the circular economy and the commitment of Berlin's innovators in this field.

The 5th expert dialogue on sustainable timber construction took place on 30 October 2020 at the invitation of the Senate Department for the Environment, Urban Mobility, Consumer Protection and Climate Action (SenUMVK) and the German Timber Trade Federation (GD Holz). Speakers included architects and engineers as well as experts from relevant research projects who presented and discussed practical topics related to timber construction in the capital region.

This ICARE-project online seminar served to discuss issues and relevance of the climate-resources-nexus among academic institutions. Mandy Hinzmann from Ecologic Institute, Dr. Thomas Gibon from Luxembourg Institute for Science and Technology LIST and Prof. Edgar Hertwich from Norwegian University of Science and Technology NTNU presented findings of recent research projects dealing with the nexus.

Between 15 and 18 September 2020, Ecologic Institute together with ZOE Institute for future-fit economies and other partners convened a "closed-doors" EU online conference on long-term challenges from the COVID-19 crisis for the EU's economic governance and the implementation of the Green Deal.