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EU 2050 Strategic Vision "A Clean Planet for All"

Brief Summary of the European Commission proposal

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 conclusions of the EC's extensive analysis.Read more

Publication

Monitoring the Physical Economy – Factsheet

Robust strategies for sustainable resource management depend on a solid understanding of the physical economy – the anthropogenic stocks and flows of matter and energy. MinFuture provides a framework for the description and monitoring of the physical economy using Material Flow Analysis (MFA). It distinguishes and visualises seven components, which are organised in a hierarchical structure (pyramid). This factsheet presents the framework and summarizes the project results.Read more

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How Can EU Reform Strengthen EU Climate and Energy Policies?

Triggered by Brexit, the EU began a process of reflection, soul-searching and possibly reform – the so-called "Bratislava process" or the "process on the Future of Europe". EU institutions, Member States and civil society have made a number of contributions to this process. This paper of the Ecologic Institute discusses how the EU reform process can help improve EU climate and energy policies.Read more

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How Can EU Climate and Energy Policies Support EU Reform?

Triggered by Brexit, the EU began a process of reflection, soul-searching and possibly reform – the so-called "Bratislava process" or the "process on the Future of Europe". EU institutions, Member States and civil society have made a number of contributions to this process. This paper of the Ecologic Institute discusses how EU climate and energy policies can support the EU reform process. Read more

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Resources

Water

Microplastics Analytics

Sampling, Preparation and Detection Methods

This discussion paper, edited by Ecologic Institute, presents the physicochemical investigation methods used in the research focus "Plastics in the Environment", in particular for the analysis of microplastics. Therefore, representatives of the joint research projects discussed methods and analytical approaches to identify validated methods and comparable results in the various projects. The discussion paper reflects the current state the debate within the research focus. It contributes to a pool of methods that are as standardised as possible for the relevant application fields in science, industry, and administration and is available for download.Read more

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Water

ECOSTAT Classification Workshop: Summary Report on Hydromorphology

The Working Group ECOSTAT of the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) held a workshop on classification on 29-30 May 2018 in Tallinn. The aim of this workshop with respect to hydromorphology was to facilitate a better common understanding on the use of hydromorphological quality elements for the overall assessment of ecological status and potential. This is part of a wider work item on classification in the ECOSTAT work programme focusing on the linkage between supporting and biological quality elements (BQEs). The Workshop Summary Report presents the main discussions that occurred during this meeting and is available for download.Read more

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Climate

Result Oriented Spending for the Climate

Creating strong connections between the EU budget and National Energy and Climate Plans

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 legislative proposals the door already ajar, but concrete improvements are needed to push it open, analysis by Ecologic Institute shows.Read more

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Handlungsansätze zur Förderung nachhaltiger Ernährungssysteme

Ergebnispapier von BMBF-Forschungsprojekten zum Thema Ernährung

This paper formulates recommendations for action for policy makers to promote sustainable food systems in Germany and identifies open research needs. Stephanie Wunder and Dr. Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers of Ecologic Institute contributed to this. The results paper is available for download.Read more

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Nature-based Solutions in European and National Policy Frameworks

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly being adopted as an effective tool to address urban challenges. But, to what extent do current policy frameworks support or hinder their implementation? This report examines if and how the concept of NBS is addressed in select EU and Member State policies and funding instruments. The report was published within the Horizon 2020 project NATURVATION and is available for download.Read more

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Water

Significant Adverse Effects on Use or the Wider Environment from Measures – Workshop Summary Report

Ecologic Institute supported the European Commission and the Ad-hoc Task Group on Hydromorphology in organising a Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) workshop. This CIS workshop on the subject of significant adverse effects was organized on 23 and 24 April 2018 in Brussels. The Workshop Summary Report presents the main discussions that occurred during this meeting. In addition, prior to the workshop, Ecologic Institute prepared a discussion paper providing background information to workshop participants on the topic. The discussion paper is available for download.Read more