<p>The objective of this project was to provide Members of ENVI Committee of the European Parliament an overview of key issues and stakeholders' positions in preparation to the UN Ocean Conference in June 2017. The brief provides a short overview of the UN 2030 Agenda and specifically, Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (SDG 14). The brief identifies key issues for discussion at the upcoming Ocean Conference and the positions of the main stakeholders. The brief also provides an overview of the role of the EU and its current marine policies, actors and institutions. In a final section, several recommendations based on findings are suggested to guide the participation of ENVI Members at the Ocean Conference. The brief relies on discussions and position papers produced in preparation to the Ocean Conference until March 2017.</p>&#13;

About a quarter of German groundwater exceeds the nitrate limit of the European Union for drinking water. A substantial reduction of inputs can only be achieved through measures in agriculture. The study examines existing drinking water cooperations between farmers and drinking water suppliers in water conservation areas in North Rhine-Westphalia. In doing so, positive approaches should be harnessed for a purposeful policy.

How can European countries better monitor and calculate energy savings and CO2 emission reduction? This short video tutorial, produced by Ecologic Institute presents functionalities and benefits from the use of an innovative Monitoring &amp; Verification Platform (MVP). This IT tool has been designed to provide EU member states with an easy-to-use and cost-effective system to assess the impact of their implemented energy saving measures and plans.

For the project "A Taste of the Future of the Seas", Ecologic Institute designed some fact sheets as well as a project flyer in small postcard format. The flyer promotes the series of project events Science Sips as well as the Theme Day event. The postcard contains various facts about the sustainability of oysters and specific recommendations about sustainable consumption options. The postcard is styled according to the project style-guides and contains important event and contact information.

For the project "A Taste of the Future of the Seas", Ecologic Institute designed some fact sheets as well as a project flyer in small postcard format. The flyer promotes the series of project events Science Sips as well as the Theme Day event. The postcard contains various facts about the sustainability of eel and specific recommendations about sustainable consumption options. The postcard is styled according to the project style-guides and contains important event and contact information.

For the project "A Taste of the Future of the Seas", Ecologic Institute designed some fact sheets as well as a project flyer in small postcard format. The flyer promotes the series of project events Science Sips as well as the Theme Day event. The postcards contain various facts about the sustainability of popular fish products and specific recommendations about sustainable consumption options. The postcards are styled according to the project style-guides and contain important event and contact information.

For the project "A Taste of the Future of the Seas", Ecologic Institute designed some fact sheets as well as a project flyer in small postcard format. The flyer promotes the series of project events Science Sips as well as the Theme Day event. The postcard contains various facts about the sustainability of salmon and specific recommendations about sustainable consumption options. The postcard is styled according to the project style-guides and contains important event and contact information.

For the project "A Taste of the Future of the Seas", Ecologic Institute designed some fact sheets as well as a project flyer in small postcard format. The flyer promotes the series of project events Science Sips as well as the Theme Day event. The postcard contains various facts about the sustainability of tuna and specific recommendations about sustainable consumption options. The postcard is styled according to the project style-guides and contains important event and contact information.

For the project "A Taste of the Future of the Seas", Ecologic Institute designed some fact sheets as well as a project flyer in small postcard format. The flyer promotes the series of project events Science Sips as well as the Theme Day event. The postcards contain various facts about the sustainability of popular fish products and specific recommendations about sustainable consumption options. The postcards are styled according to the project style-guides and contain important event and contact information.

Participation in the adaptation processes of river basin planning is necessary for sustainable water management. The article supports this statement by providing an overview of the work carried out within the framework of the BeWater project. We illustrate the methodology applied in the project, which resulted in four river basin adaptation plans for catchments in Cyprus, Tunisia, Spain and Slovenia. Furthermore, the project's case studies are presented as well as the challenges that stakeholders identified within their respective river basins. We show how the project was initiated in the case study basins and how it influenced their river basin management processes. An overview of the prioritized measures is given as well as a summary of BeWater's contributions to future river basin management undertakings. We end the overview with an outlook on how stakeholder participation can improve river basin adaptation.

Veterinary pharmaceuticals and their transformation products have gained increasing attention as environmental contaminants. A research team led by Ecologic Institute analyzed measures that contribute to reduce the input of veterinary pharmaceuticals into the environment. The publication compiles existing approaches and measures for reducing the entry of veterinary pharmaceuticals into the environment, and derives additional measures of relevance for the environment.Over 40 measures to reduce veterinary pharmaceutical input from agriculture into the environment were identified, their effectiveness assessed and given top priority. The publication is available for download.

A new note by the Ecologic Institute summarizes why a quantitative, binding and ambitious EU long-term climate target is essential for the EU to meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement. This long term target should be supported by a robust review mechanism. The note is available for download.

The Mediterranean Basin is extremely vulnerable to climate change. It is already experiencing the effects of higher-than-average temperatures and the increasing incidence of extreme events such as unprecedented heat waves, severe droughts, and major floods. A new book co-written by Ecologic Fellow Katriona McGlade examines the water-related impacts of climate and global change in the UNESCO Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean (IBRM) that straddles Spain and Morocco.

At an Ecologic evening event on 21 February 2017, Prof. James McGann and Sascha Müller-Kraenner discussed the future of US and EU think tanks under a the Trump administration.

The first volume of the International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy includes an important discussion on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals that are the basis for the post-2015 development agenda up to the year 2030; the Yearbook focuses in particular on Goal 15, which includes achieving a "land degradation-neutral world." It also provides a comprehensive and highly informative overview of the latest developments at the international level, important cross-disciplinary issues and different approaches in national legislation. Ecologic Institute's Timo Kaphengst contributed to the chapter on "The UN Convention on Biological Diversity and Soils: Status and Future Options". Elizabeth Dooley had been involved as advisory editor.