The overall objective of the project is to support the European Commission in assessing, programming, implementing and monitoring technology development and demonstration options for wind energy. The focus is on the reduction of the short and medium term costs for both on- and offshore wind electricity, as well as on the integration in the EU's smart electricity networks. In the context of this project, Ecologic Institute develops strategies and solutions for the uptake of new wind energy technologies on the basis of an assessment of possible barriers resulting from non-technological and environmental impacts of these technologies focusing on their cost aspects.

<p>The Ecologic Institute is writing a study on success factors for Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) in implementing the Europe 2020 strategy. The study can help LRAs to develop and initiate their own programs towards successful reaching the Europe 2020 strategy's goals.</p>&#13;

Business resource efficiency is seen by the EU as a key to a sustainable future of a competitive European economy. Increasing resource efficiency of business aids to reduce waste, decrease the pressure on the environment, increase the competitiveness of European markets and to create jobs. Besides, increasing resource efficiency can help companies to minimize their costs. The main objective of the project is to assist Member States in improving and fostering policies to support businesses to become more resource efficient. A particular focus is set on SMEs and the manufacturing sector.

The management board of the Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. (DUH) has appointed Sascha Müller-Kraenner—one of the founders and a partner of Ecologic Institute, Berlin and Vice-Chairman of the Ecologic Institute in Washington DC—as chief executive of the nature, environment, and consumer organization. The trained biologist has led the association since January 2015 together with Jürgen Resch who has held the position since 1986.

Dimitrova, Asya; Anna Dimitrova; Markus Hametner and Tanja Srebotnjak 2014: Blueprint for a Revised Europe 2020 strategy: preliminary study.

This study developed a Technical Guidance for the managing authorities of Rural Development Programs (RDPs) on how to further mainstream new and innovative climate actions in RDPs. The study was commissioned by the Directorate General for Climate Action and led by Ecologic Institute. The study report, which includes the Technical Guidance, is available for download.

This document provides a state-of-the-art review to support the conceptual and practical development of the DESSIN ESS Evaluation Framework. It briefly presents the state of affairs regarding the measurement of changes in ESS, including description of existing classification systems, analytical frameworks and economic valuation methodologies. The challenges associated with spatial and temporal variations of ESS are considered and an approach to define and measure sustainability is presented. Finally, the next steps in the work plan of Work Area 1 are outlined.

The online course offers the possibility to achieve basic knowledge about the German energy system, renewable energies and the challenges the "Energiewende" in Germany has to face. The course provides interactive and entertaining questions regarding sustainable energies and takes about 2 to 2,5 hours of time, while each chapter lasts 15 to 30 minutes. The course is part of the project "Erneuerbare Energien in der Lehrerbildung verankern!" and thus includes suggestions for teaching approaches.

Today, water and sanitation services are organized very differently in Britain and Germany, with privatization at a regional level in Britain and municipal companies in charge of several public services in Germany. In this article, written by Founder and Director Emeritus of Ecologic Institute, R. Andreas Kraemer, and Bernard Barraqué, the history of water supply privatization and centralization in Great Britain and Germany is discussed.

Bray, Dennis and Grit Martinez 2014: "Climate-change lore and its implications for climate science: Post-science deliberations?". Futures, Vol. 66, No. February 2015, 54-69.

In times of conflicting environmental objectives, the bioeconomy has evolved as one of the most contested fields in resource and climate policies. This article by Timo Kaphengst and Stephanie Wunder stresses the overall scarcity of land as a significant obstacle for further expansion of biomass production for the bioeconomy. The authors argue for a more demand-driven strategy to alleviate stress on land ecosystems. The article is available for download.

This thematic issue highlights recent research focusing on the interaction of ecological, economic, and social objectives in coastal management and policy making. It covers various experiences in regards to the management and implementation of the European Union's key policy initiatives. The research presented and emphasized the need for coordinated and clear management roles between institutions and government levels as well as the importance of trust and involvement of local stakeholders. Benjamin Boteler of Ecologic Institute was the guest editor. The publication is available for download.

Within this project, Ecologic Institute contributed to improving the understanding of Mexican policy makers regarding the requirements and technical parameters of a national emissions trading system. Among Latin American countries, Mexico is a frontrunner when it comes to climate change policy and has started to take appropriate action at the national level. Measures adopted so far include the 2012 climate act as well as sectoral approaches such as the partial taxation of fossil fuels since the beginning of 2014 or several other measures (in particular efficiency measures in the building sector).

Dr. Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf testified in the Bundestag on investment protection under CETA on 15 December 2014 (Committee of Economy and Energy). He argued that investment protection in CETA is superfluous because the EU and Canada already provide high levels of investment protection through their national legal systems. His statement is available for download (in German only) or in Bundestag document 18 (9) 300.