After the flooding of 2002, many measures for flood protection have been planned and implemented in Germany. However, the next big flooding event in 2013 showed that technical solutions are not sufficient for the protection of houses, land, and people in endangered areas. Alternatively, flood prevention with ecological protection measures should be focused.

Wunder, Stephanie 2014: "Ökologische Tierhaltung und Naturschutz – Synergien und Konflikte", in: Lieske Voget-Kleschin; Leonie Bossert and Konrad Ott (eds.): Nachhaltige Lebensstile. Welchen Beitrag kann ein bewussterer Fleischkonsum zu mehr Naturschutz, Klimaschutz und Gesundheit leisten? Weimar bei Marburg: Metropolis Verlag für Ökonomie, Gesellschaft und Politik, 202-215.

Martinez, Grit and Mike K. Orbach 2014: "Küstenschutz – Europa und USA im Vergleich", in: Heike Leitschuh et al. (eds.): Jahrbuch Ökologie 2015. Re-Naturierung. Stuttgart: S. Hirzel Verlag, 214-222.

The aim of the study was to provide an initial scoping assessment of potential priorities and policy options to support the transition to a circular economy in the EU. The study reviewed existing literature, identified potential priority areas for action where accelerating the circular economy would be beneficial and where EU policy has a particular role to play, and developed policy options for consideration across a range of areas.

Döhler, Felix; Grünig, Max; Langsdorf, Susanne, 2014. Ökostadt – Vision und Wirklichkeit. In: Heike Leitschuh et al. (Hrsg.): Jahrbuch Ökologie 2015. Re-Naturierung. Stuttgart: S. Hirzel Verlag, 229-236.

From late August to early September 2014, the 11th ICAP Summer School on Emissions Trading brought together experts from emerging economies and developing countries to learn about emissions trading as a tool for climate protection, and to discuss the options of implementing such systems in developing countries. 25 mid-career professionals from twelve countries attended the course, which was facilitated by Benjamin Görlach and Matthias Duwe.

How can Lebanon engage more effectively in the international climate negotiations? How do the negotiations work in practice and what tips and tricks can Lebanese negotiators avail themselves to influence the outcome? These questions become especially relevant in the run up towards a new climate agreement, expected to be adopted in 2015 in Paris. In September 2014, Dr. Camilla Bausch and Lena Donat conducted a 2-days training to enhance the negotiation skills of Lebanese negotiators.

The ECCA 2015 will offer a unique platform to share new research results, novel policy developments, and practical implementation experiences on climate change impacts and adaptation. A special expo onsite at ECCA 2015 will also highlight innovative business opportunities, thereby demonstrating how climate change adaptation can contribute to job creation and other societal benefits in Europe. If you wish to stay up-to-date with news and announcements from the conference, we suggest you sign up for our ECCA2015 newsletter.

The European Commission has tabled initial proposals for new targets and some changes to key instruments such as the Emissions Trading System (ETS) upon which the EU Heads of State and Government are to make decisions later in 2014. This study assesses the status quo of EU climate and energy policy and experience with the current set of targets and instruments – and distills from it concrete recommendations for a new package for the period until 2030. The study is available for download.

Under the title "Wellbeing and Equity within planetary boundaries" the biannual conference of the International Society of Ecological Economics (ISEE) took place in Reykjavik (Iceland) from 13 until 15 August 2014. Timo Kaphengst from Ecologic Institute presented a paper on "Green Infrastructure as a bridging concept between biodiversity protection and the green economy". In total, Ecologic Institute contributed three official inputs to the ISEE conference. The presentation slides are available for download.

Under the title "Wellbeing and Equity within planetary boundaries" the biannual conference of the International Society of Ecological Economics (ISEE) took place in Reykjavik (Iceland) from 13 to 15 August 2014. Timo Kaphengst from Ecologic Institute presented a report on "Energy transition and behavioural change in rural areas." In total, Ecologic Institute contributed three official inputs to the ISEE conference. The presentation slides and the report are available for download.

Ecologic Institute, Bio IS and the Institute for European Environmental Policy were commissioned by the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI Committee) to provide the members with the needed expertise to monitor the ongoing negotiations between the United States Administration and the European Commission for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement.