How does the communication between providers of climate data and political decision makers work? This question was the central point of a three-day workshop held in Berlin and Timmendorfer Beach from 15 to 17 June 2011. Scientists and stakeholders from administrations and political bodies from different Baltic countries first met at Ecologic Institute in Berlin to discuss different aspects of the availability of regional climate facts. The second part of the workshop was held at a local Baltic venue - in Timmendorfer Strand, where a case study on the engagement of local stakeholders was examined.

Cantral, Laura; Elizabeth Lee; Ingrid Irigoyen; et. al. 2011: Opportunities and Challenges in the EU and US for Marine Governance Integration.

McGlynn, Emily; Sandra Cavalieri; Andrew Reid; et. al. 2011: Executive Summary: Opportunities and Challenges in the EU and US for Marine Governance Integration.

Cavalieri, Sandra; Andrew Reid; Sarah Lang et. al. 2011: Policy recommendations for improved EU and US cooperation in maritime governance.

Reid, Andrew; Sandra Cavalieri 2011: Policy brief: Policy recommendations for improved EU and US cooperation in maritime governance.

Cavalieri, Sandra; Emily McGlynn; Ralph Piotrowski et. al. 2011: A Comparison: EU and US Ocean Policy.

Reid, Andrew; Sandra Cavalieri; Emily McGlynn 2011: A Comparison: EU and US Ocean Policy. Executive Summary.

At the 2011 Alumni Conference of Lund University’s Master’s Program of International Environmental Science (LUMES) in Lund (Sweden), Elena von Sperber presented and discussed the results of the CALAMAR project, a transatlantic dialogue on marine governance lead by Ecologic Institute, which was concluded in June 2011.

During the VDI conference "Biogas 2011" Dominik Müller and Dr. Wolfgang Urban of the Ecologic Institute spoke on the experiences with the German law to promote renewable energies (EEG) and its imminent revision. They presented the premises of the German Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the planned substantial changes in the EEG. They also reported on the monitoring results. The presentation slides and script are available for download.

During the European Biomass Conference 2011, Dr. Wolfgang Urban (Ecologic Institut) delivered a presentation on biomethane. From the German government's perspective, he described political goals, especially the Energy Concept 2050. In addition he explained how biomethane could contribute to achieving these aims and to climate protection in general. The presentation slides are available for download.

The EU is a relative newcomer to Arctic policy and may appear to have limited options for influencing the future of the Arctic. However, all Arctic States and neighbouring countries, including the EU, have a stake in the health of Arctic ecosystems and communities, as well as the sustainable development of new sources of economic growth in this region. Sandra Cavalieri, Emily McGlynn and Susanah Stoessel from Ecologic Institute, along with co-authors Martin Bruckner (SERI), Timo Koivurova (Arctic Centre) and Annika E. Nilsson (Stockholm Environment Institute) present an overview of the EU's ecological footprint on the Arctic region, and suggest policy options to reduce negative impacts.

In a literature review, Ecologic Institute examined the effects of environmental tax reforms on the distribution of wealth among different population groups. The review, which contributed to a study commissioned by the European Environment Agency, was included in a book publication offering in-depth assessments of experiences with environmental tax reforms and the benefits such a reform could bring about when implemented at a larger scale throughout Europe.

Together with co-authors Alexander de Sherbinin (Columbia University), Genevieve Carr (Northern Oil and Gas Branch, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada) and Carrie Rickwood (Natural Resources Canada) Tanja Srebotnjak, Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, published a study in the journal Ecological Indicators on the design and testing of a global water quality index.

<p>Ecologic Institute offers legal support to the client to ensure that provisions of international and European law are met if data concerning the release of pollutants from diffuse sources is collected for the German and European Pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTR).</p>