The atmospheric CO2 content, which might increase more than two-fold by the end of the century, not only has an impact on the global climate, but also directly affects the water balance of the terrestrial biosphere. Anna Leipprand and Dr. Dieter Gerten from the Potsdam-Institute for Climate Impact Research published an article in the Hydrological Sciences Journal that analyses these impacts.

This systematic investigation of the interaction among international and European institutions provides both a theoretical framework for analysis and the first broad overview of this largely uncharted field of research. By offering detailed case studies and a systematic analysis of results, the book examines the effects of institutional interaction on environmental governance and explores the ways in which international and European Union policies can either reinforce or undercut one another.

For the Russian government, the export of oil and gas is not just a good business deal. The gas conflict with Ukraine, with which the Russian leadership announced the new year and its G-8 presidency, showed that the Kremlin’s energy policy is at the core of its foreign policy – one that makes clear old power claims in the post-Soviet realm and beyond. Sascha Müller-Kraenner writes on east-west energy alliances in Kommune 1/2006. The article is available for download.

In Stuttgart on 29 November 2005, Baden-Württemberg‘s Ministry for the Environment held an Information Day on the IPPC Directive’s implementation in Germany and specifically in Baden-Württemberg. It has been concluded that the environmental protection standard in Germany presents a solid basis for compliance with the guidelines of the Directive, and that co-operation between public authorities and businesses is an essential prerequisite for practical implementation. Ulrich Maurer and Alexander Neubauer compiled the event’s findings.

The US energy and climate policy was the topic of the Transatlantic Climate Dinner in honour of Dr. Susan F. Tierney, Managing Principal at Analysis Group, Boston. Against the backdrop of the new US Energy Policy Act, participants at the event discussed, trends and developments in the field of energy policy in the US and in Europe with a focus on climate and security related questions. This Transatlantic Climate Dinner took place on 20 February 2006 in Berlin.

The 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident was the occasion for the Böll Foundation to host an event on Ukrainian and European energy policy in the premises of the Deutsche Umwelthilfe in Berlin. The event offered an opportunity for energy experts to discuss recent and possible future developments in energy policy, especially nuclear energy. Dr. Camilla Bausch, Senior Fellow at Ecologic, gave a presentation on the European energy policy with special focus on the Energy Charter Treaty.

Ecologic provided expert review in support of the project "Das größere Europa" organised by the Bertelsmann Stiftung. The review is entitled: "Differentiated integration in the European environmental and energy policy".

On occasion of the international workshop on "Current spatial planning and river basin management planning according to the EU Water Framework Directive" held in Stockholm on 13 and 14 February 2006, Nadine Herbke spoke to participants predominantly from Scandinavia and the Baltic area on "Collaboration between WFD implementation and spatial planning: Experiences from Schleswig-Holstein".

Herbke, Nadine; Thomas Dworak and Zbigniew M. Karaczun 2006: Deliverable 2.1 – WFD and Agriculture – Linkages at the EU Level. Analysis of the Policy and Legal Linkages between CAP and WFD. Ecologic/Warsaw Agricultural University, Berlin/Warsaw.

How can societies adapt to the consequences of global change? This question gains importance at EU level given the alarming trends that are being observed, and is one of the focal points of the German EU presidency in 2007. This project analyses the challenges that climate change poses to water management in Europe, and develops options and strategies to meet these challenges.

The ongoing world trade negotiations are expected to have significant impact on sustainable development and the production and consumption patterns world-wide. After the Meeting of Trade Ministers in Hong Kong at the end of 2005, Chatham House convened a conference on 6 and 7 February 2006 to look at the WTO as well as the Sustainable Development Agenda and its prospects after Hong Kong. R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic chaired a key session on NAMA, IPRs, and Services.

How can societies adapt to increasing flood risk in river basins and coastal areas? While a large range of potential adaptation options exists, in the more severe cases it will be necessary to consider retreating from flood-prone areas and relocating settlements and critical infrastructure.The Hertie School of Governance and Ecologic have recently completed a study project, the outcome of which is a report on policy options to achieve and encourage resettlement in flood-prone areas. The report is now available for download.

This project aimed at realising a comparative evaluation of the development of urban wastewater systems against the  background of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). This evaluation was based on five case studies undertaken as part of the project and discussed at an international conference in Milan on 4 May 2006. An expected result was to gain knowledge on the technological, economic, management and institutional consequences arising from a shift from an approach dominated by point-source emission standards to one focusing on the good ecological standards of water bodies. Ecologic undertook two of the case studies, one being on the Emscher Region and one on Berlin.