In this article, Sebastian Oberthür and Thomas Gehring argue that a World Environment Organisation (WEO) does not promise to enhance international environmental governance. The authors claim that the establishment of an international organisation alone in a policy field currently populated by regimes cannot be expected to significantly improve environmental governance because there is no qualitative difference between these two forms of governance institutions. This article does not address in detail or extent upon recent proposals for giving more importance to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) or for upgrading it to a special UN organisation.

Launched in 2003, the "French Initiative" gave new impetus into the debate about upgrading UNEP to a full-fledged UN Agency. In this project, Ecologic analyses the specific challenges for developing countries in implementing international environmental policies. Based on the findings Ecologic designs options for a future United Nations Environmentmal Organisation (UNEO). The project's policy paper is available for download.

In implementing the Water Framework Directive, cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) is an essential part of choosing between options from the Programme of Measures. Ecologic contributed the European expertise in a project commissioned by The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to assess what type of data were available for CEA. An analysis of the German, Dutch, Austrian and French approaches was carried out and conclusions drawn about their transferability.

This project aims to identify options for applying the Open Method of Co-ordination (OMC) in EU environmental policy. In recent years the OMC has emerged as an increasingly important instrument of EU governance. Rather than relying on legally binding rules, the OMC works through the diffusion and evaluation of information.

"Sustainable Development within the context of economic globalisation" was the subject discussed at a seminar organised by the University Nürtingen. The event took place on 26 and 27 November 2004 and was dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues within Germany's higher education system. Markus Knigge, Ecologic Fellow, gave a presentation on the relationship between multilateral environmental agreements and the international trade regime.

This article examines the potential impact of eastern enlargement on EU environmental governance. Whereas some observers see eastern enlargement as a potential threat to EU environmental governance, this contribution argues that it should be seen as an opportunity to intensify ongoing reform efforts. Ingmar von Homeyer from Ecologic Institute was the author of this article.

Kraemer, R. Andreas; Ruta Landgrebe-Trinkunaite; Tanja Dräger et al. 2004: EU Soil Protection Policy. Current Status and the Way Forward. Ecologic, Berlin.

International airspace and the high seas are global environmental goods with traditionally unrestricted access. The ensuing environmental impact can be addressed through user charges for air- and sea-traffic. This project assessed the legal conditions for the application of such charges in international, European Community and domestic law. A preliminary summary of the legal survey is now available in the internet. A strategy paper on a air ticket tax is also available for download.

"Trade, Environment and Development: The North-South Dimensions" was the topic of the second international conference of the Concerted Action on Trade and Environment (CAT&E). The event was held at the Trippenhuis of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) in Amsterdam on 1-2 November 2004. The conference report, including the programme, summaries of the sessions and a list of participants, is now available for download.

Ecologic Institute supported the Institute for Environmental Systems Research at the University of Osnabrück in conducting a real-time case study in the Elbe basin. The main research focus of this study was the interplay of authorities and the various interest groups. The study is available for download.

Ecologic has been commissioned by the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER) to develop practicable proposals for implementing the economic aspects of the Water Framework Directive in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on the possible role of economic valuation studies. The now available study deals mainly with the assessment of disproportionate costs (linked to the Art. 4 exemptions), while also addressing the selection of measures (Art. 11). It recommends a staged and flexible approach, which takes account of the specific conditions in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The project aims to support the implementation of third party certification schemes, such as FSC, in the context of public procurement. As several EU Member States are planning to develop public procurement programmes to encourage sustainable forest management, it is timely to undertake thorough analysis of the linkages between public procurement and forest certification.

Knigge, Markus; Nicole Kranz; Anneke Klasing et al. 2004: Job Creation Potential of Clean Technologies. Study for the European Parliament. Berlin.

Görlach, Benjamin and Eduard Interwies 2004: Assessing Environmental and Resource Costs in the Water Framework Directive. The Case of Germany. Ecologic, Berlin.