This paper aimed at stimulating discussion around what is needed for progress. The main challenge for the sustainable development community is around how to form the political coalitions that favour the adoption of pro-environmental changes to policy in difficult political times. That challenge appears feasible.

The world's first meeting of leading international think tanks based in and around the European continent, which took place on 20 November 2012 in Rome, concluded with recommendations for think tanks, donors, and policy communities concerning think tanks. The Summit focused on lessons from the current fiscal and economic crises in Europe, and sought ways to enhance the role of think tanks in anticipating crises and providing effective early warning, formulating dynamic and innovative ideas for solutions, and overcoming the policy paralysis that often aggravates crises. Sydney Baloue, Transatlantic Fellow at Ecologic Institute, acted as lead rapporteur for the event. The conference paper is available for download.

Is biodiversity being left behind? Freshwater ecosystems hold unparalleled species diversity, but are amongst the most threatened in Europe. Prioritizing short-term, often localized benefits in ecosystem provisioning services (such as hydropower) is degrading habitats and damaging cultural and regulatory services such as carbon storage, making it impossible for Europe to meet policy goals under the Habitats and Water Framework Directives. The brief calls for ‘biodiversity-conscious priority setting,’ considering the full range of services that freshwater ecosystems provide, as well as improving the knowledge of ecosystems’ status and threats, to use EU funding resources to the greatest advantage.

This UNEP policy brief seeks to address and raise awareness of the social dimension of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change, laying particular emphasis on the social impacts of EbA on the global, national, regional and local levels as well as on social considerations in designing and implementing EbA. The authors highlight appropriate methods and measures and provide policy recommendations to facilitate successful EbA implementation and therewith the delivery of expected benefits for local communities. The policy brief is available for download.

This study by Ecologic Institute examines the current landscape of lighting efforts and initiatives, as well as market growth and development for modern, sustainable off-grid lighting alternatives. The study considers the benefits and costs of upgrades in target regions, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Policy recommendations are given for action from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) that would enhance existing efforts and achieve more rapid black carbon reductions and climate benefits. The study is available for download.

This policy brief contains recommendations for action from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) that would enhance existing efforts and achieve more rapid black carbon reductions and climate benefits. The policy brief is available for download.

Global population growth, climate change, shifting consumer patterns, competing demands on and the environmental impacts from agricultural land use – the convergence of these issues places food security and sustainable land use in a precarious balance. Ecologic Institute contributed to the report 'Technology Options for Feeding 10 Billion People' commissioned by the STOA Panel of the European Parliament, which outlines the EU's role and potential options for responding to these challenges. The report is available for download.

At an Ecologic Institute Dinner Dialogue on 27 November 2013, Co-founder and CEO of the Rockey Mountain Institute (RMI), Armory Lovins, discussed successes and challenges of the German Energiewende with a group of German energy and climate experts.

The PHARMAS project organized a Science-Policy Event in Brussels on Pharmaceuticals in the Environment. Several European, national, and international projects presented their results – from the perspective of their relevance to environmental policy – to interested stakeholders. All presentation slides, summaries, and statements are available for download.

Success in the battle against climate change will depend on the ability to find new and innovative solutions for a variety of emission-producing activities: from energy supply to industrial production, to housing, food and transport. At the UN Climate Conference in Warsaw, a joint side event of the two EU-funded research projects CECILIA2050 and ENTRACTE discussed to what extent climate policies deployed in the EU have been able to trigger low-carbon innovations, and how the future EU climate policy framework can become more conducive to such innovations. Ecologic Institute's Benjamin Görlach moderated the discussion.

What can be learnt from current experience on EU climate policy? How can the future instrument mix be improved, looking at the transformation that needs to take place to achieve deep emission cuts? Speakers at a side event seminar at the COP19 UN climate conference in Warsaw addressed these and other questions around policy instrumentation and discussed relevant recent research results. All presentation slides are available for download.