First methodological ideas on how to proceed with the cost-effectiveness analysis under the EU Water Framework Directive have already been developed by a number of European Member States. Yet, important methodological challenges remain, in particular with regard to a scale adapted procedure. This paper takes up the current debate and develops ideas on how to address the problem of interlinking bottom-up and top-down approaches for the selection of cost-effective sets of measures under the Directive.

Contingent valuation studies and their results are often criticised. This paper describes the findings of an experimental survey that tests the influence of survey design on strategic behaviour.

Like environmental policy in general, water policy in particular is subject to constant change. In his article published in the journal Wasser und Abfall (Water and Waste), Peter Kessler describes the shift from an instrumental to an objective-oriented approach. While the water crisis in the Hessisches Ried was still mastered with the instrumental approach, the quality objectives of the German Länder Working Group on Water Issues (LAWA) and the water quality objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) represent the quality objective orientation.

The Directorate-General Trade of the European Commission held its "Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment Stocktaking Conference: Implementing Sustainable Trade" in Brussels on 21-22 March 2006. R. Andreas Kraemer chaired the key first session looking at the extent to which Trade Sustainability Impact Assessments (SIAs) have changed the way the European Union makes trade policy.

Ecologic Institute, as a Member of the Bellagio Forum for Sustainable Development (BFSD), partnered with the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and Transparency International (TI) to convene an awareness-raising event showcasing the new Water Integrity Network (WIN) at the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico. It highlighted the importance of improving integrity and governance structures in the sector, as a precondition for meeting the ambitious Millennium Development Goals.

The RhineNet project, a multi-stakeholder initiative to foster sustainable water management through strengthening public participation in the Rhine basin, was featured as a local action at the World Water Forum held in Mexico City in March 2006. Nicole Kranz, Fellow with Ecologic, presented the key aspects and lessons learned of RhineNet on behalf of the entire project team in a session organized by the International Network of Basin Organization (INBO) on "Users' and public participation and common cause in basin management".

The German development co-operation is putting five million Euro towards the establishment of a trans-border protected areas fund for the Southern Caucasus. The Federal Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul made the announcement at the opening of the conference "Nature Protection in the Caucasus", which Ecologic organised, on 9 March 2006 in Berlin.

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.

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.

Since the Kyoto Protocol came into force, the U.S. has been effectively pushed onto the sidelines in the area of international climate change politics. In fact, U.S. initiatives so far have by and large been limited to bilateral and regional partnerships to combat climate change through technological innovation. Interestingly, activities at the regional, state, and local levels indicate considerable potential within the American political framework, to develop policies at the subnational level that respond to the challenge of climate change. Senior Researchers, Markus Knigge and Camilla Bausch, published a discussion paper which identifies subnational activities and analyses their impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and policymaking at the federal level. The discussion paper is available for download.

In this chapter of "Smit and Herzog on The Law of the European Union", founded by Hans Smit and Peter Herzog, Michael Mehling and Gitte Warnick of Ecologic Institute describe and analyze Title XIX of the Treaty establishing the European Community. First, the authors provide an in-depth review of the evolution of the corresponding paragraphs and articles, as well as a review of European environmental policy in general. The second part analyzes significant related measures of secondary legislation.

In this chapter of "Smit & Herzog on The Law of the European Union", founded by Hans Smit and Peter Herzog, Michael Mehling and Gitte Warnick of Ecologic Institute describe and analyze Article 176 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. First, the authors provide a review of the evolution of the article. The second part is an exhaustive analysis of significant judgments and decisions.

Kranz, Nicole et al. 2005: NeWater deliverable 1.3.2 Adaptive Water Management in Transboundary contexts. Common Research Agenda. Ecologic, RBA, RIZA, Berlin.