The 3rd episode of the 4i-TRACTION podcast series uncovers the essential role of infrastructure in climate policy by examining the EU's role in rolling out the infrastructure for a resilient climate-neutral economy. The hosts, together with infrastructure and energy experts Bettina Kampman (CE Delft) and Katharina Umpfenbach (DENA, the German Energy Agency), discuss how recent EU policies are proving to be a good driver to speed up the energy transition and how more attention to infrastructure as a separate topic is needed.

In this article, some of the several economic benefits entailed by digital solutions are estimated with a focus on leakage reduction in water distribution networks, reduction of combined sewer overflows and on the improvement of hydropower generation and operation. The benefits are calculated for each EU Member State and the UK, and then aggregated at the EU scale. Benefits were quantified in EUR 5.0, 0.14 and 1.7 billion per year (EUR 13.2 per person per year, on average), respectively, excluding environmental and social benefits, which may play a non-negligible role.

This report presents an approach to studying the EU’s procedural climate governance, namely the frameworks, instruments and institutions that shape and support the climate-related decision-making process of the EU.

This report investigates how public procurement can be used as a strategic policy instrument to accelerate the transformation to climate neutrality.

The 87th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV International Short Course focuses on ecosystem restoration for the SDGs. Gregory Fuchs of Ecologic Institute was invited to deliver a lecture on marine and coastal ecosystem restoration. The course is specifically aimed at experts who prepare and implement political decisions and practical measures towards the goals of ecosystem restoration and sustainable development.

This edition of the policy brief represents the 2023 updated and content-revised version of the original document, thereby integrating the latest insights and developments in the field of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and ecosystem restoration.

This report by Ecologic Institute and the Oeko-Institut discusses the level of ambition of a 2040 EU climate target. The report analyses the implications of a 2040 climate target for Member States and sectors. It also discusses the political context in which the EU 2040 climate target will be negotiated.

Since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, global efforts towards achieving net zero emissions have been intensifying. However, progress has been sluggish, and current pledges and commitments fall far short of what is needed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 °C by 2050. To achieve net zero emissions worldwide, a substantial deployment of renewable energy technologies and resilient supply chains is essential. This policy brief examines the critical role that the G20 can play in promoting cooperation and coordination to enhance the resilience of renewable energy supply chains.

Dr. Stephan Sina, Senior Fellow of Ecologic Institute, gave a lecture on Germany's Federal Climate Change Act (KSG) as part of the TOP Executive Development (TED) Program of the Otto Group in Berlin. He presented the main features of the KSG, the impact of the decision of the Federal Constitutional Court of March 2021, and challenges in achieving the targets of the KSG. . After the presentation, there was a discussion with Dr. Stephan Sina and the audience.

The brochure summarizes all the recommendations for action that were developed as part of the STErn project. Objectives and indicators are outlined for each key topic of the STErn project.

This interactive illustration combines all recommendations for action (a total of 39 proposed measures) from the STErn project and shows the time frame in which they should be implemented.

This paper focuses on co-creation for nature-based solutions, providing practical examples and guidance for local decision-makers. It sheds light on the effective utilization of co-governance approaches, encouraging participatory processes and collaborative creation in the realm of nature-based solutions.

This policy brief takes stock of the existing JETPs and draws some preliminary conclusions. More-over, it discusses some of the challenges JETP face and how JETPs may be improved. Lastly, we outline some recommendations for the G7 and G20.

Households across Germany felt the weight of 2022's energy crisis, grappling with a dramatic increase in energy prices. Overall energy costs in Germany surged by 31% in 2022 compared to the previous year. To combat the adverse impacts of the 2022 energy crisis, Germany passed three major relief packages in 2022. This country briefing paper describes Germany’s policy response to the energy crisis of 2022 and provides a microsimulation-based summary of the distributional effects of energy price shocks on German households.

On 28 June 2023, participants joined webinar hosts Ricarda Faber and Aaron Best from Ecologic Institute and their two expert guests: Humberto Delgado Rosa (Director for Biodiversity at the European Commission) and Sabien Leemans (Senior Biodiversity Policy Officer for WWF). Together, they discussed what can be done to restore ecosystems and protect biodiversity in the EU, as well as the new Nature Restoration Law proposed by the European Commission.