In an exhaustive effort led by the Ecologic Institute, a detailed analysis was conducted to explore the availability and awareness of occurrence data for Annex IV species and wild birds across all 27 EU Member States. The outcome? A set of detailed country profiles alongside key aggregated findings that provide a comprehensive picture of the status quo.

To tackle the "plastic crisis", the concept of circular economy has attracted considerable attention over the past years, both by practitioners and scholars alike. Against this background, Linda Mederake, Ecologic Institute, reflects in this opinion paper from a political scientist's point of view on key issues currently under discussion regarding the implementation of a circular plastics economy.

What exactly is the European Green Deal? Which role does it play in our everyday life? And what challenges does it pose? In our podcast and webinar series "Green deal – Big Deal?" we take a critical look at these questions and discuss various aspects of the European Green Deal with experts from policy, business and science. Ecologic Institute produced a reel to contribute to the visibility of the podcast.

From 13 to 15 December (1 – 4pm CET), the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) convened a three-day workshop on monitoring, reporting, verification of emissions and the accreditation of verifiers (MRVA) in emissions trading systems (ETS). Participation in the online workshop was open to anyone with an interest in, or professional link to, climate policy and the implementation of MRVA systems for carbon pricing mechanisms. Over 100 participants attended the event from across the globe.

This webinar presented and discussed the findings of a report by SEI Tallinn. The analysis, conducted as part of the Climate Recon 2050 project, analysed the role of the LULUCF sector in Member States’ Long-Term Strategies (LTSs). Although the majority of LTSs published so far address the topic, the extent to which countries with significant potential in the sector explore its contribution to climate neutrality varies, even among Member States with significant needs for modernisation of their existing legacy networks.

This article written by several researchers from Ecologic Institute provides a review of different digital tools and resources available to support related decision-making processes in the search for solutions for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Furthermore, it introduces the Diagnostic Water Governance Tool (DWGT) that builds on a clear diagnosis-therapy-logic.

The panel broached the issue about the impact of climate change on countries, especially in the Global South, many of them former colonies still struggling with the socioeconomic consequences of colonial exploitation. The panel also examined how cultural relations between states and societies could be an important component of international climate policy and transnational climate action.

The panel addressed how to avoid negative psychological reactions and how to instead foster a sense of actorness, solidarity and empowerment. Civil society organisations, artists and cultural actors are, in theory, well placed to play an important role in mobilising people against climate change by fostering opportunities for debate and participation.

This briefing by Michael Jakob and colleagues' reviews some of the major developments in global climate politics in the past year and looks ahead to 2023.

The Brussels Research Tour aimed to offer insights into EU policy to tackle the energy crisis and its implications for the bloc's move to climate neutrality. In meetings with experts, policymakers, business and NGO representatives, the tour provided essential background on EU climate and energy policymaking and covered topics of relevance to national policies.

The transition to sustainable resource use and a circular economy is broadly recognised as an important lever in dealing with the various current crises. Debates in various international organisations suggest that such a transition will require profound systemic changes and the increased integration of previously separated policy fields in order to deliver the expected benefits. Moreover, current efforts are largely focused on entire product value chains.

There is a clear need for sustainable resource use to confront the multiple environmental crises while allowing societies to thrive. Governments around the world seek to establish systematic policies towards the implementation of sustainable resource use and a circular economy. In the session "Sustainable Resource Use and Circular Economy – the Social Dimension" we take a closer look at how these developments affect the social aspects of sustainability. What implications can changing resource use patterns in Europe have for well-being, development, prosperity and health, especially in the global South? How can an inter- and intragenerational just resource use be achieved and what are the stumbling blocks? In December 2022, the 6th European Resources Forum – "Transformative approaches for sustainable resource use and a circular economy" took place. Dr. Aissa Rechlin of Ecologic Institute supported the German Environment Agency in content-related issues surrounding the Forum, including the preparation of this background paper.

In December 2022, the 6th European Resources Forum – "Transformative approaches for sustainable resource use and a circular economy" took place. Aaron Best of Ecologic Institute supported the German Environment Agency in content-related issues surrounding the Forum, including the preparation of this background paper.

The German Environment Agency (UBA) announced the 6th European Resources Forum – "Transformative approaches for sustainable resource use and a circular economy".