EU

Projects Publications Events Presentations

Project

This project looks at the distributional effects of energy tax reform across Europe and develops recommendations for making the reforms socially and environmentally sound. Ecologic Institute contributes to this project with its expertise of German energy taxation and will translate the findings of the modelling exercise to the German context.

Towards a Fair and Green Energy Tax Reform in the EU

Oct 2021 - Jun 2023

Project

Advising the EU's International Outreach on the Content of the Mandate for an International Negotiating Committee for a Potential Global Plastics Agreement

Dec 2021 - Jan 2022

Project

Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission) described the European Green Deal as "Europe's man-on-the-moon moment". With this plan, the European Union aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, protect and enhance nature, and sustainably transform the European economy and society. But 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.

Green Deal – Big Deal? Discussing Europe's Green Future

Podcast & Webinar Series about the European Green Deal

Nov 2021 - Sep 2023

Project

In this project, Clean Energy Wire (CLEW) and Ecologic Institute organised a series of 10 online briefing events (webinars) to inform journalists about the key elements and topics of European energy and climate policy. In total, more than 130 journalists from 30 countries participated in the ten events, dissecting topics like the 2030 EU climate target, the UN climate change conference COP26 and the EU's carbon border levy plans. The attendees ranged from journalists representing smaller local publications to those from established media such as Bloomberg, NY Times, the Guardian, Euractiv and Die Welt.

Event Series on the European Energy Transition

journalist briefings with Clean Energy Wire (CLEW)

Sep 2020 - Apr 2021

Project

The project establishes a network of think tanks from eight Member States – Germany, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Romania and Poland. Its main objectives are (1) to monitor the domestic debates on the CFE and its link to climate policies, (2) to facilitate dialogues between Member States on the CFE, and (3) to contribute regularly to the domestic debates on the CFE.

The Future of the EU – Make Climate Action its Trademark

Oct 2020 - Dec 2022

Project:Horizon 2020

To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, EU policy will have to be reoriented – from incremental towards structural change. As expressed in the European Green Deal, the challenge is to initiate the necessary transformation to climate neutrality in the coming years, while enhancing competitiveness, productivity, employment. To mobilise the creative, financial and political resources, the EU also needs a governance framework that facilitates cross-sectoral policy integration and that allows citizens, public and private stakeholders to participate in the process and to own the results.

Transformative Policies for a Climate-neutral European Union (4i-TRACTION)

Innovation, Investment, Infrastructure, and sectoral Integration

Jun 2021 - May 2024

Project

By bringing together policymakers from the European Commission and other European institutions, as well as selected experts from academia and civil society, this conference creates a virtual platform for discussion how Europe can leapfrog to resilience. The organizers offer a unique space for cross institutional dialogue and knowledge transfer, enriched by different perspectives and areas of expertise.

Leapfrogging to a Resilient Europe

High-Level EU Conference

Jul - Sep 2020

Project

To fulfill its commitments under the Paris Agreement, the European Union plans to increase the ambition of its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. As a basis for this debate, in December 2020, the EU Commission published the communication "Stepping up Europe's 2030 climate ambition" and a related Impact Assessment (IA) on raising the 2030 target in September 2019. In the communication, the Commission proposed to increase the EU target to -55% compared to 1990 and presents different policy approaches to reach this target.

A "Fit for 55" Package Based on Environmental Integrity and Solidarity

A policy toolkit to make carbon pricing work for all Europeans

Nov 2020 - Mar 2021

Project:Horizon 2020

Agroecology is widely recognized for its contribution to improving the environmental, climate and social impacts of agriculture. Building on the understanding of ecological interactions in agricultural systems, agroecology supports farmers' ability to deliver ecosystem services, improving sustainability and resilience of agriculture in the face of climate crisis. Sufficient capacity for place-based research and knowledge co-creation, however, are needed to accelerate the transition towards agroecology in Europe. The Horizon 2020 project "European Agroecology Living Lab and Research Infrastructure Network" (ALL-Ready) addresses this need by preparing the ground for a European Network of Living labs and Research Infrastructure.

The European Agroecology Living Lab and Research Infrastructure Network (ALL-Ready)

Preparation phase

Nov 2020 - Oct 2023

Project

Network of icons showing various climate-related indicators

In this project, Climact and Ecologic Institute analysed the impact assessment for the new EU climate target proposed by the Commission in September 2020. After examining policy options and modelling results, they were compared with recent studies, in particular with Climact's modelling results for 2030. A policy brief highlights key points where the Commission differs from other studies and identifies climate change potentials that deserve more attention in future analyses.

Assessing the Impact Assessment for Raising the EU's 2030 Climate Target

Sep - Oct 2020

Project

In Europe, limited information is available about the environmental characteristics of the vehicles stocks and of traded used vehicles in terms of vehicle's air pollutant and CO2 emissions. In this context and on behalf of the European Environmental Agency, Ecologic Institute and Fraunhofer ISI explore available national and European data sources of vehicle stocks and trade throughout Europe and compile the available vehicle characteristics. Based on the available characteristics, the project team derives the environmental performance of vehicle stocks and traded used vehicles and assess respective regional differences in the environmental performance of the vehicles stocks and of used vehicle trade flows.

Used Vehicle Trade and Fleet Composition in Europe

Aug 2019 - Feb 2020

Project

Together with other institutes, Ecologic Institute has a framework contract with the European Parliament to support the work of its Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). Under this framework contract, the European Parliament regularly requests studies and briefing papers on EU environmental policies and issues of sustainable development.

European Environmental Policies and Sustainable Development – Framework Contract with the European Parliament

Jul 2015 - Jul 2019

Project

Wildlife crime is no longer an emerging issue, but has established itself as a serious threat to biodiversity and sustainable development. In the period between 2010 and 2012 alone, for example, 100,000 elephants were killed in Africa for ivory. The EU is both one of the most important markets for illegal wildlife products and an important actor in the fight against wildlife crime. As such, Ecologic Institute coordinated a study on wildlife crime which was commissioned by the European Parliament. Further project partners were the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), the University of South Wales (Jennifer Maher), Ragnild Sollund from the University of Oslo, Teresa Fajardo del Castillo from the University of Granada and Tanya Wyatt from Northumbria University.

Wildlife Crime

Jul 2015 - Jan 2016

Project

Ecologic Institute continues to advise the German Federal Ministry for the Environment on the updating of EU climate and energy policy after 2020. In this project, Ecologic Institute developed options and formulation proposals for concrete legal texts and initiatives of European climate and energy policy - through a number of expert opinions, short studies, workshops and ad hoc support services.

EU Energy and Climate Policy after 2020

Jul 2015 - Mar 2018

Project

Valuation of the Impacts of Environmental Policies

Jan 2012 - Jul 2013

Publication:Book

Cover of the publication "Sustainable development in the European Union Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context" 2022 edition

This publication is the sixth of Eurostat's regular reports monitoring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in an EU context. The monitoring report provides a statistical presentation of trends relating to the SDGs in the EU over the past five years ('short-term') and, when sufficient data is available, over the past 15 years ('long-term'). Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The publication is available for download.

Sustainable Development in the European Union – 2022

Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGS in an EU Context

Year 2022

Publication:Book

Overview of EU progress towards the SDGs over the past 5 years, 2022 (Data mainly refer to 2015–2020 or 2016–2021)

This brochure is a 'light' version of Eurostat's publication 'Sustainable development in the European Union – 2022 monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context', conveying its main messages in a visual and concise way. The brochure provides an updated snapshot of the current situation concerning 100 indicators related to the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). It thus provides a snapshot of the key trends related to sustainable development in the European Union. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The publication is available for download.

Sustainable Development in the European Union – 2022 Overview

Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

Year 2022

Publication:Article

The Environment Committee of the European Parliament adopted its reform proposals for the EU Climate Action Regulation last Monday. These contain important improvements, but overall they are disappointing, says Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf in the Tagesspiegel.

Weniger Sonntagsreden bei der Klimaschutzverordnung

Article in the Tagesspiegel

Year 2022

Publication:Podcast

To achieve the EU's goals, we need to rethink mobility from the ground up. This involves many aspects, including electric mobility, walking, cycling and public transport. The second episode of the "Green Deal – Big Deal?" podcast examines the challenges and issues that the mobility transformation needs to address, including environmental problems like climate change and air pollution.

It's Electric! The future of mobility in Europe.

Second episode of the podcast "Green Deal – Big Deal?"

Year 2022

Publication:Report

This final report assesses the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) provisions of the SUP-Directive with a view to its implementation in the Member States. The focus of this analysis lays on those aspects that represent novelties as compared to other EU legislation on EPR, and thus raise legal questions that have not been addressed before, especially regarding the cleaning up of litter from relevant SUP products.

EU Single-Use Plastics Directive

Analysis of provisions and potential measures regarding extended producer responsibility

Year 2022

Publication:Report

The central objective of the work presented in this report was to assess the European Commission's Strategic Long-Term Vision and supplementary materials and reflect on them in light of state-of-the-art sector analyses.

The European Commission's 2050 Vision "A clean planet for all"

Implications for Sector Strategies and Climate Governance

Year 2022

Publication:Website

Are you interested in environmental issues or European policy? Would you like to understand what the European Green Deal is, and how will it impact our lives in the years to come? Then you have come to the right place. On the Green Deal – Big Deal website you can find all episodes of our podcast, our webinars and additional information about the European Green Deal.

Green Deal – Big Deal?

Year 2021 - 2023

Publication:Article

Natural gas and oil not only finance the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, they also lie at the heart of the problem: authoritarianism and a lack of democracy. Decarbonization is not only a climate policy necessity, but also an agenda for democracy and thus for peace, writes Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf in the Tagesspiegel.

Schmierstoff für Korruption und Gewalt

Article in the Tagesspiegel

Year 2022

Publication:Podcast

In the first episode of the Green Deal – Big Deal? podcast we unpack the European Green Deal and discuss its importance with our guests Dr Hans Bruyninckx (European Environment Agency) and Dr Åsa Persson (Stockholm Environment Institute).

European Green Deal – What is Europe trying to achieve and where are we now?

First episode of the podcast "Green Deal – Big Deal?"

Year 2022

Publication:Report

What makes climate policy transformative? This report sets out the conceptual framing of transformation and transformative climate policies taken in the 4i-TRACTION project.

Transformative Climate Policies

A conceptual framing of the 4i's

Year 2022

Publication:Website

4i-TRACTION: innovation · investment · infrastructure · integration

Year 2021 - 2024

Publication:Policy Brief

The 2020s are the pivotal decade to get on the path to climate neutrality by 2050. EU climate policy needs to rise to this challenge. How must EU climate policymaking evolve to become transformative? This policy brief of the 4i-TRACTION project sets out conceptual hallmarks required for attaining climate neutrality in the EU.

Making EU Climate Policy Fit for Climate Neutrality

How to make EU climate policy transformative?

Year 2022

Publication:Article

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to take a heavy toll, the heads of state and government gathering in Versailles today and tomorrow (10-11 March 2022) will need to take actions that support Ukraine while also shoring up the bloc's own strategic autonomy from Moscow. The European Green Deal will be crucial for the success of this strategy. This op-ed, which is available online, explains why.

Russia's War in Ukraine

Why doubling down on the Green Deal is the best strategy

Year 2022

Publication:Document

The paper "Making EU Governance Fit for Net Zero" analyses the current landscape of climate policy governance against eight core parameters at EU level and for Member States, and identifies a number of remaining weaknesses. Improvements should address several key processes, such as updating of the NECPs in 2023-2024 and of national LTSs and the new progress and consistency assessments under the EU Climate Law.

Making EU Climate Governance Fit for Net Zero

Scientific opinion paper

Year 2022

Publication:Infographic

This image shows the infographic of Ecologic Institute

This infographic provides a look behind the scenes and introduces some of the people who make up the heart and soul of the Ecologic Institute. The infographic was developed, designed and implemented by Ecologic Institute's staff members.

Ecologic Institute from a Personal Perspective

Infographic

Year 2022

Event:Conference

As founding member of the EU4Ocean Platform, Ecologic Institute invites you to celebrate ocean literacy progress and achievement across Europe!

Ocean Literacy EU4Ocean Summit 2022 in Ravenna

19 - 22 May 2022
Ravenna, Italy

Event:Conference

Getting to Net Zero in the Visegrád Countries

Comparing the national long-term strategies in Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia

27 January 2022
online

Event:Digital Event

The economies and populations that are the main contributors to the climate crisis are least affected by the consequences. People in the Global South are already exposed to drought, forest fires, flooding and water shortages. According to the UN, there were some 270 million migrants worldwide in 2020. Recent forecasts predict that the climate crisis will force up to 1.2 billion people to leave their home countries by 2050. On 1 December 2021; the issue of "Migration and Climate Crisis: Challenges and Perspectives" was discussed. The discussion based on inputs by Writer Parag Khanna and human rights and environmental activist Kumi Naidoo from South Africa. The full recording of the event is available online.

Migration and Climate Crisis: Challenges and Perspectives

Webtalk Series "Totally Glocally" – Europe from the outside: Dealing with the Climate Crisis

1 December 2021
online

Event:Digital Event

The economies and populations that are the main contributors to the climate crisis are least affected by the consequences. With the European Green Deal, the EU claims for itself a pioneering role in climate protection, but does it have solutions ready that do justice to the structural inequality and unfair distribution of social, economic and political opportunities between the communities that populate the earth? In the online event on 24 November 2021 the discussion drew on Concepts for Climate Justice, featuring Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Ecuadorian diplomat, politician, academic and former president of the 73rd UN-General Assembly. We are looking forward to your registration. The full recording of the event is available online.

Concepts for Climate Justice: How do we empower the most vulnerable?

Webtalk Series "Totally Glocally" – Europe from the outside: Dealing with the Climate Crisis

24 November 2021
online

Event:Digital Event

Climate change with the resulting global warming is the largest and most all-encompassing global crisis of our time. As an ecological crisis, it stands for the misuse of fossil fuels and the exploitation of natural life-support systems, which includes the destruction of biodiversity and also irreversible damaging impact on the geological sphere. Furthermore, climate change is a geopolitical problem. It is already stoking sociopolitical instability, creating migratory pressure, exacerbating global inequality, endangering human rights and putting peace in the world at risk.

Moving beyond Western Discourses: Frameworks for Climate Ethics

Webtalk Series "Totally Glocally" – Europe from the outside: Dealing with the Climate Crisis

17 November 2021
online

Event:Digital Event

In this COP26 side event, we discussed priorities for the further development of long-term strategies, lessons from strategy formulation and implementation processes in the EU and ASEAN, and prospects for international cooperation. We draw on recent analyses by the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), the German Development Institute (DIE / GDI), the EU, including the EU-funded Enhanced Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (E-READI) study on the development of LTS in ASEAN and the Climate Recon 2050 platform (CR2050) experiences.

Long-Term Strategies: Priorities, Lessons and Opportunities for International Cooperation

COP26 EU Side Event

2 November 2021
online

Event:Digital Event

Germany wants to become climate-neutral by 2045, the EU by 2050. Both targets became legally binding in 2021, an important breakthrough on the way to structural transformation to a climate-friendly economy. What further breakthroughs are needed to anchor this transformation in society and enable its implementation? How can the responsibility of individuals as well as economic actors for climate protection be realized?

From Knowledge to Action

Anchoring climate neutrality in politics and society

26 October 2021
online

Event:Digital Event

Across Europe, national climate advisory bodies exist in many shapes and forms. Most countries have one or more such institutions. While many of the existing advisory bodies bring together a range of stakeholders and cover a broad range of sustainability issues, over the past five years there has been a surge in the creation of independent scientific councils, dedicated to climate policy.

How Can Advisory Bodies Effectively Support Climate Policy?

Report launch and online discussion

2 July 2021
online

Event:Conference

Between 15 and 18 September 2020, Ecologic Institute together with ZOE Institute for future-fit economies and other partners convened a "closed-doors" EU online conference on long-term challenges from the COVID-19 crisis for the EU's economic governance and the implementation of the Green Deal.

Leapfrogging to a Resilient Europe