Publications – Ecologic Institute EU | Ecologic Institute: Science and Policy for a Sustainable World

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Publication

Barrierefreiheit und Lebensraum für Fische an der Ahr

Continuity and Habitats for the River Ahr's fish

Fish can again reach reproduction areas in the upper Ahr without any obstacles. In addition, the Ahr estuary was restored and almost 100 obstacles to fish migration were rebuilt or removed over a distance of 62 km up to the Eifel region. Cooperation between water management, nature conservation and fishing enabled the creation of this habitat network.Read more

Publication

Renaturierung und technischer Hochwasserschutz an der Helme

Restoration and Technical Flood Protection at the River Helme

An innovative approach combines technical flood protection and restoration of the river Helme near Sundhausen in Thuringia. The risk of flooding is significantly reduced and companies are settling in the now flood-free industrial areas. Rare and protected species, such as the endangered river mussel (Unio crassus), also benefit from near-natural flood protection measures.Read more

Publication

Flächenmanagement und Gewässeraufwertung an der Nebel

Land Management and River Restoration at the River Nebel

Long-term land management enabled extensive restoration of the river Nebel in Mecklenburg. In the lowland areas, construction measures were necessary because there is not enough flow velocity for a self-dynamic development. Restoration also increased ecosystem services such as carbon storage and landscape cooling.Read more

Publication

Rückkehr von Fischotter, Lachs und Tüpfelsumpfhuhn an der Wümme

Return of Otter, Salmon and Spotted Crake at the Wümme

Today, Fischerhude's floodplain of the Wümme near Bremen is an area of recognised ecological importance, especially for waterbound breeding and resting birds. This was made possible by a large-scale nature conservation project, in which numerous measures have been carried out since 1992 to restore water bodies, including the relocation of dykes, the creation of spawning grounds and riparian buffer strips.Read more

Publication

Naturnaher Hochwasserschutz an der Fulda

Natural Flood Protection on the Fulda River

The "Masterplan Fuldaaue" is an example of good cooperation between the Hessian municipalities of Bebra, Rotenburg and Alheim. The Fulda was restored near-naturally and flood protection was improved. Financing was provided by different funding sources and the costs were kept low by creative solutions.Read more

Publication

Verbesserung der Gewässerökologie an der Murg in Rastatt

Improving Water Ecology of the River Murg in Rastatt

In the urban area of Rastatt, river bank protection of the Murg was removed in order to create near-natural hydromorphological structures. Out of town, floodplains were reactivated for flood protection. The Yellow-bellied Toad and the Crested Newt also benefit from the restoration measures.Read more

Publication

Renaturierung des Inn in Kooperation von Wasserkraftunternehmen, Freistaat und Fischereivereinen

Restoration Measures at the River Inn in Cooperation with Hydropower, the Free State of Bavaria and Fishing Associations

Technical flood protection and the use of hydropower have heavily modified the river Inn. Fish hardly find their vital habitats here. The local hydropower company restructures the river banks, creates alternative habitats and promotes biodiversity in the floodplain. The measures are implemented in close cooperation with the Free State of Bavaria and local authorities and interest groups.Read more

Publication

Renaturierung von Fließgewässern in Deutschland

River Restoration in Germany

This video introduces potential actors to river restoration. It includes interviews with project managers of river restoration measures across Germany.Read more

Publication

RECIPES – Case Studies on Precaution Principle and Innovation

In this short video, Joe Rini, Research Associate at the IASS Potsdam coordinator of the analysis of the eight case studies, explains how the principle is applied in different contexts and thematic areas.Read more

Publication

Rahmenbedingungen und Instrumente für die Gestaltung nachhaltiger Stadt-Land-Verknüpfungen

The report first presents non-institutional factors that influence the relationship between urban and rural areas. In the second part, it provides an overview of institutional framework conditions and instruments for the design of sustainable urban-rural linkages. The third section of the report analyses existing instruments and policies for the sustainable design of urban-rural linkages. It covers instruments at the German, EU and international levels. Examples of good practice from European and non-European countries in the field of "regional food systems" have a complementary, illustrative function.Read more

Publication

Infographic

Website

Resource Conservation + Circular Economy

Sustainability

Nachhaltige Ideen für den Alltag

What can consumers, citizens, companies and local decision-makers do to make our economies more sustainable? 30 research projects were funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) to research this and other aspects of a transition to a more sustainable economy. Practical ideas from these projects on how to act more sustainably are now available through an interactive website, produced by Ecologic Institute.Read more

Publication

Resource Conservation + Circular Economy

Plastics

Ecologic Legal

A Treaty on Plastic Waste

Discussion paper

The discussion paper presents the rationale for a new treaty on tackling plastic waste and highlights its possible added value. The objective would be to reduce marine plastic litter through a comprehensive approach that also includes land-based sources, a life cycle approach to plastic and is open to future developments. The purpose would not be to prohibit plastics as such.Read more

Publication

Article

Democracy

Dr. Jekyll und Mr. Hyde?

Die Grenzen zwischen Demokratie und Autoritarismus sind keineswegs fließend. Es gibt Mittel gegen westliche Selbstzweifel.

Democracies need a compass, writes Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf in the ipg-journal. To find their way in the haze of polarised debate, the compass must offer four things. First, it must help to understand pluralism – it must help to endure and respect different opinions. Conversely, it must recognise that some positions are outside the democratic spectrum. Thirdly, it must ensure precise language. And fourth, it must identify trends in democracies. The article is available online.Read more

Publication

Funding for River Restoration

River restoration costs money, but there are many funding instruments and grants that can be combined. In addition, compensatory measures and overlapping interests with other departments and stakeholders (e.g. flood protection, nature conservation) can be utilised. The infographics give examples of concrete support programmes and instruments for the financing of river restoration by the German Laender, the European Union, local authorities and others.Read more

Publication

River Restoration in the Context of Different Interests

Many interests come together when considering rivers. For restoration projects, new compromises must be reached and conflicts of use must be resolved through planning processes. Early, open and regular communication between all stakeholders increases the satisfaction with the restoration result.Read more

Publication

Planning and Implementation of Restoration Projects

The project schedule for river restoration projects can vary greatly. This flow chart shows the most important project steps. Natural river development is a complex undertaking. A well-structured planning management creates the prerequisites for a balanced solution and an efficient and successful implementation of measures.Read more

Publication

Measures for River Restoration

Over 90% of German rivers and streams are straightened, constricted, piped or interrupted by structures such as weirs or barrages. Restoration can improve the ecological status and attractiveness of water bodies. This interactive infographic lists and visualizes restoration measures for four different starting situations.Read more

Publication

Article

Cultural Ecology

Influence of Narratives of Vision and Identity on Collective Behavior Change

Profound societal transformations are needed to move society from unsustainability to greater sustainability under continually changing social and environmental conditions. A key challenge is to understand the influences on and the dynamics of collective behavior change toward sustainability. In this paper, the authors of whom Grit Martinez of Ecologic Institute is one, demonstrate how affective narrative expressions influence transitions to more sustainable collective behaviors.Read more

Publication

Report

Water

Hydromorphological Measures under the Floods and Water Framework Directives "Finding synergies and addressing challenges"

Background paper with conclusions from the workshop 4/5.12.2018 Budapest/Hungary

As hydromorphological aspects between the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Floods Directive refer to the same fluvial processes, the issue of hydromorphology and flooding has been addressed several times within the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) process. In this context, a workshop on hydromorphological measures under the Floods and Water Framework Directives – "Finding synergies and addressing challenges" took place on 4-5 December 2018, in Budapest (Hungary). After the workshop, this background paper was updated to include conclusions from the meeting. The background paper is available online.Read more

Publication

Report

Coastal + Marine

Governance

Ocean as a Global Commons

International Governance and the Role of Germany

As part of the 'Sustainability 2030 Science Platform', Ecologic Institute has published a study on oceans as a global commons. An overview of the different governance mechanisms in regard to the Global Commons "Oceans" area are discussed. The study is available for download and will be presented at the beginning of December at the Annual Conference 2019 of the Science Platform.Read more