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

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Publication

Document

Resource Conservation + Circular Economy

Water

Plastics

Microplastics Analytics

Sampling, Preparation and Detection Methods

This discussion paper, edited by Ecologic Institute, presents the physicochemical investigation methods used in the research focus "Plastics in the Environment", in particular for the analysis of microplastics. Therefore, representatives of the joint research projects discussed methods and analytical approaches to identify validated methods and comparable results in the various projects. The discussion paper reflects the current state the debate within the research focus. It contributes to a pool of methods that are as standardised as possible for the relevant application fields in science, industry, and administration and is available for download.Read more

Publication

Resource Conservation + Circular Economy

Sustainability

Tourism

Spuren in der Arktis

Deutsches Engagement zum Schutz der arktischen Region

Since industrialisation, the average air temperature worldwide has risen by one degree, whereas in the Arctic by five degrees. This leads to rapid changes with serious consequences. This animated explanatory video by the UBA explains what this has to do with us in Germany, 2000 kilometers away. It outlines the federal government's commitment to the Arctic and what each individual can do to protect the Arctic.Read more

Publication

Postcard

Arctic

Cooles neues Handy?

Every day we (unconsciously) use raw materials that are also mined in the Arctic. These are not only found in smartphones. The extraction of raw materials has a high impact on the environment. Those who use their devices for longer, conserve resources and support the preservation of the Arctic.Read more

Publication

Postcard

Arctic

Sind wir noch zu retten?

Our greenhouse gases are partly responsible for climate change. The ice in the Arctic is melting and native animals like the polar bear are losing their habitat. But where should they go? This postcard is part of a series of three postcards that provide information on how the daily consumption of energy and raw materials in Germany can affect the Arctic. The postcards were developed by Ecologic Institute for the Federal Environment Agency within the project "Environmental Guidelines for a German Arctic Policy".Read more

Publication

Resource Conservation + Circular Economy

Sustainability

Tourism

Für den Erhalt der Arktis – Flyer

Wie kann Deutschland dazu beitragen?

In this flyer, the Federal Environment Agency summarises the essential information on the focal points of the environmental guidelines for a German Arctic policy. Ecologic Institute was responsible for creating the flyer based on the Federal Environment Agency's design.Read more

Publication

Document

Climate

Result Oriented Spending for the Climate

Creating strong connections between the EU budget and National Energy and Climate Plans

There are many promising ways in which the next EU budget could help EU Member States achieve their climate and energy targets. Explicitly targeting EU public spending towards climate could send a signal to other investors, creating a shift in financial flows. Existing legislative proposals the door already ajar, but concrete improvements are needed to push it open, analysis by Ecologic Institute shows.Read more

Publication

Case Study

Mobility

Car Sharing in Germany

A Case Study on the Circular Economy

This case-study paper examines future scenarios for car sharing in Germany, analysing drivers and impacts. Enabled by disruptive technological changes, car sharing is an example of a "product as a service" and becoming an increasingly viable alternative to the private ownership of cars. By intensifying the use of vehicles, car sharing has the potential to provide mobility using fewer physical and energy resources. Read more

Publication

Handlungsansätze zur Förderung nachhaltiger Ernährungssysteme

Ergebnispapier von BMBF-Forschungsprojekten zum Thema Ernährung

This paper formulates recommendations for action for policy makers to promote sustainable food systems in Germany and identifies open research needs. Stephanie Wunder and Dr. Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers of Ecologic Institute contributed to this. The results paper is available for download.Read more

Publication

Soil Sealing and Land Take

Despite the extensive loss of productive soils and the valuable ecosystem services that soils provide, the awareness of the magnitude and negative implications of these processes remain relatively low. In this RECARE policy brief, Ecologic Institute's Sandra Naumann and Ana Frelih-Larsen together with Gundula Prokop from the Austrian Environment Agency illustrate the scale of the problem and identify ready-made solutions and steps policy makers and practitioners can take across different levels, from city planning to national and European level. The RECARE policy brief is available for download.Read more

Publication

Management and Impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Lough Erne in Ireland

AQUACROSS Case Study 4 Report

Lough Erne sustains multiple competing activities, each with different demands from the system in terms of ecosystem services and physical resources. It is a heavily modified water body, containing a range of non-native Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are considered a threat to Lough Erne biodiversity and also negatively affect the society that surrounds it. In this report, we apply the AQUACROSS Assessment Framework to understand this challenge and identify and assess ecosystem-based management solutions to the challenge of the IAS Nutall’s pond weed. The case study is available for download.Read more

Publication

Subsoil Compaction – A threat to sustainable food production and soil ecosystem services

The persistent damaging impacts of subsoil compaction call for policy intervention in order to secure yields and adapt to climate change, as well as to sustain soil ecosystem services for future generations. The authors of this RECARE Policy Brief, including Ana Frelih-Larsen of Ecologic Institute, demand that policy responses need to address the underlying drivers of farmers' decision-making concerning field traffic through a systematic and coordinated approach for sustainable soil management in Europe. The RECARE policy brief is available for download.Read more

Publication

Remediating Historical Soil Contamination

Effective Measures and Policy Solutions

The problem of historical contamination remains an important gap in European policymaking on soils. Political commitment is required to address the issue of historical contamination systematically by providing a common EU framework to guide and facilitate activities at the national level, where in turn establishing and implementing national strategies for managing soil contamination is important. Finally, improving knowledge, sharing, and availability of existing information, and engaging stakeholders in the process of remediating soil contamination is recommended by the authors, lead by Ana Frelih-Larsen and Sophie Ittner of Ecologic Institute. The RECARE policy brief is available for download.Read more

Publication

RECARE Project – Finding and sharing solutions to protect our soils

This brochure describes the threats to soils in Europe, how the RECARE project has addressed these and provides clear examples of soil management options and policy solutions. Ecologic Institute's Ana Frelih-Larsen and Sandra Naumann contributed to the RECARE project brochure, which is available for download.Read more

Publication

Biodiversity Management for Rivers of the Swiss Plateau

AQUACROSS Case Study 7 Report

Freshwater ecosystems in the Swiss plateau are threatened by multiple stressors that deteriorate water quality and hydromorphology. To restore these ecosystems and stop the biodiversity decline, multiple management measures will be implemented over the next decades. We propose methods for a spatial and temporal prioritisation to coordinate measures from different sectors and maximise their effectiveness while considering other societal needs. The case study is available for download.Read more

Publication

Aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn?

Wind and water carry our carelessly thrown things even into the Arctic. If we handle waste in Germany more consciously, we relieve the unique Arctic environment. This postcard is part of a series of three postcards that provide information on how the daily consumption of energy and raw materials in Germany can affect the Arctic. The postcards were developed by Ecologic Institute for the Federal Environment Agency within the project "Environmental Guidelines for a German Arctic Policy".Read more

Publication

Article

Democracy

Nicht "illiberal", sondern undemokratisch

Framing-Check: "Illiberale Demokratie"

The term illiberal democracy is used often. This is a problem. The term "illiberal democracy" makes it invisible that democracy is dismantled in so-called "illiberal democracies". Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf, Head of International and European Governance at Ecologic Institute, and Michael Meyer-Resende, both co-founders of Democracy Reporting International, argue in the Süddeutsche Zeitung that the appropriate terms are undemocratic or authoritarian.Read more

Publication

Trade-Offs in Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in the North Sea Aimed at Achieving Biodiversity Strategy Targets

AQUACROSS Case Study 1 Report

Over the past three years, the AQUACROSS Assessment Framework was developed, tested, and applied in eight case studies across Europe to solve local biodiversity challenges. Finally, results from each Case Study were published in a 30-page case study report and 3-page executive summary report. The case study is available for download. Read more

Publication

Report

Food

Resource Conservation + Circular Economy

Die Wahrnehmung von In-Vitro-Fleisch in Deutschland

Analyse der gesellschaftlichen Diskurse

The short analysis by Mandy Hinzmann gives an overview of the different positions on laboratory-produced artificial meat and shows the lines of argumentation of different stakeholder groups in Germany. The study is available for download.Read more

Publication

Infographic

Indicators

Resource Conservation + Circular Economy

Sustainability

Methods for Measuring Impacts of Circular-economy Transitions

This infographic illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of various methods for measuring the impacts of circular-economy transitions.Read more

Publication

Infographic

Indicators

Resource Conservation + Circular Economy

Sustainability

Integrating the Circular Economy into the European Semester

This infographic focuses on how the circular economy can be integrated into the European Semester. It illustrates the European Commission's role within the process and identifies obstacles to integration, along with possible suggestions to address these obstacles. Additionally, it provides a checklist for successful integration.Read more