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.

To emphasise important messages of the IPCC special report relating to climate and environmental policy and to make them available for policy-making, the German Federal Environment Agency presented selected findings of the report in a webinar on 26 October 2018. A second webinar on this topic took place on 23 November 2018. Ecologic Institute supported the Federal Environment Agency in the logistical and content-related organisation of both webinars.

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.

What does Germany have to do with the Arctic and what impact do Germans' daily decisions have on it? These and other questions were discussed on 22 October 2018 during Ecologic Institute's evening event on Germany's Arctic activities, part of a project for the German Environment Agency (UBA). The evening brought a broader audience together with experts in a scientific setting and enabled exchange interaction with various German organisations at information booths. The evening’s opening event was the premiere of a short documentary film called "Footsteps in the Arctic," which explores to what extent Germans are responsible for the changes in the Arctic and what they can do.

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".

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.

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.

In the first BSEC (Berlin Seminar on Energy and Climate) after the summer break, possible functions and roles of a German climate protection law for the transformation in sectors with the highest emissions will be presented and discussed. Matthias Duwe, from Ecologic Institute, will talk about the design and effectiveness of climate change legislation in international comparison. The seminar will take place on 15 October 2018 in Berlin.

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.

In this press briefing, the "Coal Reader" is presented. It has been developed by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Wuppertal Institute, and Ecologic Institute. The "Coal Reader" presents options and implications of a phase-out of coal-fired power generation in Germany. It provides facts, explains the pros and cons, and shows the respective scientific background.

The topic of sustainable nutrition is increasingly relevant in political, scientific and media debates. In this context, there are different perspectives and motivations surrounding the topic. Within the project "Wissenschaftliche Koordination der Fördermaßnahme Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften" (NaWiKo), Ecologic Institute will organize a workshop on "Sustainable nutrition systems and sustainable nutrition culture – Action approaches for transformative processes and practices" on 26 September 2018 in Berlin.

This publication provides a quantitative overview of the development and status of environmental crime in Germany between 2004 and 2016, based on data from the police crime statistics ("Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik") and the Federal Statistical Office's criminal prosecution statistics ("Strafverfolgungsstatistik"). The report provides both, an overview of general trends and an in-depth account of individual environmental offences. In addition, the publication contains data on administrative offences relating to trafficking of protected species. The report was prepared by a team from Ecologic Institute on behalf of the German Federal Environment Agency.

Ecologic Institute contributed to the Agenda Conference for Social-Ecological Research (SÖF) by leading on and supporting research theme clusters. The event took place in Kassel on 19 and 20 September. It ended with an outlook by Florian Frank from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), who called for "dangerous" research to solve pressing socio-ecological problems.

How does plastic litter end up in the sea? How much microplastic does our shower scrub contain? Where exactly is the plastic waste in the ocean? What do our rivers have to do with it? And how can I, as an individual living far away from the coast, participate in real research on seas and oceans? These and other questions will be answered in a webinar for teachers and youth group leaders under the title ‘Sustainable environmental education in schools: Plastic waste in German rivers – the "Plastic Pirates" campaign’ on 13 September 2018 at 5 pm. Registrations are welcome.

Environmental crime has diverse appearances and impacts. The ecological consequences range from the destruction of forests to the pollution of water, soil, and air and even to species extinction. Moreover, many types of environmental crime also affect human health, and organised forms of environmental crime undermine state structures. Environmental crime is increasingly being discussed again at international and EU level. However, it is always emphasised that there is a lack of a robust database and thus also a gap in the knowledge base.