In many regions, the non-native introduction of animal- and plant species is increasing and is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Why is this so and what can be done about it? In this 8th event of the series Biodiversity - local/global, Katrin Schneider, from KORINA - UfU e.V. Halle, took a closer look at this problem.

 


On 7 May 2013, Stephan Sina, Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, took part in a discussion in Berlin on the energy transition in Germany (Energiewende) organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. The other contributors were Herrmann-Otto Solms (FDP) and Georg Zachmann (Breughel Institut, Brussels). Steffen Hentrich (Liberal Institut) moderated the discussion. About 60 participants attended the event.

Wunder, Stephanie; Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers; Timo Kaphengst 2014: Ressourceneffizienz und Flächeninanspruchnahme. Nexus-Papier 2 im Projekt Ressourcenpolitik: Analyse der ressourcenpolitischen Debatte und Entwicklung von Politikoptionen (PolRess). www.ressourcenpolitik.de

On 8 April 2014, the second monitoring report from the Federal Government and the joint statement from the Expert Commissions about the "Energy of the Future" monitoring process were presented. The Ecologic Institute supports the work of the Expert Commission by providing scientific input. The statement on the German "Energiewende", under review for the second year in 2012, had mixed findings. The major message is that while Germany is expected to meet its renewable energy targets, further efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency are necessary. The joint statement is available for download.

Just weeds - or is it more? Plants in parks, on roadsides, on rooftops and facades contribute to climate change adaptation and biodiversity in Berlin. In the seventh event of the series Biodiversity - Local / Global, Reinhard Schubert of the Senate Department for Urban Development and Environment, Berlin, looks at the possibilities for climate adaptation and the local biodiversity in our capital.

"Loss and damage – what can the new mechanism offer?" was the topic of the 26th Climate Talk on 7 April 2014. The event, jointly organised by the Ecologic Institute and the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), featured guest speakers Ilka Wagner (BMUB), Sabine Minninger (Brot für die Welt) and Sönke Kreft (Germanwatch).

Lambert, A./Hirschnitz-Garbers, M. (2014): Ressourceneffizienz und High-Tech-Materialien. Kurzanalyse 10 im Projekt Ressourcenpolitik: Analyse der ressourcenpolitischen Debatte und Entwicklung von Politikoptionen (PolRess). www.ressourcenpolitik.de

The Federal Republic of Germany is bound to a number of environmental agreements. The current government has stated in their coalition agreement that it acknowledges their commitments to EU biodiversity. What exactly does that mean for the daily activities in Parliament, in the committees, the group meetings, and in the preparation of new legislation? This event provided an overview on these topics.

Ecologic Institute, the Urania Berlin, and the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin present the event series "Biodiversity - local/global" to offer a better understanding of biological diversity and its socially-relevant facets.

As renewable energy sources are more widely used and corresponding support systems expanded, the economic significance of the sector is also growing. This, in turn, also leads to a growing potential for trade disputes involving renewable energy production. This study on renewable energy law presents the international legal framework relevant to support systems for renewable energy, notably WTO law. A particular focus is on local-content requirements existing in this sectors as well as on trade remedy procedures. The study (in German) is available for download, including an English summary.