<p>On 23 May 2017 a CommBeBiz webinar featured a discussion with Ecologic Institute&#39;s Holger Gerdes and Zoritza Kiresiewa, on the topic &quot;Creating Networks for the Transition to a Bio-based and Circular Economy.&quot; They gave deeper insights into recommendations for effective engagement in the bio-based and circular economy. These recommendations were published in a BioSTEP policy paper, which is available online.</p>

As part of its long-standing cooperation with Duke University, the Ecologic Institute implemented a course on Germany's energy transition (Energiewende), offered to Duke students as part of the Duke in Berlin Summer Program.

<p>The Special Theme Day "Taste of the Future of the Seas" on 21 May 2017 will offer a number of activities on the topics of seas and oceans and sustainable consumption for all age groups.</p>&#13;

<p>As part of the REFRESH Food Waste 2017 Conference the Food Waste Innovation Incubator Day took place on 19 May 2017. The workshop brought together food waste stakeholders such as entrepreneurs, companies of the food industry and policy makers.</p>&#13;&#13;&#13;

REFRESH Food Waste 2017 brought together diverse stakeholder groups from across Europe working on food waste.&#13;

<p>The conference was in line with the thematic approach of the Forum, but took also into account the need for professional development. The conference focused on presenting and discussing current research and development projects from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.</p>&#13;&#13;

At a time where climate change is already causing migration, the anticipated increase of numbers has gained in focus in international debates. Dr. Camilla Bausch moderated a roundtable discussion on related upcoming issues at the Mercator Foundation Roundtable on Climate Migration. The Roundtable accompanied the publication of the German version of the "Atlas of Environmental Migration."

Ever tried oysters from a natural heritage site, or discussed plastics pollution of the oceans while sipping seaweed cocktails? Participants at the second Science Sips event got to experience exactly that on 28 April 2017 while sitting across the impressive dinosaur fossils exhibited at the Berlin Museum for Natural History.

Ever tried bycatch curry, or discussed ocean sustainability while sipping seaweed cocktails? Participants of the first Science Sips event got to experience exactly that on 30 March 2017 while sitting across the impressive dinosaur fossils exhibited at the Berlin Museum for Natural History.

Brexit, immigration, Euro crisis, economic stagnation in some member states, EU skeptical and nationalist parties on the rise - 60 years after the signing of the Treaties of Rome, the European Union is in turbulent times. The frequency and force of the various crises have created the impression that the EU is not in a position to serve the interests of its citizens and solve their problems. This is also reflected in a loss of confidence in the EU and its institutions - which was most clearly expressed in the Brexit referendum. The discussion will be introduced by keynote speeches by Silke Karcher (BMUB), Frederik Moch (DGB) and Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf (Ecologic Institute).

<p>Despite extensive discussions, no agreement has been found regarding a common soil indicator for measuring Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in Germany. Major obstacles include low data availability and the effort needed to measure physical soil conditions regularly. During an expert workshop on 27 March 2017 in Berlin, a new and simpler approach, developed by Ecologic Institute in cooperation with the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA), was discussed to determine its suitability for LDN. The core idea of the approach is to measure land use and land use change, directly referring to soil quality in the sense of LDN. The workshop minutes are available for download.</p>&#13;

At an Ecologic evening event on 21 February 2017, Prof. James McGann and Sascha Müller-Kraenner discussed the future of US and EU think tanks under a the Trump administration.

<p>In the project "Scientific coordination of research projects on a sustainable economy" (Wissenschaftliche Koordination der Fördermaßnahme Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften, NaWiKo), Ecologic Institute and its partners coordinate 30 research projects, which deal with a more sustainable economy and are supported by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF).</p>&#13;

<p>The Global Go To Think Tank Ranking was launched in capitals around the world on 26-27 January 2017. Ecologic Institute was ranked in seven categories and remains among the Top 10 Environmental Think Tanks globally. The Berlin launch event took place on 27 January, featuring a panel discussion focused on the increasing significance of think tanks in the context of the G20. Ecologic Institute Director, Dr. Camilla Bausch was the moderator.<br /></p>

On 17 January 2017, Ecologic Institute hosted a Dinner Dialoge on the German G20 Presidency featuring guest speakers Simon Marr (Federal Chancellary) and Christian Schubert (BASF). Franzjosef Schafhausen moderated the discussion. The 22 participants discussed how the German G20 Presidency could advance international climate policy.