At this year's DWA Conference on River Basin Management, Dr. Benjamin Kupilas explored how landscapes can be designed to store water more effectively, buffer extreme events, and simultaneously support biodiversity. His talk highlighted the importance of restoring natural hydrological processes as a cornerstone of climate mitigation and adaptation, nature conservation, and resilient regional development.

At the MoorNet Final Conference 2025, results and approaches from the research and development project were presented. The event also offered space to discuss further developments and to identify additional needs for action. Key topics included overcoming implementation barriers, funding issues, and the need for communication strategies and networking concepts to strengthen and accelerate the rewetting of peatlands.

Brazilian President Lula Da Silva wants Belém to send out a signal: a financing mechanism for the protection of tropical forests, the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF). The aim is to raise USD 125 billion to support the countries of South America, Africa and Asia for preserving the lungs of the earth.

Melting sea ice, new shipping routes and growing geopolitical tensions are changing the Arctic – a region where the consequences of climate change are particularly evident. Arne Riedel, Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, spoke about the ecological, political and security developments in this sensitive region of the world in an interview with Axel Dorloff (rbb Inforadio / Wissenswerte).

The 26th Arctic Dialogue took place on 6 November 2025 at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) in Berlin. The programme comprised several panels and discussion formats addressing the impacts of climate change on the Arctic, including Arctic landscapes, pollution, and biodiversity, complemented by a roundtable discussion among ministries and institutions. Arne Riedel and Gregory Fuchs represented Ecologic Institute at the 26th Arctic Dialogue.

The final event of the MEER:STARK Project, a two-day workshop dedicated to advancing the nexus between marine protection and climate adaptation, took place on 3 and 4 November 2025. The event targets focused on key findings, and co-develop actionable recommendations.

The workshop, held on 7 and 8 October 2025, brought together experts from around the world to discuss how ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) can address sea-level rise and strengthen coastal resilience. Around 40 participants exchanged experiences, explored practical and financial approaches – including blue carbon initiatives and blended funding models – and deepened collaboration across science, policy, and practice.

On 25 September 2025, Ecologic Institute welcomed the International Climate Protection Fellows of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to its Berlin office as part of their study tour of leading German institutions engaged in climate protection. During the visit, the fellows explored how Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can foster resilient and just cities and how marine conservation contributes to climate protection.

On 23 September 2025, experts from policy, finance, research, and civil society gathered in Berlin for the technical workshop “Opportunities and Limits of Nature-based Solutions”, hosted by the Fair Finance Institute. The event aimed to highlight and critically discuss the risks and potentials of nature-based solutions (NbS). The focus was on how financing for NbS can be made more effective and equitable, tapping the potential to deliver on sustainable development worldwide, protect biodiversity, and empower people in countries of the Global South. Ecologic Institute’s McKenna Davis opened the event with a keynote address entitled “Nature-based Solutions: More than just green? What counts, what works, and what is missing.” The event was organised with funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and support from GLS Bank and Engagement Global as part of an ongoing project.

On 17 and 18 September 2025, the European Commission invited selected experts to the regional workshop "Designing Climate-Resilient Landscapes" in Berlin. The event aimed to gather practical insights and good practices from diverse governance and landscape contexts, supporting the development of new EU guidance on landscape-based climate adaptation. Participants looked forward to keynoting inputs and hands-on breakout sessions focused on real-world challenges and solutions.

Dr. Stephan Sina, Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, gave a presentation on 10 September 2025 on the implementation of the 'ecocide' provision of the Environmental Crime Directive in Germany. This took place as part of a webinar organized by Europe Calling and Stop Ecocide Germany on environmental criminal law and 'ecocide'. He provided an overview of the provisions of the new Environmental Crime Directive on the ecocide-like consequences of environmental crimes, highlighted the need for implementation in Germany, and presented proposals for implementation close to the directive and an alternative implementation that already addresses the risk of serious consequences. The presentation was based on a legal opinion he had written for Stop Ecocide Germany.

From 4 to 8 August 2025, the International Academy for Nature Conservation (INA) on the Isle of Vilm hosted the seminar "Putting Nature on a Path to Recovery – Innovations in Ecosystem Restoration". The event brought together an international audience of experts and practitioners in ecosystem restoration, nature conservation, and sustainable development. Dr. Benjamin Kupilas, Senior Fellow and Coordinator for Biodiversity at Ecologic Institute, contributed with a talk titled "Restoring nature, restoring our future: From global goals to local gains."

After more than three years of intensive research and collaboration, the final event of the project AMAREX – Adaptation of Stormwater Management to Extreme Weather Events took place on 10 July 2025 in Cologne. The event focused on professional exchange around the project's developed approaches and tools for climate-resilient urban development.

Some of the new federal government's most important priorities are innovation and growth. What about the political focus on environmental and climate policy? Within Horizon Scan, we discussed current environmental policy in Germany with a small group of representatives from politics, authorities, science, and civil society.

On 2 July 2025, Fenja Kroos, Researcher at Ecologic Institute, contributed as a speaker to the European Youth Conference “European Green Roundtable” in Berlin. Fenja Kroos delivered a keynote presentation on the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, providing insights into the development of European environmental policy and discussing its relevance for current climate and biodiversity challenges.