During the European Maritime Day (EMD) more than 1000 participants from politics, economy, science, and NGOs, the seventh EMD centered on the question of sustainable use of seas and oceans. Ecologic Institute, presented by Dr. Grit Martinez, Susanne Altvater, and Dr. Nico Stelljes presented research results and discussed the results with locals from Bremen and the surrounding region.

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.

What shape will the future governance framework of European climate and energy policy take? The proposal submitted by the European Commission at the beginning of this year raises more questions than it answers in this regard. Dr. Camilla Bausch and Christine Lucha of the Ecologic Institute invited experts to a workshop to discuss the meaning of the commission's suggestions with a particular view toward electricity infrastructure. All presentation slides are 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).

During the 11th European IFSA Symposium Dr. Ana Frelih-Larsen, Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, outlined the existing mechanisms for soil protection in general and soil organic matter (soil carbon) specifically. She explained the requirements for better policies to protect soil organic matters. Sandra Naumann chaired the session. The presentation slides are available for download.

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.