<p>&#13; The "Network Resource Efficiency" as part of the project "Advancement of Resource Policy" invited to the 7th network conference on Monday, 27 June 2011 in Berlin. New approaches in politics and businesses are highlighted under the guiding theme "2011 – agenda setting for the resource turnaround". Max Grünig presented first ideas describing which actors should be included in a societal debate on resource efficiency.</p>&#13;

"Waking the sleeping giant - Instruments for more energy efficiency in the EU" was the topic of the 19th Climate Talk, hosted by Dr. Camilla Bausch and Benjamin Görlach of Ecologic Institute and Dr. Susanne Dröge of the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik in June 2011.

How does the communication between providers of climate data and political decision makers work? This question was the central point of a three-day workshop held in Berlin and Timmendorfer Beach from 15 to 17 June 2011. Scientists and stakeholders from administrations and political bodies from different Baltic countries first met at Ecologic Institute in Berlin to discuss different aspects of the availability of regional climate facts. The second part of the workshop was held at a local Baltic venue - in Timmendorfer Strand, where a case study on the engagement of local stakeholders was examined.

During the VDI conference "Biogas 2011" Dominik Müller and Dr. Wolfgang Urban of the Ecologic Institute spoke on the experiences with the German law to promote renewable energies (EEG) and its imminent revision. They presented the premises of the German Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the planned substantial changes in the EEG. They also reported on the monitoring results. The presentation slides and script are available for download.

During the European Biomass Conference 2011, Dr. Wolfgang Urban (Ecologic Institut) delivered a presentation on biomethane. From the German government's perspective, he described political goals, especially the Energy Concept 2050. In addition he explained how biomethane could contribute to achieving these aims and to climate protection in general. The presentation slides are available for download.

Lead by Ecuador’s Ambassador to Germany, his Excellency Jorge Jurado, and Ivonne Baki, who is the country’s top negotiator for the Yasuni-ITT Initiative, a high-level delegation presented an Ecuadorian proposal for the protection of climate and biodiversity at the Ecologic Institute.&#13;

What are the expected impacts of climate change at the regional and local level at the German Baltic Sea coast? How can local stakeholders adapt to these? What kind of scientific information do they need as a basis for implementing such measures? These questions were discussed by 75 scientists in the fields of climate and natural science research, political science and sociology, together with representatives from politics, administration, economy and civil society in several science-practice dialogues.

As part of the workshop "Biogas Feed-In", organized by Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Ecologic Institute's Wolfgang Urban gave a speech about "The Legal Framework - Instruments for the Efficient Use of Biomethan". The presentation dealt with political aims regarding renewable energies, results of the monitoring of the Renewable Energies Act and marketing prospects of biomethan. The presentation slides are available for download.

Hannah Strauss, visiting scholar at Ecologic Institute, together with other experts on the Arctic and H.E. Danish Ambassador Per Poulsen-Hansen, discussed Europe's impact on and interest in a "New North". The panel discussion was preceded by a presentation of Matthias Hannemann’s recent book, "Der Neue Norden. Die Arktis und der Traum vom Aufbruch", and focused on various aspects related to the political and economic development of the Arctic region.

<p>&#13; At the conference on "Water and Climate Change in the MENA-Region", organised by GIZ and BMZ, Rodrigo Vidaurre, Researcher at Ecologic Institute, held a presentation on policies that address the link between human security, water conflicts, and Climate Change. Jennifer Möller-Gulland, Researcher at Ecologic Institute, held a further presentation on innovative benefit assessment methodologies to assess quantitative and monetary benefits from improved water resources use.</p>&#13;

<p>&#13; At an Ecoscholars event hosted by First Solar, GmbH, David Wortmann, the company's Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs provided an overview of the company and discussed the key role of policy in the continued promotion and expansion of the renewable energy industry and fostering the market for renewable energy technologies.  The dialogue was initiated by Loni Gardner of Ecologic Institute, who coordinates Ecoscholars.  Ecoscholars is a discussion and networking group for Berlin-based international scholars and experts who are involved in climate change, energy, sustainability, and other environmental topics.</p>&#13;