At a Transatlantic Luncheon on 18 January 2008, Molly Hall introduced key aspects of sustainability management practices of two US and two EU companies that are recognised leaders in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Drawing on the history of CSR as it developed on both sides of the Atlantic, she highlighted differences in their respective approaches. Molly Hall teaches environmental law at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and is a consultant to the German Environmental Ministry.

<p>&#13; </p>

When designing emissions trading schemes, the decision on allocation methods is a crucial element. After a long and controversial debate, the German government has now decided to introduce the auctioning of credits. Approximately nine percent of all allowances will be given out against payment in the second trading period (2008–2012). In 2008, rules for the German auctioning system are expected to be specified by a regulation. Environmental economists tend to support auctioning for reasons of efficiency while many politicians and the public mostly expect the reduction of unwanted distributional effects (“wind-fall-profits”).

<p>&#13; Invited by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Ingo Bräuer, Senior Fellow with Ecologic Institute, gave a lecture on the cost-benefit ratio of strategies. The objective of the symposium was to identify the current scenarios of climate change as well as the expected impacts on the ecosystems of rivers and floodplains. Further focus lied on the adaptation strategies of different user groups – navigation, agriculture, forestry and water management - and on the potential contribution of nature conservation. The symposium addressed professionals from the sciences, authorities and associations.</p>&#13;

On 11 October 2007, a transatlantic Ecologic Dinner Dialogue was held in Berlin to celebrate the launch of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) first European office and to discuss EU and US policies on biodiversity and climate change. The guest of honor, Rebecca Patton, Chief Conservation Strategies Officer for The Nature Conservancy (TNC), was joined by her colleagues Sascha Müller-Kraenner, the new European Representative as well as Roberto Troya, Director of International Government Relations and Andreas Lehnhoff, Director for the Mesoamerica &amp; Caribbean for the Conservancy. The keynote speaker was Miranda Schreurs, Professor at the Free University in Berlin, who is an expert in transatlantic environmental policy.

<p>&#13; Environmental Security has gained importance in the current political discourse. Last year's discussions in the Security Council give testimony to this development. During a presentation given at the Bonn International Centre for Conversion (BICC), Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf analyses whether and to what extent relevant security strategies of the US, the UN and EU integrate environmental aspects.</p>&#13;

This project supports the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) with the continuation of its activities in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility. Activities are centred around a stakeholder workshop, which will offer a forum for the discussion of current approaches as well as future steps. The interactive concepts brings together representatives from the business community as well as civil society in Berlin in September 2007. The project consortium not only provides conceptual advice to the Council but is also responsible for innovative facilitation methods at the event as well as all organisational matters.

When designing emissions trading schemes, the decision on allocation methods is a crucial element. After a long and controversial debate, the German government has now decided to introduce the auctioning of credits. Approximately nine percent of all allowances will be given out against payment in the second trading period (2008–2012). In 2008, rules for the German auctioning system are expected to be specified by a regulation. Environmental economists tend to support auctioning for reasons of efficiency while many politicians and the public mostly expect the reduction of unwanted distributional effects (“wind-fall-profits”).

On 11 July 2007, an Ecologic Transatlantic Lunch Dialogue was held in Berlin in honour of Steven C. Clemons and Andrew Oros. Steve Clemons is the Director of the American Strategy Program at the New America Foundation, as well as author of the influential Blog "The Washington Note". Andrew Oros is a Professor of Political Science and International Studies at the Washington College. Drawing on the Republican and Democratic presidential primary process, Steve Clemons and Andrew Oros agreed that environmental and climate change issues are not the centrepiece of discussion, but may play a role when linked to security aspects.

<p>&#13; Besides the potential benefits of biomass, there is increasing public awareness of the more problematic aspects, including a possible increase in the intensity of agriculture and further destruction of the rainforest. In her lecture, Stephanie Schlegel outlined the opportunities for and the risks of renewable energy expansion with emphasis on the current debate surrounding the bioenergy boom. In addition, she led a discussion with the audience about which instruments are useful for creating the bioenergy boom sustainably and the requirements for policy and consumers.</p>&#13;

<p> On 14-15 June 2007, the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) convened the international conference &quot;Europe and America: Managing the 21st Century&#39;s Agenda to look at an array of topical issues including global warming.&nbsp; Stefan Theil, Bureau Chief of Newsweek in Germany moderated, and Patrick S. Moon, Director at the US Department of State, and R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic addressed the question &quot;How to Tackle Climate Change?&quot;.</p>

<p>&#13; </p>