International Development

Europe Beyond Aid (EBA)

October 2013 to December 2013

The project reviewed European environmental performance based on the Commitment to Development Index, which is annually published by the Center for Global Development. After assessing the indicators used in the Index and considering the policies of relevance, the Ecologic Institute developed policy recommendations at the national and European levels for improving environment and development. The draft report is available online via the Center for Global Development's website.

The project EuropeRead more

Publication

Adaptation

Security Policy

Water

Climate Change, Water Conflicts and Human Security

Regional Assessment and Policy Guidelines for the Mediterranean, Middle East and Sahel

Climate change has and will continue to have far-reaching impacts on environmental, social and economic conditions. Increasingly, climate change and the associated increase in the frequency of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and rising sea level is recognized as not only having humanitarian impacts, but also creating political and security risks that can affect national/regional stability and the welfare of people. This report presents a comprehensive regional assessment of these questions in the CLICO study area – the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Sahel - and is available for download.Read more

Project

Energy

Health

Black Carbon Emissions from Kerosene Lamps

July 2013 to November 2013

Around 1.3 billion people worldwide still lack access to electricity. For many, kerosene (paraffin) is a common lighting fuel and kerosene lamp use is widespread in the developing world. Research has shown that these lamps emit significant amounts of black carbon, 20 times more than previously estimated. In this project, Ecologic Institute examines the current landscape of lighting efforts and initiatives, as well as market growth and development for modern, sustainable off-grid lighting alternatives.

Although kerosene lamps constitute a smaller overall source of black carbonRead more

Publication

Economics

New Options for Strengthening Standards on Social and Environmental Responsibilities of Corporations and their Implementation

The negative external effects of profit oriented businesses on the environment and society have become increasingly visible following the financial crisis, and are most extreme in developing countries where high corruption rates often impede meaningful enforcement of existing legislation and where compensation measures for adversely affected groups rarely exist. Read more

Event

Summer School

Public Diplomacy

Sustainability

Education

ITESM@Ecologic 2013 – Summer School on Environment and Sustainability

TimeLoc

10 June 2013 to 20 June 2013

Berlin

Germany

Following a successful cooperation in 2012 between Ecologic Institute and the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), a second edition of the Environment and Sustainability Summer School took place from 10 to 20 June 2013 in Berlin. A total of 60 students from northern Mexico participated in a series of lectures and activities designed to exhibit the...Read more

Presentation

Panel discussion

Sustainability

Towards New Development and Sustainable Development Goals

TimeLoc

5 June 2013

Berlin

Germany

Dr. Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation conducted the conference "Towards new development and Sustainable Development Goals" on 5 June 2013 in Berlin. Dr. Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf, Senior Fellow, spoke at the event.

Sibylle Pfeiffer MdB, spokes women on development policies, CDU/CSU, German Bundestag,
Dr. Stephan Klingebiel, German Development Institute (DIE),

Publication

Adaptation

Policy Frameworks to Address Climate-Induced Risks to Human Security and Conflict - Recommendations

The Mediterranean, Middle East, and Sahel regions form a climate change "hot spot" that is expected to experience large climatic changes, with negative consequences for human security in the region. A new report by Ecologic Institute provides insights and recommendations on the policies and institutions needed to address water-related risks to human security and also prevent or reduce potential conflicts over water that may be caused or exacerbated by climate change. Effective climate change adaptation approaches are identified, and recommendations are given for policy makers at the EU and national level as well as for donors and actors at the international level. The report is now available for download.Read more

Publication

A Human Rights and Poverty Review

EU Action in Addressing Caste-based Discrimination

Caste-based discrimination is a serious human rights violation negatively affecting the political, economic, social, cultural, and civil rights of approximately 260 million people worldwide. This briefing by Susanne Langsdorf (Ecologic Institute) for the European Parliament aims to assess to what extent the EU has integrated the fight against caste-based discrimination in its external relations. Light is shed on the specific situations in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Yemen and the European Union's actions to address caste-based discrimination in these countries. Based on the analysis, the briefing elaborates recommendations on how the EU can mainstream the fight against caste-based discrimination into policies, strategies and programmes as well as dialogues with countries with caste systems. The briefing is available for download.Read more

Publication

Agriculture

Biodiversity

Land Use

Soil

The Impact of Biotechnology on Developing Countries

In this study, Ecologic Institute researchers Timo Kaphengst and Lucy Smith summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the increasing share of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in developing countries. The accrued benefits and/or disadvantages vary widely across the reviewed countries and depend on the governance structures of each country. On the one hand, GM crops can increase export revenues; on the other hand, developing countries' resulting dependency on Western biotechnology companies could grow and threaten local farmers, especially smaller ones. Moreover, GMOs are leading to a reduction in biodiversity. In light of this, the authors recommend that GM crops no longer be promoted in developing countries. The study is available for download.Read more

Event

Discussion