Dr. Stephan Sina, lawyer and Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, commented on the provisions regarding closed cycle management of bio-waste and sewage sludge (section 11 KrWG) and quality assurance in the field of bio-waste and sewage sludge (section 12 KrWG) in a new legal commentary on the Closed Cycle Management Act (Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz, KrWG). The legal commentary, edited by Jahn/Deifuß-Kruse/Brandt, was published by Kohlhammer in February 2014. It provides guidance to lawyers, administrative agencies, and waste management companies with respect to the application of the new Closed Cycle Management Act.

This project identified the most promising and cost-effective measures at the regional and farm levels to increase the resource efficiency and use of nutrients (N, P, K) and helped to close mineral cycles with a focus on saturated areas. Findings were translated into relevant practical measures for the farming community in highly nutrient-saturated regions in Europe. A consortium composed of BIO by Deloitte and Ecologic Institute, with the contribution of several European research institutes, conducted this project on behalf of DG Environment.

Climate change is perceived as a problem by most stakeholders (policy makers, administrations and civil society) on the Baltic Sea Coast. However, they do not agree on how to deal with it. Nico Stelljes, Doris Knoblauch, Robin Körth and Grit Martinez sum up the findings of different surveys and interviews and compare them in their article. Within the RADOST project, several stakeholders on the Baltic Sea Cost were interviewed using different methodologies. The topic of interest for all the surveys and interviews was stakeholders' views on adaptation to climate change on the Baltic Sea Coast.

from 2013 until 2018, the RECARE project applied a transdisciplinary approach, actively integrating and advancing knowledge of stakeholders and scientists in 17 case studies, to identify and develop effective measures for improved soil protection in Europe. Ecologic Institute developed policy briefs on the topics "Soil Sealing and Land Take", "Subsoil compaction" and "Remediating Historical Soil Contamination, as well as co-wrote the brochure with the most important project findings. The policy briefs and the project brochure are available for download.

During the 20th Cairo Climate Talk Dr. Camilla Bausch from Ecologic Institute discussed the results of climate negotiations in Poland, the future international climate regime, and policy options for Egypt. Environment Minister Dr. Leila Rashed Iskander Kamel pointed to promising debates in the ministerial cabinet regarding renewable energy support, as well as the controversial debate over increasing the use of coal.

Fritsche et al. 2014: Global Governance for Sustainable Land Use – Status and opportunities. Washington DC.

This short study that Ecologic Institute produced for the Greens in the European Parliament, examines the competitiveness of European Eco-Industries. The key finding is that Eco-Industries have been a source of economic growth, particularly at times when other parts of the economy contracted. The short study is 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.

Which invasive species can be found in Berlin and Brandenburg? Have you ever wondered what they taste like? Come try it out at our final event of the series Biodiversity - local/global and learn more about these organisms from Prof. Dr. Jasmin Joschi from Potsdam University and Peter Becker from NewTritionInk. 
 

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.