For the third time, Ecologic Institute conducted a study on the role of local and regional authorities (LRA) in the Europe 2020 National Reform Programmes (NRP) of the EU member states. The new results and their comparison with the 2011 and 2012 studies (for the core set of questions) permit a number of conclusions. While progress is made in many countries and areas, greater progress still needs to be made concerning the involvement of LRAs in the preparation of NRPs. The study is available for download.

Plieninger, Tobias; Kathrin Trommler; Claudia Bieling et al. 2013: "Ökosystemleistungen und Naturschutz", in: Werner Konold; Reinhard Böcker and Ulrich Hampicke (Hg.): Handbuch Naturschutz und Landschaftspflege. Supplement No. 28, 04/2013. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH, 1-12.

Ecologic Institute, Bio IS and the Institute for European Environmental Policy were commissioned by the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI Committee) to provide the members with the needed expertise to monitor the ongoing negotiations between the United States Administration and the European Commission for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement.

<p>Within this project Ecologic Institut contributed to the preliminary study "Blueprint for a Revised Europe 2020 strategy."</p>&#13;

Both the Baltic Sea Action Plan and the EU Water Framework Directive require substantial further reductions of nutrient loads (N and P) to the Baltic Sea during the coming years. Achievements of these goals will only be possible by the implementation of fundamental changes in agricultural practices and land use. To this end, a team of researchers from eight institutions across the EU and Russia, will investigate the introduction of additional new and innovative measures to reduce nutrient loads.

<p>This project analysed the key legal, economic and environmental issues related to using specific trade-related measures as a means of supporting the EU&#39;s climate change objectives and policies. Three trade measures are examined: 1) carbon equalisation mechanisms; 2) export credits and investment guarantees; and 3) conditions on access to the EU carbon market. The primary focus of analysis is on the first measure: carbon equalisation measures.</p>

<p>The Beyond GDP website of the European commission provides infomation on a range of global initiatives to measure societal and economic progress. In cooperation with IEEP the Ecologic institute develops Newsletters for the website and provides web developpment support for the European commission.</p>

The circular economy is rapidly rising up political and business agendas. In contrast to today’s largely linear, 'take-make-use-dispose' economy, a circular economy represents a development strategy that enables economic growth while aiming to optimise the chain of consumption of biological and technical materials. A deep transformation of production chains and consumption patterns is envisaged to keep materials circulating in the economy for longer, re-designing industrial systems and encouraging cascading use of materials and waste.

<p>In the EU, political attention is focussed on economic affairs and social issues of insecurity and inequality which have been emphasised by the economic crisis and government responses. Levels of dissatisfaction with incumbent governments are often high, prompting increased populist and short-term political positions. Within the European Commission, the calls of economic interests tend to over-ride environmental priorities.</p>&#13;

This collection of country reports assesses climate and energy policies in all 28 Members States of the European Union (EU). The reports support the DG CLIMA of the European Commission in its contributions to the European Semester. Focusing on the period between February 2013 and November 2013, the reports provide insight into national policy developments and progress towards the achievement of the EU’s climate and energy targets. The reports are available for download.

Moreira Alves, Filipe Miguel et al. 2014: Challenges to Planning Climate Adaptation Strategies in Europe. BASE Policy Brief # 2.

Lambert, A./Hirschnitz-Garbers, M. (2014): Ressourceneffizienz und High-Tech-Materialien. Kurzanalyse 10 im Projekt Ressourcenpolitik: Analyse der ressourcenpolitischen Debatte und Entwicklung von Politikoptionen (PolRess). www.ressourcenpolitik.de

The EU has stated its commitment to transitioning into a post-carbon society. Though the goal of living in a post-carbon society is clear, the road to get there is not so easy. How can we build the EU of the future while overcoming technological, political, societal, economic and behavioural challenges? The Research for a Post-Carbon Future conference on 17 September 2014 explored ways to transform these challenges into opportunities and help propel the EU towards a more sustainable future.

Werland, Stefan, Graaf, Lisa, Jacob, Klaus et al. (2014): Nexus Ressourceneffizienz und Energiewende. Eine Analyse der Wechselwirkungen. Berlin. www.ressourcenpolitik.de