The SimRess project analyzes the potential effectiveness of policy measures and mixes in the field of resource policy. Considering a time horizon through 2050, the project will interpret model simulation results from both a system dynamics model and an econometric model. The modeling process will inform policy recommendations, and might, therefore, contribute to further developing the national resource efficiency program ProgRess.

On Earth Day 2013, the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Ecologic Institute officially launched the 2013 Arctic Summer College. Following successful programs in 2011 and 2012, the Arctic Summer College 2013 again created a network of emerging leaders and experts that are brought together for 8 weeks in web-based seminars (webinars) from 8 July to 26 August 2013. The program aimed to build a lasting, policy-oriented network of Arctic professionals to strengthen communication between peoples and nations, scientific disciplines, policy areas, and across the science-policy field to improve environmental governance in the Arctic region.

Dr. Wolfgang Urban, Fellow at Ecologic Institute, contributed to the 7th VDI conference reader "Biogas 2013". He informs about the objectives and guidelines as well as the current status of discussions on the funding framework for renewable energies. He also discusses the possible contribution of bioenergies to future energy supply and future challenges.

At the workshop "Marine litter in the Baltic Sea: challenges and opportunities" on 14. November 2013, Susanne Altvater gave an introductory presentation on marine litter in the Baltic Sea and introduced the project CleanSea. The presentation slides are available for download.

On 14 November 2013, a workshop on marine litter in the Baltic Sea took place at the Ecologic Institute's offices in Berlin. Susanne Altvater, a Fellow at Ecologic Institute, gave an introductory presentation on the topic and on the Clean Sea project in general to German representatives of the relevant industries. Subsequently, Matthias Mossbauer presented the first results of the project MARLISCO. Dr. Ingo Sartorius presented activities of the plastic associations regarding marine litter. All presentation slides are available for download.

During the 7th Biomass Forum Dr. Wolfgang Urban, Senior Analyst at Ecologic Institute, presented experiences with the EEG 2012. He outlined the political objectives and guidelines for the further development of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). He also gave an overview of initial position, objectives, and procedures for an EEG reform, the current status of these discussions, and the prospects and challenges arising from this for bioenergy. The presentation slides are available for download.

Is biodiversity being left behind? Freshwater ecosystems hold unparalleled species diversity, but are amongst the most threatened in Europe. Prioritizing short-term, often localized benefits in ecosystem provisioning services (such as hydropower) is degrading habitats and damaging cultural and regulatory services such as carbon storage, making it impossible for Europe to meet policy goals under the Habitats and Water Framework Directives. The brief calls for ‘biodiversity-conscious priority setting,’ considering the full range of services that freshwater ecosystems provide, as well as improving the knowledge of ecosystems’ status and threats, to use EU funding resources to the greatest advantage.

The existing measures in Germany are not sufficient to meet the efficiency targets of the Energy Concept and the requirements of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive. On behalf of the European Climate Foundation, Ecologic Institute has compared essential proposals aimed at increasing energy efficiency and deduced possible political demands. This short study was presented on December 2013 in the workshop "Energy Efficiency Models and EU Energy Efficiency Directive: Consensus for a Stronger Energy Efficiency Policy in Germany" in Berlin. A summary of this short study is available for download.

In our brochure "Ecologic Institute: Science and Policy for a Sustainable World" (German: "Wissenschaft und Forschung für eine nachhaltige Welt“), we introduce Ecologic Institute as a transdisciplinary research organization. We focus on environmental research and address relevant sociopolitical questions of sustainability research. We bring new insights into environmental policy. Discover our research projects, academic collaborations, and teaching activities. Our new brochure is available for download.

The European Union (EU) and its Member States are debating the shape and substance of future EU climate policy. With partners from the CECILIA2050 project, Ecologic Institute produced reports on 8 EU Member States and the EU as whole, which take stock of current policies and their performance. In all 9 cases, the policy mix currently in place can be improved. A Policy Brief summarizing the findings is available for download.

During the biogas Congress 2011 Ecologic Institute's Dr. Wolfgang Urban spoke about the options of use for biomethane. He pointed out that the resource 'biogas' is limited and exposed to utilisation competition. In addition, it is to be considered in relation to factors as availability of water and soil, waste and residues potentials. The greenhouse gas benefits of biogas depents of it's usage paths details. To make biomethane energy-efficient and climate-friendly combined heat and power production should be promoted. Furthermore, a CO2 footprint for biomethane should be developed, the GHG emissions from the biogas deployment and preparation minimized and the further coverage of waste and residue potentials pushed.

Success in the battle against climate change will depend on the ability to find new and innovative solutions for a variety of emission-producing activities: from energy supply to industrial production, to housing, food and transport. At the UN Climate Conference in Warsaw, a joint side event of the two EU-funded research projects CECILIA2050 and ENTRACTE discussed to what extent climate policies deployed in the EU have been able to trigger low-carbon innovations, and how the future EU climate policy framework can become more conducive to such innovations. Ecologic Institute's Benjamin Görlach moderated the discussion.

To support dissemination activities of the project "European Union Action to Fight Environmental Crime" (EFFACE), Ecologic Institute developed two roll-up banners to be used during project events. They are designed according to the project visual style and contain basic introductory information about the project, link to the website and illustratory photography. Text information on both banner is the same, and they differ in the used photography. On one banner a photography of famous artist Peter Beards was used, as a part of a cooperation between him and Ecologic Institute. Photos on the second banner illustrate a range of environmental crime, which is a main focus of the project.

As part of the visual identity for the project "NETwork for GREEN Economy Indicators" (NETGREEN), Ecologic Institute designed a promotional flyer in small postcard format. The flyer summarize general objectives and aims of the projects, is styled according to the project style-guides and contain besides an project information also a list of partners, contact and an QR-code directing to the project website. Flyers are distributed during project events.