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.

To support dissemination activities of the EFFACE project, Ecologic Institute developed a standard 2-fold flyer, containing relevant general information about the project - its theme, focus, aims, activities, list of partners and contact information. Flyer is styled according to the project visual style and it is distributed during project events and internal events of Ecologic Institute.

Recognizing that there is an economic rationale for climate change adaptation, the ECONADAPT project set out to advance the knowledge and evidence base on the economics of adaptation and to develop practical material to support decision making processes. ECONADAPT applied adaptation economics in several decision making scenarios that could require economic information including risk management, project appraisal, impact assessments and planning processes. Throughout the project innovative methods were co-developed and tested in a participative way with diverse stakeholders engaged in adaptation policy at multiple governance scales. Ecologic Institute designed and developed the project's website which presents the resources, case studies and the latest project news.

This monthly progress update is compiled by eclareon and Ecologic Institute and shows which policies and measures aiming at reducing greenhouse gas emissions are currently discussed, implemented or deleted in the different Member States. The update includes policies and measures in the area of environmental taxation, energy supply and in particular energy supply from renewable sources, energy networks, energy efficiency, transport as well as agriculture and waste. The updates are available for download.

Dr. Wolfgang Urban, Fellow at Ecologic Institute, hold a presentation at the fourth expert dialogue "Gas Infrastructure for the Future", organized by the Technologiestiftung Berlin (TSB). He described the current state of the energy transition process in Germany – the so-called Energiewende - and explained the further steps of the German Federal Government. Additionally, he exemplified the challenges in the energy market namely flexibility options, wind and solar energy in the transformation process as well as the role of natural gas infrastructure and natural gas as energy source. The presentation is available for download.

Drought has many different causes, features and impacts. However, it can be most efficiently tackled by societies through the application of "good governance" principles and strategies. Together with other research institutions working in the DROP project, Ecologic Institute developed a Governance Assessment Tool specifically adapted to drought purposes. This tool is available for download.