In a policy brief for the European Parliament, researchers at Ecologic Institute examine how access to land affects development and poverty eradication in developing countries. The authors discuss the assumption that land ownership increases productivity and provide an overview of land reforms and large-scale land acquisitions in developing countries. Finally, the brief provides a series of recommendations for European policy-makers. The brief is available for download.

In the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine, the member Switzerland, France, Germany, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and the European Commission work cooperatively and successfully towards a sustainable development of the Rhine River. This presentation focused upon experience with transboundary control of pollution.

<p>&#13; At an Ecoscholars event hosted by First Solar, GmbH, David Wortmann, the company's Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs provided an overview of the company and discussed the key role of policy in the continued promotion and expansion of the renewable energy industry and fostering the market for renewable energy technologies.  The dialogue was initiated by Loni Gardner of Ecologic Institute, who coordinates Ecoscholars.  Ecoscholars is a discussion and networking group for Berlin-based international scholars and experts who are involved in climate change, energy, sustainability, and other environmental topics.</p>&#13;

Climate change and ongoing transformations in the economy and agriculture will have numerous, strong impacts on the Baltic Region. The book "Global Change and Baltic Coastal Zones" provides comprehensive information on these changes, their consequences and the practical challenges they pose. Grit Martinez and Daniel Blobel from Ecologic Institute, along with co-authors Livia Bizikova (International Institute for Sustainable Development) and Rob Swart (Alterra Wageningen University and Research Centre), contributed a comparative analysis of climate change adaptation projects and strategies in different coastal regions of the world. The publication is supported by the RADOST project (Regional Adaptation Strategies for the German Baltic Sea Coast), which Ecologic Institute coordinates.

Kampman, Bettina; Huib van Essen; Willem Braat et. al. 2011: Impact analysis for market uptake scenarios and policy implications. Impacts of Electric Vehicles – Deliverable 5. Ecologic Institute/ICF/CE Delft, Delft.

Grünig; Max; Marc Witte; Benjamin Boteler et. al. 2011: Assessment of the Future Electricity Sector. Impacts of Electric Vehicles – Deliverable 3. Ecologic Institute/ICF/CE Delft, Delft.

As part of the workshop "Biogas Feed-In", organized by Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Ecologic Institute's Wolfgang Urban gave a speech about "The Legal Framework - Instruments for the Efficient Use of Biomethan". The presentation dealt with political aims regarding renewable energies, results of the monitoring of the Renewable Energies Act and marketing prospects of biomethan. The presentation slides are available for download.

Hannah Strauss, visiting scholar at Ecologic Institute, together with other experts on the Arctic and H.E. Danish Ambassador Per Poulsen-Hansen, discussed Europe's impact on and interest in a "New North". The panel discussion was preceded by a presentation of Matthias Hannemann’s recent book, "Der Neue Norden. Die Arktis und der Traum vom Aufbruch", and focused on various aspects related to the political and economic development of the Arctic region.

<p>&#13; Pollution and prevention of pollution from industrial sources is a central field of European and German environmental policy. This presentation of Alexander Neubauer, Coordinator European Research and Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, introduced the basic terms, concepts and instruments that European and German industry-related environmental policy employs.</p>&#13;

Waste policy is developing dynamically in Europe and Germany. The presentation of Alexander Neubauer, Coordinator European Research and Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, dealt with both the basic European requirements for waste policy and current German developments.&#13;&#13;

<p>&#13; Germans fear that climate change harms political stability in other countries and thus affect trade, induce migration, and ultimately causes conflict. Talking to a delegation from China, R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic Institute describes Germany's new energy solutions, effective domestic policies, and promotion of good climate policy abroad.</p>&#13;