<p>&#13; In the wake of the financial and economic crises of 2008, the role of public policy in promoting a shift towards low-carbon technologies, energy efficiency and renewable energies is reassessed.  On 29 October 2008, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Sustainable Prosperity, and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) hosted a Canadian-German Dialogue in Ottawa, Ontario, on "Business, Environment, and Energy" and invited Hans-Joachim Ziesing of Ecologic to address the question "Government Policy: Helping or Hindering Sustainable Growth in the New Energy Economy?"</p>&#13;

<p> During the Climate Negotiation Summit in Pozn&agrave;n, Poland, on 10 December 2008, R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic moderated a Side Event of the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the French Presidency of the European Union on &quot;Delivering on the EU&#39;s Climate Commitments: State of Play of Europe&#39;s New Climate and Energy Legislation&quot;.</p>

<p> During the Climate Negotiation Summit in Pozn&agrave;n, Poland, on 10 December 2008, R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic moderated a side event of the European Commission on &quot;Aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS)&quot;. The event explored how aviation activities will be included in the EU&#39;s Emissions Trading Scheme from 1 January 2012 and provided details of the next steps for implementation.</p>

<p>&#13; Against a backdrop of increasing scarcity of and potential conflict over fossile energy resources, and a reassessment of the impact of climate change on national or collective security, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Washington DC, and the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (AIGS) convened a Roundtable on Transatlantic Energy Security in Washington DC on 2 December 2008.  Camilla Bausch of Ecologic and Neil Brown, Special Advisor on Energy and Environment to Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) provided the introduction and set the theme for the event.</p>&#13;

<p> On 14-15 June 2007, the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) convened the international conference &quot;Europe and America: Managing the 21st Century&#39;s Agenda to look at an array of topical issues including global warming.&nbsp; Stefan Theil, Bureau Chief of Newsweek in Germany moderated, and Patrick S. Moon, Director at the US Department of State, and R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic addressed the question &quot;How to Tackle Climate Change?&quot;.</p>

<p>&#13; The United States  –  though the 2005 Energy Policy Act – and the European Union – through the European Energy Policy – created incentives for expanding biofuel production and use.  On 25 May 2007, the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) and DaimlerChrysler convened a conference in Berlin on "Transatlantic Approaches to Biofuels".  R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic spoke on Assessing European and U.S. Policies.</p>&#13;

<p>&#13; The United States – though the 2005 Energy Policy Act – and the European Union – through the European Energy Policy – created incentives for expanding biofuel production and use. On 25 May 2007, the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) and DaimlerChrysler convened a conference in Berlin on "Transatlantic Approaches to Biofuels". R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic moderated the discussion on assessing European and U.S. policies.</p>&#13;

Forests play a significant role in many EU objectives for sustainable development such as combating climate change, preserving biodiversity and promoting a sustainable use of natural resources. The project aims at elaborating an EU-wide vision for forest protection by designing an effective Community approach to counter threats to forests across Member States. The final project report is available for download.

<p>&#13; The United States -- though the 2005 Energy Policy Act -- and the European Union -- through the European Energy Policy -- created incentives for expanding biofuel production and use.  On 24 May 2007, the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) convened a seminar in Brussels on "Transatlantic Approaches to Biofuels" and invited R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic Institute to provide indight to sustainability and trade policy aspects.</p>&#13;

<p>&#13; Higher energy costs, aging underground systems, increased demands for fewer public dollars, new knowledge about ecosystem services, and anxiety over the climate are causing authorities, experts and citizens in the US to take a fresh look at water infrastructure.</p>&#13;

<p> Combinations of electrical, information and communication technologies allow for &quot;Smart Grids&quot; to provide dynamic efficiency for power generation, transmission and distribution. Ecologic took the lead in preparing a Learning Centre on the state and promise of Smart Grids at the 15th Session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 15).</p>

<p> Every year, the Congressional Study Group on Germany brings together Members of U.S. Congress and members of the German Bundestag for a series of discussions on issues of mutual interest. The topics for 2007 included renewable energy, relations with China, the war in Afghanistan, and developments in Africa.&nbsp; R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic was invited by the United States Association of Former Members of Congress (USAFMC) to speak on renewable energy policies in the European Union.</p>