News

This spring, the German Plastic Pirates are once again setting off to explore plastic pollution in our waters. From 1 May to 30 June 2025, school classes and youth groups are invited to take part in the sampling period. The investigation will focus on the German coasts and the river systems of the Elbe and Danube, including their tributaries.

The Plastic Pirates' New Sampling Period is Dedicated to Plastic Waste Pollution on the Coasts and in the Elbe and Danube Catchment Areas

– 1 May until 30 June 2025 –

19 March 2025

Presentation:Chairing

Hugh McDonald and Julia Pazmino from Ecologic Institute led the session "Ensuring sustainability outcomes from carbon farming: Recommendations for the CRCF and voluntary carbon markets" at the Second European Carbon Summit 2025. Hugh joined a panel on policy areas for carbon farming, while Julia shared insights on rewarding mechanisms for farmers.

Carbon Farming for Sustainability: Certification, Policy, and Incentive Mechanisms for Agriculture

4 - 6 March 2025
Hugh McDonald

Event:Workshop

On 6 March 2025, the 4th EU Blue Parks Community Workshop convened in Brussels as part of the European Ocean Days, bringing together marine conservation experts including researchers, policymakers, MPA managers, conservation practitioners, and other stakeholders to discuss the transition towards 10% strict protection in European seas. The workshop was co-organized by Ecologic Institute as part of its role in the Mission Ocean & Waters Implementation Support Platform, supporting the EU’s ambition to restore ocean health and strengthen marine protection.

4th EU Blue Parks Community Workshop

Strict protection in European seas: how it helps people and nature

6 March 2025
Brussels, Belgium

Event:Digital Event

The research project “Feasibility Study on the Establishment of an Environmental Information and Classification System for Pharmaceuticals in Germany”, led by Ecologic Institute, developed a concept for an environmental information and classification system for Germany and conducted a feasibility analysis for this concept, evaluating organizational, technical, legal, financial and political feasibility. The project results were presented to a wide range of interested parties at a final presentation held at the beginning of March 2025. Over 110 participants, including representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, health insurance companies, doctors, pharmacists and environmental authorities, took part in the online event.

Establishment of an Environmental Information and Classification System for Pharmaceuticals in Germany

Final project presentation

7 March 2025
Online

Presentation:Speech

On 25 and 26 February 2025, Biodiversa+, in collaboration with UNEP-WCMC and with the support of the Research Council of Norway, convened a Foresight Workshop in Oslo to explore the intersections between nature-based solutions (NbS) and transformative change. McKenna Davis, Senior Fellow and Coordinator of Nature-based Solutions at Ecologic Institute, was invited to participate as an expert and support the identification of emerging research needs and innovation priorities that can advance NbS within the broader context of transformative change. Addressing key knowledge gaps and research priorities

Nature-Based Solutions and Transformative Change

25 - 26 February 2025
McKenna Davis

Event:Conference

We are pleased to invite you to the Ready4NetZero Final Conference: "Climate Transition of Cities – From Planning to Action", an international event dedicated to the knowledge exchange on climate neutrality strategies in cities.

Climate Transition of Cities – From Planning to Action

Ready4NetZero Final Conference

3 April 2025
online and Kraków, Poland

Presentation:Lecture

On 17 March 2025, Doris Knoblauch (Ecologic Institute) gave a presentation on "Plastics and the Environment", highlighting the negative impacts of plastics and plastic pollution at a post-graduate course attended by 21 experts from ministries, authorities, municipalities, NGOs and industry from low-income countries and emerging economies. The focus was on why plastic pollution is a problem for both the environment and human health, the role of textiles, and why we urgently need an international, legally binding plastics treaty.

Plastics and Their Global Impact: Why the World Needs a Binding Agreement

17 March 2025
Doris Knoblauch

Event:Conference

Join the SPRINT Horizon 2020 project's final conference, "Shaping the Future of Sustainable Plant Protection," on 25 June 2025 in Brussels or online. This free, one-day event will present research on the health and environmental impacts of pesticides, introduce the new SPRINT Toolbox for risk assessment, and explore policy tools to support a transition to reduced reliance on pesticides. Space for in-person attendance is limited – register early to secure your spot.

Shaping the Future of Sustainable Plant Protection

Final Conference

25 June 2025
online and Brussels, Belgium

Event:Conference

The kick-off conference at the Umweltforum Berlin on 11 and 12 March 2025 marked the start of the new 'Circular Textiles' funding measure from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), in which a total of 16 joint research projects and an accompanying networking and transfer project will be working on solutions to support a circular textile economy until 2028. The aim of the event, which was attended by around 100 people, was to present the individual projects, identify common challenges and derive cross-cutting topics for collaborative work.

Kick-off Conference of the BMBF Funding Measure "Circular Textiles"

Exciting presentations and interesting discussions on various aspects of circular textiles

11 - 12 March 2025
Berlin, Germany

Publication:Document

Stories have the unique potential to inspire change, shape perceptions, and foster understanding across diverse audiences. This collection of stories, developed as part of the INTERLACE project, aims to convey the profound emotional and cultural importance natural surroundings have for local communities and showcase the power of collective action.

Stories of Justice in Action

Learning from the INTERLACE project

Year 2025

Presentation:Speech

Map of the EU - Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) and Outermost Regions (OMR). This map shows the territorial scope of the Treaties of the EU as specified by Article 52 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 355 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. (2004)

The fourth Webstival of the Climateurope2 project took place on 11 and 12 March 2025. Dr. Grit Martinz from Ecologic Institute presented the results of in-depth ethnographic research on issues of equity in the context of the Most Outer Regions. She highlighted the ongoing impact of colonial structures and attitudes on climate justice, including access to climate services for people of indigenous origin. In doing so, she emphasised the potential of a decolonial ecology in European territories and globally to adapt to the consequences of climate change, together with the political struggles against (post)colonial domination, structural racism and the pollution of the ecosystem.

Equitability in and of Climate Services

12 March 2025
Dr. Grit Martinez

Publication:Article

Plastic pollution has become a severe global crisis, posing grave threats to the environment, human health, and sustainable development. Driven by unchecked plastic production, the problem worsens through the entire lifecycle of plastics—from creation to disposal—releasing not only large debris but also microscopic particles, monomers, and thousands of chemical additives. These pollutants travel worldwide via air and water currents, damaging ecosystems and wildlife, including marine species that suffer from entanglement, ingestion, and toxicity. This editorial is part of a Special Issue "An effective plastic treaty for marine life".

An Effective Plastic Treaty for Marine Life

Editorial to the Special Issue

Year 2025

Event:Digital Event

In the workshop we will explore resources such as a comprehensive guidance on developing ambitious local long-term climate neutrality strategies, present insights from working with small and medium-sized pilot municipalities in Poland, Hungary, Romania and Croatia to support their progress towards reaching climate neutrality and discuss ways forward for local climate action in the EU in the current dynamic political context.

Supporting Local Governments in Reaching Climate Neutrality

Ready4NetZero multipliers workshop

23 April 2025
online

Publication:Video

This video, produced within the REACHOUT project, focuses on the Fluvial Flooding hazard, and showcases how climate service tools can be applied in real-world urban policy challenges. It serves as a visual guide to help municipal representatives, local consultants, and service providers understand and implement these tools effectively.

Increasing Flood Resilience: tools for city planners

Year 2025

Publication:Video

This video, produced within the REACHOUT project, focuses on the Urban Heat climate hazard, and showcases how climate service tools can be applied in real-world urban policy challenges. It serves as a visual guide to help municipal representatives, local consultants, and service providers understand and implement these tools effectively.

Tackling Urban Heat: tools for city planners

Year 2025

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