Plastic waste, plastic parts and microplastics can be found everywhere in the environment. Plastic particles are also detected in living organisms. But what exactly is the situation? To find out, the German Ministry of Research is funding the research priority "Plastics in the Environment" with around 40 million euros. Some of the results of the 20 funded research projects are presented in this video. Further results of the research projects as well as information on the activities of the research focus are available on the website.

Ecornet is a German network of independent research institutes with a focus on the environment and sustainability. The goal of this unprecedented research project "Wissen. Wandel. Berlin" was to strengthen Berlin's pioneering role in the development of innovative approaches to ensuring a liveable, climate-neutral and sustainable city. The Ecornet Berlin website was developed, implemented and designed by Ecologic Institute. It served the public communication of the project's goals, events and results.

Plastic Pirates – Go Europe! is a joint citizen science campaign by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in collaboration with the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education and the Slovenian Ministry of Education, Science and Sport. The campaign is taking place in all three countries from 2020 to 2021 as part of the trio presidency of the EU Council. The goals of the campaign are to strengthen scientific collaboration in Europe, promote the level of dedication among citizen scientists and to raise awareness and consciousness for the environment. Ecologic Institute develops and programs the website in four languages. In addition to general information and instructions on the action, the website also offers an ordering system for the action materials of the participating countries.

This study analysed the effects of the agricultural water protection measures implemented in the collaborative approach, e.g. with regard to their potential for reducing nitrogen leaching into groundwater and regarding the level of acceptance among farmers. The study area consisted of 18 drinking water cooperations covering 20 drinking water protection zones.

The EU Climate Action Regulation governs 60 percent of EU emissions. To achieve the climate targets for 2030 and 2050, the upcoming reform of the regulation must be a success, writes Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf in the Tagesspiegel. He makes a number of reform proposals. The article is available online.

On 17 June 2021, representatives from Berlin's public administration, business and civil society discussed how to accelerate the expansion of tenant electricity in Berlin in the virtual expert workshop of the StromNachbarn project. Practical experience inputs enriched the discussion.

The expert dialogue aims at informing and discussing the implementation of Re-Use and recycling measures for insulation materials. The Berlin Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection, the "Verband für Dämmsysteme, Putz und Mörtel" (Association for Insulation Systems, Plaster and Mortar) and the "Gesamtverband Deutscher Holzhandel" (German Timber Trade Association) invite you to attend – alongside around 250 expected participants – the Webinar, taking place on 6 October 2021. Ecologic Institute supports organising and implementing the event logistically and technically.

This report documents the project work and results of the R&D project "Information Platform for the restoration of rivers", which was jointly carried out by Ecologic Institute, Planungsbüro Zumbroich and the Institute of Aquatic Ecology and Fish Biology, Jena (IGF Jena) from 2017 to 2020. The aim of the project was to create an online information platform about river restoration (Part I of the project report) and the analysis of German restoration projects in regard to their monitoring (Part II of the project report). The report is available for download.

At a time where climate change is already causing migration, the anticipated increase of numbers has gained in focus in international debates. Dr. Camilla Bausch moderated a roundtable discussion on related upcoming issues at the Mercator Foundation Roundtable on Climate Migration. The Roundtable accompanied the publication of the German version of the "Atlas of Environmental Migration."

Achieving climate neutrality requires structural changes to our society and economic system. Ecologic Institute and IDDRI developed an assessment framework based on eleven elements with indicators to measure the progress towards climate neutrality, and proposed ways to integrate this framework into existing EU policy processes.

Achieving climate neutrality requires structural changes to our economic system, with solutions that work across sectors. Ecologic Institute has developed an assessment matrix based on net zero indicators that can measure climate neutrality, and proposes ways to integrate this framework into existing EU policy processes.

Achieving climate neutrality requires structural changes to our economic system, with solutions that work across sectors. Ecologic Institute has developed an assessment matrix based on net zero indicators that can measure climate neutrality, and proposes ways to integrate this framework into existing EU policy processes.

This fact sheet examines the functional elements of a fish protection system and explains when a rake is a fish protection rake. The fact sheet "What makes a screen to a fish protection screen" is available for download.

This fact sheet introduces the "Atlas Fischschutz & Fischabstieg" and its contents. The fact sheet "Fischschutz- und Fischabstiegsmaßnahmen – Praxisbeispiele im Überblick (Fish protection and downstream fish migration measures – Practical examples at a glance)" is available for download.