Some of the new federal government's most important priorities are innovation and growth. What about the political focus on environmental and climate policy? Within Horizon Scan, we discussed current environmental policy in Germany with a small group of representatives from politics, authorities, science, and civil society. We discussed questions such as: Does the coalition agreement set the right course? Have the future ministries been filled with competent and committed individuals? How can we interpret the initial actions of the new government?

We were pleased to welcome Prof. Dr. Kai Niebert, president of the German Nature Conservation Ring (DNR) and an outstanding sustainability expert, deliver the keynote speech. As a leading expert on German environmental policy and a member of the German Council for Sustainable Development, he is well-positioned to evaluate the environmental policy decisions of the new federal government. During the lively debate, it quickly became clear that we all need to move out of our comfort zones because we will only be able to achieve sustainable improvements for nature and the environment—our basis of life—together. Kai Niebert put it in a nutshell: “We really need to invest in infrastructure in order to strengthen social cohesion, win the battle for the climate and regain trust in the functioning state.”

Horizon Scan is our new discussion evening on questions of the future and our future viability. It will address fundamental issues of sustainable development, research, and environmental policy.

As part of its contribution to the European Commission’s public consultation "Towards a circular, regenerative and competitive bioeconomy", Ecologic Institute has actively supported the policy discourse through targeted publications and strategic engagement. Developed under the Horizon Europe projects SCALE-UP and 3-CO, these outputs reflect concrete regional experience and promote a transition that respects ecological boundaries, strengthens regional governance, and ensures social inclusion.

The featured policy papers address three critical dimensions of the bioeconomy transformation: environmental sustainability, governance innovation, and social empowerment. Together, they provide evidence-based recommendations for the ongoing revision of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy. The insights are rooted in hands-on experience from across Europe, ranging from environmental monitoring and multi-level governance to grassroots innovation – and reinforce the need for a just, place-based and resilient bioeconomy. These policy insights were showcased at the European Rural Circular Bioeconomy Conference (EuRCBC), held on 13 and 14 May 2025 in Brussels and online, where the SCALE-UP project played a central role. 

Scaling up biobased production within ecological boundaries 

This policy brief emphasizes that increasing efficiency in the bioeconomy must go hand in hand with respecting ecological boundaries. Drawing on sustainability assessments in six European pilot regions, it highlights the need for better environmental monitoring, regionally available data, and strategic supply chain development. The brief calls for integrated monitoring frameworks that include precautionary principles and link bioeconomy activities to soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. Regional observatories are presented as promising tools to guide biomass mobilization while staying within local environmental limits. 

More about the policy brief on "Scaling up biobased production within ecological boundaries"

From Strategy to Action for a Regional, Participatory, and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy

This joint policy paper – developed with RuralBioUp, BioRural, and MainstreamBIO – advocates for a participatory, regionally grounded bioeconomy. It identifies four key priorities: capacity building, sustainable biomass mobilization, policy coherence, and tailored finance. Based on extensive stakeholder engagement, the paper highlights the importance of supporting primary producers, enabling inclusive governance structures, and fostering cooperative business models. It also calls for alignment between EU strategies and regional implementation, recommending structured multi-actor platforms and better integration of rural actors into decision-making and funding processes. 

More about the policy paper on "From Strategy to Action for a Regional, Participatory, and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy"

Enabling change from the ground up: Fostering social innovation in the bioeconomy

Social innovation is essential for a bioeconomy that is not only green, but also just and inclusive. This policy brief examines grassroots initiatives across Europe – such as community farming, reuse hubs, and local cooperatives – and explores the barriers they face. It recommends targeted EU and national support for social innovators, including flexible funding, fair access to certification, and stronger policy recognition within the bioeconomy framework.

More about the policy brief on "Enabling change from the ground up: Fostering social innovation in the bioeconomy"

Event Spotlight

European Rural Circular Bioeconomy Conference (EuRCBC)

13–14 May 2025 | Brussels & Online

At the EuRCBC, Ecologic Institute and the SCALE-UP project led critical exchanges on how to advance a place-based, inclusive, and competitive bioeconomy. Held at Comet Louise in Brussels, the conference brought together stakeholders from policy, industry, research, and local communities. SCALE-UP team members Holger Gerdes, Zoritza Kiresiewa, and Gerardo Anzaldúa actively contributed through keynote pitches, panel discussions, and breakout sessions.

Highlights included:

• Fire-pitch presentation on SCALE-UP’s mission to support six diverse pilot regions.
• Panel dialogues on integrated governance, innovation barriers, and biomass mobilization.
• Joint policy brief launch on bridging gaps in the rural bioeconomy, co-developed with sister projects RuralBioUP, BioRural, and MainstreamBIO.
• Live-scribe visualization capturing the "river of ideas" flowing from the projects and participants.
   

 More about the European Rural Circular Bioeconomy Conference

This report explores the design and implications of an international oil extraction levy as a mechanism to mobilize new sources of climate finance. The assessed levy places a price on the embedded CO₂ in extracted crude oil, increasing production costs and likely raising oil prices for final consumers. By internalising part of the climate costs of fossil fuels, the mechanism aligns with the polluter pays principle.

Our analysis shows that such a levy holds considerable revenue potential. Under the central scenario (S2), where a small group of high-income countries participate and levy rates increase incrementally (starting at $5/tCO2 increasing by $5 per year), annual revenues could reach $85 billion by 2035. This amount represents 28% of the $300 billion climate finance target set at COP29 in Baku. More ambitious scenarios – with full participation and steeper price trajectories – could yield up to $571 billion annually. These estimates illustrate the significant financial potential of introducing an oil extraction levy at the global level.

However, the levy would raise the world market price of oil, passing additional costs onto consumers, even though household impacts are expected to be relatively modest. Targeted compensation schemes for vulnerable households are essential to improve acceptability of the policy. Given that an oil extraction levy represents a voluntary mechanism where countries must opt in, political feasibility is the most significant barrier. Tax sovereignty and difficulties integrating new levies into national legal systems represent further barriers. Overcoming these will require not just technical design, but deep political strategy, international cooperation, and sustained policy innovation.

As part of the EU-funded GoNaturePositive! project, five sectoral briefs were developed to explore how key economic sectors can contribute to a nature-positive economy. Covering agri-food systems, built environment, forestry, tourism, and the blue economy, these concise documents present the challenges, opportunities, and policy recommendations needed to transform these sectors – helping balance economic activity with ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation. The briefs are designed to guide upcoming project activities, including setting priorities, tackling policy barriers, and supporting targeted actions at project pilot sites.

Key messages of the sectoral briefs are outlined below. These briefs accompany an in-depth report entitled "Mapping policy and co-operate initiative landscapes for systemic change towards a nature-positive economy".

Agri-food systems

Agriculture covers 38% of EU land but exerts the greatest pressure on European habitats, accounting for 48% of pollution pressures on ecosystems. A shift toward nature-positive sector is underway, with a share of organic farming increasing and nature-positive practices, such as wetland restoration, reduction of synthetic pesticides, regenerative agriculture, being supported by both public and private initiatives. Accelerating this transition requires more systemic policy design with clear binding long-term targets, cross sector synergies, financial recognition for ecosystem services, effective restoration measures, participatory approaches. 

More about the sectoral brief on "Agri-food systems" ...

Blue economy

The blue economy sector contributes around 2% to the EU economy, while also causing habitat destruction and biodiversity loss from seabed trawling, overexploitation, and unsustainable tourism. Promising nature-positive strategies include blue carbon farming, marine ecosystem restoration, regenerative aquaculture, and circular bio-based solutions. To achieve widespread uptake, biodiversity-positive incentives must be embedded in maritime policy, financing instruments, and industrial strategies to help redirect investments toward regenerative, low-carbon marine solutions.

More about the sectoral brief on "Blue economy" ...

Built environment

The built environment plays a central role in Europe’s economy, contributing 9% of EU GDP and providing 18 million direct jobs. Yes, urbanisation and construction sector are one of the key drivers of biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and pollution. Nature-based solutions such as green roofs, urban forests, wetlands, and permeable pavements, alongside energy-efficient design and the use of sustainable materials are supporting a shift towards nature-positive. Stronger regulatory frameworks, green public procurement, and targeted investments are needed with stronger enforcement of existing mandates like the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. 

More about the sectoral brief on "Built Environment" ... 

Forestry

Forests cover 39% of the EU's land area, yet only 14% are reported as being in 'good' conservation status. A shift toward sustainable forest management through approaches like closer-to-nature forestry and agroforestry while limiting harmful practices such as clear-cutting can accelerate the transition to a nature-positive economy. Leveraging the EU Nature Restoration Regulation can further strengthen coordinated forest restoration. Finally, aligning forest-related funding and subsidies with biodiversity and climate objectives is crucial to ensure long-term ecological resilience and policy coherence.

More about the sectoral brief on "Forestry" ...

Tourism

Tourism contributes around 10% of EU GDP, but places significant pressure on biodiversity and ecosystems through infrastructure expansion, overuse of natural areas, and mass tourism. Strategies such as eco- and regenerative tourism can enhance conservation, empower local communities, and drive regional development. To support this transition, EU policy must move beyond voluntary initiatives, introducing binding targets, strong accountability mechanisms, and targeted financial tools. Prioritising low-impact infrastructure, inclusive destination planning, and green business models will be key.

More about the sectoral brief on "Tourism" ...

Eurostat's "Sustainable Development in the European Union: Monitoring Report on Progress towards the SDGs in an EU Context" (2025 edition) offers the ninth comprehensive assessment of the EU's journey toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Researchers from Ecologic Institute authored the chapters on Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), Life on Land (SDG 15) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17), providing rigorous, policy-relevant evidence.

Gains in Clean Energy and Sustainable Agriculture

Under Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), the EU achieved a record 25 % share of renewables in its gross energy consumption for 2023 – up five percentage points over five years.  Despite this progress, even faster growth is needed for the EU to hit its 2030 target of 42.5 % share of renewables. The Zero Hunger (SDG 2) analysis reveals improvements in the sustainability of agricultural production in the EU. The use and risk of chemical pesticides decreased strongly, and organic farming rose to 10.5 % of the EU’s utilised agricultural area in 2022, though growth in organic farming will need to accelerate to hit the EU’s 2030 target of 25 %.

Mixed Signals on Partnerships and Water Resources

In Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) both favourable and unfavourable trends lead to a mixed picture. EU financing to developing countries has increased, but environmental taxes contribute a small and declining share of EU tax revenue, reaching a new low in 2023. For Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), the EU is moving opposite its desired direction. Trends in water quality are mixed, while pressures on fresh-water resources have increased, accompanied by a strong increase over the last decade in the EU area affected by drought. 

Noteworthy Climate, Marine and Land Trends

Climate Action (SDG 13) data shows EU greenhouse-gas emissions have decreased significantly in the EU, with 2023 emissions 36 % lower than they were in 1990. Despite this progress, the pace of decarbonisation must increase to hit the EU’s 2030 target of a 55% reduction. In Life Below Water (SDG 14), increased seawater acidity and marine eutrophication led to declines in ocean health, though positive trends were seen in sustainable fisheries. Life on Land (SDG 15) indicators highlight some improvements in the status of forest and river systems, but biodiversity indicators show declines and a lack of progress. 

This ETC-BE Report examines how targeted water-saving interventions can bolster the resilience of both ecosystems and key economic sectors in the face of climate change. The central question is: Which technical, economic and governance levers can unlock the water-savings potential in agriculture, electricity production, manufacturing and public water supply, and how can these be operationalized? Gerardo Anzaldúa and Levin Scholl (Ecologic Institute) explored how the industrial sector in Europe is dealing with this question, and provided critical insights on potentials and enablers.

Water-saving as a Pillar of Resilience

Europe's annual freshwater abstraction totals roughly 200,000 million m³, of which an estimated 10–40 % is technically recoverable through efficiency gains. In agriculture, optimizing crop water productivity could help yield 5–20 % savings via leak reduction and modernization of irrigation infrastructure. Likewise, the power sector’s shift to closed-loop cooling or air-cooled condensers can contribute to deliver 45–95 % reductions in freshwater withdrawals. Public water utilities could curb losses by 20–50 % through measures like advanced non-revenue water management.

Technological and Operational Measures

• Irrigation system upgrades: Replacing open canals with lined conveyance and transitioning from flood to drip irrigation can enhance field-level irrigation efficiency by up to 20 %.
• Cooling technology retrofits: Converting from once-through to recirculating cooling circuits, installing air-cooled systems, or using waste heat from industrial power plants or district heating systems can cut freshwater demand by nearly 100 % locally.
• Precision agriculture and smart metering: Deploying satellite-based soil-moisture sensors and automated valves can enable demand-driven irrigation, unlocking an additional 20–40 % of savings.

Governance Frameworks and Economic Instruments

Efficiency gains depend on robust enablers: clear water-abstraction rights, cost-recovery tariffs aligned with the polluter-pays principle, targeted subsidies for efficiency retrofits, and stringent compliance mechanisms. Transparent data platforms and stakeholder engagement – as exemplified by the IRRINET network in Emilia-Romagna – foster uptake through participatory planning and capacity-building.

Towards a Water-Resilient Future

To realize savings at scale, EU water and climate policy must be tightly integrated: establish sector-specific water-efficiency targets, mobilize investment via green financing instruments, and deploy real-time digital monitoring. Only by embedding these measures can Europe harness the full 10–40 % abstraction-reduction potential and secure a truly climate-resilient water economy.

The quality of national implementation of the EU Methane Regulation (EU-MER) across Member States is essential for achieving the EU's climate targets and demonstrating global leadership. Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas with a strong short-term warming potential, making its mitigation a cost-effective opportunity to quickly curb global warming.

This report supports Czech public authorities, businesses, and civil society organisations in this process. It offers an in-depth analysis of the EU-MER and practical guidance for effective, timely, and efficient national implementation.

The report's key contents include:

• An overview of the EU-MER's key provisions and governance framework, highlighting milestones up to 2026, with a focus on Czechia's implementation.
• A discussion of Czechia's energy sector methane emissions, outlining the main CH₄ sources.
• A detailed analysis of the provisions on inspections, national methane emission inventories, and the resources and powers required by competent authorities for successful EU-MER implementation.

While the report centres on Czechia, many of its findings and recommendations are relevant to other EU Member States. It aims to accelerate methane emissions reductions, promote best practices, and foster collaboration among all key actors.

An analogous report on the EU-MER's implementation in Romania is available here.