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Doris Knoblauch

Doris Knoblauch

Political Scientist (Diplom-Politologin)

Coordinator Resource Conservation & Circular Economy
Co-Coordinator Plastics
Senior Fellow

Team
Topics

Doris Knoblauch joined Ecologic Institute in January 2006 and works as a Senior Fellow and Coordinator for Resource Conservation & Circular Economy. Thematically, she focuses on plastics governance, circular economy, resource efficiency, green urban environments, local climate protection as well as evaluations and assessments. Another focus is environmental policy in international cooperation. Doris Knoblauch works in German and English and has good knowledge of Spanish and French.

Doris Knoblauch is an experienced project manager and passionate scientist. Specifically, she is working on the following projects:

Networking and Knowledge Transfer Project of the Funding Programme "Resource-efficient circular economy – circular textiles" (ZirTeNet): Doris Knoblauch heads the project together with Mandy Hinzmann. Together with the project team, they support the networking of 16 joint projects funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) on the topic of circular textiles.

Resource Efficiency and Natural Resources in an International Context: Doris Knoblauch coordinates the project and conducts evaluations on a variety of topics related to resource conservation and the circular economy.

Challenges for International Climate Protection in the Face of the Global Triple Crisis. Climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution: The project focuses on analyzing the challenges and interactions between the three crisis and the question of how measures can be designed to create synergies between climate protection, biodiversity conservation, and the reduction of environmental pollution. Other crises are also involved, such as land degradation and food security. The project is led by Doris Knoblauch.

Plastic Pirates – German coast: In this project, school classes and youth groups search for plastic waste on the coasts and the river system of the Elbe – including its tributaries such as the Havel, Mulde or Saale. In doing so, they are making an important contribution to research. The collected research data is uploaded to a central web platform and then analyzed by scientists from the Kiel Science Factory and Ecologic Institute.

Monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Europe 2020 Strategy: Doris Knoblauch is part of the team at Ecologic Institute monitoring the SDGs under the coordination of the Institute for Managing Sustainability. Thematically, she is responsible for SDG 17, "Partnerships for the goals".

Doris Knoblauch is an active member of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, an international network of diverse, independent scientific and technical experts seeking to contribute with summaries and interpretations of scientific knowledge to decision makers and the public involved in the negotiations towards a global agreement to end plastic pollution. She is furthermore member of the European Citizen Science Association and of the German speaking Society for Transdisciplinary and Participatory Research (Gesellschaft für transdisziplinäre und partizipative Forschung e.V.).

Since 2012, Doris Knoblauch has also worked intensively with cities and municipalities. Thereby, she has not only built up a network of different cities and municipalities as well as relevant actors, but also gathered a deep understanding of the functioning and needs of communities. In her work, she appreciates when science can be of practical use for communities and results are directly implemented to solving on-the-ground problems.

Furthermore, Doris Knoblauch is an experienced and passionate moderator. Within the last 15 years she has facilitated a variety of different events, including small working groups via larger international project meetings as well as stakeholder events to conferences.

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Selected projects by Doris Knoblauch
 

© ZirTeNet Project 2024

With ZirTeNet, Ecologic Institute supports the networking and coordination of sixteen research and innovation projects funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) under the programme "Resource-efficient circular economy – circular... Read more
As the UN Environment Programme's report 'Making Peace with Nature' (2021) impressively shows, humanity has upset the balance of our planet's natural habitats. As a result, the world is facing several challenges: The man-made climate crisis, the loss of biodiversity and... Read more
Global extraction of primary raw materials has been growing continuously for decades, and absolute decoupling between economic growth and resource consumption, let alone environmental impacts associated with the use of natural resources, has not yet been achieved.... Read more

Further projects in the field of "plastics"

 

©pexels

Problem StatementAn estimated 19 to 23 million tons of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems annually. Plastic decomposes very slowly and can persist in water for decades or even centuries. It breaks down into small particles, known as nano- and microplastics, which... Read more
 

Ivan Radic, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The Plastic Pirates start a new small project in the autumn of 2024. The new focus this time: the river system of the Danube! The second-longest river of Europe, stretching over 2.850 kilometers, starts in the Black Forrest, and flows through a total of 10 countries... Read more

The Plastic Pirates Go to the Danube

Duration
-
Funding
German Aerospace Center, DLR Bonn (DLR), Germany
 

© BMBF/Gesine Born

Since 2016, young people have been successfully researching and mapping plastic pollution in and around rivers in Germany. As part of the citizen research project Plastic Pirates, they take on the role of scientists and investigate the state of our rivers. More than 1... Read more
 
| Fotolia © Christian Schulz
In the framework of the scientific accompanying research (PlastikNet) of the research focus "Plastics in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions" (Plastik in der Umwelt – Quellen • Senken • Lösungsansätze) Ecologic Institute coordinated 20 joint research projects,... Read more

Projects related to cities

 

Photo: Ewa Iwaszuk

Cities and their peripheries are constantly confronted with challenges such as urban sprawl, climate change and pollution. These processes can exacerbate the degradation of natural ecosystems, and jeopardize ecosystem service provisioning with negative consequences for... Read more

International Cooperation to Restore and Connect Urban Environments in Latin America and Europe (INTERLACE)

Duration
-
Funding
 

© Sandra Naumann

Ready4NetZero aimed to support small- and medium-sized cities in Poland, Romania, Hungary and Croatia in the development and implementation of local strategies to reach climate neutrality. To do so, the project created knowledge resources (written guidance) and provided... Read more
Selected publications by Doris Knoblauch
 

Photo by Chirag Saini on Unsplash, Cover © German Environment Agency, 2025

The triple planetary crisis is a systemic challenge, not three separate issues: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution reinforce one another through shared drivers and feedback, threatening planetary and human well-being. It is driven by fossil fuel dependence... Read more

Burgos Cuevas, Natalia et al. (2025): Moving from interconnected crises to systemic solutions. Resource efficiency, nature-based solutions, and systemic transformation as responses to the complexity of the triple planetary crisis. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau. https://doi.org/10.60810/openumwelt-8108.

 

Photo by Chirag Saini on Unsplash, Cover © German Environment Agency, 2025

For a long time, the multiple environmental crises, also called the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution were viewed separately. However, research and policy increasingly recognize that they are deeply interconnected... Read more

Knoblauch, D., Felthöfer, C., Heni, Y., Burgos Cuevas, N., & Best, A. (2025). The Interconnected Challenges of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Environmental Pollution: Drivers, Interdependencies and Impacts of the Triple Planetary Crisis. Interim report, Climate Change 82/2025. German Federal Agency. https://doi.org/10.60810/openumwelt-8107.

 

Photo by Chirag Saini on Unsplash, Cover © German Environment Agency, 2025

Humanity has already exceeded six of the nine planetary boundaries, with climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution pushing the Earth system beyond its safe operating space. Because these boundaries interact through complex feedback loops, surpassing one... Read more

Iwaszuk, E.; Spantzel, T.; Kroos, F.; Knoblauch, D. (2025): Integrated Approaches to Addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis: Country Best Practices. Lessons learned from Brazil, Colombia, Japan, New Zealand, Panama, Rwanda and Sweden. Policy paper. Climate Change 81/2025, German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau. https://doi.org/10.60810/openumwelt-8106

 
Infographic titled “Current model of material use and key policy actions to address structural barriers.” The graphic illustrates global material flows from sources and extraction through provisioning systems to disposal and sinks. It shows that material use has more than tripled over the past 50 years, exceeding 100 billion tonnes annually and potentially reaching 160 billion tonnes by 2060. Key policy actions such as circular economy solutions and sustainable consumption are highlighted.

Current model of material use & key policy actions to address structural barriers

|

CC-BY 4.0 Umweltbundesamt. Source: Ecologic Institute 2025.

This infographic presents the current model of material use and shows how extraction, production, consumption and disposal drive environmental pressures. It also outlines key policy actions to overcome structural barriers, reduce resource use and decouple human well... Read more

Umweltbundesamt 2025: Current model of material use & key policy actions to address structural barriers. Infographic.

 
Infographic depicting selected nature-based solutions

© German Environment Agency, 2025

Nature-based solutions (NbS) can address multiple dimensions of the triple planetary crisis at once: climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution, while delivering benefits for people and ecosystems. This infographic, visualises how NbS can function as... Read more

Umweltbundesamt 2025: Examples of nature-based solutions as systemic solutions for the triple planetary crisis. Infographic.

 

Foto von shiak khan auf Unsplash, cover: Ecologic Institut

This report evaluates the focus of Bread for the World on climate policy between 2023 and 2025. It examines how the organisation strengthens the rights and needs of vulnerable population groups within the context of international climate policy, demonstrating how... Read more

Schöberlein, Paula; de la Vega, Ramiro; Knoblauch, Doris (2025): Kurs Klimagerechtigkeit: Wie Brot für die Welt die Bedürfnisse der ärmsten und verletzlichsten Bevölkerungsgruppen in der internationalen Klimapolitik stärkt. Evaluierung des Themenschwerpunkts Klimapolitik bei Brot für die Welt Deutschland. Ecologic Institut, Berlin.

 
cover page

© German Federal Environment Agency, 2025

Cities and towns across Germany are increasingly facing the impacts of climate change – from heatwaves and floods to biodiversity loss.A new report by Ecologic Institut and Birgit Georgi, commissioned by the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA), explores how nature... Read more

Tröltzsch, J., Bueb, B., Davis, M., Dengler, F., Dicke, F., Knoblauch, D., Kupilas, B., Mederake, L., Naumann, S., Pumberger, M., Scholl, L., De la Vega, R., & Georgi, B. (2025). Naturbasierte Lösungen für die kommunale Klimaanpassung stärken: Herausforderungen und Lösungsansätze. Umweltbundesamt. https://doi.org/10.60810/openumwelt-7902

 
Cover of a publication from 'Cambridge Prisms' titled 'Plastics.' The cover features a gradient background transitioning from deep red to blue, with white lines cutting across the lower half. The title 'Plastics' is displayed in simple white text.

© Cambridge University Press 2024

To enable a genuine shift toward a circular plastic economy, the UN plastics treaty must confront two critical structural barriers: fossil fuel and plastic production subsidies, and the failure to internalize the true societal and environmental costs of plastic. Without... Read more

Syberg K, Gündoğdu S, Olsen T, et al. A circular plastic economy should account for all societal costs. Cambridge Prisms: Plastics. Published online 2025:1-10. doi:10.1017/plc.2025.10019

 

Infographic: Morales-Caselles, Carmen; Knoblauch, Doris; Aliani, Stefano (2025): An effective plastics treaty for marine life, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 970, 2025, 178941, ISSN 0048-9697, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178941.

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... Read more

Morales-Caselles, Carmen; Knoblauch, Doris; Aliani, Stefano (2025): An effective plastics treaty for marine life, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 970, 2025, 178941, ISSN 0048-9697, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178941.

Further publications in the field of plastics regulation

 

Photo: Ecologic Institute, 2025

Anthropogenic litter poses a growing threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide. While the EU's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) addresses this pollution as an environmental status indicator, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) lacks such a measure. The... Read more

Schönberg, J., Böhm-Beck, M., Trdan, S., Grego, M., Knoblauch, D., Hinzmann, M., Dittmann, S., Knickmeier, K., Robic, U., Thiel, M., Kiessling, T. (2025). Recommendations for Involving Citizen Scientists in Anthropogenic Litter Research Within the Water Framework Directive. In: Auqatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 25:e70192.

 
Cover of a research article from the Marine Pollution Bulletin. The title reads "Temporal variability of litter pollution of rivers in Germany – A long-term assessment by schoolchildren as citizen scientists." The article lists multiple authors and affiliations, and the abstract discusses the study's findings on river litter dynamics. Visible sections include the abstract and the introduction.

© 2024 Elsevier 

Understanding litter dynamics on riversides is challenging due to the need for extensive data. A seven-year citizen science study with schoolchildren showed no major changes in litter density, composition, and sources on German riversides. The study, to which Mandy... Read more

Dittmann, Sinja et al. (2024). Temporal variability of litter pollution of rivers in Germany – A long-term assessment by schoolchildren as citizen scientists, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 209, Part B, December 2024, 117253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117253

 
Cover of a publication from 'Cambridge Prisms' titled 'Plastics.' The cover features a gradient background transitioning from deep red to blue, with white lines cutting across the lower half. The title 'Plastics' is displayed in simple white text.

© Cambridge University Press 2024

Plastic pollution has rapidly emerged as one of the defining environmental crises of our time, with far-reaching impacts that span ecosystems, human health, and climate change. As international efforts to combat this growing challenge intensify, the proposed global... Read more

Knoblauch D and Mederake L (2024). The missing consensus: An analysis of problem definitions and key motivations in the first zero draft for a global plastics treaty. Cambridge Prisms: Plastics, 2, e22, 1–12 https://doi.org/10.1017/plc.2024.29

 
Policy brief titled 'Primary Plastic Polymers: Urgently needed upstream reduction' with a logo of the Scientists' Coalition in the top right. Text discusses the urgency of reducing primary plastic polymer production, predicting at least 20,000 million metric tons by 2040. A graph shows cumulative plastic production from 1950 to 2040, highlighting significant increases even with a proposed reduction rate of 2.35% annually.

© Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty 2024

As the international community seeks to negotiate a global plastics agreement, the stakes are high. An internationally binding instrument is to be developed that will end plastic pollution by covering the entire life cycle of plastics from production to disposal. With... Read more

Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty (2024). Primary Plastic Polymers: urgently needed Upstream Reduction. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10906376

 
Cover Key Messages

© Ecologic Institute

The publication summarizes the key messages from all 20 joint research projects and the seven cross-cutting topics of the research focus. Structured along the following ten main topics, the central results are presented in order to derive recommendations for various... Read more

Hinzmann, Mandy; Knoblauch, Doris; Mederake, Linda; Schritt, Hannes; Stein, Ulf (eds.) (2022): Key messages of the research focus "Plastics in the Environment".

 
Report Cover "Global Rules in a New Global Treaty"

© WWF Philippines

In March 2022, at the resumed fifth meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly, UN Member States adopted the historic decision to start negotiating a global treaty to combat plastic pollution. As national delegations and relevant stakeholders in Asia start... Read more

Mederake, Linda; Knoblauch, Doris (2022): Global rules in a new global treaty: Asia's opportunity to end single-use plastic pollution. Published in July 2022 by WWF Philippines.

 
graphic government policies combatting plastic pollution

© Ecologic Institute

In this review, Ecologic Institute's Doris Knoblauch and Linda Mederake analyse the subject focus of 45 articles (published 2019–2021), dealing with government action to regulate plastic pollution. Policies described in the articles and introduced between 2016 and 2021... Read more

Knoblauch, D.; Mederake, L. (2021): Government policies combatting plastic pollution, Current Opinion in Toxicology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cotox.2021.10.003.

 
Publiction's cover "Einfach weglassen"

oekom Verlag

Numerous one- to two-person households, an increase in mail-order business as well as the popular "to-go" culture are causing a steady rise in the consumption of plastic packaging in Germany. While approximately 1.8 million tons of plastic were produced per year in 2000... Read more

Knoblauch, Doris; Schritt, Hannes (2020): Umweltproblem Plastikverpackung. Aufkommen in Deutschland und Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt. In: Kröger, Melanie; Pape, Jens; Wittwer, Alexandra (Hrsg.) (2020): Einfach weglassen? Ein wissenschaftliches Lesebuch zur Reduktion von Plastikverpackungen im Lebensmittelhandel. ISBN: 978-3-96238-243-8. Oekom Verlag, München.

 
Marine plastic pollution is a fast growing problem and it is not yet possible to estimate how severe the impacts currently are. Between 4.8 and 12.7 Mt of plastics ends up in the ocean each year, adding to the uncontrolled plastic waste already floating around the world... Read more

Simon, Nils et al. (2018): No More Plastics in the Ocean. Gaps in Global Plastic Governance and Options for a Legally Binding Agreement to Eliminate Marine Plastic Pollution. Draft report for WWF to support discussions at the Ad Hoc Open-ended Expert Group on Marine Litter and Microplastics. Berlin: adelphi.

 
Plastiktütenpolitiken im Globalen Norden und Globalen Süden
While diffusion patterns are quite well understood in the context of the Global North, diffusion research has only been applied to a limited extent to investigate how policies spread across developing countries. In this article, Ecologic Institute's Doris Knoblauch,... Read more

Knoblauch, D.; Mederake, L.; Stein, U. Developing Countries in the Lead—What Drives the Diffusion of Plastic Bag Policies? Sustainability 2018, 10, 1994.

Further publications on local climate policies

 
The cover page of a report titled Integrating Nature-Based Solutions in Policy and Planning: Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities. The design features the INTERLACE logo and tagline, "Restoring Urban Ecosystems / Recuperando Ecosistemas Urbanos," on a white background. The right side displays a vibrant urban scene, showing a cityscape with a mix of modern buildings, including a tall, white skyscraper and a unique architectural structure, surrounded by dense greenery under a blue sky.
© INTERLACE project, 2024
The report ‘Integrating Nature-Based Solutions in Policy and Planning. Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities’ summarises the experiences of the seven partner cities in Europe and Latin America. It is aimed at political decision-makers and urban planners who want to... Read more

Gutiérrez Miranda, Marcela; Felthöfer, Charlotte; Knoblauch, Doris (2024). Integrating Nature-Based Solutions in Policy and Planning: Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities. Transversal City Impulse Paper. INTERLACE Deliverable 2.5.

 
Cover of the guidance "Developing ambitious local long-term climate neutrality strategies', part of the Ready4NetZero initiative. The graphic depicts a stylized green landscape transitioning from rural areas with wind turbines and solar panels to an urban setting with green buildings. A car emits a green cloud, symbolizing eco-friendly transportation. The lower part of the poster includes logos of supporting organizations like Energie Cities, Eco Logic, and EnergiaKlub.

© Association of Municipalities Polish Network "Energie Cités", Kraków 2024

In the face of the European Union's commitment to becoming the first climate-neutral continent, the role of cities is undeniably crucial. Local governments of all sizes are at the forefront of this transformative journey. The path to climate neutrality is complex,... Read more

Burgos Cuevas, N. et al. 2024: Developing ambitious local long-term climate neutrality strategies. Charting the course: Crafting forward-thinking local climate neutrality strategies. Association of Municipalities Polish Network "Energie Cités" and Ecologic Institute, Berlin-Kraków.

 
The cover page of a report titled From ideas to action: INTERLACE impulses for successfully implementing NbS in cities. The header features the INTERLACE logo and tagline, "Restoring Urban Ecosystems / Recuperando Ecosistemas Urbanos." The  INTERLACE city impulse papers, authored by Gutiérrez Miranda, Marcela, et al. The design includes a vibrant, multicolored abstract swirl, framing an image of a person riding a bicycle through a tree-lined, sunny urban park.

© INTERLACE project, 2024

The report ‘From Ideas to Action’ presents the strategy papers of the seven INTERLACE partner cities, which were developed in close cooperation with local stakeholders in Europe and Latin America. These papers highlight tailor-made strategies for nature-based solutions ... Read more

Gutiérrez Miranda, M.; Burgos Cuevas, N.; Felthöfer, C.; Knoblauch, D. (2024): From ideas to action. INTERLACE impulses for successfully implementing NbS in cities. INTERLACE Project Deliverable 2.4.

 
Cover of a report by INTERLACE titled 'Governance analysis for planning and implementation of urban NBS.' The document discusses governance practices, challenges, and needs of INTERLACE cities. The design includes colorful interwoven lines and an image of a group of people analyzing an urban planning model.

© Interlace, 2021

The report "Governance Analysis for Planning and Implementation of Urban NBS" presents insights from a governance analysis conducted in the six INTERLACE partner cities: CBIMA (Costa Rica), Chemnitz (Germany), Envigado (Colombia), Granollers (Spain), Metropolia... Read more

Leone, M., Gutiérrez Miranda, M., Knoblauch, D., Melo, I., Maestre Andrés, S., Jakubowska-Lorenz, E., Bergier, T., Yepez, G. & Salmon, N. (2021) Governance analysis for planning and implementation of urban NBS: Governance practices, challenges and needs of INTERLACE Cities. Deliverable 2.2. INTERLACE project.

 
Cover of the publication 2Evaluation "Masterplan 100% Klimaschutz" der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative2

© Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (BMWK)

The current evaluation of the Masterplan Municipality Guideline for the 2016 to 2019 funding period is now available. Within this funding period, 13.5 million euros were given to 22 municipalities to finance and implement master plans that would lead the municipalities... Read more

Eisenmann, Lothar, Muckenfuss, Lisa, Knoblauch, Doris, Nütz, Felix 2023: Evaluation 2020/2021 der Masterplan-Kommunen 2016, Förderrichtlinie „Masterplan 100 % Klimaschutz“. Bericht zum Vorhaben Evaluation, Begleitung und Anpassung bestehender Förderprogramme sowie Weiterentwicklung der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative (NKI). Oeko-Institut: Berlin.

 
Cover for an evaluation report titled 'Evaluation 2020/2021 der Förderrichtlinie "Kommunale Energieeffizienz- und/oder Ressourceneffizienz-Netzwerke" im Rahmen der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative (NKI)'. It features logos from various German research and environmental institutes.

© Ecologic Institute, ifeu

The evaluation of the municipal networks for the period 2018 to 2021 is now published and available for download. 28 projects were funded with Euro 5.66 million, and municipalities contributed almost Euro 3.8 Mio. own revenue for the networking activities. Over the... Read more

Knoblauch, Doris, Noebel, Rebecca, Safaricz, Nizara, Paar, Angelika, Hecker, Clemens 2023: Evaluation 2020/2021 der Förderrichtlinie „Kommunale Energieeffizienz- und/oder Ressourceneffizienz-Netzwerke“ im Rahmen der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative (NKI). Bericht zum Vorhaben Evaluation, Begleitung und Anpassung bestehender Förderprogramme sowie Weiterentwicklung der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative (NKI). Ecologic Institute: Berlin. IFEU: Berlin.

 
The multifunctional character of nature-based solutions (NBS) enables them to provide responses to both social and environmental challenges. Analysis has shown that there is significant potential for NBS to help achieve sustainable urban development objectives.... Read more

Knoblauch, D., Naumann, S., Mederake, L., Araujo Sosa, A. C. 2020: CLEVER Cities Policy Brief. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

 
"While nations talk, cities act." This quote from Mike Bloomberg, the former New York mayor, reflects the frequent portrayal of the role of cities and local governments in global climate governance: in light of concerns about the inability of national governments to... Read more

Mederake, Linda; Iwaszuk, Ewa; Knoblauch, Doris (2019): The evolving role of cities as non-state actors in the international climate regime. In: Abdullah, Hannah (Ed.) Cities in World Politics. Local responses to global challenges. Monografías CIDOB 75. Barcelona: CIDOB.

 
With both the impact of climate change on cities and the role cities play in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions becoming increasingly apparent, many cities around the world are adopting long-term climate policy strategies or vision documents outlining how they... Read more

Iwaszuk, Ewa; Mederake, Linda; Knoblauch, Doris (2019): The Transformative Potential of Local Climate Change Strategies. In: Zevi, Tobia (Ed.) The Century of Global Cities. How Urbanisation is Changing the World and Shaping our Future. Milan: Italian Institute for International Political Studies.

 
In this report, Doris Knoblauch, Sandra Naumann, Linda Mederake and Ariel Carlos Araujo Sosa (all Ecologic Institute) explore the extent to which current policy frameworks support sustainable urban development and nature-based solutions (NBS). To this end, policies... Read more

Knoblauch et al. (2019). Multi-level policy framework for sustainable urban development and nature-based solutions -- Status quo, gaps and oppor-tunities. Deliverable 1.2, CLEVER Cities, H2020 grant no. 776604.

 
Nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly being adopted as an effective tool to address urban challenges, as they provide a range of ecological, social and economic benefits. But, to what extent do current policy frameworks support or hinder their implementation?... Read more

Davis, M.; Abhold, K.; Mederake, L.; Knoblauch, D. (2018): Nature-based solutions in European and national policy frameworks. Deliverable 1.5, NATURVATION. Horizon 2020 Grant Agreement No 730243, European Commission, 50 pp.

 
Governments around the world have already adopted long-term climate frameworks, many in legal form. Many others are in the process of developing similar laws or strategies. These overarching long-term frameworks are critical to effectively implementing the Paris... Read more

Duwe et al. (2017) "Paris compatible" governance: long-term policy frameworks to drive transformational change. Ecologic Institute. Berlin.

Selected events by Doris Knoblauch
 
The image is a promotional poster for the 'Ready4NetZero Final Conference' titled 'Climate Transition of Cities – From Planning to Action.' The event is scheduled for 3 April 2025 from 10:00 to 16:15 at the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences in Cracow, Poland. Registration details are provided via QR codes for both on-site and online participation. The poster includes logos from event organizers and supporters, such as Energía Cities, REGEA, EcoLogic, Energiaklub, and OER.

© Ready4NetZero project, 2025

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.This hybrid conference, organized under... Read more

Conference:Climate Transition of Cities – From Planning to Action

Date
Location
online and Kraków, Poland
 

© Ecologic Institute, 2025

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... Read more

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

Date
-
Location
Berlin, Germany
 
A promotional banner for the final CITIES TALK NATURE webinar of the INTERLACE project on February 27, 2025. The title 'Building a lasting legacy: Enabling continued action and research on nature-based solutions' is prominently highlighted in bold red text. A paragraph below describes the focus of the webinar. On the right side of the banner, a photo shows people using shovels to spread soil around a newly planted tree. Large white letters spelling 'INTERLACE' stand in the foreground.

INTERLACE project, 2025

As the INTERLACE project concludes, we invite you to a final CITIES TALK NATURE webinar to reflect on the project's impact and ensure a continued legacy. This session will showcase key resources and empower cities, local stakeholders, and the research community to... Read more

Digital Event:Building a Lasting Legacy

Date
Location
online
 

© Ewa Iwaszuk 2024

On 6-7 November 2024, representatives from 15 small and medium-sized cities in Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Croatia gathered in Chemnitz for a study tour as part of the Ready4NetZero project. Funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal... Read more

Visitors Program:Inspiring Climate Action in Cities in Central and Eastern Europe

Date
-
Location
Chemnitz, Germany
 

© Natalia Burgos Cueva, 2024

On 21 October 2024, Ecologic Institute hosted a delegation from Beijing, accompanied by representatives from GIZ. This visit took place in the context of the project "Analyses of German and European Climate Law Structure," and underscores the Institute's commitment to... Read more

Visitors Program:Analyses of the Structure of German and European Climate Protection Law

Date
Location
Berlin, Germany
 

Photo: Ivan Gajos 2024

The Conference "Reimagining Urban Spaces: Nature-Based Solutions for Inclusive Transformations in Europe and Latin America," took place in Granollers, Spain on 2 and 3 October 2024. This two-day event brought together nearly 100 experts, policymakers, and city... Read more

Conference:Reimagining Urban Spaces

Date
-
Location
Granollers, Spain
 
Share Pic webinar #4

Ready4NetZero project

This webinar, presented as part of the Ready4NetZero project, offered a deep dive into the Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis's journey to becoming a benchmark district when it comes to climate protection and energy innovation at the local level. It examined the district's effective... Read more
 
Social media event card with the webinar's titel "Citizen Participation for Climate Neutrality", the project name " Ready4NetZero" and the logos of the involved institutions.

Ready4NetZero project

On the way to climate neutrality, the role of citizen involvement and participatory planning is crucial for a variety of reasons such as ensuring transparency in decision-making, governance openness and ownership over the decisions given to the public. Engaging the... Read more

Digital Event:Navigating Challenges in Citizen Participation for Climate Neutrality

Date
Location
online
 
plastic

Ecologic Institute

According to the European Commission, almost 26 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually in the EU.* And since we learned how to produce plastic, humans have manufactured more than 8.3 billion tonnes of it – most of which ended up as a waste product... Read more
 
Social media card of the conference "Cities Talk Nature: Rethinking urban-rural linkages for people and biodiversity"

© INTERLACE project

Join us on 23-24 November 2023 in the city of Envigado (Colombia), for a special conference and engagement event, through which you will be able to learn in detail from Envigado's experience, as well as from the examples of other cities from the Cities Talk Nature... Read more

Conference:Rethinking Urban-rural Linkages for People and Biodiversity

Date
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Location
Envigado, Colombia
 
Social Media Card of the Event "Cities Talk Nature Europe" on 11 and 12 May 2023. In the Background a green riverbank in the City of Chemnitz, Germany

© City of Chemnitz

Urban nature has the potential to provide many benefits for society and the environment. As an example, urban green and blue can reduce the negative impacts of heat waves and heavy rainfall events. This makes the creation and protection of urban spaces for nature... Read more

Conference:Cities Talk Nature Conference: Unlocking the potential of underutilised urban areas

Date
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Location
Chemnitz, Germany
 
© BMBF/Plastic Pirates – Go Europe!
The campaign in spring 2022 was a huge success: more than 3,000 young people carried out sampling in and along German rivers and mapped litter findings. They collected extensive data on water pollution at 173 locations. Now the time has come again: from 15 September to... Read more

Workshop:Plastic Pirates – Go Europe!

Date
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Location
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain
 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

On 19 May 2020, Doris Knoblauch moderated a media training for the research focus "Plastics in the Environment". The journalist Ralf Nestler provided the content input. In addition to his work at the Tagesspiegel, he also worked as a scientist at the GFZ German Research... Read more
 

Visit to the Interurban Biological Corridor Maria Aguilar (CBIMA)

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© UNGL 2022

On the 12 and 13 May 2022, the INTERLACE project held the first Latin American Cities Talk Nature Engagement Event in San José, Costa Rica. The project is led by Ecologic Institute. Cities Talk Nature is a community of practice dedicated to restoring degraded... Read more

Conference:Cities Talk Nature

Date
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Location
San José, Costa Rica
 
Theme day: Plastics in the environment

Ecologic Institute

Can microplastics get into the water, when I wash a fleece jacket made of polyester? How many climate-damaging greenhouse gases are emitted by the production of plastic? What is chemical recycling? Together with numerous researchers from all over Germany, we got to the... Read more

Conference:Theme Day: Plastic in the Environment

Date
Location
Berlin, Germany
Selected presentations by Doris Knoblauch
 

© Ecologic Institute, 2026

At the German Nature Conservation Day (Deutscher Naturschutztag, DNT), Doris Knoblauch from Ecologic Institute presented the Urban Governance Atlas, developed as part of the EU-funded INTERLACE project. The collection highlights governance and policy instruments that... Read more

Speech:Which Policy Instruments Help Cities Implement Nature-based Solutions?

Date
Location
Berlin, Germany
 

Doris Knoblauch presents research findings on the perception of environmental responsibility at the ECSA Conference 2026.

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© Ecologic Institute, 2026

Doris Knoblauch from Ecologic Institute presented recent work from the Plastic Pirates – German Coast citizen science project at the 2026 conference of the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) in Oulu (Finland). The conference brought together around 650... Read more

Panel discussion:Plastic Pirates at ECSA 2026

Date
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Location
Oulu, Finland
 

© Ecologic Institute, 2025

During the first day of the PartWiss 2025 conference, Doris Knoblauch delivered a presentation on the Europe-wide citizen science project 'Plastic Pirates – Go Europe' as part of the 'Participatory Approaches to Shaping the Science-Policy Interface' thematic session... Read more
 

© Ecologic Institute, 2025

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,... Read more

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

Date
Location
Berlin, Germany
 

Giant Plastic Tap by Canadian artist and activist Benjamin Von Wong in front of the event building of the Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) in Ottawa 2024

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© Linda Mederake, 2024

On 21 January 2025, the United Nations Association of Germany (DGVN) hosted a panel discussion to discuss the next steps in the global plastics negotiations. The fifth round of negotiations in November 2024 ended without an agreement – a failure? Doris Knoblauch,... Read more

Panel discussion:On the Way to a UN Plastics Agreement

Date
Location
Berlin, Germany
 

Photo: Elisa Kochskämper 2024

At the occasion of the 16th NESS – Nordic Environmental Social Science Conference in Turku (Finland), from 4 to 6 June 2024, Ecologic Institute's Doris Knoblauch presented the findings of two projects in a workshop dealing with "Governing urban climate... Read more
 
Screenshot of the online training

© Ecologic Institute

Niepołomice, a Polish city with almost 30,000 inhabitants, has received customised training on how to tackle challenges in their community with nature-based solutions. Marcela Gutierrez (University of Costa Rica), Natalia Burgos Cuevas and Doris Knoblauch (both Ecologic... Read more
 

© Ecologic Institute

On 16 October 2023, Doris Knoblauch (Ecologic Institute) gave a lecture on "Plastics, green urban environments and local climate protection" at a postgraduate course, where 19 experts from ministries, authorities, municipalities, non-governmental organizations and... Read more

Lecture:Plastics, Green Urban Environments and Local Climate Protection

Date
Location
Berlin, Germany
 

Doris Knoblauch answers questions from the audience at the panel "'Lessons Learned' and Practical Examples from Innovative Climate Protection Projects."

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© Felix Nütz

Doris Knoblauch moderated the networking meeting of innovative climate protection projects in the framework of the National Climate Initiative (NKI) for Ecologic Institute on 7 and 8 June 2023. Representatives from nearly 100 NKI-funded projects came together for two... Read more

Chairing:NKI Networking Meeting of Innovative Climate Protection Projects

Date
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Location
Berlin, Germany
 
Title Slide Presentation

Ecologic Institute

On 29 March 2023, Doris Knoblauch and Mandy Hinzmann, both from Ecologic Institute, gave a lecture on "Plastics and the Environment" at a postgraduate course, where 19 experts from ministries, authorities, municipalities, non-governmental organizations and industry from... Read more
 
On 2 December 2019, Doris Knoblauch and Dr. Stephan Sina, Senior Fellows at Ecologic Institute, held a presentation on "Tackling Plastic Pollution – Introduction to Global Plastic Pollution and the Discussions at the International Level" for 21 experts... Read more
 
Präsentation "Plastik-Governance"
On 30 November 2018, Linda Mederake, Junior Researcher at Ecologic Institute, presented the Institute's activities in the field of plastics governance to a group of students from the International Degree Program Political Management (B.A.) at Hochschule Bremen, City... Read more

Lecture:The Governance of Plastics

Date
Location
Berlin, Germany