Deyana Kocher

Deyana Kocher

MSc MA (Tricontinental Master in Global Studies)
BA Hons (Journalism)

Researcher

Team
Topics

Deyana Kocher (née Spasova) is a Researcher at the Ecologic Institute, with a thematic focus on the analysis and assessment of climate and energy frameworks and legislation, including EU Member States’ national climate governance and participatory climate governance. She is a native Bulgarian speaker, fluent in English, and has advanced knowledge of German.

At the Ecologic Institute, Deyana most recently worked on the impact assessment of the Governance Regulation revision, the potential of multilevel climate and energy dialogues, the implementation of EU Provisions for the Clean Energy Transition in Bulgaria, and meaningful participatory climate governance.

As part of The Future of the EU, Deyana examined the Conference on the Future of Europe and its links to climate policy. She also contributed to Transitioning to Net Zero: Success Stories by identifying effective policies driving climate neutrality, and conducted a case study on industrial emission reduction strategies in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, for EU Regions in the Transformation Towards a Climate-Neutral Future.

Prior to this role, she worked as a Student Research Assistant for the Energy & Climate department of Öko-Institut in Freiburg (Germany), where she contributed to the "Renewable Space Heating under the Revised Renewable Energy Directive" (European Commission, DG ENER) project. During that time, she also conducted research for her master's thesis on the topic of "Support for Renewable Energy Communities under the revised EU Renewable Energy Directive: a case study analysis of approaches in Germany and Bulgaria". She has also gained experience as an intern for the Representation of the European Commission in Sofia (Bulgaria).

Deyana Kocher completed the Tricontinental Master in Global Studies in Germany, Taiwan, and Mexico. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, which she pursued in Scotland and the USA.

Contact Deyana Kocher by Email

The data sent will only be processed for the purpose of processing your request. You will find further information in our privacy notice.

Selected projects by Deyana Kocher
ProjectImpact Assessment of the Governance Regulation Revision
 

Image by Tom from Pixabay

The European Union is entering a new phase of climate and energy policymaking. As ambition increases for 2040 and 2050, the EU’s climate governance framework must evolve accordingly. This project supports the European Commission in carrying out a comprehensive impact... Read more

Impact Assessment of the Governance Regulation Revision

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectPost-2030 EU Climate Framework and Governance Architecture
 

© Abby Anaday on Unsplash

The EU is preparing the next phase of its climate governance framework, with important decisions ahead on how to guide action towards the newly agreed interim 2040 target and ultimately climate neutrality by 2050. In this project, funded by the European Climate... Read more

Post-2030 EU Climate Framework and Governance Architecture

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectEvidence-based Assessment for the Design of the German Energy Transition (Ariadne)
 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

Germany is to become climate-neutral by 2050. Achieving the climate targets will require extensive changes that will have an impact on large parts of the economy and social life. Concrete climate measures in energy generation, transport, industry and other sectors are... Read more

Evidence-based Assessment for the Design of the German Energy Transition (Ariadne)

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectEU Regions in the Transformation Towards a Climate-neutral Future
 

© Cluster Trakia Economic Zone

Regional governments are key players in driving the transformation towards climate neutrality, as they are the ones who enable and implement solutions on the ground. For the European Parliament's Committee on Regional Development, Ecologic Institute together with... Read more

EU Regions in the Transformation Towards a Climate-neutral Future

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectTransitioning to Net Zero' Success Stories
 

Photo by Luciann Photography from Pexels

The EU has specified climate neutrality as a legally binding 2050 target. This transformation requires bold policy tools that can deliver concrete results – sector-by-sector. To inspire policymakers across the EU to get active, Agora Energiewende is compiling best... Read more

Transitioning to Net Zero' Success Stories

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectDialogue on Pathways and Policies for a Climate-neutral EU (Climate Recon 2050)
 

© Ecologic Institute

The EU has agreed to become climate neutral by 2050. Achieving climate neutrality in the next 30 years is a great societal, economic and political undertaking, presenting many challenges and opportunities. The Climate Recon 2050 project addresses the central process of... Read more

Dialogue on Pathways and Policies for a Climate-neutral EU (Climate Recon 2050)

Duration
-
Funding
Selected publications by Deyana Kocher
PublicationArticleMeaningful Participatory Climate Governance
 

Photo: Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2024 from Belgium, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, Page: John Wiley & Sons, 2025

Under the EU’s Governance Regulation, Member States are legally required to hold multilevel climate and energy dialogues (MLCEDs), structured spaces for deliberation between governments, civil society, and other stakeholders. These dialogues are meant to build trust,... Read more

Faber R, Kocher D, Duwe M. Meaningful participatory climate governance: Lessons from EU multilevel climate and energy dialogues. RECIEL. 2025;34(2):394-408. doi:10.1111/reel.12618

PublicationReportAnalysis of the Implementation of EU Provisions for the Clean Energy Transition in Selected Member States
 
Cover of Ecologic institute's report "Analysis of the implementation of EU provisions for the clean energy transition in selected Member States"

© Ecologic Institute 2024

Since 2019 the European Union has introduced a range of new laws as part of its "Clean Energy for All Europeans" package. In 2022, the RePower EU Plan was launched with the aim of accelerating the deployment of renewable energy in response to the Russian invasion of... Read more

Sina, Stephan et al. 2024: Analysis of the implementation of EU provisions for the clean energy transition in selected Member States. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportFostering Transformative Climate Governance? The potential of multilevel climate and energy dialogues
 
Cover of the 4i-TRACTION report "Fostering transformative climate governance? The potential of multilevel climate and energy dialogues A criteria-based assessment of Member States reports under Article 11 of the Governance Regulation"

© Ecologic Institute

Multilevel climate policy integration through participatory governance processes As a specific procedural innovation under the EU's Governance Regulation (GovReg) (EU 2018/1999), Member States must implement permanent structures for multilevel climate and energy... Read more

Faber, R., Kocher, D., Duwe, M. (2024): Fostering transformative climate governance? The potential of multilevel climate and energy dialogues. A criteria-based assessment of Member States’ reports under Article 11 of the Governance Regulation. Ecologic Institute; Berlin.

PublicationReportEU 2040 Climate Target and Framework: The Role of Carbon Removals
 
Cover page of the Ecologic report "EU 2040 Climate Target and Framework: The Role of Carbon Removals. Potentials, incentives, and regulation". In the header the logos of Ecologic Institute and Oeko-Institut, in the body a list of the report's authors and day of the publication

© Ecologic Institute

The EU will adopt a climate target for 2040 and a framework for its implementation in the coming years. The 2040 target and its implementation framework will be pivotal milestones on the EU's journey towards achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and ultimately attaining... Read more

Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils, et al. (2023): EU 2040 Climate and Framework: The Role of Carbon Removals. Ecologic Institute, Berlin

PublicationReportEU 2040 Climate Architecture: Target Designs and Framework Options
 
Cover page of the Ecologic report "EU 2040 Climate Architecture: Target Designs and Framework Options. Discussing design options for the EU 2040 climate framework". In the header the logos of Ecologic Institute and Öko-Institut e. V., in the body a list of the report's authors and day of the publication

© Ecologic Institute

The EU has to adopt a climate target for 2040. This is a legal obligation enshrined in the EU Climate Law. The 2040 climate target is a critical milestone on the EU's path towards climate neutrality by 2050 and net negative emissions thereafter. Weak target designs and... Read more

Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils, et al (2023): EU 2040 climate architecture. Ecologic Institute, Berlin

PublicationReportGood Practice in europäischen nationalen Klimaschutzgesetzen
 
Climate laws

© 2023 Ecologic Institute

National climate framework laws are a key instrument to support the transition to a climate-neutral society. By July 2023, almost half of the EU member states had adopted such laws. While these laws vary in their details, they typically include aspects such as set goals... Read more

Evans, Nick, Nora Kögel, Deyana Kocher, Matthias Duwe (2023): Good Practice in europäischen nationalen Klimaschutzgesetzen. Ecologic Institut, Berlin.

PublicationReportThe Landscape of National Climate Framework Laws in Europe
 
Landscape of climate framework laws in Europe - Status update - cover

© 2023 Ecologic Institute

National climate framework laws have become a common approach for establishing the governance machinery required to tackle the transition to a climate neutral society. Across the 32 European Environment Agency (EEA) member countries plus the United Kingdom (UK), 22... Read more

Evans, Nick, Deyana Kocher, Nora Kögel, Matthias Duwe (2023): The landscape of national climate framework laws in Europe: A status update. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportProgress on the Implementation of National Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogues: Assessing Member States' own reporting
 
Cover of the report Progress on the implementation of national Multilievel Climate and Energy Dialogues: Assessing Member States Owen Reporting

Ecologic Institute

With the introduction of the Governance Regulation (2018/1999) in 2018, the EU solidified the integration of energy and climate policies, paving the way for enhanced planning, reporting, and progress monitoring to reach climate neutrality by 2050. Article 11 of the... Read more

Faber, R., Kocher, D., Duwe, M. (2023). Progress on the implementation of national Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogues: Assessing Member States' own reporting. A preliminary assessment of the implementation of Article 11 of the EU's Governance Regulation. 4i-TRACTION Procedural Governance Series. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportDesigning the EU 2040 Climate Target
 
Cover of Ecologic Institute's report "Designing the EU 2040 climate target. Political context, level of ambition, implications for Member States and sectors"

© Ecologic Institute

In the coming years, the EU has to adopt a legally binding climate target for 2040. The European Climate Law obliges the EU to adopt such a target. With the recent report of the European Scientific Advisory Body on Climate Change (ESABCC) on a 2040 target, the political... Read more

Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils; Spasova, Deyana; Graichen, Jakob; Gores, Sabine (2023): Designing the EU 2040 climate target. Ecologic Institute, Berlin

PublicationDocumentClimate Framework Laws Info-Matrix
 
Ecologic Climate Framework Laws Info-Matrix

Climate Framework Laws Info-Matrix

|

© 2024 Ecologic Institute

The transformation to a net-zero society requires clear long-term objectives and policy-making to achieve them. National climate framework laws can be an integral part of establishing the necessary institutions and management tools for such a transformation. The number... Read more

Ecologic Institute (2024): Climate Framework Laws Info-Matrix. (N. Evans, M. Duwe & D. Kocher, Eds.) Ecologic Institute, Berlin. 

PublicationDocumentCharting a Path to Net Zero: Country specific information
 
1st page of the document

© Ecologic Institute

All EU Member States are required to develop a national long-term climate strategy outlining targets and actions towards 2050, according to the EU Governance Regulation. Ecologic Institute carried out a cross-country analysis of the 22 national long-term strategies,... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola and Deyana Spasova 2023: Charting a path to net zero: Country specific information. Berlin: Ecologic Institute.

PublicationReportCarbon Dioxide Removals in EU Member States
 
Ecologic report cover "Carbon Dioxide Removals in EU Member States. National frameworks for Carbon Dioxide Removals: State of play and how to improve it"

© Ecologic Institute

CO2 removal is becoming a central part of climate action, but relevant policy frameworks of EU Member States are patchy. Basics of good regulation are often missing: goals and strategy. Member States also lack the necessary political debate on CO2 removal (CDR). This... Read more

Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils, Deyana Spasova (2022): Carbon Dioxide Removals in EU Member States. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationDocumentConference on the Future of Europe
 
Cover of the paper "Conference on the Future of Europe. What is next for EU climate policies? with logo and key messsages

© Ecologic Institute

On 9 May 2022, Europe Day, the Conference on the Future of Europe (CFE) closed – with the adoption of 49 recommendations. This is not the end of the process, but the beginning of new political action. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the role of the CFE as a... Read more

Spasova, Deyana (2022): Conference on the Future of Europe. What is next for EU climate policies? Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportMeasuring Progress towards Climate Neutrality – Part II
 
Cover Measuring Progress Towards Climate Neutrality Part II

Ecologic Institute

The EU has set a legally binding target of a climate neutral Europe by 2050. Tracking progress towards this goal in an accurate and systematic way is important. The EU needs a clear impression of what has been achieved, but also the way forward. Currently, various EU... Read more

Duwe, Matthias; Eike Karola Velten, Isabel Haase, Nicolas Berghmans, Nick Evans and Deyana Spasova (2021): Measuring progress towards climate neutrality. Part II: Integrating indicators in EU governance processes. Ecologic Institute, Berlin / IDDRI, Paris

PublicationReportRenewable Space Heating under the Revised Renewable Energy Directive
 
Cover of the final report " Renewable space heating under the revised Renewable Energy Directive ENER/C1/2018-494"

© European Commission

Space and water heating accounts for almost one third of the European final energy consumption. Thus, the sector needs special attention in the decarbonisation process. This study aims to provide a better information basis for policy design targeting decarbonisation of... Read more

European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy, Kranzl, L., Fallahnejad, M., Büchele, R. 2022: Renewable space heating under the revised Renewable Energy Directive : ENER/C1/2018-494 : final report, Publications Office. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2833/525486

PublicationReportCharting a Path to Net Zero
 
Cover of the publication with net zero 2050 and Ecologic logo. Background image: Two young hikers in the mountains holding a map and looking down into the valley.

© Ecologic Institute

This report presents the findings from an assessment of 22 long-term strategies (LTSs) of the EU Member States available as of March 2022. It is complemented by a briefing that summarizes the key findings and recommendations, as well as an overview of the underlying... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola, Nick Evans, Deyana Spasova, Matthias Duwe, Ramiro de la Vega, Laurens Duin, and Harrison Branner (2022): Charting a path to net zero: An assessment of national long-term strategies in the EU. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportEU Regions in the Transformation Towards a Climate-Neutral Future
 
Cover of the report "EU regions in the transformation towards a climate-neutral future"

© European Parliament, Committee on Regional Development.

The EU has set out to become the world's first climate-neutral continent, but how are its regions progressing towards this goal? A new report commissioned by the European Parliament assesses this question. It discusses how progress towards net-zero can be measured on... Read more

Hat, K. et al. 2022, EU regions in the transformation towards a climate-neutral future, European Parliament, Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies, Brussels.

PublicationArticleBuilding a Common Support Framework in Differing Realities
 
Electricity mix of Germany. Based on Eurostat shares data.

Electricity mix of Germany. Based on Eurostat shares data.

|

© Energies | MDPI

The revised EU Renewable Energy Directive first introduced renewable energy communities into the EU policy framework and requires Member States to implement a support framework for them. Given the broad scientific evidence showing the benefits of community energy for a... Read more

Spasova, Deyana, and Sibylle Braungardt. 2021. "Building a Common Support Framework in Differing Realities—Conditions for Renewable Energy Communities in Germany and Bulgaria" Energies 14, no. 15: 4693. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14154693

PublicationDocumentConference on the Future of Europe
 
Cover of the publication "Conference on the Future of Europe Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies" with logos an key messages

© Ecologic Institute

Fossil fuels are heavily subsidized in the EU. In 2018, for example, fossil fuel subsidies in the EU amounted to €50 billion– twice as much as investments in new wind and solar power generation capacities. Subsidies for fossil fuels undermine climate policies, as it is... Read more

Spasova, Deyana; Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils 2021: Conference on the Future of Europe. Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. Berlin: Ecologic Institut.

PublicationReportMeasuring Progress towards Climate Neutrality
 
1st page of the summary report "Measuring progress towards climate neutrality" with logos, text and infographic

© Ecologic Institute

Achieving climate neutrality requires structural changes to our economic system, with solutions that work across sectors. Correspondingly, measuring progress and designing policy towards the EU's net zero ambition requires a framework that captures the complexity of the... Read more

Duwe, Matthias; Eike Karola Velten, Isabel Haase, Nicolas Berghmans, Nick Evans and Deyana Spasova (2021): Measuring progress towards climate neutrality. Ecologic Institute, Berlin / IDDRI, Paris

Recent content by Deyana Kocher

Project
 
This project, funded by the European Climate Foundation (ECF), supports the research and policy community working on the EU's post-2030 governance architecture by providing targeted analysis, engagement, and practical tools to strengthen EU and national climate governance.

Post-2030 EU Climate Framework and Governance Architecture

-

Read more
Publication:Article
 
Under the EU’s Governance Regulation, Member States are legally required to hold multilevel climate and energy dialogues (MLCEDs), structured spaces for deliberation between governments, civil society, and other stakeholders. In the Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law (RECIEL), Ricarda Faber (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH), Deyana Kocher, and Matthias Duwe (Ecologic Institute) offer an assessment of how Member States are implementing these dialogues under Article 11.

Meaningful Participatory Climate Governance

Lessons from EU multilevel climate and energy dialogues

Year

Read more
Publication:Report
 
Cover of the report titled 'Raising the bar on national climate governance in the EU' by the Ecologic Institute.
How EU policy can help Member States deliver certainty, accountability, consistency, and consensus in their policymaking on the road to net zero. A stocktaking of climate governance systems across EU Member States and assessment of EU policy options for their enhancement.

Raising the Bar on National Climate Governance in the EU

How EU policy can help Member States deliver certainty, accountability, consistency, and consensus on the road to net zero

Year

Read more
Publication:Report
 
Cover of Ecologic institute's report "Analysis of the implementation of EU provisions for the clean energy transition in selected Member States"
This report assesses the implementation status and quality of a selection of 11 provisions from 4 EU laws in 6 EU countries (Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Poland and Spain). These 4 EU laws are Directive (EU) 2019/944 on common rules for the internal market for electricity (DIR), Regulation (EU) 2019/943 on the internal market for electricity (REG), Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable resources (RED) and Regulation (EU) 2022/2577 laying down a framework to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy (ACC).

Analysis of the Implementation of EU Provisions for the Clean Energy Transition in Selected Member States

Year

Read more
Publication:Report
 
Cover of the 4i-TRACTION report "Fostering transformative climate governance? The potential of multilevel climate and energy dialogues A criteria-based assessment of Member States reports under Article 11 of the Governance Regulation"
This study assesses the progress of EU Member States in embedding participatory governance processes to foster transformative climate governance. Through comprehensive criteria-based analysis and in-depth interviews across several nations, this publication unveils the current state of MLCED implementation, challenges in stakeholder engagement, and the adequacy of mechanisms designed to steer us towards a climate-neutral future.

Fostering Transformative Climate Governance? The potential of multilevel climate and energy dialogues

A criteria-based assessment of Member States reports under Article 11

Year

Read more
Publication:Report
 
Cover page of the Ecologic report "EU 2040 Climate Target and Framework: The Role of Carbon Removals. Potentials, incentives, and regulation". In the header the logos of Ecologic Institute and Oeko-Institut, in the body a list of the report's authors and day of the publication
A new report by the Ecologic Institute and the Oeko-Institut explores the role of carbon removals in the EU's climate framework for 2040. The report gives an overview of past trends in carbon removals in the EU, and explores possible contributions from natural and technical sinks to reaching the 2040 climate target. With a focus on measures and policies governing and incentivizing carbon removals, the report also examines the extent to which temporary and permanent carbon removals can contribute to achieving the EU's 2040 target.

EU 2040 Climate Target and Framework: The Role of Carbon Removals

Potentials, incentives, and regulation

Year

Read more
Publication:Report
 
Cover page of the Ecologic report "EU 2040 Climate Architecture: Target Designs and Framework Options. Discussing design options for the EU 2040 climate framework". In the header the logos of Ecologic Institute and Öko-Institut e. V., in the body a list of the report's authors and day of the publication
This report by the Ecologic Institute and the Oeko-Institut provides an overview of design options for the EU's 2040 climate target and options for the implementation framework. The report discusses reforms how to make the EU climate policy framework fit for achieving the 2040 climate target.

EU 2040 Climate Architecture: Target Designs and Framework Options

Discussing design options for the EU 2040 climate framework

Year

Read more
Project
 
This project aims to support the European Commission in implementing the new EU Forest Strategy for 2030. It provides expert guidance on the implementation of the strategy and its outcomes, with a focus on forest science and societal aspects related to the role of healthy and resilient forests.

Implementing the New EU Forest Strategy for 2030

-

Read more