Policy Brief | Ecologic Institute: Science and Policy for a Sustainable World

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Publication

Policy Brief

Climate

International Development

Foreign Policy

Security Policy

Policy-making in the Face of Climate Change, Water Conflicts and Human Security

CLICO Policy Brief No. 2

Together with more than 10 partners from the EU and the Middle East, Ecologic Institute is carrying out the EU-funded research project on "Climate change, hydro-conflicts and human security" (CLICO). CLICO investigates how climate change influences water availability and, consequently, human security and conflicts in the Mediterranean region. The 2nd CLICO policy brief, written by Ecologic Institute, is available for download.Read more

Publication

Policy Brief

Consumer Policy

Expanding the Evidence Base for the Design of Policy Influencing Consumer Choice for Products and Services with Environmental Impacts

How should policy measures that aim at influencing consumer decisions be designed and evaluated? In this policy brief, the authors summarize their findings with regard to the environmental impacts of consumption, using the concept of behavioural economics.Read more

Publication

Policy Brief

International Development

An Assessment of the Effects on Land Ownership and Land Grab on Development

With a Particular Focus on Small Holdings and Rural Areas

In a policy brief for the European Parliament, researchers at Ecologic Institute examine how access to land affects development and poverty eradication in developing countries. The authors Christiane Gerstter, Timo Kaphengst, Doris Knoblauch and Krista Timeus discuss the assumption that land ownership increases productivity and provide an overview of land reforms and large-scale land acquisitions in developing countries. Finally, the brief provides a series of recommendations for European policy-makers. The brief is available for download.Read more

Publication

Policy Brief

Biodiversity

Climate

International Development

Increasing the Impact of EU Development Policy

In December 2010, the EU Commission published a Green Book on the future of EU development policy, entitled "EU development policy in support of inclusive growth and sustainable development - Increasing the impact of EU development policy." Christiane Gerstetter and Benjamin Görlach of Ecologic Institute responded to a question from the European Parliament on the relationship between climate change, biodiversity and development. The brief is available for download.Read more

Publication

Policy Brief

Climate

International Development

Foreign Policy

Security Policy

Climate Change, Hydro-conflicts and Human Security: Achievements of and Gaps in Current Policies

CLICO Policy Brief No.1

This policy brief is the first in a series of briefs presenting results of the CLICO project. This first policy brief presents CLICO's research agenda regarding policy responses to climate change-induced hydro-conflicts; a second policy brief showcasing preliminary results of the project will be available at the end of 2010. The policy brief is available for download.Read more

Publication

Nachhaltigkeit braucht Strategie

The German national Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) has the potential to set the pace for Germany’s development towards a more sustainable society. Unfortunately, the strategy fails to define overarching strategic objectives. Isolated measures, indicators and time plans need to be bundled in an integrated strategy for the future. The authors of the policy brief "Sustainability needs Strategy" recommend that the German Government includes four new areas of action in its current SDS: sustainable wealth; sustainable labour policy; sustainable engagement policy and culture of sustainability. These areas are decisive to successfully embed sustainability in Germany’s government, economy and society and will determine whether Germany remains a leader in sustainability. Anneke von Raggamby, Senior Fellow and Head of European Integration at Ecologic Institute is Associate 2009/2010 at the stiftung neue verantwortung (snv) and was one of the authors of this policy brief. The policy brief "Sustainability needs Strategy" is available for download.Read more

Publication

Keeping Illegal Fish and Timber off the Market

A Comparison of EU Regulations

Illegal fishing and logging, and the international trade in illegally sourced fish and wood products cause enormous environmental and economic damage. Consumer countries contribute to the problem by importing fish and timber without ensuring legality – a problem the EU tries to address with two new regulations. In this briefing paper, Duncan Brack, Heike Baumüller and Katharina Umpfenbach compare the recently adopted EU regulations on illegal fish and timber products. The authors contrast the very different approaches and highlight areas that might need further strengthening.Read more

Publication

Die Biomassestrom-Nachhaltigkeitsverordnung (BioSt-NachV)

Eine kurze Einführung für AnlagenbetreiberInnen

Sustainability of biofuel policies is a largely debated issue, particularly with regards to environmental impacts. To address these issues, European and national legislative initiatives have been designed that aim to ensure the sustainability of biofuels. Germany has been among the top runners in trying to implement sustainability criteria for biofuels. In August 2009 the German government set up the Biomass-electricity-sustainability ordinance ("Biomassestrom-Nachhaltigkeitsverordnung", abbreviated "BioSt-NachV"). The background paper written by the Ecologic Institute in October 2009 provides an overview for plant operators who will need to proof their compliance with the new ordinance.Read more

Publication

Transatlantic Program

Transatlantic Policy Options for Supporting Adaptation in the Marine Arctic

Summary for Policy Makers

This policy brief draws upon a series of background papers, expert meetings, and interviews to provide an overview of the international and EU governance options for addressing the rapid changes underway in the region. While reflecting the opinions of its authors, this policy brief benefits from the opinions and insights of the experts participating in the five thematic working groups of Arctic TRANSFORM.Read more

Publication

Transatlantic Program

Transatlantic Policy Options for Supporting Adaptation in the Marine Arctic

The Arctic TRANSFORM project, funded by the European Commission‘s Directorate General of External Relations, engaged experts in a transatlantic discussion of five Arctic-related thematic areas: indigenous peoples, environmental governance, fisheries, offshore hydrocarbon activities, and shipping. Expert working groups addressed each thematic area with the goal of developing policy options for the Arctic marine area. This policy brief draws upon a series of background papers, expert meetings and interviews to provide an overview of the international and EU governance options for addressing the rapid changes underway in the region.Read more