Publications

Publication:Fact Sheet
 
Nature-based solutions are central to climate change adaptation. Urban green spaces and waterbodies can reduce heat in cities, for example. How can local authorities implement such measures despite limited resources? This paper presents financing options based on practical examples – from crowdfunding to green bonds – and assesses which ones are suitable and when. It also provides recommendations on how the federal and state governments can provide support.

Jenseits öffentlicher Gelder: Wie Kommunen naturbasierte Lösungen für die Klimaanpassung finanzieren können

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Publication:Report
 
How can the EU stay on track to climate neutrality – despite tightening budgets and rising geopolitical pressure? A new Ariadne background paper reviews the Fit for 55 package, discusses open questions for the post-2030 period, and outlines options for a more coherent EU policy architecture.

Staying the Course in Turbulent Times

Insights on the current state and ways forward for the EU's climate, energy and finance policy architecture

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Publication:Report
 
cover page
This report explores options for an EU purchasing programme for permanent carbon removals to address a critical gap in climate change mitigation. While emissions reductions remain the primary objective of EU climate policy, achieving climate neutrality and eventually net-negative emissions necessitates the large-scale deployment of carbon removals. This requires the swift development and deployment of cost-effective and socially beneficial carbon removal technologies.

An EU Purchasing Programme for Permanent Carbon Removals

Assessment of policy options and recommendations for short-term policy design

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Publication:Report
 
Cover page of the report “International Oil Extraction Levy – Design recommendations and impact analysis,” published by Ecologic Institute and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Authors: Prof. Dr. Luan Santos, Dr. Michael Jakob, Jonathan Gardiner, Flora Dicke, and Benjamin Görlach. Publication date: 27 June 2025.
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.

International Oil Extraction Levy

Design recommendations and impact analysis

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Publication:Report
 
This report published under the EU-funded GoNaturePositive! project offers a comprehensive baseline assessment to support the transition toward a nature-positive economy. The report provides an in-depth analysis of EU policy instruments and co-operative initiatives, identifying their alignment with nature positive principles and opportunities to reduce environmental harm, restore ecosystems, and foster systemic change.

Mapping Policy and Co-operative Initiative Landscapes for Systemic Change Towards a Nature-positive Economy

GoNaturePositive! Report

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Publication:Brochure
 
Complementing the policy guidance "Mainstreaming climate and environmental objectives in EU funding programmes in the post-2027 period," this illustrated brochure showcases diverse examples of nature-based solutions (NbS) across water, urban, transport, agriculture, and marine sectors.

Good Practice Examples of Nature-based Solutions Across Sectors

Mainstreaming climate and environmental objectives in EU funding programmes in the post-2027 period

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Publication:Report
 
Cover page of a report titled “Mainstreaming Climate and Environmental Objectives in EU Funding Programmes in the Post-2027 Period.” The title appears in white text on a blue background at the top. Below, three stylized floating blocks of earth are shown; one has a wind turbine on it. At the bottom of the image are logos of Ramboll, CE Delft, Ecologic Institute, and I4CE.
This study explores how climate and environmental objectives can be more effectively integrated into the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). It assesses the effectiveness of current mainstreaming tools such as climate and biodiversity spending targets, the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) principle, expenditure tracking systems, and funding exclusions.

Mainstreaming Climate and Environmental Objectives in EU Funding Programmes in the Post-2027 Period

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the final report titled "Analysis of Ten Selected Crediting Methodologies for Climate-Friendly Soil Management," published by the German Environment Agency in February 2025.
This report, commissioned by the German Environment Agency and co-authored by Ecologic Institute, contains a detailed assessment of ten crediting methodologies on climate-friendly soil management measures. These crediting methodologies are examples of result-based payment and offsetting approaches to fund enhanced carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural practices. Our evaluation of these certification methodologies covers key aspects, including emission quantification, baseline setting, additionality, risk management, environmental and social impacts, and governance. We find many weaknesses with the assessed methodologies.

Analysis of ten Selected Crediting Methodologies for Climate-friendly Soil Management

Annex to the report "Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management"

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Publication:Podcast
 
In this 4th episode, together with investment and finance experts Julie Evain (I4CE) and Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (I4CE), we unpack the regulatory framework for mobilizing green investments that are needed for a climate-neutral future. Can current EU financial policies provide predictability to economic actors? Which policies do we need to ensure long-term vision toward climate neutrality? We also explore the role of the banking sector and the use of banks' transition plans to ensure banks consider climate-related risks and direct investments properly.

Regulatory Leverage: How Can the EU Foster a Green Investment Shift?

Fourth episode of the podcast "CLIMATE ON AIR – Discussing the future of EU climate policy"

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Publication:Fact Sheet
 
PONDERFUL Financing Instruments
The PONDERFUL Sustainable Finance Inventory consists of a total of 22 financing instruments for nature-based solutions (NBS). Each instrument is matched by at least one concrete example of the financing instrument in action. Different financing instruments have different strengths and weaknesses, making them more or less appropriate for different contexts and actors. The Inventory aims to support pondscape developers to understand financing options and identify the finance instruments best suited to their pondscape NBS project.

Nature-based Solutions Sustainable Financing Inventory

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Publication:Infographic
 
Illustration of multifunctional measures for urban infrastructure that combine water retention and greening. It shows green roofs, green facades, photovoltaic systems, permeable pavements, deep beds with retention space, multifunctional retention areas and a cistern for rainwater utilization. Benefits include improved air quality, noise reduction, heat reduction and resource conservation. Source: Ecologic Institute and Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment.
Ecologic Institute conceived and designed several infographics for the update of the Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in Baden-Württemberg. These visualise some of the thematised climate impacts on the various fields of action and support the understanding of the content. The infographics are designed in accordance to the project's style guidelines.

Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in Baden-Württemberg – Infographic Series

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the interim report "Funding climate-friendly soil management: Risks and key issues. Key issues to be considered in the design of funding instruments"
This report summarises key aspects that should be accounted for in the design of policy instruments to support the implementation of climate-friendly soil management measures. It outlines overarching aspects that need to be considered for any type of policy instruments, including land use competition, impacts on soil health, biodiversity impacts, ownership and rights to use of soils and social impacts.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management: Risks and key issues

Key issues to be considered in the design of funding instruments

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Publication:Report
 
Carbon pricing is gaining traction around the world, as more and more jurisdictions implement emissions trading systems or tax carbon emissions to achieve their climate objectives. The annual "State and Trends of Carbon Pricing" is the flagship report of the World Bank to provide a concise, up-to-date overview of what is happening in this field. With over 70,000 annual downloads, it is one of the most prominent publications on this matter.

State and Trends of Carbon Pricing Report 2023

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Publication:Article
 
print and online cover of the journal "Klima und Recht"
The COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh was intended by the Egyptian presidency to be an implementation summit. The key outcome agreed was a financing mechanism with a fund specifically for damage and loss. Apart from that, the substantive outcomes of COP27 were mostly disappointing. This article by Dr. Ralph Bodle, Arne Riedel and Dr. Camilla Bausch provides an overview of selected outcomes, as well as insights into the process and the assessment by German civil society.

Der Klimagipfel von Sharm El-Sheikh: Fortschritt und Stillstand

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Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast
 
To achieve the EU climate targets, a lot of money will have to be invested – according to estimates by the EU Commission, an additional 350 billion euros per year by 2030. In order to avoid greenwashing and ensure that these funds actually flow into sustainable economic activities, the EU taxonomy has been in place since 2020. What are the weaknesses of the taxonomy, and how could it be further developed in the future?

EU-Taxonomie: Ein guter Schritt für mehr Nachhaltigkeit?

14th episode of "Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast"

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
Cover of the policy brief"How much will the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law cost and how much funding is available?"
Funding the implementation of the law is a key aspect and a point of tension in the negotiations. This policy brief addresses three questions: 1.) How much will implementing the NRL cost and how much funding is available? 2.) How can Member States mobilise funding for nature restoration? 3.) How do the economic benefits brought by nature restoration compare to its costs?

How Much Will the Implementation of the Nature Restoration Law Cost and How Much Funding is Available?

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Publication:Podcast
 
How do we classify which investments are the right ones to power the transition to a climate and nature-friendly economy? This is a pretty big question, and one that is crucial to a successful implementation of the European Green Deal. The EU taxonomy – the subject of our latest episode – specifies the various criteria that investments will need to fulfil to be considered sustainable. In practice, the taxonomy is a long list of economic activities with benchmark performance standards.

Fifty Shades of Green: Sustainable finance and the EU taxonomy

Seventh episode of the podcast "Green Deal – Big Deal?"

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Publication:Article
 
1st page of the online article's print version "Building climate resilience through nature-based solutions in Europe: A review of enabling knowledge, finance and governance frameworks"
In this paper, the authors review recent EU-supported research, policy, and practices to identify critical dimensions that still need to be addressed for greater uptake of NBS. While recognising the multiple societal challenges NBS can target, the authors build on the key messages from the '5th European Climate Change Adaptation conference ECCA 2021' and focus their analysis on NBS for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

Building Climate Resilience through Nature-based Solutions in Europe

A review of enabling knowledge, finance and governance frameworks

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Publication:Report
 
Document page explaining 'Efficiency and Effectiveness of Adaptation' with a focus on climate change adaptation investments. Includes a 'Stylized framework for assessing adaptation benefits' graph depicting the impact of adaptation over time, from a UNFCCC 2009 source. Text discusses how efficiency and effectiveness inform government investments in climate change, mentioning the Green Climate Fund and the necessity of evaluating adaptation actions.
The European Environment Agency's report "Costs of Adaptation versus Costs of Inaction" highlights the urgent need for climate change adaptation strategies. In the face of increasing climate events such as heatwaves, forest fires and floods, the report notes that the European Union has already taken important initiatives on adaptation, including the formulation of the EU Adaptation Strategy. This strategy aims to make adaptation measures more efficient, faster and more comprehensive and to increase international readiness to act.

Costs of Adaptation vs Costs of Inaction

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the publication "Emission Trading and Regulation of Financial Markets"
In the light of the financial and economic crisis, the EU has further developed and tightened its regulation of the financial market in Europe. This process has also had an impact on the actors in the European carbon market and their trading strategies. This final report brings together the results of three analyses.

Emission Trading and Regulation of Financial Markets

Abschlussbericht

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Publication:Report
 
Publication's cover
The EU has raised its climate target for 2030 to at least -55 %. Agora Energiewende and Ecologic Institute sketch a "Fit for 55" package that can ensure both environmental integrity and solidarity. It investigates four options how to regulate heating and transport emissions, focusing in particular on the pros and cons of expanding emissions trading to these sectors. The paper makes the case for a smart mix of EU-level carbon pricing and companion polices.

A "Fit for 55" Package Based on Environmental Integrity and Solidarity

Designing an EU climate policy architecture for ETS and effort sharing to deliver 55% lower GHG emissions by 2030

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
publication's cover
Governments around the world are seeking to improve the way they organize their climate policy-making. Many countries are adopting national framework laws to do so. Choosing the right design is key for making these laws effective. This paper provides an update on the core elements of ten European climate laws and identifies several best practice lessons that could inform future climate law design.

Professionalizing Climate Policy via Legislation

Good Practices in Long-Term National Climate Framework Laws

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the EEA report "Overview of Accessibility of the Climate Change Adaptation Finance Data in Europe"
The report, prepared for the European Environment Agency, examines the availability and accessibility of data on the financing of climate adaptation measures in Europe. The aim is to develop an in-depth understanding of the challenges and existing practices in collecting and analyzing this data in order to promote effective adaptation strategies.

Overview of Accessibility of the Climate Change Adaptation Finance Data in Europe

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Publication:Article
 
The EU recovery and resilience facility marks progress but has some shortcomings in climate policy, argues Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf in his OpEd for the Tagesspiegel. A bigger role for the European Parliament in the distribution of recovery funds is important – for climate protection and democracy in the EU. The facility's spending rules must be clarified.

672 Milliarden Euro – was ist drin für den Klimaschutz?

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Publication:Article
 
Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf comments on the EU corona aid package in Tagesspiegel Background. He calls for the EU Parliament to have a greater say in the matter and criticises that the aid programme is not sufficiently linked to the goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

EU-Coronamilliarden noch ohne feste Klimakriterien

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Publication:Document
 
The Corona crisis offers three important lessons for climate policies and Europe's economic recovery. First, systemic shocks – like the Corona pandemic or climate change – affect the foundations of modern societies. Second, resiliency, preparedness and time are existential factors in addressing systemic crises. Third, the world’s economic recovery must help build efficient, innovative and climate neutral economies. In turn, calls to delay climate policies draw the wrong lessons from the current crisis and undermine Europe's economic recovery. All countries, including the EU, must accelerate their emission reductions drastically.

Europe's Economic Recovery – Climate Neutral, Fair and Innovative

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Publication:Article
 
What do environmentally friendly economic stimulus programs look like? In the Tagesspiegel, Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf takes stock of the stimulus packages adopted during the 2009 financial crisis. Stimulus packages should clearly exclude measures that harm the environment.

Geld allein macht nicht glücklich

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Publication:Article
 
The enormously innovative German industry is in a position to develop many of the technical solutions required to achieve climate neutrality and bring them onto the market. However, this is not a fast-selling item, but also requires a long-term commitment from the public sector. In this article, Jan-Erik Thie and Benjamin Görlach of Ecologic Institute discuss how German industry can become climate neutral and why the public sector plays an important role. The article is available online.

Wie der klimaneutrale Umbau des Industriestandorts Deutschland gelingen kann

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Publication:Report
 
In a study for DG FISMA, Ecologic Institute and its partners supported the Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance in the development of screening criteria for agriculture activities. The criteria are presented in the Technical Report on EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy. The report is available for download and the call for feedback is open until 13 September 2019. Following this consultation, the TEG will issue recommendations to support the development of future legislation on EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.

EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy – Technical Report

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Publication:Report
 
Bangladesh needs to turn its pledges into effective policy instrument to realize the promises about greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation made in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). In that regard, analyzing the energy and climate policies of Bangladesh and consulting with the stakeholders from Bangladesh and other countries, Shafiqul Alam provides insights on the possible policy instrument for Bangladesh to achieve the target of NDC and raises some fundamental policy issues. His study is available for download.

Carbon Pricing to Contribute to Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Efforts of Bangladesh: Design features and rationale

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