Publications

Publication:Document
 
Researchers at Ecologic Institute have developed a new tool to help governments to produce socially just climate adaptation strategies. The Just2Adapt tool allows the user to analyse the justice dimensions of Heat Action Plans at the strategic level as well as at the level of individual measures. It is important that heat adaptation strategies integrate social justice considerations because of the unequal way in which the heat-health effects of climate change are distributed across the population.

Just2Adapt Tool: Supporting governments with socially just climate adaptation

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Publication:Report
 
This publication documents informational and educational materials for the fields of medicine, pharmacy, and health communication. The project aimed to reduce the release of pharmaceutical substances into the environment and to strengthen the integration of environmental knowledge into education, teaching, and professional practice. The project produced openly accessible materials for universities and continuing education programmes, pharmacies, and the general public. In addition, an online platform was established to consolidate scientific background information, infographics, and teaching resources.

Zu Risiken und Nebenwirkungen fragen Sie ... das Umweltbundesamt!

Informations- und Lehrmaterialien für einen umweltbewussten Umgang mit Humanarzneimitteln

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Publication:Report
 
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, unsustainable production and consumption, overexploitation of land and resources, and structural inequalities. The analysis concludes that the triple crisis can only be effectively addressed through systemic, cross-sectoral, and justice-oriented approaches. By linking resource governance, NbS, and transformative change, this report highlights how today’s triple crisis can be turned into an opportunity to regenerate ecosystems, reduce inequalities, and build resilient societies within planetary boundaries.

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

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Publication:Fact Sheet
 
This fact sheet summarizes the information contained in the publication Burgos Cuevas 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. Interim report, Climate Change 83/2025. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau. https://doi.org/10.60810/openumwelt-8108.

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

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Publication:Infographic
 
Infographic titled “Impacts of the triple planetary crisis on human and ecosystem health.” It shows how climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution create cascading effects on ecosystems and human health, amplified by socio-economic inequalities, climate hazards, global interconnectedness, and pollutant interactions. The graphic links environmental pressures to impacts such as disease risks, ecosystem degradation, and reduced resilience.
This solution-oriented infographic showcases nature-based solutions (NbS) as systemic responses to the triple planetary crisis, illustrating how measures such as wetland restoration, mangrove protection or urban green infrastructure can simultaneously address climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, while delivering co-benefits for health, resilience and livelihoods.

Impacts of the Triple Planetary Crisis on Human and Ecosystem Health

Infographic Series

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Publication:Video
 
Pharmaceutical substances from creams and gels can enter wastewater when washed off after application. However, this can be reduced by first wiping your hands with a paper towel, disposing of it in the household waste, and only then washing your hands.

Umweltfreundliche Anwendung von Arzneisalben

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Publication:Website
 
Screenshot of the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) website section on "Human pharmaceuticals and the environment." The page features navigation options for topics such as "For patients," "For doctors and pharmacists," "Scientific background," and "Downloads." Below, an infographic shows a crossed-out symbol over a sink and toilet, surrounded by pills, bottles, and environmental icons like fish. The text highlights the agency's mandate to educate about the environmental risks of pharmaceuticals.
The Federal Environment Agency's online platform "Pharmaceuticals and the Environment" provides information on the environmental impact of human pharmaceuticals and gives recommendations for environmentally conscious use and disposal. The aim is to minimize the entry of pharmaceutical residues into the environment and thus protect organisms, water, and soil.

Humanarzneimittel und Umwelt

Information platform

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Publication:Document
 
Slides of a presentation set titled "Environmental Aspects of Human Pharmaceuticals in Medical Practice." Subtitle: "Basic slide set with free materials for medical education."
Pharmaceuticals in the environment are a growing problem. The UBA Internet portal "Human Medicinal Products and the Environment" offers freely available, scientifically proven teaching materials for medical and pharmaceutical lecturers. With the basic set of slides and the accompanying texts, the topic can be taught comprehensively and practically despite tight curricula.

Umweltaspekte von Humanarzneimitteln in der medizinischen und pharmazeutischen Praxis

Basisfoliensatz und Begleittexte mit freien Materialien

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Publication:Postcard
 
A postcard with the message: "Der Umwelt zuliebe: Hausmüll* statt Glascontainer." The image shows several brown glass bottles and medication containers with droppers and syringes. A footnote indicates "*oder Recyclinghof/Schadstoffmobil."
Liquid pharmaceutical leftovers are more often disposed of incorrectly in waste water than solid ones. For this reason, a German-language postcard in DIN A6 (10 x 15 cm) has been developed on this topic, which can be given to customers when liquid medicines are handed in at the pharmacy.

Der Umwelt zuliebe: Hausmüll statt Glascontainer

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Publication:Fact Sheet
 
Cover page of the information package 'Pharmaceuticals and the Environment' for pharmacies, published by the German Environment Agency. The page includes a message of thanks to pharmacists for their contribution to reducing the entry of pharmaceuticals into the environment. Below, an introduction to the topic highlights the three main sections of the information package.
Pharmacies are an obvious place for conversation about pharmaceuticals and their effects on people and the environment, as well as the disposal of unused products. The information package for pharmacies provides pharmacy staff with in-depth background information for such discussions.

Infopaket für Apotheken – Arzneimittel und Umwelt

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Publication:Infographic
 
Toxicity table of pharmaceutical substances on aquatic organisms (2024): Lists drug groups, specific substances, their toxicity levels (very high, high, moderate, low), and affected non-target organisms like fish, cyanobacteria, and water fleas.
This infographic provides a brief overview of the toxicity of human pharmaceutical substances on non-target organisms observed in laboratory and case studies. A detailed version of the table, which also includes effect concentrations and literature sources, can be downloaded as a PDF.

Toxizität von Humanarzneimittelwirkstoffen für Nichtzielorganismen

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Publication:Document
 
Pharmacies can order this decorative wall calendar free of charge and give it as a promotional gift to their customers. The calendar is designed as a year-independent birthday calendar in DIN A4. Each month, attractive, large photo motifs and short texts focus on a different aspect of pharmaceuticals and the environment.

Geburtstagskalender: Arzneimittel und Umwelt

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Publication:Poster
 
Poster titled "Correct disposal of leftover medicines." It presents three disposal options: domestic waste, pharmacies, and mobile hazardous waste units or recycling centers. The poster emphasizes not disposing of liquid or solid pharmaceuticals in toilets or sinks to protect water bodies and drinking water. Information is provided in multiple languages, and a QR code links to additional resources on arzneimittelentsorgung.de. Published by the German Environment Agency.
Many people think that old medicines should always be disposed of via pharmacies. Providing information about the applicable disposal methods, which vary from region to region, takes time in the pharmacy. The poster "Correct disposal of leftover medicines in: ...." is intended to ease the burden on staff by providing disposal information in writing on the sales floor. Other useful locations for the poster could include doctors' surgeries, hospitals, health advice centers, health insurance companies or waste disposal companies.

Correct Disposal of Leftover Medicines in: ...

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Publication:Postcard
 
A visual guide titled "Der Umwelt zuliebe: Erst Wischen... dann Waschen!" showing a step-by-step process: applying ointment, wiping hands with a tissue, disposing of the tissue in a bin, and washing hands under running water.
Bei der Anwendung arzneimittelhaltiger Cremes und Gels kann die ins Abwasser gelangende Arzneistoffmenge dadurch reduziert werden, dass man sich nach dem Auftragen zunächst die Hände mit einem Papiertuch abwischt, das im Hausmüll entsorgt wird, und erst dann die Hände wäscht. Deshalb wurde zu diesem Thema eine deutschsprachige Postkarte in DIN A6 (10 x 15 cm) entwickelt, die der Kundschaft bei Abgabe von arzneimittelhaltigen Cremes und Gels in der Apotheke mitgegeben werden kann.

Der Umwelt zuliebe: Erst Wischen ... dann Waschen!

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Publication:Article
 
Cover of the journal 'Drug Discovery Today' from Elsevier. The title is 'Drug Discovery Today: Authoritative reviews and expert opinion. Industry focused, peer reviewed'. The cover lists several articles. The design at the bottom shows an illustration of several signposts pointing in different directions. The issue is from May 2024, Volume 29, No. 5/12
The article "Design of greener drugs: aligning parameters in pharmaceutical R&D and drivers for environmental impact" published in Drug Discovery Today explores the challenges and opportunities in developing pharmaceuticals that are not only safe and effective for patients but also environmentally sustainable. This open access article – written by a cross-disciplinary team with representatives of universities, regulators, research-based pharmaceutical companies and SMEs – identifies the most promising areas for action in pharmaceutical research and development. It specifically aims to bridge the scientific concepts used by the expert communities in both environmental science and pharmaceutical R&D.

Design of Greener Drugs

Aligning parameters in pharmaceutical R&D and drivers for environmental impact

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Publication:Article
 
screenshot article sitting in our own soup
Urban water management is facing new challenges due to climate change. Intensified precipitation is putting additional stress on stormwater systems, leading to increased flood risks, more frequent combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and resultant risks to public health and urban biodiversity. These topics are addressed in a new publication co-authored by Gregory Fuchs and McKenna Davis of Ecologic Institute entitled 'Sitting in our own soup? Combined sewers, climate change and nature-based solutions for urban water management in Berlin.'

Sitting in Our Own Soup? Combined sewers, climate change and nature-based solutions for urban water management in Berlin

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Publication:Article
 
Image of the front page of the academic journal article titled 'Designing greener active pharmaceutical ingredients: Insights from pharmaceutical industry into drug discovery and development.' Image includes elements like a header with the journal name 'European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences,' the Elsevier logo, and a URL link to the journal's homepage. The article lists the authors and feature an abstract section with a summary of the content, including keywords such as API, Sustainable Environment...
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), their metabolites, and transformation products often act as pollutants in the environment, impacting both human health and ecosystems. To tackle this issue, an efficient, long-term prevention strategy involves designing APIs with reduced environmental impact – greener APIs. This involves incorporating environmental parameters into the Research and Development (R&D) process. This article explores the feasibility of designing greener APIs, drawing insights from drug design experts in major research-based pharmaceutical companies.

Designing Greener Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

Insights from the pharmaceutical industry into drug discovery and development

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Publication:Infographic
 
Checklist titled “Eco-friendly Use of Medications” providing tips for patients to reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals. Illustrated with healthcare and environmental icons, the checklist encourages sustainable medication practices. Additional resources are linked at uba.de/hmp and arzneimittelentsorgung.de. Published by the German Environment Agency and Ecologic Institute, 2023.
By using pharmaceuticals in an environmentally conscious manner, patients can help to minimize their release of pharmaceuticals into the environment. The core elements have been compiled in a checklist to provide quick and effective information on environmentally friendly patient behavior.

Checklist: Eco-friendly Use of Medications

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Publication:Infographic
 
An infographic titled "Correct disposal of leftover drugs" shows a map of Germany indicating recommended disposal options for expired or unused medicines by region. The options include domestic waste, mobile hazardous waste units or recycling centers, and pharmacies. A green sidebar advises against disposing of medicines in toilets or sinks to protect water bodies.
The improper disposal of (used) pharmaceuticals via the toilet and sink is still one of the largest avoidable ways in which pharmaceuticals enter the environment. This infographic therefore provides information on the correct disposal of leftover pharmaceuticals in Germany.

Correct Disposal of Leftover Drugs!

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Publication:Infographic
 
Bar chart comparing the environmental impact of different Diclofenac pharmaceutical forms (transdermal patch, tablet, gel, and gel with wiped hands) and wastewater treatment levels (tertiary and quaternary). The chart illustrates the distribution of Diclofenac in the body, household waste, sewage sludge, filter residue, and water bodies. Key data emphasizes the influence of pharmaceutical form and wastewater treatment on environmental discharge.
The analgesic and anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical active ingredient Diclofenac can be administered in various forms of application. The discharge of the active ingredient into wastewater varies depending on the form of application. The final entry into the environment's water bodies is additionally influenced by the type of wastewater treatment.

Diclofenac: Influence of the Pharmaceutical Form and Wastewater Treatment on the Discharge into the Environment

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Publication:Infographic
 
This is an "Environmental Checklist for Prescribing and Dispensing Medications." It is designed to help medical professionals and pharmacists minimize the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals. The checklist is divided into three sections: Medical Professionals, Pharmacists and both Medical Professionals and Pharmacists.
Healthcare professionals increasingly want to ensure the best medical care, but also consider the environmental impact. To provide pharmacists and healthcare professionals with quick and effective information, core elements for environmentally friendly prescribing and dispensing practices have been compiled in a checklist.

Environmental Checklist for Prescribing and Dispensing Medications

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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:Website
 
CLEVER Cities Guidance homepage: a platform to explore insights, tools, indicators and lessons learned about nature-based solutions (NbS) for sustainable urban regeneration. It provides evidence-based approaches, innovative case studies and lessons learned on: NbS mainstreaming in policy and planning, social impact generation and measurement, and co-creation and stakeholder empowerment.
The CLEVER Cities Guidance online platform developed by Ecologic Institute features insights, tools, indicators and lessons learned about nature-based solutions (NBS) emerging out of the CLEVER Cities project and its nine partner cities. Filling a gap in available resources, the Guidance focuses on (1) policy and planning strategies, (2) how to generate and measure social impacts of NBS, and (3) approaches for co-creation and engaging stakeholders.

CLEVER Cities Guidance

clever-guidance.urbanbynature.eu

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the report "The nature – climate change – mental health nexus: A literature review"
The complex interactions between nature, climate change, and mental health are being increasingly explored amid increasing environmental challenges facing society. This study explores these connections, focusing on (1) how mental health is affected by the effects of a changing climate in Europe, and (2) how green spaces and nature-based solutions can play a role in reducing and treating those negative effects. The research uncovers the transformative power of promoting a harmonious relationship with the natural world to nurture our collective ecological and social resilience.

The Nature – Climate Change – Mental Health Nexus

A literature review

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Publication:Infographic
 
The infographic summarizes the results of the report "The nature – climate change – mental health nexus: A literature review."
The complex interactions between nature, climate change, and mental health are being increasingly explored amid increasing environmental challenges facing society. This infographic summarizes the key findings of the report "The Nature – Climate Change – Mental Health Nexus. A literature review". It visualizes these connections, focusing on (1) how mental health is affected by the effects of a changing climate in Europe, and (2) how green spaces and nature-based solutions can play a role in reducing and treating those negative effects.

Nature – Climate Change – Mental Health: A summary of key linkages

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Publication:Brochure
 
Cover of the short version "Strategie zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Baden-Württemberg. Fortschreibung"
The adaptation strategy provides the framework for the adaptation activities of the state of Baden-Württemberg and serves as a basis for implementation, especially for administration, municipalities and the economy. Due to changing climatic conditions, the state government of Baden-Württemberg committed to update its adaptation strategy in 2023. This short version summarizes the contents of the adaptation strategy.

Kurzfassung: Strategie zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Baden-Württemberg – Fortschreibung

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Publication:Brochure
 
Cover of the "Kompaktinformation für Kommunen: Strategie zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Baden-Württemberg – Fortschreibung
Due to changing climatic conditions, the state government of Baden-Württemberg committed to update its adaptation strategy in 2023. This compact information highlights the measures from the state strategy in which municipalities have an important role to play. It is intended to help them define and implement, or work towards implementing, the measures necessary for their local conditions and risks. It provides a compact overview for municipalities on their way to adapt to the consequences of climate change.

Kompaktinformation für Kommunen: Strategie zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Baden-Württemberg – Fortschreibung

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Publication:Brochure
 
Cover of the strategy paper
Ecologic Institute provided editorial and graphical support for the update of the adaptation strategy in Baden-Württemberg. Using graphical elements and a well-designed reader guidance, the reading orientation was improved and the visual quality of the document was increased. In addition to the graphic design, Ecologic Institute provided support for the drafting of several chapters, e.g. on climate change impacts, summarized sectoral adaptation challenges and developed an abridged version of the update of the adaptation strategy.

Strategie zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Baden-Württemberg – Fortschreibung

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Publication:Flyer
 
Do not dispose of unused pharmaceuticals in the toilet or sink, as this is how they end up in water, soil and groundwater. This leaflet explains in various languages how to dispose of old pharmaceuticals correctly and why this is important.

Do NOT Dispose of Drugs in the Toilet or Sink

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the report " zur Verankerung der Thematik Arzneimittelrückstände in der Umwelt in der Lehre medizinischer und pharmazeutischer Berufe"
This report presents a work plan for incorporating the issue of pharmaceuticals in the environment into the education of the medical and pharmaceutical professions in Germany. It first presents an overview of the relevant German structures in the education and training of medical and pharmaceutical professions. In a second step, it provides concrete recommendations for the integration of the topic into teaching (studies and vocational training), continuing education and training.

Arbeitsplan zur Verankerung der Thematik Arzneimittelrückstände in der Umwelt in der Lehre medizinischer und pharmazeutischer Berufe

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Publication:Podcast
 
In the latest "Green Deal – Big Deal?" podcast episode, the hosts Ewa Iwaszuk and Aaron Best from Ecologic Institute speak with interview guests Margherita Tolotto (Senior Policy Officer for Air and Noise at the European Environmental Bureau) and Agnieszka Warso-Buchanan (Senior Lawyer in ClientEarth). They discuss the problem of air pollution, the important role that lawsuits have played in forcing action, the current effort to bring the law in line with the science – and what citizens can do to have their voices heard in this debate.

The Fight for Better Air Quality in the EU

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

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