Publication:Infographic

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.

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-being from environmental harm. It is based on the report “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” and highlights concrete pathways for action. The infographic is also included in the accompanying fact sheet under the same title.

Current Model of Material Use & Key Policy Actions to Address Structural Barriers

Infographic Series

Year 2025

Cover of the report with colorful tiles showing photos of agricultural scenes in the background

The bioeconomy concept presents an attractive framework for policymakers in Europe, as it holds the potential to foster innovations that match specific community needs with regionally available resources. The SCALE-UP project aims to enhance the capacity and expertise of multi-actor partnerships to accelerate the development of market-ready bio-based products and services while facilitating their successful market deployment. Additionally, SCALE-UP strengthens collaboration among primary producers, SMEs, industry clusters, social actors, and policymakers, promoting a cohesive approach to innovation.

12 Small-scale Business Models Explored in the SCALE-UP Regions

Year 2025

Publication:Website

Ecologic Institute designed and developed the project website "Circular Textiles" within the networking and transfer project of the funding program "Resource-efficient circular economy – circular sustainable textiles: development of holistic, practical solutions for closing loops in the textile industry". The website provides an overview of all funded joint projects. It also contains information on the projects and events, as well as news from the networking and transfer project.

Zirkuläre Textilien

Ressourcheneffiziente Kreislaufwirtschaft – Zirkuläre nachhaltige Textilien

Year 2024

Publication:Document

Kemper, Melanie 2024: ZirTeNet: Websitekonzept - Planung der Informationsarchitektur von www.zirkulaere-textilien.de. Ecologic Institut. Berlin. Unpublished.

ZirTeNet: Websitekonzept

Planung der Informationsarchitektur von www.zirkulaere-textilien.de

Year 2024

Publication:Policy Brief

Cover page of the report titled 'Empfehlungen für die Umsetzung eines nachhaltigen und gesellschaftlich akzeptierten Unterbodenmanagements in Deutschland' (Recommendations for the Implementation of a Sustainable and Socially Accepted Subsoil Management in Germany). Key recommendations are listed, focusing on political frameworks, value chains, collaboration with practitioners, legal clarity, and further research support.

This policy brief outlines recommendations for sustainable and socially accepted subsoil management in Germany. Subsoil, located below the plowed topsoil layer, holds essential nutrients and water reserves crucial for plant growth and sustainable bioeconomy practices. The Soil³ project (2015–2025) investigated methods to enhance subsoil usage, focusing on increasing plant root access to this layer without compromising its ecological functions.

Empfehlungen für die Umsetzung eines nachhaltigen und gesellschaftlich akzeptierten Unterbodenmanagements in Deutschland

Year 2024

Publication:Report

This report analyzes documents and formats focusing on resource efficiency, resource conservation and the circular economy at the German, European and international level. It outlines significant developments and expected trends in resource policy and identifies research needs. Given the rapid increase in global resource use, driven by population growth and economic expansion, the transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy is a key challenge. This need is reinforced by various global crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and increasing resource dependency. The report emphasizes that innovative and effective policies are needed at both national and international levels to promote and implement this transition.

Ressourceneffizienz und natürliche Ressourcen im internationalen Kontext

Entwicklungslinien der Ressourcenpolitik mit Schwerpunkt auf Ressourcenschonung und Ressourceneffizienz

Year 2024

Publication:Report

Cover of a report titled 'Transformation towards sustainable, resilient infrastructures - Concepts, systematization, sustainability assessment, case studies'. It's the 55th publication of 2024 in the 'TEXTE' series, intended for the German Environment Agency. Below the title are the names of the authors from various institutions including the Leibniz Institute for Ecological Spatial Development, Ecologic Institute, and the Brandenburg University of Technology.

This final report provides an analysis of the innovation and dissemination processes of infrastructure solutions that aim to increase sustainability and resilience. The research was conducted as part of the TRAFIS II project.

Transformation hin zu nachhaltigen, resilienten Infrastrukturen

Begriffe, Systematisierung, Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung, Fallstudien

Year 2024

Publication:Podcast

In this episode of "Green Deal – Big Deal?", we tackle the complex world of natural resources, a topic that underpins many aspects of Europe's ambition for a green future. In conversation with guests Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General of European Commission’s DG Environment, and Janez Potočnik, Co-chair of the International Resources Panel, hosts Ewa Iwaszuk and Aaron Best discuss how the use of natural resources is closely linked to the climate and biodiversity crises, highlighting the global nature of resource use and its impacts.

Material World: Using resources sustainably in a time of planetary crises

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

Year 2024

Publication:Article

In the article "Lang lebe der Rohstoff" (available in German), Susanne Langsdorf provides an overview of Germany's use of raw materials, its dependence on sometimes problematic trading partners and what tools Germany has to reduce this.

Lang lebe der Rohstoff!

A more sustainable use of resources is possible. There is a wide range of measures available to reduce consumption - but there is a lack of implementation.

Year 2024

Publication:Policy Brief

cover page of Policy Paper No. 9 by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection. The title reads 'Die Rolle nachhaltiger Produktionsmethoden und Investitionen sowie naturpositiver Lieferketten für die Wiederherstellung von Ökosystemen', translating to 'The Role of Sustainable Production Methods and Investments as well as Nature-Positive Supply Chains for the Restoration of Ecosystems'.

How can companies and societies effectively design the shift towards greater sustainability? This policy brief highlights the importance of sustainable production methods, investments, and nature-positive supply chains for the restoration of ecosystems and outlines action approaches for a sustainable future.

Die Rolle nachhaltiger Produktionsmethoden und Investitionen sowie naturpositiver Lieferketten für die Wiederherstellung von Ökosystemen

Year 2023

Publication:Report

This report provides an independent, systematic analysis of the structures, activities, and impacts of Germany’s Energy, Climate, Development, and Raw Materials Partnerships (ECDRPs). A particular focus lies on the partnerships with countries of the Global South. Based on the analysis, the report provides recommendations for the development of Germany’s partnerships by answering the central question: How can Germany's ECDRPs be made as impactful as possible and more transformative for a resilient transition towards climate neutrality in Germany and its partner countries?

Developing Germany's Partnerships for Transformation

Year 2023

Publication:Report

This report analyzes how innovative, sustainable infrastructure solutions can be successfully disseminated through specific mechanisms and under certain conditions. It emphasizes the importance of cooperative networks and suitable framework conditions for the dissemination of innovations at municipal and regional level.

Verbreitungswege nachhaltiger Infrastrukturlösungen

Drei Beispiele auf kommunaler und regionaler Ebene

Year 2023

Publication:Report

Der Bericht wurde im Rahmen des EU‐geförderten SCALE‐UP‐Projekts erstellt, um zwölf innovative biobasierte Vorhaben zu identifizieren, die in sechs ländlichen Regionen Europas wirtschaftliche, ökologische und soziale Vorteile bieten können: Nordschweden; Masowien (Polen); der französische Atlantikbogen; Oberösterreich; Andalusien (Spanien); und Strumica (Nordmazedonien).

Overview of Regionally Suitable Solutions

Year 2023

Publication:Report

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.

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 evaluation period, the networks contributed to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 69.2 thousand tonnes of CO2.

Year 2023

Publication:Report

Cover of Scale Up report featuring colorful tiles with agricultural motifs

This framework sets out a holistic approach to foster community-driven bioeconomy development across six rural European areas. Building on a four-phase methodology – establishing regional knowledge and platforms; cross-regional knowledge transfer; creation of a pan-European Community of Practice; and dissemination – the report aligns with the European Green Deal and the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It identifies relevant biomass streams (from sawdust and agricultural residues to hemp and olive by-products) and outlines valorization options that drive local innovation while respecting ecological limits.

Conceptual Framework for the Design and Implementation of Participatory Activities in the SCALE-UP Regions

Year 2023

Publication:Article

Cover Journal Circular Economy and Sustainability

To tackle the "plastic crisis", the concept of circular economy has attracted considerable attention over the past years, both by practitioners and scholars alike. Against this background, Linda Mederake, Ecologic Institute, reflects in this opinion paper from a political scientist's point of view on key issues currently under discussion regarding the implementation of a circular plastics economy.

Year 2022

Publication:Case Study

In light of current experiences in energy markets, Western democracies, and the EU in particular, are exploring new supply chains and strategies to reduce their raw material dependence on China. The findings presented here by the authors of this study provide an overview of the main options that the EU can currently use to counter the pressures of growing dependencies. This study discusses some positive examples of feasible circular approaches that aim to achieve savings in the use of rare earths.

Europäische Ressourcensouveränität

Seltene Erden und das Potenzial der Kreislaufwirtschaft: Eine Fallstudie

Year 2022

Publication:Book Section

Cover of the book "Zukünfte nachhaltiger Bioökonomie. Kommunikation und Partizipation in neuen Wirtschaftsformen"

A democratic dialogue with a broad spectrum of stakeholders and the society is considered necessary for the transformation to a sustainable bio-based economy. As such, several dedicated bioeconomy strategies across Europe and beyond outline objectives towards broader stakeholder and public engagement. In this book chapter Zoritza Kiresiewa, Laurens Duin and Holger Gerdes address the degree of participation and the role of the individual actor groups and society in strategy development processes and recommend concrete actions for more inclusive and effective stakeholder and public engagement.

Limitations of Stakeholder and Public Engagement in Bioeconomy Strategy Development Processes

Year 2022

Publication:Brochure

This study presents innovative processes and technologies of the circular economy. The case studies come from a range of industries that are of particular importance to Hesse and demonstrate the broad applicability of the technologies presented. The case studies are split into five main groups, each containing a few innovative and sustainable projects by various institutions and firms. They also offer insights into the economic and ecological advantages of the projects and provide the readers with a thorough understanding of the processes.

Kreislaufführung und Sekundärrohstoffe

Praxisbeispiele und Potenziale

Year 2022

Publication:Report

Publication:Report

Report Cover "Global Rules in a New Global Treaty"

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 preparing for the upcoming negotiations, this report by Linda Mederake and Doris Knoblauch (both Ecologic Institute), aims to provide an analysis of the region’s opportunities to end single-use plastics (SUPs) pollution through the development of this new global treaty.

Year 2022

Publication:Video

On 6 May 2022, Ecologic Institute organized the "Theme Day Plastic in the Environment" to present to the public the research findings achieved since 2017 from 20 research projects with more than 100 participating institutions from science, industry and practice. Ecologic Institute produced a reel to contribute to the visibility of the event.

Informiere dich am 6. Mai beim Thementag: Plastik in der Umwelt

Year 2022

Publication:Video

On 6 May 2022, Ecologic Institute organized the "Theme Day Plastic in the Environment" to present to the public the research findings achieved since 2017 from 20 research projects with more than 100 participating institutions from science, industry and practice. Ecologic Institute developed a trailer for passenger television in Berlin's subways (Berliner Fenster) for Berlin-wide visibility of the event.

Welche Auswirkungen hat Plastik auf uns Berliner:innen und unsere Umwelt?

Year 2022

Publication:Poster

Plastic waste is a global environmental problem, the consequences of our increasing plastic use are visible worldwide. Therefore, water pollution (oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater) and plastics in the environment are among the top environmental issues of concern to many people. However, many myths, misconceptions, and ambiguities circulate in the plastics debate. This 20-part poster series sets out to clarify some of these issues. Join us for a fact check – would you have known?

Plastik-Mythen

Die 20 populärsten Plastik-Mythen im Faktencheck

Year 2022

Publication:Website

The Ecologic Institute designed and developed the theme day website "Plastic in the Environment". It contained the event documentation and programme information.

Hintergründe und Policy-Empfehlungen

Year 2022

Publication:Article

The article reflects on the 59th Tutzing Symposion entitled "Polymers for a better life and circular economy" that took place as an online event in October 2021. Based on the presentations at the symposium, the contribution provides an overview of current debates on the circular plastics economy, as well as insights into existing political regulations, present challenges, and possible future developments with regard to this major societal project.

Eine Kreislaufwirtschaft für Kunststoffe – Aktuelle Diskussionen, Trends und politische Herausforderungen

Year 2022

Publication:Report

This study presents selected (inter)national and regional initiatives for the circular economy, including the European Circular Economy Action Plan and the circular economy in China's 14th Five-Year Plan and shows if and how these strategies take developing and emerging countries into account. Furthermore, the study explores some of the key effects that come with increased circularity. Key topics discussed are the effect on trade in primary raw materials, the shift to bio-based products, a possible reduction in waste exports and knowledge transfer. The report also provides a brief analysis of selected specific measures from the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan of 2020, with a special focus on their potential impact on developing and emerging countries.

For Which Textile Products Could Obligatory Design Requirements Be Introduced First?

Stakeholder survey on textile recycling in the EU

Year 2021

Publication:Infographic

The guideline "More sustainability through coupled infrastructures" presents a comprehensive approach on how municipalities can make their infrastructure systems more sustainable through innovative sector coupling. It emphasizes the role of new technical possibilities and the need for a systemic perspective in order to fully exploit the potential of infrastructures and focus on long-term sustainability.

Mehr Nachhaltigkeit durch gekoppelte Infrastrukturen

Leitfaden für Kommunen

Publication:Report

The project "Elaborating Strategies and Contributions to Implement SDG12 on the National Level for Germany" established systematic activity monitoring for the national and international implementation of SDG 12 by Germany. The aim: to determine the implementation status – in addition to the UN and DNS sustainability indicators for SDG 12 – and derive potential options for action. This report presents the project results.

Using Seagrass as Insulation Material

Year 2021

Publication:Book

The Heinrich Böll Foundation, the book designer Gesine Grotrian and the Ecologic Institute as expert support have worked closely with young people to develop a book for people aged 12 and over that describes the history, production and risks of our plastic consumption in a straightforward, colourful and clearly understandable way. It also shows alternatives and ways out of dealing with plastic and its dangers. The book is available online.

Unpacked! Plastic, Waste & Me

Year 2021

Publication:Report

In this paper, Susanne Langsdorf and Laurens Duin explore the Dutch targets and the vision for a circular economy. They shed light on the development, structure and implementation of the Dutch Circular Economy Program and related policy processes, including the established monitoring program. The authors also identify several shortcomings of the program. Finally, they assess what parts of the program could be transferred to Germany.

Langen, Nina et. al. 2021: Beispiel-Fragebogen zur Kooperation im Rahmen des Dialogforums private Haushalte: Reduzierung von Lebensmittelverschwendung. Ecologic Institute, TU Berlin, Slow Food Deutschland: Berlin.

Beispiel-Fragebogen zur Kooperation im Rahmen des Dialogforums private Haushalte: Reduzierung von Lebensmittelverschwendung

Year 2021

Publication:Web Application

Screenshot of the first page of the quiz

Plastics are all around us and make up an essential part of our daily lives. How much do we know about this material, its variety, the associated environmental problems and possible solutions? The quiz "Plastics in the environment - What do you know?" invites you to test your knowledge around the topic of plastics in five categories. Furthermore, the category "Questions for adults & children" contains questions suited for children.

Quiz: Plastic in the Environment – What do you know?

Year 2020

Publication:Book Section

Published by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences a new book deals with the reduction of food loss and waste globally. It includes an article that sums up results of the EU research project REFRESH, and in particular the work on policies to reduce consumer food waste, lead by the Ecologic Institute. The book is available for download.

European Approach for Reducing Consumer Food Waste

Putting Insights in Practice

Year 2020

Publication:Book Section

This article by Doris Knoblauch and Hannes Schritt (both Ecologic Institute) is part of the anthology "Einfach weglassen? Ein wissenschaftliches Lesebuch zur Reduktion von Plastikverpackungen im Lebensmittelhandel" (Simply Omit? A Scientific Reader on the Reduction of Plastic Packaging in the Food Trade). It deals with the emergence of plastic packaging in Germany and its known environmental impacts. The authors demonstrate that there is a close correlation between the amount of plastic packaging produced and the gross domestic product (GDP) - which, interestingly, is stronger than the correlation between GDP and packaging overall. In this context, avoidance strategies and improvement options for the circular economy are discussed.

Umweltproblem Plastikverpackung

Aufkommen in Deutschland und Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt

Year 2020

Publication:Book Section

The discussion about plastic waste is anything but new for German municipalities. In fact, as early as the 1980s, numerous German municipalities were experimenting with plastic waste prevention regulations and waste prevention in general. A further impetus for plastic waste prevention was provided in the early 1990s with the discussions on the introduction of a nationwide packaging ordinance. After almost three decades of stagnation – including setbacks with regard to the expansion of return systems and the increase of single-use packaging – the issue of plastic prevention and packaging reduction in municipalities is now receiving renewed attention as a result of increased societal awareness and political regulations at EU level.

Publication:Article

This article (written in German) examines various policies and approaches that are currently being implemented or planned as solutions to the plastics crisis. It becomes clear that in national and international policies plastics are mainly described as a problem of waste management and that solutions are oriented accordingly. As a consequence, there are numerous regulations for the recycling of plastic waste in Germany, while waste prevention is rarely addressed. The perception of the plastics crisis as a problem of waste management also leads to a transfer of responsibility to individuals, who, however, have only limited room for manoeuvre compared to industry and politics.

Mehr Kohärenz bitte!

Plastikpolitik in Deutschland, Europa und weltweit

Year 2020

Publication:Website

Ecornet is a German network of independent research institutes with a focus on the environment and sustainability. The goal of this unprecedented research project "Wissen. Wandel. Berlin" was to strengthen Berlin's pioneering role in the development of innovative approaches to ensuring a liveable, climate-neutral and sustainable city. The Ecornet Berlin website was developed, implemented and designed by Ecologic Institute. It served the public communication of the project's goals, events and results.

Ecornet Berlin – Ecological Research Network

Year 2020 - 2022

Publication:Brochure

Cover of the publication with a girl biting into a bun topped with meat substitutes and vegetables.

In July 2020, the Federal Environment Agency published the trend report "Meat of the Future", which analyzes the environmental impacts of plant-based meat substitutes, edible insects and in-vitro meat. Ecologic Institute developed policy options on how the market development of meat alternatives can be better aligned with the goal of sustainability.

Focus on the Future: Meat of the future

Trend report for assessing the environmental impacts of plant-based meat substitutes, edible insects and in vitro meat

Year 2020

Publication:Report

As part of the ICARE-project (Interactions between international measures for Climate Action and Resource Efficiency), the present study aimed to investigate key findings on the climate-resource-nexus from literature and identify international measures for climate protection and resource conservation. The study then analysed these measures as regards (i.) possible interactions (synergies and trade-offs) between them and (ii.) their potential relevance and fit for different world regions.

Climate Protection and Resource Conservation

Analysing the climate-resources nexus and interactions between international policy measures

Year 2020

Publication:Article

In the European Union, hydropower represents an important component of a renewable energy transition, in part due to its existing infrastructure. A large share of future European hydropower projects will be run-of-the-river schemes. To understand the potential for RoR hydropower development and modernization of the technology as an opportunity for sustainable decentralization, this report uses the Q-methodology to compare public values about RoR hydropower in German, Portuguese and Swedish case studies.

Final Report

Year 2020

Publication:Article

Olfert, A.; Schiller, G.; Brunnow, B.; Walther, J.; Hirschnitz-Garbers, M.; Hölscher, K.; Wittmayer, J. (2020). Prozessbegleitende Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung als Werkzeug für ein nachhaltigkeitsorientiertes Infrastrukturmanagement. InfrastrukturRecht 17 (2020) 1, p. 17-20

Prozessbegleitende Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung als Werkzeug für ein nachhaltigkeitsorientiertes Infrastrukturmanagement

Year 2020

Publication:Website

The main objective of the platform is to provide organisational support for the German Roundtable on Marine Litter and its working groups. In addition, the public part of the platform serves public relations work and the bundling of information on marine litter. The Ecologic Institute developed this central German portal on marine litter technically, structurally and graphically to support the fulfilment of the tasks of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive with regard to marine litter and other international obligations (e.g. Action Plan on Marine Litter, OSPAR, HELCOM).

Runder Tisch Meeresmüll

Year 2019

Publication:Brochure

Technological developments and trends can contribute significantly to resource conservation. In addition to political framework conditions, social routines, patterns of action and consumption styles are important, as they have a considerable influence on individual and societal resource requirements. The present trend analysis therefore systematically examines how socio-economic and socio-cultural trends can affect the use of resources.

Results of the EU Research Project REFRESH

Year 2019

Publication:Article

There are numerous regulatory approaches at the international, regional and national level regarding the handling of plastic products and plastic waste. What they all have in common is their limited effectiveness. Linda Mederake, Stephan Gürtler and Doris Knoblauch argue that this is partly due to the fact that at the international level a large number of binding agreements and voluntary initiatives have developed independently of one another and are therefore not coordinated in terms of content. The Plastics Atlas 2019 is available online.

This article by Ecologic Institute's Linda Mederake and Doris Knoblauch uses a structuring qualitative content analysis to investigate the parliamentary debates of two recently adopted plastic policies in the EU – namely the EU Plastics Strategy and the Single-Use Plastics Directive – and assess the relevance of public health and environmental arguments for the EU debate.

Shaping EU Plastic Policies

The Role of Public Health vs. Environmental Arguments

Year 2019

Publication:Policy Brief

The discussion paper presents the rationale for a new treaty on tackling plastic waste and highlights its possible added value. The objective would be to reduce marine plastic litter through a comprehensive approach that also includes land-based sources, a life cycle approach to plastic and is open to future developments. The purpose would not be to prohibit plastics as such.

With the recent update of its Bioeconomy Strategy, the guidance of its advisory bodies and the engagement of regional groups and representatives, Europe has found a new track towards a sustainable bioeconomy, building on the notion that regions are the most appropriate territorial level at which to implement bioeconomy strategies. The BE-Rural project incorporates this regional focus into its core vision, putting its regional Open Innovation Platforms (OIPs) front and center in the process of studying the potential for regional bioeconomies, and articulating and implementing strategies to make them a reality.

The Macro-environment Surrounding BE-Rural's Open Innovation Platforms

Deliverable 2.2 H2020 Research project BE-Rural

Year 2019

Publication:Document

This report outlines the conceptual framework of BE-Rural and provides practical guidance to the design and implementation of the five regional Open Innovation Platforms (OIPs) within BE-Rural. This conceptual framework aims to provide guidance regarding the overall ambition of BE-Rural, and the foundations by which the project will operate throughout its duration. The first part of this document describes the context, objectives and regional focus to be taken within the project. The second part outlines key concepts and founding principles that lay at the heart of the project. Following this, the conceptual framework of BE-Rural is presented and discussed.

Sustainability and Participation in the Bioeconomy: A Conceptual Framework for BE-Rural

Deliverable 1.1 H2020 Research project BE-Rural

Year 2019

Publication:Report

This research report examines the concrete goals of bioeconomy policies, which actors are involved, which positions these actors take, which arguments for and against bioeconomy strategies are used, and which ethical implications the promotion of the bioeconomy could have.

Bioökonomiekonzepte und Diskursanalyse

Year 2019

Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast

Sustainable management and climate protection policy – these are the topics of the new podcast series "Knowledge for future". We will present people and ideas that set an example in making the economy more sustainable. It will also focus on current developments in climate protection policy. The podcast series is a collaboration between Ecologic Institute and detektor.fm and is presented in this teaser.

Von unkonventionellen Ideen und spannenden Menschen

1st episode of "Knowledge for Future – Der Umweltpodcast"

Year 2019

Publication:Infographic

This infographic compares the environmental effects of meat and soy products. It visualises that, with the same protein content, considerably more land, water and fossil energy is used for the production of meat than for the production of soy-based vegetable products. The infographic is licensed under a Creative Commons license CC BY-ND 4.0, i. e. it can be used without any changes, if the author is mentioned.

Meat and Soy Products: Comparison of environmental effects

Year 2019

Publication:Report

This final report addresses the question of how German resource policy could be further developed, based on the studies within the research project "Policies to Strengthen the German Resource Efficiency Program" (PolRess II). Options for further development are shown and their possible advantages and disadvantages discussed. Options include tailoring the process of the strategy, dealing with related strategy processes, and instrumentation. The final report of the PolRess II project, to which Dr. Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers of Ecologic Institute contributed, is available for download.

How can the recycling of construction materials in Germany be further expanded and professionalised? What needs to be changed so that more high-quality recycled construction materials can be used, especially in high-rise construction? The stakeholder analysis by Ecologic Institute focuses on these questions. Based on interviews with actors in the construction industry, concrete proposals for measures will be presented.

This report translates the findings of the REFRESH project on consumer behaviour into policy recommendations. It helps national and regional policy makers in designing and improving appropriate interventions against food waste. It focus on policy instruments that aim to reduce consumer food waste including in-home and out-of-home consumption.

Policies against Consumer Food Waste

Policy options for behaviour change including public campaigns

Year 2019

Publication:Policy Brief

Many of today’s large societal challenges, such as climate change mitigation, resource security, urbanisation and migration require a fundamental transformation of the way we use natural resources. However, our understanding of the stocks and flows of materials and energy (the physical economy) is highly fragmented and involves significant knowledge gaps. The MinFuture project developed a framework aimed at providing guidance on how to perform more systematic monitoring of the physical economy, as well as steps helping to implement such a system. The MinFuture Policy Brief is available for download.

Fostering Resource Security and Sustainable Development through improved monitoring of the Physical Economy

MinFuture Policy Brief (D6.4.1)

Year 2018

Publication:Policy Brief

The MinFuture project has developed a framework aimed at providing guidance on how to perform a more systematic physical accounting, as well as steps to help implement such a system. The MinFuture Business Brief is available for download.

Increasing Security of Supply and Competitiveness Through Monitoring of the Physical Economy in Companies and Along Supply Chains

MinFuture Business Brief (D6.4.2)

Year 2018

Publication:Report

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’s seas. Despite many good initiatives and action plans, the world is about to lose the overall battle. There is an urgent need to vibrantly address the plastic pollution crisis of the oceans on a global level. This report by adelphi and Ecologic Institute provides suggestions in this regard. The report is available for download.

No More Plastics in the Ocean

Gaps in Global Plastic Governance and Options for a Legally Binding Agreement to Eliminate Marine Plastic Pollution

Year 2018

Publication:Report

For the Federal Environment Agency of Germany a consortium of Consideo, adelphi, Ecologic Institute, FEST and sociodimensions developed a quantitative simulation model to run scenarios on the potentials for a transition of society towards sustainability. The model explores the effects of a transition on the environment, climate change, use of resources, the economy, welfare, and happiness. The report is available for download.

This discussion paper, edited by Ecologic Institute, presents the physicochemical investigation methods used in the research focus "Plastics in the Environment", in particular for the analysis of microplastics. Therefore, representatives of the joint research projects discussed methods and analytical approaches to identify validated methods and comparable results in the various projects. The discussion paper reflects the current state the debate within the research focus. It contributes to a pool of methods that are as standardised as possible for the relevant application fields in science, industry, and administration and is available for download.

Microplastics Analytics

Sampling, Preparation and Detection Methods

Year 2018

Publication:Report

This report summarizes the key findings of the CIRCULAR IMPACTS project and provides an impact analysis setting out impacts of circular-economy transitions on the macroeconomy and society. The results of case studies conducted within the project are included as are results from modelling done by external parties, accompanied by an overview of the methodologies used. This report thus provides an overview of presently available quantitative evidence on the macroeconomic and societal impacts of the circular economy. In addition, an overview of recent policy development on EU level in relation to the circular economy is provided, as are the key conclusions and policy messages from the project. Lastly, recommendations for future circular economy research are given, with the aim of improving scenario-based impact analyses for the European policymaking context.

Macroeconomic and Societal Impacts of Mainstreaming the Circular Economy

Year 2018

Publication:Video

Since industrialisation, the average air temperature worldwide has risen by one degree, whereas in the Arctic by five degrees. This leads to rapid changes with serious consequences. This animated explanatory video by the UBA explains what this has to do with us in Germany, 2000 kilometers away. It outlines the federal government's commitment to the Arctic and what each individual can do to protect the Arctic.

Spuren in der Arktis

Deutsches Engagement zum Schutz der arktischen Region

Year 2018

Publication:Flyer

In this flyer, the Federal Environment Agency summarises the essential information on the focal points of the environmental guidelines for a German Arctic policy. Ecologic Institute was responsible for creating the flyer based on the Federal Environment Agency's design.

RECREATE Green Horizons Scoreboard – Instructional Video

Year 2018

Publication:Report

In 2018, the European Commission will publish its report on the assessment of the second RBMPs and will start the process of evaluating the WFD (EC, 2017a). To accompany and inform this process, the EEA has produced this report on the state of Europe's water. In addition, the Water Information System for Europe (WISE) Freshwater visualisation tool presents more, and more detailed, results.

European Waters – Assessment of Status and Pressures 2018

EEA Report No 7/2018

Year 2018

Publication:Brochure

The national and international political agenda shows that resource conservation is a central task for environmental policy: In Germany, Europe and globally, there are political programmes and strategies aimed at fostering sustainable resource use. In five theses, this brochure from the SimRess project shows that an integrative and systemically designed resource policy contributes to achieving the goals of resource protection and climate protection. The study was carried out by Ecologic Institute with Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers and Susanne Langsdorf as co-authors. The brochure is available for download.

Ressourcenschonung als Zukunftsaufgabe

Ansatzpunkte für eine systemische Ressourcenpolitik

Year 2018

Publication:Article

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. Ecologic Institute's Doris Knoblauch, Linda Mederake and Ulf Stein therefore analyze the diffusion patterns of plastic bag bans and taxes in the Global South and Global North to contribute to the further refinement of diffusion theory by specifically addressing the under-researched Global South. The article is available for download.

Developing Countries in the Lead – What Drives the Diffusion of Plastic Bag Policies?

Year 2018

Publication:Web Application

The RECREATE Green Horizons Scoreboard is a website that presents relevant indicators for tackling societal challenges in the areas of climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials. The Scoreboard provides indicators on ten different Environmental Innovation Systems, or fields of knowledge, that are of high relevance to the areas of climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials.

RECREATE Green Horizons Scoreboard

Year 2018

Publication:Report

This summary pocket book presents key recommendations gathered in the project RECREATE regarding future research and innovation needs in "Societal Challenge 5: Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials". The results include very concrete recommendations on selected topics, overarching recommendations which shall help integrating the different research areas better and recommendations regarding the use of various methodologies. The summary pocket book is available for download.

EU's Future R&I Needs in the Fields of 'Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials'

Recommendations from the RECREATE project

Year 2018

Publication:Brochure

This brochure includes a set of infographics presenting the top 20 innovative bio-based products in Europe. Through an assessment of the active marketplace, EU-based development, innovation degree and market potential, the top 20 most innovative BBPs holding the greatest promise for commercial deployment within the next 5–10 years were identified. This selection includes engineering materials, new bioplastics, high added-value products for demanding applications in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields as well as sustainable substitutes for critical raw materials. The brochure is available for download.

Top Emerging Bio-based Products, their Properties and Industrial Applications

Publication:Conference Paper

The goal of MinFuture is to develop a common methodology to mineral raw material flows at global level, which can be agreed and used at international level. The goal is not to collect data but to support data collectors. Hence this methodology workshop served to discuss how MinFuture could support data collectors, providers and users. The MinFuture Workshop Synthesis Brief is available for download.

MinFuture – Methodology Development Workshop Synthesis Brief

Year 2018

Publication:Conference Paper

The MinFuture workshop "Enhancing data robustness on global level" served to present and test the MinFuture approach of placing statistical data in a system context so that global information flows on mineral raw material become less fragmented and provide a more complete, comprehensive and realistic picture. The MinFuture Workshop Synthesis Brief is available for download.

Global Material Flows and Demand-Supply Forecasting for Mineral Strategies – Workshop Brief

MinFuture Workshop Synthesis Brief

Year 2018

Publication:Flyer

The MinFuture flyer illustrates the main project outline, objectives and modules. An overview of the project process is illustrated, together with details of the partner countries implementing the project. The flyer is styled according to the project style-guides, contains contact information and an QR-code directing to the project website.

EU Project "MinFuture" to Improve Global Mineral Raw Material Information Flows – Flyer

Year 2018

Publication:Document

Publication:Report

The short analysis by Mandy Hinzmann gives an overview of the different positions on laboratory-produced artificial meat and shows the lines of argumentation of different stakeholder groups in Germany. The study is available for download.

Die Wahrnehmung von In-Vitro-Fleisch in Deutschland

Analyse der gesellschaftlichen Diskurse

Year 2018

Publication:Report

Building on the idea - namely that an open and informed dialogue on complex topics such as the bioeconomy and engaging with variety of stakeholders and the general public may bring the concept of the bioeconomy closer to the society - BioSTEP experimented with different participatory tools including workshops, living lab activities, and exhibitions. This report describes the lessons learned from BioSTEP’s engagement activities and provides recommendations for future EU research.

Engaging Stakeholders and Citizens in the Bioeconomy

Lessons learned from BioSTEP and recommendations for future research

Year 2018

Publication:Document

Kemper, Melanie 2018: Website-Konzept für die Einbindung der Plastikpiraten in die Website der Fördermaßnahme "Plastik in der Umwelt" www.bmbf-plastik.de. Berlin, unpublished.

Website-Konzept für die Einbindung der Plastikpiraten in die Website der Fördermaßnahme "Plastik in der Umwelt"

Year 2018

Publication:Website

The Ecologic Institute designed and developed the bilingual project website "Plastic in the Environment". It contains an interactive map, which gives an overview of all funded projects. Furthermore the website provides detailed information on the projects and related events as well as publications for download. User can also directly subscribe for the newsletter.

Plastic in the Environment

Year 2018

Publication:Postcard

As part of the visual identity for project "Global Material Flows and Demand-supply Forecasting for Mineral Strategies" (MinFuture), Ecologic Institute designed promotional flyers in small postcard format. The postcards summarize general objectives and aims of the project, are styled according to the project style-guides and draw the reader's attention to facts about mineral usage. The three postcards also contain contact information and a QR-code directing to the project website.

What Do All These Items Have in Common? Cobalt – MinFuture Postcard

Year 2017 - 2018

Publication:Postcard

What Do All These Items Have in Common? Aluminium – MinFuture Postcards

Year 2017 - 2018

Publication:Book Section

McFarland, Keighley and Julia M. Wittmayer 2017: Hitting a policy wall. The transformative potential and limitations of community pick-up point schemes. In: Backhaus, Julia et. al. (eds.): Social Innovation and Sustainable Consumption. Research and Action for Societal Transformation. Routledge: London.

Hitting a Policy Wall

The transformative potential and limitations of community pick-up point schemes

Year 2017

Publication:Website

The MinFuture website provides an overview of the project objectives, structure and partners as well as events and news related to relevant issues of the project. Furthermore, project outputs such as deliverables, policy briefs and publications are regularly promoted on the website. Ecologic Institute is responsible for the concept, design and programming.

Global Material Flows and Demand-supply Forecasting for Mineral Strategies (MinFuture) – Website

Year 2017

Publication:Report

Cover of the Publication "PRR_Gesetz (SchadRegProtAG). Kommentar". Cover photo: Aisle between two rows of bookshelves towards a window

This commentary on the SchadRegProtAG is primarily intended as a legal working aid for practice and is aimed at the enforcement authorities and the operators of potentially reportable operating facilities.

PRTR-Gesetz (SchadRegProtAG)

Kommentar

Year 2017

Publication:Document

Lehmann, Karl, Melanie Kemper 2017: Website-Konzept für die Fördermaßnahme "Plastik in der Umwelt" www.bmbf-plastik.de. Berlin, unpublished.

Website-Konzept für die Fördermaßnahme "Plastik in der Umwelt"

Year 2017

Publication:Book

This book describes and analyses necessities for a more resource-efficient world. Authors across Europe, discuss solutions for a more sustainable use of natural resources and present good practice examples – such as repair services, digitalised construction projects and chemical leasing. The book addresses decision-makers and experts from the fields of policy development, industry, academia, civil society, and the media. Ecologic Institute's Mandy Hinzmann, Nick Evans, Terri Kafyeke, Stephen Bell and Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers took on the role of managing editors.

Factor X

Challenges, Implementation Strategies and Examples for a Sustainable Use of Natural Resources

Year 2017

Publication:Policy Brief

Publication:Poster

The poster summarizes and illustrates the REFRESH Food Waste Solution Contest. It was presented at the REFRESH Food Waste 2017 Multistakeholder Conference in Berlin. The poster is available for download.

REFRESH Food Waste Solution Contest

Year 2017

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy brief illustrates how the SWITCH-ON project has provided proof-of-concept of how product development based on Open Innovation and Open Data can foster environmental and economic benefits in the European Union. This was achieved by transforming Open Databased hydrological science outputs into useful products and services for water managers, researchers, businesses and authorities at multiple levels. The SWITCH-ON policy brief is available for download.

SWITCH-ON – Making Open Innovation a Reality

Year 2017

Publication:Report

This Synthesis Report provides an overview of the achievements, lessons learned and challenges identified through the RISC-KIT project activities, including the development and application of the tools at ten case study sites in a range of coastal regions across Europe. The lessons learned are then fed into a series of recommendations for improved DRR for Europe and beyond. The resulting insights and accompanying recommendations have been considered in relation to their relevance to EU and international processes that both directly and indirectly address coastal DRR. The RISC-KIT Synthesis Report is available for download.

Year 2017

Publication:Book

For many populations that are already socially marginalized, resource dependent, and with limited capital assets, human security will be progressively undermined by environmental change. A new book, co-edited by Katriona McGlade, Fellow and Coordinator of International Development at Ecologic Institute, examines interactions between environmental change and human security in the Middle East and Africa. The collected volume, published by Springer, demonstrates that global environmental change in general, and climate change in particular, are putting both human security and human rights at risk.

Environmental Change and Human Security in Africa and the Middle East

Year 2017

Publication:Web Application

The CIRCULAR IMPACTS project website has been updated with an evidence library on the circular economy. The Circular Impacts online library created by Ecologic Institute centralized information related to the circular economy transition. The library helped policy professionals in conducting impact assessments on the transition to a circular economy. It was a useful resource for policy-makers, journalists, scientists, NGOs and anybody else interested in increasing their knowledge of circular-economy concepts. The library formed an integral part of the website and was an important project outcome.

CIRCULAR IMPACTS Online Library

Year 2016

Publication:Article

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the economy and a key player to steer our economy towards a more circular model. However, their small size means that they face unique challenges on the path to closing loops and improving resource efficiency. In an article published in the peer-reviewed journal Sustainability, under lead authorship by Vasileios Rizos from CEPS, Terri Kafyeke, Dr. Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers, and other members of the GreenEcoNet project consortium explore barriers and opportunities faced by SMEs trying to become greener.

Implementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Barriers and Enablers

Year 2016

Publication:Brochure

Ecologic Institute coordinated the organisation of the National Resources Forum 2016. For these the programme brochure was developed and designed, to hand it over to participants. It contained information about the event agenda and schedule, speakers and a space for notes. The design of the brochure and the color scheme were based on the visual style of UBA. The NRF brochure is set on 32 pages. The A5 brochure was printed on recycled paper.

Nationales Ressourcenforum 2016

Programmheft

Year 2016

Adaptation
Agriculture
Arctic
Biodiversity
Bioeconomy
Cities
Climate
Climate Foreign Policy
Coastal + Marine
Communication
Consumer Policy
Culture + Ecology
Digitalization
EU
Economics
Education
Energy
Environmental Law – Ecologic Legal
Evaluation
Events
Finance
Food
Foreign Policy
Governance
Health
Indicators
Industry
International Development
Land Use
Mobility
Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure
Plastics
Public Diplomacy
Resource Conservation + Circular Economy
Trade
Water

Adaptation
Agriculture
Arctic
Biodiversity
Bioeconomy
Cities
Climate
Climate Foreign Policy
Coastal + Marine
Communication
Consumer Policy
Culture + Ecology
Digitalization
EU
Economics
Education
Energy
Environmental Law – Ecologic Legal
Evaluation
Events
Finance
Food
Foreign Policy
Governance
Health
Indicators
Industry
International Development
Land Use
Mobility
Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure
Plastics
Public Diplomacy
Resource Conservation + Circular Economy
Trade
Water

Article
Book
Book Section
Brochure
Case Study
Conference Paper
Document
Fact Sheet
Flyer
Infographic
Newsletter
Podcast
Policy Brief
Postcard
Poster
Report
Thesis
Video
Web Application
Website

Publications

Infographic Series

Resource efficiency, nature-based solutions, and systemic transformation as responses to the complexity of the triple planetary crisis

Resource efficiency, nature-based solutions, and systemic transformation as responses to the complexity of the triple planetary crisis

Ressourcheneffiziente Kreislaufwirtschaft – Zirkuläre nachhaltige Textilien

Planung der Informationsarchitektur von www.zirkulaere-textilien.de

Entwicklungslinien der Ressourcenpolitik mit Schwerpunkt auf Ressourcenschonung und Ressourceneffizienz

Begriffe, Systematisierung, Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung, Fallstudien

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

A more sustainable use of resources is possible. There is a wide range of measures available to reduce consumption - but there is a lack of implementation.

Drei Beispiele auf kommunaler und regionaler Ebene

Best practices from 7 years of engaging schoolchildren and teachers in plastic pollution research

Auswertung von Statistiken

ETC CE Report 2023/7

Security Implications and Policy Options for the EU

Blog Post

Background paper for the European Resource Forum 2022

Background paper for the European Resource Forum 2022

Background paper for the European Resource Forum 2022

Seltene Erden und das Potenzial der Kreislaufwirtschaft: Eine Fallstudie

Praxisbeispiele und Potenziale

Deliverable 5.4 H2020 Research project BE-Rural

Short version

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

Die 20 populärsten Plastik-Mythen im Faktencheck

Policy Brief

Analysis of provisions and potential measures regarding extended producer responsibility

Hintergründe und Policy-Empfehlungen

An explorative study

Stakeholder survey on textile recycling in the EU

Stakeholder survey on textile recycling in the EU

Stakeholder survey on textile recycling in the EU

Stakeholder survey on textile recycling in the EU

Stakeholder survey on textile recycling in the EU

Stakeholder survey on textile recycling in the EU

Stakeholder survey on textile recycling in the EU

Stakeholder survey on textile recycling in the EU

Auswertung von Statistiken

Teilbericht aus dem Projekt: "Trendradar Ressourcenpolitik"

Leitfaden für Kommunen

Final Report

Background report for the EEA Briefing

Deliverable 5.3 H2020 research project BE-Rural

Confronting water stress: an updated assessment

Circular City Berlin: Vom Potenzial zur Umsetzung

barriers and relevance in different world regions

Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies

Opportunity: Ecomodulation of Fees as a Way Forward for Waste Prevention

Summary Report

Vorreiter Niederlande – Ein Vorbild für Deutschland?

Policy Field Sustainable Food Systems

Zusammenschau politischer Strategiepapiere von den Anfängen bis heute

Konzeptionelle Übersicht eines neuen Innovationsökosystems

Potenziale und Governance-Ansätze

Putting Insights in Practice

Aufkommen in Deutschland und Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt

Deliverable 5.1 H2020 research project BE-Rural

Wo ein Wille ist, ist auch ein Weg