Publication:Policy Brief

The policy brief highlights the need for a fundamental shift in how pesticides are used in European agriculture. Rather than further optimising chemical inputs, agricultural systems need to be reoriented more broadly. To support this transition, the brief outlines concrete policy measures at EU level, including binding pesticide reduction targets, stronger support for agroecological approaches, the development of independent advisory services, fairer value chains, and increased transparency in pesticide use.

Transitioning Away from Pesticide Dependency

EU policy recommendations

Year 2026

Publication:Poster

Presented at the European Carbon Farming Summit 2026, this poster highlights key findings on the risks, opportunities and policy implications of integrating temporary carbon units from carbon farming into EU agri-food climate policy.

Temporary Carbon Units from Carbon Farming and EU Agri-food Climate Policy

Risks, opportunities and policy design choices

Year 2026

Publication:Report

The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) has published the report “Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in the Agri-food Sector – Recommendations for a Coherent EU Policy”. The report calls on the EU to better integrate climate mitigation and adaptation across the entire value chain. Its aim is to safeguard food security, strengthen farmers’ livelihoods and align the agri-food system with the EU’s climate goals.

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in the Agri-food Sector

Recommendations for coherent EU policies

Year 2026

Publication:Report

The CAP Strategic Plans (CSPs) bring together a wide range of instruments designed to address environmental and climate objectives. This combination of instruments is referred to as 'green architecture' (GA). These guidelines support managing authorities and evaluators in assessing how these instruments function collectively. The focus is not on individual measures in isolation but on analysing the GA as an integrated system.

Evaluation of the Green Architecture of the CAP Strategic Plans

Guidelines

Year 2026

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy brief assesses how relevant CAP instruments currently address pesticide use and identifies adjustments to better support and accelerate the transition toward more sustainable farming practices.

Using the CAP to Reduce Pesticide Dependence

Creating the Conditions for Structural Change

Year 2026

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy brief examines how current climate-action rewarding mechanisms address – or fail to address – organic farming as a systemic and climate-resilient approach. It analyses existing monetary, regulatory and supportive instruments at EU level, with a particular focus on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation.

Incentivising Systemic and Climate-resilient Farming Approaches through Rewarding Mechanisms

Barriers, challenges and recommendations

Year 2026

Publication:Report

This publication provides a quantitative overview of the development and status of environmental crime in Germany between 2013 and 2024, based on data from the police crime statistics ("Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik") and the Federal Statistical Office's criminal prosecution statistics ("Strafverfolgungsstatistik"). The report provides both an overview of general trends and an in-depth account of individual environmental offences. The report was prepared by a team from Ecologic Institute on behalf of the German Federal Environment Agency.

Umweltdelikte 2024

Auswertung von Statistiken

Year 2026

Publication:Postcard

Two information postcards have been developed for the Market Information Talks for the Organic Sector 2026. The postcards support communication for the dialogue series and draw attention to key challenges along organic value chains in Brandenburg.

Market Information Talks for the Organic Sector 2026 – Postcards

Information postcards for the Market Information Talks 2026

Year 2026

Publication:Report

This report contributes to a better understanding of the economic implications of climate change adaptation across the European Union. Its central objective is to analyse three key dimensions: the costs of adapting to climate change, the costs of inaction, and current levels of adaptation funding. The analysis focuses on three climate-sensitive sectors of strategic importance for the EU economy and society: transport, energy, and agriculture.

Knowledge Development and Application Concerning Costs of Adaptation Compard to Costs of Inaction

Year 2025

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

Year 2025

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

Year 2025

Publication:Report

Climate change is exacerbating drought, low water levels, and heavy rainfall in German river basins, posing new challenges for agriculture, forestry, water management, ecosystems, and municipal planning. Against this backdrop, the project KliMaWerk investigated how the landscape water balance can be made climate-resilient through integrated, practical strategies and measures. The KliMaWerk final report summarises the key findings and strategic conclusions.

Nachhaltige Bewirtschaftung des Landschaftswasserhaushaltes zur Erhöhung der Klimaresilienz (KliMaWerk)

Management und Werkzeuge

Year 2025

Publication:Report

This report, by Ecologic Institute and Öko-Institut, explores how emerging EU policy instruments – such as the proposed Agricultural Emissions Trading System (AgETS), Mandatory Climate Standards (MCS), and public procurement programmes – can integrate carbon farming while maintaining high environmental standards. The study highlights both the opportunities and the pitfalls of linking these policies to the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Regulation (CRCF) and its system of temporary certified carbon units – and investigates alternative approaches to promote carbon farming.

Temporary Carbon Units from Carbon Farming and EU Agri-food Climate Policy

Assessment of risks, opportunities, and alternatives for promoting carbon farming

Year 2025

Publication:Report

Europe's agricultural sector holds tremendous potential to advance climate and environmental goals, but realizing that potential depends on the right mix of funding and targeted support. A new report led by Ecologic Institute, together with partners in the Climate Farm Demo (CFD) project, introduces a framework to better understand and navigate the wide variety of rewarding mechanisms that encourage farmers to adopt climate-smart practices.

Incentivizing Farm-level Climate Action through Rewarding Mechanisms

A categorization framework

Year 2025

Publication:Report

On 25 September 2025, the Sowing Solutions: Science & Policy for a Sustainable and Thriving EU Agriculture event, organized by the Environmental Defense Fund Europe, explored these challenges. A dedicated session on "livestock methane in CAP Strategic Plans" brought together scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to share evidence and discuss how the CAP can drive real impact. The goal was to spark fresh thinking, informed debate, and practical pathways forward.

Leveraging the Common Agricultural Policy to Accelerate Livestock Emission Reductions

Year 2025

Publication:Policy Brief

With the 2027 deadline of the Water Framework Directive approaching and the new Nature Restoration Regulation mandating large-scale ecosystem recovery, the CAP’s role in safeguarding rivers, wetlands, and catchments has become critical. This Policy Working Paper argues that long-term agricultural resilience is inseparable from healthy freshwater ecosystems and illustrates how water restoration can be embedded in future agricultural policies to enhance water resilience.

Restoring Healthy Rivers and Wetlands

How can agricultural policies support the uptake of water resilient farming practices?

Year 2025

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

Year 2025

Publication:Document

The background paper sheds light on how authorities can enable and accelerate peatland rewetting projects with legal certainty under current law. It shows that, despite numerous legal hurdles, there is considerable scope for decision-making, particularly in the context of planning and nature conservation law.

Behördliche Entscheidungsspielräume zur Wiedervernässung organischer Böden im Planungs- und Ordnungsrecht

Year 2025

Publication:Policy Brief

The brief explores how EU policies can accelerate a nature-positive transition in agriculture – balancing food production with ecosystem health.

Agri-food Systems

Sectoral Brief

Year 2025

Publication:Report

How can international policy better align agricultural subsidies with environmental and sustainability goals? This report addresses that question by synthesising the current state of knowledge and offering concrete approaches for identifying and reforming environmentally harmful agricultural subsidies.

Identifying Environmentally Harmful Agricultural Subsidies at the International Level

Year 2025

Publication:Policy Brief

Prepared by Anthony Cox (Senior Policy Advisor at Ecologic Institute), this briefing note offers an up-to-date overview of how the agricultural sector contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It identifies key social, economic, and environmental trade-offs and highlights the importance of context when assessing emission impacts. The note also provides guidance on prioritising reforms of agricultural subsidies.

Identifying and Tackling Environmentally Harmful Agricultural Subsidies in the WTO

Note on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Year 2025

Publication:Report

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:Report

The Report on Regional Biomass Availabilities, Nutrient Balances and Ecological Boundaries was produced under the EU‐funded SCALE-UP project, which seeks to accelerate community‐driven bioeconomy development across six European regions: Northern Sweden, Mazovia (Poland), the French Atlantic Arc, Upper Austria, Andalusia (Spain), and Strumica (North Macedonia).

Regional Biomass Availabilities, Nutrient Balances and Ecological Boundaries

Year 2025

Publication:Report

The image shows a collage with two pictures: on the left, an aerial view of green, forested areas and wetlands, indicating nature-based carbon removal, and on the right, an industrial scene with large tanks and pipes, symbolizing technological carbon capture methods. The text below reads: 'Scaling up carbon dioxide removals. Recommendations for navigating opportunities and risks in the EU.' The image is from the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change.

This report explores options for scaling up carbon dioxide removals in the EU, considering respective costs, risks and opportunities. This assessment, covering both carbon sinks in the land sector and novel solutions, involves analyses of the status and potential of carbon dioxide removals in the EU, key policy needs and gaps, as well as policy recommendations for a robust EU governance of carbon dioxide removals.

Scaling up Carbon Dioxide Removals

Recommendations for navigating opportunities and risks in the EU

Year 2025

Publication:Report

This Deliverable presents the work of the CREDIBLE Focus Group 2.1, "Minimum requirements to ensure carbon farming delivers sustainability benefits". The objective of the Focus Group and the goal of this document is to make recommendations on how the CRCF can maximize the positive impact of carbon farming on biodiversity, adaptation, water and other sustainability outcomes, at the same time as mitigating climate change.

Options for Standards to Ensure Environmental Integrity and Uptake

Year 2025

Publication:Conference Paper

The symposium "The future task of a near-natural landscape water balance" of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) was organized by Ecologic Institute and took place on 18 April 2024, in Bonn. This publication summarises the most important contents of the conference as well as the research and implementation needs identified.

Zukunftsaufgabe naturnaher Landschaftswasserhaushalt

Ergebnisdokumentation zur BfN-Fachtagung am 18. April 2024

Year 2025

Publication:Report

Soils are vital for climate mitigation, storing substantial carbon. This report, co-authored by Ecologic Institute's Hugh McDonald, Aaron Scheid and Dr. Ana Frelih-Larsen, examines funding approaches to promote climate-friendly soil management in Europe, focusing on two models: action-based and result-based. Action-based funding supports specific activities but doesn't ensure measurable outcomes, while result-based funding ties payments to verified results, encouraging innovation but involving higher costs and monitoring. Result-based funding approaches can be challenging in the context of soil carbon, with offsetting approaches found to be particularly risky.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management

Appropriate policy instruments and limits of market-based approaches

Year 2025

Publication:Report

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"

Year 2025

Publication:Report

Kemper, Melanie; Christin Dammann; Johanna Henkel; Juliane Petri 2024: Kommunikation zur Umsetzung von Moorschutz in Brandenburg – Empfehlungen und Handreichungen. Ecologic Institut und Deutscher Verband für Landschaftspflege. Unpublished.

Kommunikation zur Umsetzung von Moorschutz in Brandenburg

Empfehlungen und Handreichungen

Year 2024

Publication:Report

Kemper, Melanie; Elisa Thomaset und Jennifer Reck 2024: Von Niederungsmanagement bis Versumpfung: Kommunikation zur Umsetzung von Moorschutz. Medienresonanz- und Kommunikationsanalyse in den moorreichen deutschen Bundesländern. Ecologic Institut, Berlin. Unpublished.

Von Niederungsmanagement bis Versumpfung: Kommunikation zur Umsetzung von Moorschutz

Medienresonanz- und Kommunikationsanalyse in den moorreichen deutschen Bundesländern

Year 2024

Publication:Report

This paper analyses relevant enabling and hindering factors for the implementation of subsoil management in a regional context, focusing on (i) geophysical conditions and (ii) relevant socio-economic criteria in selected regions of Germany.

Regionalised Factors for Successful Implementation of Subsoil Management

Evidence from three case studies in Germany

Year 2024

Publication:Policy Brief

Carbon farming allows farmers to mitigate climate change, but these practices also impact other sustainability outcomes, including biodiversity, soil health, and water. In this brief, we propose how the EU's regulation establishing a Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Certification Framework (CRCF) can ensure that carbon farming also delivers sustainability benefits, in the context of carbon farming on mineral soils.

Ensuring Carbon Farming Delivers Sustainability Benefits

Recommendations for carbon farming certification methodologies

Year 2024

Publication:Report

How can regional agricultural and food systems be made more sustainable? This report highlights new models of cooperation that bring together farmers, consumers and civil society actors to improve access to land and strengthen regional economic cycles. A key finding is that such co-operations are not only ecologically beneficial, but also create social and economic synergies for rural regions.

Neue Kooperationsformen für die Transformation regionaler Agri-Food-Systeme

Eine Zusammenstellung für das Handlungsfeld "Zugang zu Land"

Year 2024

Publication:Fact Sheet

Fact sheet detailing the promotion of good agricultural practices in vineyards at St. Emilion, France. It highlights the challenges of pesticide use in vineyards, key objectives such as implementing a holistic environmental program, and the regulatory solutions including compulsory certification.

The vineyards of St. Emilion, France, face significant challenges due to the reliance on pesticides, particularly given the region's susceptibility to mildew. However, the winegrowers of St. Emilion have successfully committed to a sustainable future by implementing stringent environmental regulations and significantly reducing pesticide use. This case study highlights the initiatives and successes achieved in the region, which aims to promote sustainable practices in viticulture.

Promoting Good Agricultural Practices in Vineyards, St Emilion, France

Year 2024

Publication:Fact Sheet

The city of Rennes in France faces the challenge of securing the quality of its drinking water, as intensive agricultural practices have led to significant pollution of water resources. As part of the "Terres de Sources" initiative, which was studied within the SPRINT project, sustainable solutions have been developed to improve drinking water quality through environmentally friendly agricultural practices while also promoting local food production and marketing. This case study illustrates how the initiative successfully implements measures to reduce pesticide use and promote sustainable value chains.

Food Value Chains for Leveraging Clean Drinking Water in Rennes, France

Year 2024

Publication:Fact Sheet

In Slovenia, the Fruit Centre Maribor is dedicated to promoting sustainable fruit production practices while reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides. The SPRINT project studies the Centre's work to understand how the use of more resistant fruit varieties, self-developed plant-based pesticides, and improved soil quality can contribute to more sustainable cultivation. This case study explores the challenges and solutions the Centre has encountered in implementing sustainable methods in fruit production.

Sustainable Fruit Production in Slovenia

Year 2024

Publication:Fact Sheet

Fact sheet ey objectives, main obstacles, main approaches, and knowledge exchange solutions involved in the process. It also includes a spotlight on Fusarium, a serious fungal disease affecting cereal crops. The infographic features images of Slovenia, dairy farming elements, and icons representing agronomic change, financial barriers, and technical, economic, and advisory solutions.

A family farm in Brežice, Slovenia, took the leap into organic agriculture to overcome high input costs, low economic viability, and limited control over their business. The SPRINT project is studying this farm to understand how the transition to organic farming – by eliminating synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, introducing crop rotations, and experimenting with new feeding strategies – can lead to a more sustainable and profitable operation. This case study highlights the challenges and successes of the farm in adopting an organic approach.

Organic Dairy Farming in Slovenia

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:Policy Brief

Cover page of a policy brief titled "How to support the transition towards climate friendly and resilient agri-food systems in Central Eastern Europe?" featuring various agricultural images, including people in a field, flowers, cattle grazing, crops, and harvested vegetables. Logos at the bottom include Ecologic, Institute for European Environmental Policy, and Robert Bosch Stiftung.

This policy brief highlights the need for a systemic and integrated approach to support the transition to climate friendly and resilient agri-food systems in CEE countries. The brief underlines how the key policy instruments that countries have at their disposal – the Common Agricultural Policy, National Energy and Climate Plans, and policies to support sustainable food consumption – can be better used to support such an integrated approach. Finally, the brief points to the importance of setting clear goals, as well as developing societal support, and capacities for the transition.

How to Support the Transition Towards Climate Friendly and Resilient Agri-food Systems in Central Eastern Europe?

Year 2024

Publication:Report

This report aims to provide inspiration and guidance for stakeholders in Central Eastern European (CEE) countries to pursue a more holistic and coordinated approach for transitioning towards climate friendly and resilient agri-food systems.

Towards Climate-friendly and Resilient Agri-food Systems in Central Eastern Europe

The role of agroecological practices, sustainable diets, and holistic policies

Year 2024

Publication:Article

In this article, the authors, including Anthony Cox of Ecologic Institute, highlight there is little appetite among WTO members for modernizing multilateral subsidy rules at a time when many countries are introducing new forms of support that could potentially exacerbate existing policy disincentives for globally sustainable economic and environmental outcomes.

Practical First Steps Towards Comprehensive Subsidy Reform

Expert View

Year 2024

Publication:Article

Due to climate change, water retention in landscapes is gaining increasing relevance alongside flood protection. Various measures can improve the landscape water balance or enhance the resilience of land ecosystems against extreme weather events caused by floods and droughts. The authors have compiled a catalog of 69 measures in the UBA project WADKlim. These measures mostly originate from good practices in water management, agriculture, and forestry in Germany and have been evaluated based on their local impacts and implementation-relevant conditions.

Maßnahmen zur Erhöhung des Wasserrückhalts in der Landschaft

Year 2024

Publication:Infographic

Diagram illustrating the key hydrological parameters of water retention, including evaporation, transpiration, precipitation, surface runoff, infiltration, soil water retention, groundwater recharge, and discharge.

The infographic illustrates the key hydrological parameters that influence the water balance in ecosystems. The water cycle is illustrated, starting with precipitation through various phases such as evaporation, transpiration, surface runoff, seepage water movements and the recharge of groundwater. These processes are fundamental to understanding water cycles and their significance for the environment and climate. The visualization makes it clear how precipitation is filtered through the different earth layers and ultimately contributes to the replenishment of groundwater.

Modell der wichtigsten hydrologischen Parameter des Wasserrückhalts

Year 2024

Publication:Report

Cover page of the KOPOS working paper entitled 'KOPOS criteria set for sustainability and transformation impacts for sustainability initiatives in the food sector'. The graphic shows a fork passing through a circle with the words 'URBAN' and 'RURAL', indicating the link between urban and rural issues. At the bottom are the logos of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, FONA (Research for Sustainability) and STADT LAND PLUS.

The KOPOS criteria set serves to make the sustainability and transformation impacts of initiatives in the food sector measurable and visible. It provides a basis for evaluating and improving the sustainability of projects, and is useful both for initiatives themselves and for institutions wishing to promote sustainability projects. In addition to the actual set of criteria, this working paper provides an introduction and a derivation of the criteria.

KOPOS Criteria Set for Sustainability and Transformation Impacts for Sustainability Initiatives in the Food Sector

Year 2024

Publication:Fact Sheet

This fact sheet summarizes the recommendations for action of the corresponding KOPOS Policy Brief for the Berlin-Brandenburg region, which focus on the integration of regional diet and land development. The document contains five central recommendations, each of which includes concrete measures.

The BIG FIVE: Regionale Ernährung und Flächenentwicklung zusammendenken! – Fact Sheet

Handlungsempfehlungen für die Region Berlin-Brandenburg

Year 2024

Publication:Document

The sustainability and transformation effects of sustainability initiatives can be summarized using this set of criteria and provides a range of possible indicators for recording them. The set of criteria is specifically tailored to sustainability initiatives in the food sector. The criteria were derived from the UN Sustainability Goals and adapted for the topic of food systems. In addition to the conventional three levels of sustainability (economic, ecological and social), the criteria set also offers selected transformation criteria, i.e. they can be used to record the "transformative potential" that a sustainability initiative can develop.

KOPOS- Sustainability and Transformation Criteria Set for Sustainability Initiatives in the Agri-food Sector

Dataset

Year 2024

Publication:Policy Brief

Securing agricultural land is a relevant challenge. The authors of the policy brief see a number of different approaches to safeguarding agricultural areas against other land use claims and are primarily addressing the state and municipal levels. The authors argue that the topics of agriculture, food, sustainability and rural development should be more closely integrated. They also recommend using spatial planning instruments to curb the current consumption of agricultural land and thus protect it from conversion.

The BIG FIVE – Regionale Ernährung und Flächenentwicklung zusammendenken!

Handlungsempfehlungen für die Region Berlin-Brandenburg

Year 2023

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:Fact Sheet

Ecologic Institute and Ecorys are working hand in hand to support the Mission Soil by identifying key stakeholders who take ownership, building their commitment, and creating a network of Mission Soil Ambassadors. Our efforts are reflected in the latest fact sheet, which shows more individuals and organisations joining in to endorse the Mission Soil Manifesto and promote healthier soil. The manifesto is a call to action for regional and local policymakers, citizens, and various stakeholders like farmers, educators, and companies to come together voluntarily and focus on improving soil health. Those who sign up commit to raising awareness, encouraging innovation, and taking practical steps to protect and restore soil, all without any legal obligations.

Mission Soil Manifesto

A growing community of soil friends and signatories

Year 2023

Publication:Report

In this study published by the European Commission, a first assessment is made of the strategic decisions made by Member States for the use of EUR 307 billion in support of agriculture and rural areas between 2023 and 2027. It maps the choices made in the CAP Strategic Plans (CSP) approved in December 2022 and analyses the joint efforts and potential impacts of Member States’ choices in relation to the nine specific objectives and the cross-cutting objective, with a focus on selected Green Deal targets.

Mapping and Analysis of CAP Strategic Plans

Assessment of joint efforts for 2023-2027

Year 2023

Publication:Report

The agriculture and land sectors must mitigate greenhouse gas emissions for the EU to meet its climate targets. In a new report published by the European Commission's DG CLIMA, Ecologic Institute, IEEP, and Trinomics investigate how an emissions trading system (ETS) could price greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities, and how this can be accompanied by providing farmers and other landowners with financial incentives to carry out land-based carbon removals.

Pricing Agricultural Emissions and Rewarding Climate Action in the Agri-food Value Chain

Year 2023

Publication:Policy Brief

As governments engage in final preparations for COP28 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Presidency continues to prioritise its Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda. The aim to have governments at COP28 commit to integrating sustainable agriculture in their national climate agendas is welcome, timely and essential. But, it would need to be part of a larger effort to modernise agricultural policy, particularly with respect to agricultural subsidies and the role of private sector collaboration. This policy brief highlights priority areas in moving from political declarations to concrete action.

Food, Agriculture and Climate at COP28 – and beyond

Year 2023

Publication:Fact Sheet

Discover valuable insights from the collaboration of the ALL-Ready Pilot Network, which included 20 members across 13 partner countries. This factsheet offers essential recommendations, derived from the challenges of the pilot project, for establishing the European Network of Agroecology Living Labs and Research Infrastructures.

Lessons Learnt from the ALL-Ready Pilot Network

Fact Sheet for living labs, research infrastructures, agroecology networks and similar open innovation arrangements

Year 2023

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

Year 2023

Publication:Policy Brief

This paper makes a proposal for how future EU agricultural policy and particularly funding structures should evolve to better reflect sustainability challenges whilst supporting farmers and other land managers in a transition that also ensures viable businesses and vibrant rural areas. This is intended as a contribution to a wider debate on the future of EU food systems.

Transforming EU Land Use and the CAP: A post-2024 vision

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: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

Year 2023

Publication:Brochure

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

Year 2023

Publication:Brochure

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

Year 2023

Publication:Report

This publication provides a quantitative overview of the development and status of environmental crime in Germany between 2010 and 2020, with a supplementary presentation for the year 2021, based on data from the police crime statistics ("Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik"), as well as statistics from the Federal Statistical Office's criminal prosecution ("Strafverfolgungsstatistik"). The report provides both an overview of general trends and an in-depth account of individual environmental offences. Additionally, the publication contains data on administrative offences relating to the trafficking of protected species. The report was prepared by a team from Ecologic Institute on behalf of the German Federal Environment Agency.

Umweltdelikte 2021

Auswertung von Statistiken

Year 2023

Publication:Article

Newly published research from SPRINT explores the extent to which public consultations likely contribute to democratic decision-making surrounding agricultural pesticide use. Through a critical discourse analysis of submissions to the public consultation concerning the European Union’s Farm to Fork Strategy, the authors, among them Ecologic Institute's Dr. Ana Frelih-Larsen, examine the role of public consultations as a democratic process and the extent to which their non-deliberative nature advances solutions to contentious and complex challenges.

The Role of Public Consultations in Decision-making on Future Agricultural Pesticide Use

Insights from European Union's Farm to Fork Strategy public consultation

Year 2023

Publication:Document

Lehmann, Karl, Melanie Kemper, Rebecca Noebel & Jennifer Reck 2023: Kommunikationskonzept MoorNet - Kommunikation zur Umsetzung der nationalen Moorschutzstrategie und Vernetzung der Akteure in Deutschland. Ecologic Institut. Berlin. Unpublished

Kommunikationskonzept MoorNet

Kommunikation zur Umsetzung der nationalen Moorschutzstrategie und Vernetzung der Akteure in Deutschland

Year 2023

Publication:Report

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

Year 2023

Publication:Report

Briefing CAP Strategic Plans Scheid Aaron

This report, co-authored by Aaron Scheid from Ecologic Institute, summarises the results of a series of assessments of the climate and environmental ambition of the Common Agricultural Policy's (CAP) Strategic Plans. It is based on the detailed study of four Member States (France, Spain, Poland and Germany). The analysis suggests that, while the new CAP structure provides more flexibility to Member States, countries did not take this opportunity to significantly increase support for environmental and climate action.

Environmental and Climate Assessments of CAP Strategic Plans

Summary of Impact Based on Four Key Member States

Year 2023

Publication:Article

screen shot of the online article's header

The German CAP Strategic Plan has the potential for an ambitious CAP 2023 to 2027. While the debate on the next CAP post-2027 is already starting, in this article Aaron Scheid and Sophie Ittner from Ecologic Institute argue that the German government needs to exploit all potential in the current CAP to increase the ambition towards more climate change mitigation and the protection and enhancement of natural resources and biodiversity. The coalition agreement gives them the mandate to do so.

The German CAP Strategic Plan

The ambition has yet to come

Year 2023

Publication:Report

This report identifies and assesses the likely contribution of Poland's CAP Strategic Plan to climate mitigation and adaptation, natural resources, and biodiversity protection.

Environment and Climate Assessment of Germany's Cap Strategic Plan

Year 2023

Publication:Report

This assessment identifies the likely contribution of Poland's CAP Strategic Plan to climate mitigation and adaptation, natural resources, and biodiversity protection. Overall, the findings are that the Plan is insufficient to respond to the country's needs in relation to environment and climate challenges.

Environment and Climate Assessment of Poland's CAP Strategic Plan

Year 2023

Publication:Report

Pay as you eat meat Report Aaron Scheid CE Delft

Animal products are an essential part of today's German diet, but they are associated with a variety of environmental problems, such as global warming, eutrophication of soils and waters, etc.. These cause external costs. The study, co-authored by Aaron Scheid and Benjamin Görlach of Ecologic Institute, estimates these external costs for animal products and examines policy measures to address them.

Pay as You Eat Dairy, Eggs and Meat

External Cost Estimates and Policy Options to Internalise Them in Germany

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:Report

In a report co-authored by Ecologic Institute and IEEP, we demonstrate that despite both the potential benefits and risks of carbon farming for biodiversity, most of the current carbon farming mechanisms fail to safeguard biodiversity and incorporate approaches to ensure net positive biodiversity impacts. We identify challenges and opportunities for implementing standards for biodiversity into carbon farming mechanisms and propose requirements to ensure that carbon farming standards enhance and safeguard biodiversity, alongside delivering climate change mitigation.

Carbon Farming Co-benefits

Approaches to enhance and safeguard biodiversity

Year 2023

Publication:Infographic

Drawing on our evaluation of ten existing carbon farming standard approaches to safeguard and promote biodiversity, this infographic proposes a differentiated approach to safeguarding and enhancing biodiversity in carbon farming standards.

Recommended Approach to Enhance Biodiversity Through Carbon Farming Funding

Year 2023

Publication:Report

This report examines the mitigation potential of climate friendly soil management practices at global, EU and German level, along with key management measures, their co-benefits and trade-offs, and implementation challenges.

Role of Soils in Climate Change Mitigation

Year 2022

Publication:Case Study

Cover of the case study on Germany "Species protection rules under the Birds and Habitats Directives: how effectively are they integrated into sectoral policies?"

The Ecologic Institute undertook a comprehensive country study for Germany focusing on the integration of species protection rules, specifically within agricultural sectors, under the Birds and Habitats Directives. Engaging with over 20 national and regional experts, the study probed the implications of Article 12 and 13 of the Habitats Directive (HD) and Article 5 of the Birds Directive (BD), focusing on how thoroughly the regulations are transposed into national law, to reveal what efforts are being made to provide information about them to farmers and enforce them and to evaluate assessment and authorisation procedures.

Species Protection Rules under the Birds and Habitats Directives – Agriculture: Country studies

Year 2022

Publication:Report

This document outlines detailed information on stakeholder engagement activities within the ALL-Ready project. The objective of the stakeholder engagement plan is to guarantee a coordination and alignment of stakeholder engagement during all project activities.

Stakeholder Engagement Plan – ALL-Ready

Year 2022

Publication:Video

The two-year "Soil Mission Support: Towards a European Research and Innovation Roadmap for Soils and Land Management" project supported the European Union's A Soil Deal for Europe mission on soil health and nutrition and the European Green Deal to facilitate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This animated video demonstrates the importance of healthy soils, the nature of "lighthouses" and where to find them, as well as their contributions to healthy soils. The video was created in cooperation between Ecologic Institute and INRAE.

Transition Towards Healthy Soils Through Living Labs and Lighthouses

Year 2022

Publication:Postcard

For the project "New Cooperation for Sustainable Landuse and Food Supply in Urban-Rural Areas (KOPOS)", Ecologic Institute designed a ten-part postcard series. The postcard series promotes the first two episodes of the four-part KOPOS podcast series "Ernährungswende – Regional gedacht". In it, the focus of the two model projects (1) regional nutrition in Freiburg and (2) access to farmland in Brandenburg are discussed. The postcards are designed according to the project's style guidelines and also include a QR code to the corresponding podcast episode.

New Cooperation for Sustainable Landuse and Food Supply in Urban-Rural Areas – Ten-part postcard series

Year 2022

Publication:Article

In her plans for 2023 addressed to the EU Parliament, President of the EU Commission von der Leyen did not mention the proposal for a Sustainable Food System legislative framework (SFSF). This created speculation about the timeframe of this key proposal, which has been put forward as a cornerstone of the EU Green Deal for the agri-food sector. This blogpost, co-signed by members of the Think Sustainable Europe network, underlines the importance of the SFSF to be proposed next year in order to drive a sustainable transition of the EU food system, given the urgency of such a transition.

Why an EU Framework for Sustainable Food is Crucial for Climate, Biodiversity and Competitiveness

Year 2022

Publication:Report

The study for BUND provides scientific input for the discussion on more environmentally friendly crop protection in the future. It provides an overview of the potentials and barriers associated with alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides, as well as approaches on the implementation of integrated pest management that have so far been given too little consideration. The study is available for download.

Alternativen zu chemisch-synthetischen Pestiziden in der Landwirtschaft

Zusammenfassung und Überblick zum aktuellen wissenschaftlichen Stand

Year 2022

Publication:Infographic

The discussion about possible alternatives to conventional pesticides has gained momentum in recent years with the announcement of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy. The European Commission proposes a 50 percent reduction in synthetic and hazardous pesticides by 2030. But what are possible alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides? This infographic from Ecologic Institute shows indirect and direct non chemical crop protection measures.

Übersicht nicht chemischer Pflanzenschutzmaßnahmen

Year 2022

Publication:Report

Based on the available literature, this report explores the impacts of production and trade-distorting domestic support in agriculture on climate (i.e., greenhouse gas emissions) and the environment (i.e., water, biodiversity, and land degradation).

Desktop Analysis of Agricultural Subsidies and Environmental Impacts

Working Paper 10

Year 2022

Publication:Book

In this open access book, Dr. Josselin Rouillard together with Christina Babbitt (Environment Defense Fund, U.S.), Edward Challies (University of Canterbury, New Zealand) and Jean-Daniel Rinaudo (BRGM, France) compile an international account of water allocation policies supporting a transition to sustainable water use in regions where agriculture is the dominant water use.

Water Resources Allocation and Agriculture

Transitioning from Open to Regulated Access

Year 2022

Publication:Podcast

In the fourth episode of the "Green Deal – Big Deal?" podcast, we ask our expert guests about the food systems approach adopted by the "Farm to fork" strategy and investigate how the strategy will impact producers, consumers and the global food markets. We discuss strategies to address food waste and explore why meat is a politically sensitive topic.

Farm to Fork: Feeding a continent without wrecking a planet

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

Year 2022

Publication:Report

How does subsoil management affect the provision of ecosystem services – and what is its economic value to society? These questions are at the heart of a study by Sophie Ittner, Holger Gerdes and Zoritza Kiresiewa from Ecologic Institute. Using a Benefit Transfer approach, the authors assess the societal costs and benefits of two subsoil management practices in German agriculture. The results demonstrate that sustainable subsoil management can generate not only ecological, but also substantial economic value – offering important insights for targeted support through agri-environmental policy.

The Impact of Subsoil Management on the Delivery of Ecosystem Services

An economic valuation for Germany

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the UBA fact sheet "Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues Carbon leakage"

Siemons, Anne et al. 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Carbon leakage. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Carbon leakage

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the UBA fact sheet "Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues Addressing non-permanence"

Siemons, Anne et al. 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Addressing non-permanence. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Addressing non-permanence

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the UBA fact sheet "Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues Social impacts"

Siemons, Anne et al. 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Social impacts. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Social impacts

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the factsheet "Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Additionality"

McDonald, Hugh et al. 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Additionality. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Additionality

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the fact sheet "Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues Setting Baselines"

McDonald, Hugh et al. 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Setting Baselines. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Setting Baselines

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the fact sheet "Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Impacts on biodiversity"

Scheid, Aaron et al. 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Impacts on biodiversity. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Impacts on biodiversity

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

Siemons, Anne et al. 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Preventing double counting. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Preventing double counting

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the facht sheet "Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Ex ante vs. ex post crediting 1"

McDonald, Hugh et al. 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Ex ante vs. ex post crediting. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Ex ante vs. ex post crediting

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the fact sheet "Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues Impacts on soil health"

Niether, Wiebke et al. 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Impacts on soil health. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Impacts on soil health

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the fact sheet "Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Jurisdictional vs. project-based approaches"

Siemons, Anne et al. 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Jurisdictional vs. project-based approaches. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Jurisdictional vs. project-based approaches

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

Frelih-Larsen, Ana et al. 2022: Silvopastoral agroforestry. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Silvopastoral Agroforestry

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

Frelih-Larsen, Ana et al. 2022: Silvoarable agroforestry. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Silvoarable Agroforestry

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

Gattinger, Andreas et al. 2022: Critical External Inputs: off-farm compost, off-farm manure and biochar. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Critical External Inputs: off-farm compost, off-farm manure and biochar

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

Frelih-Larsen, Ana et al. 2022: Improved Crop Rotation. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Improved Crop Rotation

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

Scheid, Aaron et al. 2022: Low input grasslands / set-aside areas. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Low Input Grasslands / Set-aside Areas

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

Gattinger, Andreas et al. 2022: Mixed Crop-livestock Systems. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Mixed Crop-livestock Systems

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

Frelih-Larsen, Ana et al. 2022: Nitrification inhibitors: biological and synthetic. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Nitrification Inhibitors: Biological and synthetic

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

Gattinger, Andreas et al. 2022: Precision Farming (site-specific management). Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Precision Farming (site-specific management)

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

Scheid, Aaron et al. 2022: Prevention of land take. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Prevention of Land Take

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

Gattinger, Andreas et al. 2022: Reducing soil compaction. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Reducing Soil Compaction

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

Cover of the fact sheet "Funding climate-friendly soil management– key issues. Land use competition"

Siemons, Anne et al. 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Land use competition. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Land use competition

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the fact sheet "Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues Determining the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and changes over time"

Niether, Wiebke et al. 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Determining the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and changes over time. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Determining the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and changes over time

Year 2022

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the UBA factsheet "Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues Ownership, tenure, and other land rights: The link to climate-friendly land use"

Bodle, Ralph and Hugh McDonald 2022: Funding climate-friendly soil management – key issues. Ownership, tenure, and other land rights: The link to climate-friendly land use. Factsheet. German Environment Agency: Dessau-Roßlau.

Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Ownership, tenure, and other land rights: The link to climate-friendly land use

Year 2022

Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast

How can sustainable food be made accessible to all? Charlotte Thielmann from detektor.fm discusses this question with experts and examines the necessary interplay of political and legal frameworks.

Gutes Essen für alle! Ernährungswende – Regional Gedacht (4/4)

13th episode of "Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast"

Year 2022

Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast

How does food from a farm ends up on our tables and how can these value chains become more regional? Charlotte Thielmann from detektor.fm explores these questions together with her interview partners.

Vom Acker auf den Teller – Ernährungswende – Regional Gedacht (3/4)

12th episode of "Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast"

Year 2021

Publication:Report

This publication provides a quantitative overview of the development and status of environmental crime in Germany between 2010 and 2019, based on data from the police crime statistics ("Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik") and the Federal Statistical Office's criminal prosecution statistics ("Strafverfolgungsstatistik"). The report provides both, an overview of general trends and an in-depth account of individual environmental offences. In addition, the publication contains data on administrative offences relating to trafficking of protected species. The report was prepared by a team from Ecologic Institute on behalf of the German Federal Environment Agency.

Umweltdelikte 2019

Auswertung von Statistiken

Year 2021

Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast

Who allocates arable land in Germany, how can farmers lease or buy it, and what are the reasons behind its significant price increase? Charlotte Thielmann from detektor.fm explores these questions together with experts from the field.

Ohne Ackerfläche geht gar nichts – Ernährungswende – Regional Gedacht (2/4)

11th episode of "Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast"

Year 2021

Publication:Report

As the source of 10% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions and a major carbon sink, agriculture offers significant potential to mitigate climate change. This on-farm agricultural climate mitigation is referred to as carbon farming. On behalf of the European Parliament, Ecologic Institute with support from IEEP investigate the potential of carbon farming to mitigate emissions in the EU and how to effectively incentivise farmers to act. Ahead of two key EU Commission policy proposals in December 2021 (the 'Carbon Farming Initiative' and 'Carbon Removals Certification Mechanism'), this study summarises existing knowledge on carbon farming options, business models, challenges, and evaluates funding and policy opportunities to support its uptake. The report is available to download.

Carbon Farming

Making agriculture fit for 2030

Year 2021

Publication:Document

Rural regions in Southeastern and Eastern Europe are facing multiple challenges such as a rural exodus, aging populations, a declining industrial base and low innovation performance. As such, they are particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change. In response to this, stakeholders in the five BE-Rural regions developed bioeconomy strategies and roadmaps for enhanced rural development. This publication presents short summaries of the regional strategies and roadmaps focusing on the regional context in terms of available natural resources, the social, economic and political context, the strategy development process and the priorities outlined in the strategies.

Regional Strategy and Roadmap Documents

Deliverable 5.3 H2020 research project BE-Rural

Year 2021

Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast

The globalisation of agriculture means that cities are no longer primarily supplied by their surrounding areas. Yet, regional structures can help to make food more sustainable and environmentally friendly. In this podcast, detektor.fm presenter Charlotte Thielmann asks Stephanie Wunder from Ecologic Institute whether regional food is the answer to the problems of the food industry.

Warum regionale Lebensmittel? Ernährungswende – Regional Gedacht (1/4)

10th episode of "Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast"

Year 2021

Publication:Article

The 2021 edition of the "Meat Atlas" focuses on the issues of "youth, climate and nutrition". Stephanie Wunder , coordinator food systems at Ecologic Institute, contributed an essay on the importance of meat alternatives. With one million copies distributed annually, the "Meat Atlas" has a large outreach to the public. The Meat Atlas is available in print and available for download.

Fleischalternativen: Vegetarischer und veganer Fleischersatz wächst

Contribution to the "Meat Atlas" 2021: Role of meat substitutes

Year 2021

Publication:Report

This report aims at 1) providing German and EU stakeholders and decision-makers with evidence-based material to inform Germany’s CAP strategic plan intervention logic, and 2) providing a reference point for the evaluation of the German government's own needs assessment in their CAP strategic plan.

CAP Strategic Plans Shadow Assessment of Environmental Needs

Germany

Year 2021

Publication:Report

According to a recent EEA report co-authored by Ecologic Institute, water stress has become a serious problem across Europe and climate change is likely to raise the challenge. The report "Water resources across Europe – confronting water stress: an updated assessment" calls for a shift from crisis management to risk management to prevent irreversible negative consequences for nature and society. The report emphasizes the need for greater water use efficiency and improved ecosystem resilience, as water resources become insufficient to meet the joint demand of humans and nature.

Water Resources Across Europe

Confronting water stress: an updated assessment

Year 2021

Publication:Report

Options for Strengthening Natural Carbon Sinks and Reducing Land Use Emissions in the EU

Working paper

Year 2021

Publication:Report

Through capacity-building exercises in five European regions, facilitators worked with entrepreneurs and stakeholders to design locally-adapted business models and assess their market potential. The results provide concrete building blocks for regional bioeconomy strategies and roadmaps.

Small-scale Bio-based Business Models and their Market Potentials

Summary Report

Year 2021

Publication:Report

How can result-based payments be designed to support scaling up of agricultural practices that reduce emissions and deliver robust carbon removals? A technical guidance for setting up such payments has been published by DG Climate Action. Ecologic Institute co-wrote the guidance with its partners IEEP and COWI.

Setting up and Implementing Result-based Carbon Farming Mechanisms in the EU

Technical Guidance Handbook

Year 2021

Publication:Policy Brief

Meredith S., Allen B., Kollenda E., Maréchal A., Hart K., Hulot J.F., Frelih Larsen A. and Wunder S. (2021) European food and agriculture in a new paradigm: Can global challenges like climate change be addressed through a farm to fork approach? Think 2030 policy paper by the Institute for European Environmental Policy and the Ecologic Institute.

European Food and Agriculture in a New Paradigm

Can global challenges like climate change be addressed through a farm to fork approach?

Year 2021

Publication:Article

In this publication, we present the results of an acceptance study in two case study regions in Germany. We investigated farmers' and other soil experts' perceptions of subsoil amelioration as an approach to adapt to climate change. In addition, we analyzed the factors that influence their willingness to adopt specific measures to improve the subsoil. Applying q-method and focus groups, we surveyed overall 86 actors in the agricultural sector. The article is published in Frontiers in Agronomy, Volume 3, April 2021 and is available for download.

An Acceptance Analysis of Subsoil Amelioration Amongst Agricultural Actors in Two Regions in Germany

Year 2021

Publication:Policy Brief

Front Cover of Publication with Title "Policy Brief Identifies Options For Multilateral Initiatives That Support Sustainable Food Systems And Reduce GHG Emissions"

Published in April 2021, this policy brief identifies four options for increased multilateral cooperation that support an international shift towards sustainable food systems and help to increase the global 2030 climate ambition at the same time. The identified initiatives focus on activities that reduce food loss and waste and support plant based diets, following a 'food systems approach.'

Options for Multilateral Initiatives to Close the Global 2030 Climate Ambition and Action Gap

Policy Field Sustainable Food Systems

Year 2021

Publication:Report

Cover of the final report "Evaluierung und Optimierung von Beratungsmaßnahmen des MELUND für eine gewässer-, boden- und klimaschonende und die Biodiversität fördernde Landwirtschaft in Schleswig-Holstein"

The report summarizes the key findings from the project, evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the advisory system, and makes concrete suggestions for improving specific advisory measures.

Evaluierung und Optimierung von Beratungsmaßnahmen des MELUND für eine gewässer-, boden- und klimaschonende und die Biodiversität fördernde Landwirtschaft

Year 2021

Publication:Report

As part of its work within the ETC-ICM, Ecologic Institute has contributed as lead author to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) report examining the multiple pressures that agriculture put on Europe's water. The report shows that that a wider uptake of sustainable agricultural practices such as organic farming, agroecological approaches and nature-based solutions is necessary to protect the water environment. To achieve this, ambitious measures to promote sustainable agriculture must be adopted in the upcoming EU common agricultural policy 2021-2027.

Water and Agriculture

towards sustainable solutions

Year 2021

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:Report

CIRCASA 2020. Deliverable D3.1: "Strategic Research Agenda on soil organic carbon in agricultural soils." European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme grant agreement No 774378 – Coordination of International Research Cooperation on soil CArbon Sequestration in Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.15454/LSWRDG

Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) on Soil Carbon

Year 2020

Publication:Report

Evaluation Support Study on the Impact of the CAP on Sustainable Management of the Soil

Year 2020

Publication:Report

Evaluation of The Impact of the CAP on Habitats, Landscapes, Biodiversity

Year 2020

Publication:Report

The Impact of Subsoil Management on the Delivery of Ecosystem Services

Year 2020

Publication:Poster

This poster provides a basic introduction into the KOPOS project, which has been started in February 2020. In this "research design" poster guiding research questions, main ideas, and frameworks applied in the ongoing research process are presented. The poster was designed according to the project's style guidelines for the "Sustainable & Resilient Urban-Rural Partnerships Conference 2020" in Leipzig.

Is it Possible to Generate Economic, Ecological and Social Scaling Effects Through Novel Cooperation and Pooling Models (CPM) Involving Urban-rural Partnerships?

Year 2020

Publication:Document

This hands-on guidance document supports regional actors in designing viable business models for the bioeconomy. Based on practical experiences from five Open Innovation Platforms (OIPs) across Europe, it outlines how to analyse regional market conditions, engage diverse stakeholders and translate promising bio-based product ideas into actionable business strategies. The result: a modular toolkit to unlock local biomass potential and drive sustainable rural development.

Analysing Market Conditions and Designing Business Models within BE-Rural's OIPs

Deliverable 5.1 H2020 research project BE-Rural

Year 2020

Publication:Article

Bioeconomy currently enjoys a high political priority; at the same time, the concept, which last received a boost in 2018 in the form of the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, is not without controversy and contains many conflicting goals. This is where the article by Zoritza Kiresiewa (Ecologic Institute), Franziska Wolff and Martin Möller (both Öko-Institut e.V.) comes in. The authors argue that bioeconomy can only contribute to the achievement of sustainability goals if the political framework is appropriate. Whether or not strategies will have an impact depends on each individual case. Bioeconomy pathways should be designed and tested accordingly.

Handlungsoptionen einer nachhaltigen Bioökonomiepolitik

Wo ein Wille ist, ist auch ein Weg

Year 2020

Publication:Report

Cover publication "Aligning the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy with the European Green Deal"

This paper examines the role that the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) can play in the transformation towards more sustainable and resilient agri-food systems in the EU.

Aligning the post-2020 CAP with the Green Deal

The European Green Deal, sustainable agri-food systems, and the Common Agricultural Policy

Year 2020

Publication:Website

KOPOS addresses the question of how greater regionalization of food supply can contribute to building environmentally friendly and more resilient supply structures. The KOPOS website was developed, implemented and designed by Ecologic Institute. It serves the public communication of the project's goals, events and results.

KOPOS: Neue Kooperations- und Poolingmodelle für nachhaltige Landnutzung und Nahrungsversorgung im Stadt-Land-Verbund

Year 2020

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:Document

On 20 May 2020, the European Commission launched its long-awaited Farm to Fork Strategy. The strategy is a first attempt to define long-term objectives for a healthy, just and sustainable EU food system that addresses both food production and consumption. The strategy is part of the EU Green Deal and was published against the background of the Corona crisis that has critically highlighted the dependence of the EU food system on global supply chains and the need to increase resilience against shocks – be it a pandemic or other crises such as climate change. To achieve the objectives of the Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F) it is now crucial, that its targets will be ambitiously implemented. The Ecologic Institute's initial assessment "The EU Farm to Fork Strategy: What needs to come next?" highlights five important steps for an ambitious implementation of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy – on EU, national and regional level.

The EU Farm to Fork Strategy: What needs to come next?

A first assessment of important steps for an ambitious implementation of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy

Year 2020

Publication:Document

The guidance for policy makers included in the brief is intended to help orient decision-makers in navigating the various project outputs by comparing and contrasting the BE-Rural and POWER4BIO deliverables, with the aim of guiding the reader towards the most relevant project outputs for their given context. Based on this guidance, the final section of the document provides detailed summaries of the six deliverables for further reference.

Small-Scale Technologies and Business Models for Regional Bioeconomies

Joint Guidance Document for Stakeholders

Year 2020

Publication:Report

This study analysed the effects of the agricultural water protection measures implemented in the collaborative approach, e.g. with regard to their potential for reducing nitrogen leaching into groundwater and regarding the level of acceptance among farmers. The study area consisted of 18 drinking water cooperations covering 20 drinking water protection zones.

Überprüfung der Auswirkungen des kooperativen Gewässerschutzes in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Year 2020

Publication:Report

Scaling up climate smart soil management requires addressing a range of barriers, with one of the key barriers being the availability and access to the right kind of knowledge. A new report from Ecologic Institute, prepared under the CIRCASA project, shows the importance of empowering farmers and other stakeholders through effective knowledge creation and exchange.

Synthesis Report on Knowledge Demands and Needs of Stakeholders

Year 2020

Publication:Document

In this position paper the Ecologic Institute, the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) submitted a contribution to the EU Commission's roadmap consultation on the Farm to Fork strategy. The strategy is expected to be finalized until 29 April 2020 and will have an impact on the future Common agricultural policy. The position paper identifies the needs for the strategy and gives policy recommendations.

Contribution to the 2020 Roadmap Consultation on the Farm to Fork Strategy

Position paper on the EU "Farm to Fork" Strategy

Year 2020

Publication:Brochure

The final results brochure of the REFRESH project provides an overview of the work undertaken within the project including key insights and links to the results that are available online at the REFRESH project website.

REFRESH Final Results Brochure

Year 2020

Publication:Article

The German article "Seven at one blow! Regional Food Strategies as key to more sustainable Urban-Rural cooperations" deals with the role of regional food strategies as a promising approach for an integrated, sustainable development of urban and rural areas. The article, written by Stephanie Wunder, Coordinator Food Systems at the Ecologic Institute and Franziska Wolff, Head of Environmental Law & Governance at Öko-Institut summarizes the results of the UBA project "Rural Urban Nexus", led by Ecologic Institute. The text is part of "The Critical Agricultural Report". Since 1993 "Der kritische Agrarbericht" is an annually published flagship book, that critically reflects about agriculture in Germany in the context of the EU Common Agricultural Policy. The 2020 edition focused on the changing relationship between rural and urban areas.

Sieben auf einen Streich

Regionale Ernährungsstrategien als Schlüssel für eine nachhaltigere Stadt-Umland-Kooperation

Year 2020

Publication:Report

The report "Integrated approaches for sustainable urban-rural development" published by the German Federal Environment Agency at the end of 2019 summarizes the results of the three-year research project "Rural Urban Nexus – Global Land Use and Urbanization" (RUN). The findings of the project, that was led by Ecologic Institute, show that there is already a wide range of strategic approaches, instruments and institutional forms for better collaboration between cities and their surrounding areas. Rather than establishing new instruments, administrations and policy makers should make greater use of existing possibilities – especially informal instruments of regional planning – and to integrate sustainable urban and peri-urban development into existing policies. In particular, the development of regional food strategies can be an important entry point and catalyst for achieving sustainable urban rural development.

Rural Urban Nexus – Globale Landnutzung und Urbanisierung

Integrierte Ansätze für eine nachhaltige Stadt-Land-Entwicklung

Year 2019

Publication:Report

This study shows that a commitment to a regional food policy promises positive effects in a whole range of policy areas, including environmental protection, sustainable land use, health, strengthening local value chains, education, and participation. Regional food policy in Germany requires the establishment of new structures and can only succeed if administrations work together across disciplines and sectors, if there is cooperation between the city and its environs and if it is shaped in a participatory process together with all the actors concerned. Due to the high media interest and the mobilisation potential that the topic of nutrition has to offer, it might be easier to set up these processes compared to many other topics.

Regionale Ernährungssysteme und nachhaltige Landnutzung im Stadt-Land-Nexus

Year 2019

Publication:Video

In 2019, the European research project REFRESH has come to an end. Since 2015, the 26 project partners from across Europe and China have made considerable progress in tackling food losses and food waste along production and supply chains with an integrated approach towards a more sustainable and responsible food system. This video summarises the main activities and findings within the project's three focus areas.

Research Against Food Waste

Results of the EU Research Project REFRESH

Year 2019

Publication:Video

This video summarises the REFRESH project’s activities and findings in the field of consumer behavior. Households account for more than half of the food waste generated in the EU. A large survey conducted by REFRESH in four European countries revealed relevant information on consumer food waste behavior that was used to draw conclusions for policy makers.

Reducing Consumer Food Waste

Results of the EU Research Project REFRESH

Year 2019

Publication:Video

This video shows options studied within REFRESH of how to use food side flows in a more sustainable way than it is done today. One example is feeding treated surplus food to omnivorous livestock.

Valorising Unavoidable Food Waste

Results of the EU Research Project REFRESH

Year 2019

Publication:Video

This video summarises the main activities and findings of the five national platforms. In order to adapt actions and responses to food waste challenges nationally, REFRESH established national networking platforms in the following five countries: Germany, Hungary, Spain, the Netherlands and China. The national platforms set up voluntary agreements and started different pilot activities against food waste, which are presented in this video.

National Platforms to Fight Food Waste

Results of the EU Research Project REFRESH

Year 2019

Publication:Report

This report analyses two specific activities within the REFRESH project: First, the dissemination of the Framework for Action ("Blueprint") that helps national governments to build Voluntary Agreements with the relevant stakeholders in the sector to reduce food loss and waste and second, work with Standardisation Bodies, specifically barcode standards used by retailers.

REFRESH External Outreach Report

Dissemination of the Framework for Action (“Blueprint”) and work with Standardisation Bodies

Year 2019

Publication:Report

This report provides a detailed overview of REFRESH's activities as well as an assessment of their outreach and impact. It also reflects on the lessons learned of REFRESH's communication activities, including barriers and success formats.

Final Report on Dissemination and Exploitation of REFRESH Results

Year 2019

Publication:Report

This working paper identifies the main overarching trends affecting the food supply system, sets out the environmental and socio-economic implications of spatial decoupling of food production, consumption and disposal, and addresses the particular role of urbanisation in changing supply systems. The effects in industrialised and developing countries are considered in equal measure.

Nachhaltige Ernährungssysteme in Zeiten von Urbanisierung und globaler Ressourcenknappheit

Herausforderungen und Handlungsmöglichkeiten

Year 2019

Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast

The fourth episode of the environment podcast "Knowledge for Future" focuses on opportunities for creating comprehensively sustainable value chains within an operation and provides a picture of environmentally conscious coexistence for the near future.

Nachhaltig bis zur Wertschöpfungskette – Sharing is caring

4th episode of "Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast"

Year 2019

Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast

The third episode of the environment-focused podcast "Knowledge for Future" looks at concepts for sustainable financing.

Nachhaltige Finanzierungskonzepte – Auch Weltverbesserer brauchen Geld

3rd episode of "Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast"

Year 2019

Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast

"Sustainable Agriculture – Someone has to take the first step": Welcome to the second episode of the environment-focused podcast series "Knowledge for Future", produced by Ecologic Institute and detector.fm. Today organic products are all the rage, but long before the big supermarket chains added organic milk and co. to their product range, people in Germany were dedicated to biological, sustainable agriculture.

Landwirtschaft, aber nachhaltig – Einer muss immer anfangen

2nd episode of "Knowledge for Future - The Environment Podcast"

Year 2019

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

Year 2019

Publication:Article

The Baltic Sea Action Plan and the EU Water Framework Directive both require substantial additional reductions of nutrient loads (N and P) to the marine environment. Focusing on nitrogen, we present a widely applicable concept for spatially differentiated regulation, exploiting the large spatial variations in the natural removal of nitrate in groundwater and surface water. By targeting mitigation measures towards areas where nature’s own capacity for removal is low, spatially differentiated regulation can be more cost-effective than the traditional uniform regulation. We present a methodology for upscaling local modelling results on targeted measures at field scale to Baltic Sea drainage basin scale. The paper assesses the potential gain and discusses key challenges related to implementation of spatially differentiated regulation, including the need for more scientific knowledge, handling of uncertainties, practical constraints related to agricultural practice and introduction of co-governance regimes.

Spatially Differentiated Regulation: Can it save the Baltic Sea from excessive N-loads?

Year 2019

Publication:Article

Societal transformations are often initiated by individuals. This also applies to the sustainable economy issue: There are particularly committed people behind many smaller and larger developments that have been set in motion in recent years. Some of these "change agents" who were involved in projects of the "Scientific coordination of research projects on a sustainable economy" (NaWiKo) have been presented as part of the project's dissemination work.

NaWiKo Change Agents

Year 2019

Publication:Web Application

The production of food results in by-products. Instead of disposing them as waste, they can also be valorised into new products. This quiz lets you find out what new products can be made from this food waste. The player scrolls two image galleries and chooses two pictures that correspond as food waste and new product. There are eight possible pairs to be found. How many pairs can you find?

Quiz: Food Waste Valorisation

Year 2019

Publication:Article

As part of the EU H2020 RURECO project, Dr. Josselin Rouillard carried out a one-month research exchange with the University of Davis, California focusing on sustainable groundwater management in Europe, France and California. Seminars with academic staff at UC Davis and Stanford University were organised comparing European and Californian strategies for sustainable groundwater management. Workshops and meetings were organised with the State Water Resource Control Board and nine groundwater sustainable agencies across the state of California. The blogpost is linked in the article.

Groundwater and Agriculture: A Comparison of Managing Scarcity and Droughts in France and California

Year 2019

Publication:Policy Brief

Public campaigns and other policy instruments can significantly influence consumer behaviour and contribute to a reduction of consumer food waste. However, there are only very few studies that have evaluated to what extent policy interventions actually reduced or prevented food waste. In this REFRESH Policy brief Ecologic Institute's Stephanie Wunder summarises REFRESH findings on consumer behaviour as well as related research results and derives policy recommendations to reduce consumer food waste.

REFRESH Policy Brief: Reducing consumer food waste

Year 2019

Publication:Article

This study applies a methodological framework that assesses the personally experienced impact of coping strategies by local stakeholders on sustainability criteria.

Adapting to Fuelwood Scarcity

The Farmers' Perspective

Year 2019

Publication:Report

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:Document

Residues of veterinary pharmaceuticals may enter water and soil via manure and dung. Farmers can reduce this environmental impact through their farming practices. These teaching materials were designed for agricultural vocational schools. They contain worksheets, information on classroom design and background information for teachers. The teaching materials are available to teachers and learners for free use.

Umweltwirkungen von Tierarzneimitteln

Unterrichtsmaterial für landwirtschaftliche Berufsschulen

Year 2018

Publication:Document

Residues of veterinary pharmaceuticals may enter and be dispersed through water and soil via manure and dung. Farmers can reduce these environmental impacts through their farming practices. These teaching materials were designed for agricultural vocational schools. They contain worksheets, information on classroom design and background information for teachers. The teaching materials are available to teachers and learners for free use.

Verschleppung von Tierarzneimitteln in die Umwelt

Unterrichtsmaterial für landwirtschaftliche Berufsschulen

Year 2018

Publication:Document

Residues of veterinary pharmaceuticals may enter water and soil via manure and dung. Farmers can reduce this environmental impact through their practices. These teaching materials have been designed for advanced learners in agriculture. They consist of presentation slides and accompanying background material. The slides are designed for a 90-minute lecture. The teaching materials are available for teachers and learners to use freely.

Minimierung der landwirtschaftlichen Einträge von Tierarzneimitteln in die Umwelt

Lehrmaterialien Landwirtschaft für Fortgeschrittene

Year 2018

Publication:Report

This final report contains the interim results of a project on communication strategies for reducing agriculture-related entry of veterinary pharmaceuticals into the environment.

Kommunikationsstrategien zur Verminderung von Tierarzneimitteleinträgen aus der Landwirtschaft in die Umwelt

Final Report

Year 2018

Publication:Document

Residues of veterinary pharmaceuticals may enter water and soil via manure and dung. Veterinarians can reduce this environmental impact through their practices. These teaching materials were designed for further veterinary training. They consist of lecture slides and accompanying background material. The teaching materials are available to teachers and learners for free use.

Umweltaspekte von Tierarzneimitteln in der tiermedizinischen Praxis

Lehrmaterialien für Tierärztinnen und Tierärzte

Year 2018

Publication:Report

Evaluation Study of The Impact of The CAP on Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Year 2018

Publication:Report

Cover "Environmental offences in Germany 2016"

This publication provides a quantitative overview of the development and status of environmental crime in Germany between 2004 and 2016, based on data from the police crime statistics ("Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik") and the Federal Statistical Office's criminal prosecution statistics ("Strafverfolgungsstatistik"). The report provides both, an overview of general trends and an in-depth account of individual environmental offences. In addition, the publication contains data on administrative offences relating to trafficking of protected species. The report was prepared by a team from Ecologic Institute on behalf of the German Federal Environment Agency.

Environmental Offences in Germany 2016: a statistical analysis

Year 2018

Publication:Policy Brief

Despite the extensive loss of productive soils and the valuable ecosystem services that soils provide, the awareness of the magnitude and negative implications of these processes remain relatively low. In this RECARE policy brief, Ecologic Institute's Sandra Naumann and Ana Frelih-Larsen together with Gundula Prokop from the Austrian Environment Agency illustrate the scale of the problem and identify ready-made solutions and steps policy makers and practitioners can take across different levels, from city planning to national and European level. The RECARE policy brief is available for download.

Soil Sealing and Land Take

Year 2018

Publication:Policy Brief

The persistent damaging impacts of subsoil compaction call for policy intervention in order to secure yields and adapt to climate change, as well as to sustain soil ecosystem services for future generations. The authors of this RECARE Policy Brief, including Ana Frelih-Larsen of Ecologic Institute, demand that policy responses need to address the underlying drivers of farmers' decision-making concerning field traffic through a systematic and coordinated approach for sustainable soil management in Europe. The RECARE policy brief is available for download.

Subsoil Compaction – A threat to sustainable food production and soil ecosystem services

Year 2018

Publication:Policy Brief

The problem of historical contamination remains an important gap in European policymaking on soils. Political commitment is required to address the issue of historical contamination systematically by providing a common EU framework to guide and facilitate activities at the national level, where in turn establishing and implementing national strategies for managing soil contamination is important. Finally, improving knowledge, sharing, and availability of existing information, and engaging stakeholders in the process of remediating soil contamination is recommended by the authors, lead by Ana Frelih-Larsen and Sophie Ittner of Ecologic Institute. The RECARE policy brief is available for download.

Remediating Historical Soil Contamination

Effective Measures and Policy Solutions

Year 2018

Publication:Brochure

This brochure describes the threats to soils in Europe, how the RECARE project has addressed these and provides clear examples of soil management options and policy solutions. Ecologic Institute's Ana Frelih-Larsen and Sandra Naumann contributed to the RECARE project brochure, which is available for download.

RECARE Project – Finding and sharing solutions to protect our soils

Year 2018

Publication:Article

In Tanzania, the majority of the rural population still relies on fuelwood as their major source of cooking energy. The adaptation measures of small-scale farmers in response to increasing fuelwood scarcity play a key role in altering the course of nutrition insecurity, environmental degradation, and economic instability. This study delivers a classification of coping strategies that does not exist in the literature. Furthermore, it analyses the adaptation measures applied by small-scale farmers in the semi-arid region of Dodoma district in response to fuelwood scarcity. A comparison between two case study sites provides information on the choice of adaptation measures by households. Overall, 28 coping strategies from 24 studies are identified, then differentiated into preventive and acute measures that are arranged into eight clusters.

Fuelwood Scarcity and its Adaptation Measures

An assessment of coping strategies applied by small-scale farmers in Dodoma region, Tanzania

Year 2018

Publication:Article

Hidden beneath the humus-rich topsoil, the subsoil usually receives little attention in agricultural practice. Yet, plants cover between 10 and 80% of their nutrient and water needs from subsoils. Measures to improve the subsoil could help in bridging droughts and stabilising yields. But how do farmers and other societal actors perceive different methods for subsoil management? Ecologic Institutes's Ana Frelih-Larsen, Mandy Hinzmann and Sophie Ittner published the first exploratory research results on the societal acceptance of subsoil management in the open access journal Sustainability.

The "Invisible" Subsoil

An Exploratory View of Societal Acceptance of Subsoil Management in Germany

Year 2018

Publication:Article

Diffuse Water Pollution from Agriculture (DWPA) and its governance has received increased attention as a policy concern across the globe. Mitigation of DWPA is a complex problem that requires a mix of policy instruments and a multi-agency, broad societal response. In this article - to which Dr. Grit Martinez and Dr. Nico Stelljes of Ecologic Institute contributed as co-authors - opportunities and barriers for developing co-governance, defined as collaborative societal involvement in the functions of government, and its suitability for mitigation of DWPA, are reviewed using seven case studies in Europe, Australia and North America. The article is available for download.

Opportunities and Barriers for Water Co-Governance

A Critical Analysis of Seven Cases of Diffuse Water Pollution from Agriculture in Europe, Australia and North America

Year 2018

Publication:Document

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly being adopted as an effective tool to address urban challenges. But, to what extent do current policy frameworks support or hinder their implementation? This report examines if and how the concept of NBS is addressed in select EU and Member State policies and funding instruments. The report was published within the Horizon 2020 project NATURVATION and is available for download.

Nature-based Solutions in European and National Policy Frameworks

Year 2018

Publication:Brochure

Green growth brings about multiple social and economic benefits. Together with Ecofys, Ecologic Institute produced a brochure, which highlights examples of green growth that stem from a range of sectors (energy, buildings, transport, agriculture and industry) and are located throughout Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. The brochure presents cutting-edge technologies, forward-thinking entrepreneurs, smart combinations of financing options, and innovative project designs. The brochure is available for download.

Innovation, Renovation, Transformation

Good practice examples of projects promoting green growth across Central, Eastern and Southern Europe

Year 2018

Publication:Article

Röschel, Lina, et. al. 2018: Individual Local Farmers' Perceptions of Environmental Change in Tanzania. Water 10(4), 525.

Individual Local Farmers' Perceptions of Environmental Change in Tanzania

Communications – Water

Year 2018

Publication:Report

Kosten und Nutzen einer europäischen Bodenrahmen-Richtlinie für Deutschland

Year 2018

Publication:Report

This report presents the key concepts, definitions, and implementation approaches for SDG 15.3 on "Land Degradation Neutrality" (LDN). It discusses options for implementing LDN in Germany and suggests a proxy indicator based on land use changes. For this purpose, the core ideas, definitions and implementation approaches of the LDN concept are presented at the international level and a seven-stage procedure for national implementation is developed. This report by Ecologic Institute is available for download.

Land Degradation Neutrality

Handlungsempfehlungen zur Implementierung des SDG-Ziels 15.3 und Entwicklung eines bodenbezogenen Indikators

Year 2018

Publication:Report

This report by Ecologic Institute deals in particular with the European discussion on the implementation of the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) concept. It deals with the European peculiarities of implementation and develops an indicator based on land-use changes. The report is available for download.

Implementing SDG Target 15.3 on "Land Degradation Neutrality"

Development of an Indicator Based on Land Use Changes and Soil Values

Year 2018

Publication:Website

This portal provides information on how veterinary medicines enter the environment, explains their environmental impact and points out ways to reduce the number of entries. It is aimed at farmers and veterinarians in the livestock sector, in particular for cattle, pigs and poultry. Particular attention is paid to disease prevention measures, as veterinary medicinal products which do not need to be administered cannot enter the environment.

Internet Portal on "Veterinary Pharmaceuticals in the Environment"

Year 2018

Publication:Infographic

This infographic provides a brief overview of the effects of active pharmaceutical ingredients observed in studies on non-target organisms that have been submitted and evaluated in the context of veterinary drug approvals (status 2017). A detailed version of the table, which also includes effect concentrations and sources of literature, can be downloaded as a PDF file.

Effekte von Arzneimitteln auf Nichtzielorganismen

Year 2017

Publication:Infographic

The infographic illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of four different cleaning methods for nipple drinks in pigsties with drawings. Dirt, heat and moisture in pipes and on drinking troughs provide ideal conditions for the propagation of germs in the so-called biofilm. Pathogens that have reached the drinking trough with saliva or nasal secretions from animals can survive there and can be transmitted to new animal groups.

Krankheitserreger in Tränkeeinrichtungen für Schweine richtig entfernen

Year 2017

Publication:Infographic

This checklist for veterinary medicine and animal husbandry recalls the most important environmental issues when using veterinary medicines.

Umwelt-Checkliste für den Einsatz von Tierarzneimitteln

Year 2017

Publication:Brochure

This brochure is aimed at veterinarians. It provides information on how veterinary medicines enter the environment, explains their environmental impact and shows how environmental aspects can be taken into account in daily veterinary work. The advisory role of veterinary medicine in relation to preventive health management is of particular importance.

Veterinärmedizin – Tierarzneimittel – Umwelt

Wie kann die Tiermedizin Einträge vermindern?

Year 2017

Publication:Brochure

This brochure is aimed at farmers. It provides information on how veterinary medicines enter the environment and explains their environmental impact. It also identifies ways in which environmental aspects can be taken into account in the application of veterinary medicinal products and the use of fertilisers containing veterinary medicinal products. Precautionary health measures are of particular importance. Veterinary medicines that do not need to be administered in the first place cannot harm the environment.

Landwirtschaft – Tierarzneimittel – Umwelt

Wie kann die Tierhaltung Einträge vermindern?

Year 2017

Publication:Infographic

Care and hygiene help to minimise the direct entry of veterinary medicines into the environment. Carry-over of veterinary medicines is an unnecessary waste, can endanger the health of operators and have no therapeutic benefits for animals. Carry-over antibiotics can contribute to the development of resistance in humans, animals and the environment. This infographic illustrates five ways to reduce the carry-over of veterinary medicines in the barn.

Verschleppung von Tierarzneimitteln im Stall

Year 2017

Publication:Infographic

This illustration visualizes the processes of degradation, runoff, accumulation, uptake and infiltration of veterinary drugs in the environment. Active substances from veterinary medicines behave very differently depending on the substance and location properties. While sulfonamides, for example, can be transferred to groundwater, tetracyclines tend to accumulate in the topsoil.

Tierarzneimittel in der Umwelt: Abbau, Verlagerung und Verbleib

Year 2017

Publication:Document

Stelljes, N., McGlade, K., Martinez, G., BONUS SOILS2SEA Deliverable 6.4. Results from stakeholder workshops on governance concepts. Ecologic Institute, Berlin, December 2017, www.soils2sea.eu

Results from Stakeholder Workshops on Governance Concepts

Year 2017

Publication:Report

Engaging the public on science and sustainable consumption: the how-to guide published in the pilot report "A Taste of the Future of the Seas" explains how to organize fun and impactful popular-scientific events, with a special focus on sustainable food. The guide, published by Ecologic Institute, is part of the Science Year 2016*17 – Seas and Oceans and is available for download in German.

Pilotbericht "Ein Geschmack der Zukunft der Meere"

Project report and how-to guide for organising popular scientific events on sustainable consumption

Year 2017

Publication:Report

This report discusses extensions of area-based land foot-prints with meaningful impact-oriented indicators for the assessment of the effects of different con-sumption patterns on the ecosystems and sustainability of land use. First, existing indicators for representing the environmental impacts of land use are introduced in the context of their linkages and complementarity to area-based land footprints. The report discusses the following key indicators, which were identified as particularly relevant during an export workshop: System indicators, which qualify the area-based footprints across globally very different potential land productivities, deforestation footprint, energy use in agriculture, and irrigation water use in agriculture classified by degree of water scarcity. It introduces the methods developed for the quantification of system indicators for cropland and grassland footprints and for the deforestation footprint, and present results for Germany and the EU.

Extending Land Footprints Towards Characterizing Sustainability of Land Use

Year 2017

Publication:Video

This video provides insights into the REFRESH Food Waste 2017 Multistakeholder Conference, which took place on 18 May 2017 in Berlin, Germany. The Conference brought together leaders in food waste prevention, reduction and valorisation. REFRESH partners presented the latest results and ongoing work of the REFRESH Project.

REFRESH Food Waste 2017 Conference Video

Year 2017

Publication:Report

Stelljes, N, Albrecht, S, Martinez, G., McGlade, K. BONUS SOILS2SEA Deliverable 6.2. Proposals for new governance concepts and policy options. Ecologic Institute, Berlin, May 2017, www.Soils2Sea.eu

Proposals for New Governance Concepts and Policy Options

Year 2017

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:Report

As part its on-going participation to a framework contract with the European Commission on supporting the implementation of European water policies, Ecologic Institute led an assessment of how Member States' current Rural Development Programmes (2014-2020) address agricultural pressures on water bodies and promote measures that can contribute to protect and restore the water environment, reducing flood and drought risk. The report is available for download.

Key Descriptive Statistics on the Consideration of Water Issues in Rural Development Programmes 2014-2020

European level report

Year 2017

Publication:Report

In the context of a framework contract with the European Commission focused on supporting the implementation of European water policies, Ecologic Institute has contributed to the preparation of a best practice overview report on how water management issues can be addressed within Rural Development Programmes. The report is available for download.

Guidance on "Good Practices" for Rural Development Programmes from a Water Perspective

Year 2017

Adaptation
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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
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Indicators
Industry
International Cooperation
Land Use
Mobility
Nature-based Solutions + Green Infrastructure
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Resource Conservation + Circular Economy
Trade
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Publications

EU policy recommendations

Risks, opportunities and policy design choices

Recommendations for coherent EU policies

Guidelines

Creating the Conditions for Structural Change

Barriers, challenges and recommendations

Auswertung von Statistiken

Information postcards for the Market Information Talks 2026

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

Management und Werkzeuge

Assessment of risks, opportunities, and alternatives for promoting carbon farming

A categorization framework

How can agricultural policies support the uptake of water resilient farming practices?

GoNaturePositive! Report

Sectoral Brief

Note on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Recommendations for navigating opportunities and risks in the EU

Ergebnisdokumentation zur BfN-Fachtagung am 18. April 2024

Appropriate policy instruments and limits of market-based approaches

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

Empfehlungen und Handreichungen

Medienresonanz- und Kommunikationsanalyse in den moorreichen deutschen Bundesländern

Evidence from three case studies in Germany

Recommendations for carbon farming certification methodologies

Eine Zusammenstellung für das Handlungsfeld "Zugang zu Land"

The role of agroecological practices, sustainable diets, and holistic policies

Expert View

Handlungsempfehlungen für die Region Berlin-Brandenburg

Dataset

Handlungsempfehlungen für die Region Berlin-Brandenburg

A growing community of soil friends and signatories

Assessment of joint efforts for 2023-2027

Fact Sheet for living labs, research infrastructures, agroecology networks and similar open innovation arrangements

Auswertung von Statistiken

Insights from European Union's Farm to Fork Strategy public consultation

Kommunikation zur Umsetzung der nationalen Moorschutzstrategie und Vernetzung der Akteure in Deutschland

Key issues to be considered in the design of funding instruments

Summary of Impact Based on Four Key Member States

The ambition has yet to come

External Cost Estimates and Policy Options to Internalise Them in Germany

Approaches to enhance and safeguard biodiversity

Zusammenfassung und Überblick zum aktuellen wissenschaftlichen Stand

Working Paper 10

Transitioning from Open to Regulated Access

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

An economic valuation for Germany