Publication:Policy Brief

Double chat showing the EU LNG imports from non-EEA countries from 2019 to 2025, in bcm and as share

Based on a novel analysis covering the entire European Economic Area (EEA, notably including Norway), this policy brief shows that US gas imports into the EEA sharply surged in 2025. They now account for almost 40% of total EEA gas imports and nearly 60% of LNG imports. This trend exposes Europe to heightened geopolitical pressure, price volatility and the risk of stranded assets.

Europe's Selective Blindness on Gas: US LNG and the Limits of Supply Diversification

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.

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

Year 2025

Publication:Report

This report explores the design and implications of an international oil extraction levy as a mechanism to mobilize new sources of climate finance. The assessed levy places a price on the embedded CO₂ in extracted crude oil, increasing production costs and likely raising oil prices for final consumers. By internalising part of the climate costs of fossil fuels, the mechanism aligns with the polluter pays principle.

International Oil Extraction Levy

Design recommendations and impact analysis

Year 2025

Publication:Report

This report systematically analyses and assesses progress towards the 2030 climate target by comparing the historical evolution of a wide range of indicators in each subsystem with the modelled benchmarks from the Impact Assessment accompanying the EU's 2040 Climate Target Plan.

Year 2025

Publication:Report

While hydrogen (H2) emissions make up a negligible fraction of today's GHG emissions, they are set to become more significant in the 2030s and, should the EU and the global community progress towards climate neutrality, will likely be substantial in the 2040s, as achieving climate neutrality requires the expansion of hydrogen use alongside the rapid reduction of other GHGs. As decisions made today will shape hydrogen value chains for decades, this paper develops a series of policy proposals to implement a four-pronged strategy.

Integrating Hydrogen Emissions Into the EU Policy Framework

Why hydrogen emissions matter, when they will become significant, and how the EU can tackle them

Year 2025

Publication:Infographic

Illustration of a future scenario titled "If We Finally Take Action…" depicting a sustainable landscape in 20 to 30 years. The negative scenario shows the consequences of inadequate climate protection. Plus symbols highlight different aspects of sustainable development. The graphic is created by NABU/Ecologic Institute.

This interactive infographic shows what the future could look like in 20 to 30 years - in two scenarios: one with resolute climate protection and another scenario that leaves everything as it is. The intention is to make the consequences of climate change more tangible and to illustrate the urgency of climate protection measures.

Wie sehen die Folgen der Klimakrise aus?

Year 2025

Publication:Document

The analysis by Ariadne project partners examines Germany's climate foreign policy during the current legislative period. Beyond the international context, they also consider the organizational structure within the German government and the responsible ministries. The researchers conclude that Germany has been able to set the pace for international climate policy by transferring the responsibility for international climate policy to the Foreign Office and creating the role of Special Envoy for International Climate Policy. In contrast, the record of Germany's engagement in bilateral and plurilateral formats has yielded mixed results.

Deutschlands Klimaaußenpolitik: Kontext – Rückschau – Weiterentwicklung

Ariadne-Analyse

Year 2024

Publication:Report

This report analyses the resilience of the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and shows how global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine can affect its operation. In view of rising energy prices and economic uncertainties, it becomes clear that the EU ETS needs to improve its legal resilience to crisis situations. The report highlights necessary reforms to make emissions trading more resilient and effective in the future.

Implementing the EU Methane Regulation Working Paper N° 3

Publication:Report

Cover of the study “Development of a capacity mechanism for the German electricity market”. The picture shows wind turbines and solar panels in the foreground and an electricity pylon in the background. The text at the bottom of the cover indicates that the study was commissioned by Amprion GmbH, TenneT TSO GmbH, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH and TransnetBW GmbH and was published in May 2024.

Ausarbeitung eines Kapazitätsmechanismus für den deutschen Strommarkt

Year 2024

Publication:Report

Cover of Ecologic institute's report "Analysis of the implementation of EU provisions for the clean energy transition in selected Member States"

This report assesses the implementation status and quality of a selection of 11 provisions from 4 EU laws in 6 EU countries (Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Poland and Spain). These 4 EU laws are Directive (EU) 2019/944 on common rules for the internal market for electricity (DIR), Regulation (EU) 2019/943 on the internal market for electricity (REG), Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable resources (RED) and Regulation (EU) 2022/2577 laying down a framework to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy (ACC).

Year 2024

Publication:Report

This report discusses on the implications of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for imports of PtX products to the EU. PtX means essentially hydrogen based on electrolysis and its derivates. After providing an overview of the CBAM mechanism, its implementation phases and the roles and responsibilities of producers within CBAM, the report provides insights into the calculation of embedded emissions for PtX products, including examples for imported ammonia and crude steel.

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

Verbreitungswege nachhaltiger Infrastrukturlösungen

Drei Beispiele auf kommunaler und regionaler Ebene

Year 2023

Publication:Report

The current evaluation of the Masterplan Municipality Guideline for the 2016 to 2019 funding period is now available. Within this funding period, 13.5 million euros were given to 22 municipalities to finance and implement master plans that would lead the municipalities to climate neutrality by 2050. As a result, the supported municipalities could achieve greenhouse gas savings amounting to 1.2 million tons over a period of 10 years.

The latest evaluation of the innovative climate protection projects for the period 2020 to 2021 is now available. During this evaluation period, the projects accomplished an additional 0.41 million metric tonnes of CO2 reductions, alongside notably higher indirect reductions. The projects were able to trigger transformation by empowering their target groups to question, change and replace prevailing structures, established practices and techniques. At the same time, their predominantly national coverage as well as visibility, comprehensibility and connectivity for the target group and imitators contributed to a high transformational outcome.

Evaluation 2020/2021 des Förderaufrufs "Innovative Klimaschutzprojekte" im Rahmen der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative (NKI)

Year 2023

Publication:Podcast

The latest "Green Deal – Big Deal?" podcast episode, hosted by Ricarda Faber and Aaron Best of Ecologic Institute, features interview guests Professor Johan Lilliestam of the Research Institute for Sustainability Helmholtz Centre Potsdam (RIFS) and Dr. Andrzej Ancygier of Climate Analytics. During the discussion, they shed light on the past, present and future of renewables in the EU, describing the major market shifts, policy events and technological developments that have made renewable energy one of the most exciting facets of achieving sustainability in Europe.

Europe's Race to Renewables – cheaper, vaster, faster

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

Year 2023

Publication:Report

Cover of the report Progress on the implementation of national Multilievel Climate and Energy Dialogues: Assessing Member States Owen Reporting

This paper examines to what extent and how Member States have met the obligation to carry out multilevel climate and energy dialogues. It does so on the basis of national reporting on the mandatory implementation of multilevel climate and energy dialogues (MLCEDs) against the requirements set out in Article 11 of the Governance Regulation.

Progress on the Implementation of National Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogues: Assessing Member States' own reporting

Year 2023

Publication:Report

Cover Forum Fischschutz Abschlussbericht 2023

The issue of fish protection and downstream fish migration is discussed intensively - even controversially - between and within the individual disciplines and areas of competence, both from a technical and an environmental policy perspective. The German Participatory Forum on Fish Protection and Downstream Migration has been dedicated to this discussion since 2012. This report, which concludes the German Participatory Forum on Fish Protection and Downstream Migration summarizes a selection of key issues from the forum's workshops across six central topics.

Publication:Document

This document provides country specific information on key elements from the 22 national long-term climate strategies extracted for the cross-country analysis in table format. It allows for selection of specific criteria as well as for the selection of specific countries.

Charting a Path to Net Zero: Country specific information

Year 2023

Publication:Policy Brief

This report outlines how fossil fuel subsidies could be reformed to simultaneously address social issues in the short term without jeopardizing progress towards long-run climate targets. It first provides a concise overview of fossil fuel subsidies in the G20. It then discusses alternative ways to shield consumers against the effects of higher energy prices. Finally, it provides recommendations how the G20 could work toward socially balanced energy pricing.

Towards Socially and Ecologically Sustainable Energy Markets

Options to reform energy pricing in the G20

Year 2023

Publication:Video

What exactly is the European Green Deal? Which role does it play in our everyday life? And what challenges does it pose? In our podcast and webinar series "Green deal – Big Deal?" we take a critical look at these questions and discuss various aspects of the European Green Deal with experts from policy, business and science. Ecologic Institute produced a reel to contribute to the visibility of the podcast.

Green Deal – Big Deal? Listen now!

Year 2022

Publication:Conference Paper

This document presents main takeaways and insights from a workshop organised by the Ariadne Project in Brussels on 30 November 2022. The workshop convened experts from seven organisations that operate carbon market models – academic institutions as well as carbon market analysts.

The EU-ETS Price Through 2030 and Beyond: A closer look at drivers, models and assumptions

Input material and takeaways from a workshop in Brussels

Year 2022

Publication:Report

The report maps out four policy avenues for how the EU could attain climate neutrality. The policy avenues consist of a mix of policy instruments sequenced over time, and the institutional arrangements to deliver them. Each policy avenue embodies a different paradigm, i.e., a different approach to (climate) policymaking. They thus sketch different paths that the EU could follow to align its climate policy with the goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

Policy Avenues towards a Climate-Neutral Europe

Year 2022

Publication:Report

This report discusses the potential role of green hydrogen in achieving a climate-neutral economy, focusing on sectors where electrification is challenging. It highlights the necessity for green hydrogen to be produced using renewable energy to align with climate neutrality goals. The report outlines necessary components for establishing a global market, including tracking systems, standards, and governance mechanisms to ensure compliance and foster international trade.

Pathways Towards a Global Market for Green and Sustainable Hydrogen

Need for Action and Policy Options

Year 2022

Publication:Policy Brief

This paper provides an overview of the process of developing an LTS and its challenges, examines the support available for countries undergoing this process, and presents some ideas on how the G20 could raise the political profile of the strategies. It has been included as input into the T20 process preceding the 2020 summit.

Long-term Strategies: state of play, challenges and possible support through the G20

Year 2022

Publication:Thesis

Buildings are responsible for more than 30% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions from energy. To increase energy and resource efficiency, the EU Renovation Wave sets the target of doubling renovation rates in the next ten years. The EU also presents the Renovation Wave as a countermeasure against energy poverty, which currently impacts around 34 million EU residents. However, EU-level analyses which connect the technical aspects of the plan with socioeconomic criteria that account for energy poverty remain scarce. In this paper, Nora Kögel from Ecologic Institute addresses that gap by investigating the distributional effects of reaching the Renovation Wave’s 2030 goals in the EU27 countries.

Socioeconomic Effects of EU Renovation Wave Expenditure on Low-Income Groups in the EU27

Year 2022

Publication:Article

Strict regulation does not have to stifle the emerging market for green hydrogen — just the opposite, write Benjamin Görlach and Dr. Michael Jakob of Ecologic Institute. They argue that a unified system for monitoring, certifying and tracking green hydrogen production and trade is key to all this. The op-ed can be accessed at the EURACTIV website.

Europe Should Shape the Green Hydrogen Market Now

Year 2022

Publication:Infographic

Preparing and then adopting a robust and sufficiently detailed long-term climate strategy is a crucial step. These strategies should include pathways that identify the necessary changes in the main emitting sectors and the economy as a whole. The plans need to take into consideration the specific national starting conditions and include economic, technical and social aspects, as well as other long-term objectives (e.g., adaptation needs or biodiversity goals). This infographic shows puzzle pieces that should be considered when developing strategies for moving toward net-zero emissions.

Puzzle Pieces for Charting a Path to Net-zero Emissions

Year 2022

Publication:Infographic

All EU member states should be clear on the role of emission reductions and removals, and ideally include specific long-term reduction and removal targets. LTSs should provide information about when and how these reductions and removals will be realised. This means strategies must include a description of pathways, including interim targets, to paint a clear picture of what needs to happen in the short- and longer term. This infographic visualizes different pathways of long-term strategies. It's part of the report "Charting a Path to Net Zero. An assessment of national long-term strategies in the EU." The report presents the findings from an assessment of 22 long-term strategies (LTSs) of the EU Member States available as of March 2022. It is complemented by a briefing that summarizes the key findings and recommendations.

Understanding Potential Pathways towards Net-zero

Year 2022

Publication:Infographic

This infographic visualizes the proposed three-step process (preparation, implementation, monitoring) for EU member states to strengthen LTS relevance for net-zero. It's part of the report "Charting a Path to Net Zero. An assessment of national long-term strategies in the EU." The report presents the findings from an assessment of 22 long-term strategies (LTSs) of the EU Member States available as of March 2022. It is complemented by a briefing that summarizes the key findings and recommendations.

Enhancing LTS Relevance for Net-zero

Year 2022

Publication:Document

first page of the summary "CHARTING A PATH TO NET ZERO: AN ASSESSMENT OF NATIONAL LONG-TERM STRATEGIES IN THE EU"

This summary distils the insights from the technical report "Charting a Path to Net Zero: An assessment of national long-term strategies in the EU" commissioned by the European Climate Foundation and written by Ecologic Institute. It summarizes the key findings and recommendations from an assessment of 22 long-term strategies (LTSs) of EU Member States available as of March 2022. The summary and the full technical report are available for download.

Charting a Path to Net Zero – Summary

An assessment of national long-term strategies in the EU

Year 2022

Publication:Report

This report presents the findings from an assessment of 22 long-term strategies (LTSs) of the EU Member States available as of March 2022. It is complemented by a briefing that summarizes the key findings and recommendations. The analysis looked at two distinct qualities of strategies: the vision of a low-emission future represented in the pathways and projections of the LTS as well as the preparation and use of the strategy as a tool to guide policy decisions, in other words its relevance in national climate policy.

Charting a Path to Net Zero

An assessment of national long-term strategies in the EU

Year 2022

Publication:Article

Record high energy prices and inflation are putting social cohesion in Germany under stress. Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf discusses in the IPG Journal whether this will divide Germany or not. The article is available online.

Vom Spaltpilz befallen?

Year 2022

Publication:Report

Energy prosumption through the deployment of residential renewable energy technologies reduces greenhouse gas emissions, speeds up the energy transition and provides important community benefits. In a new report, the European Environment Agency assesses energy prosumption models used throughout the EU and recommends policy tools that can allow even more EU citizens to benefit from energy prosumption. The publication builds on a study produced by CE Delft, Fraunhofer ISI and Ecologic Institute.

Energy Prosumers in Europe

Citizen participation in the energy transition

Year 2022

Publication:Article

Publication:Podcast

To achieve the EU's goals, we need to rethink mobility from the ground up. This involves many aspects, including electric mobility, walking, cycling and public transport. The second episode of the "Green Deal – Big Deal?" podcast examines the challenges and issues that the mobility transformation needs to address, including environmental problems like climate change and air pollution.

It's Electric! The future of mobility in Europe.

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

Year 2022

Publication:Policy Brief

Cober of the summary "The use of auctioning revenues from the EU ETS for climate action"

This study analysed if and how EU Member States used their auctioning revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for climate action. For this purpose, we selected eight case study countries, namely Czech, Germany, Greece, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Portugal. As part of these case studies, we examined the reporting, the legal provisions and the political narrative around auctioning revenues through desk research and expert interviews.

The Use of Auctioning Revenues from the EU ETS for Climate Action – Summary

An analysis based on eight selected case studies

Year 2022

Publication:Report

This report takes stock of emission trajectories, climate policies and complementary policies in G7 countries. It helps to identify gaps in the existing policy landscape of global decarbonisation efforts and proposes potential improvements. Based on these insights, we consider that G7 countries have many viable options for accelerating the global energy transition.

G7 Climate Crossroads: State of Play

Year 2022

Publication:Report

The EU has set out to become the world's first climate-neutral continent, but how are its regions progressing towards this goal? A new report commissioned by the European Parliament assesses this question. It discusses how progress towards net-zero can be measured on regional level and identifies common barriers facing regional governments. The study is based on six case studies from EU regions that have successfully begun the journey towards net neutrality. For the report, Ecologic Institute provided conceptual input on how to define climate neutrality and on how to gauge regions' progress towards it. In addition, the team carried out the case study on industry decarbonisation in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

EU Regions in the Transformation Towards a Climate-Neutral Future

Year 2022

Publication:Podcast

In the first episode of the Green Deal – Big Deal? podcast we unpack the European Green Deal and discuss its importance with our guests Dr Hans Bruyninckx (European Environment Agency) and Dr Åsa Persson (Stockholm Environment Institute).

European Green Deal – What is Europe trying to achieve and where are we now?

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

Year 2022

Publication:Report

The European Commission's Fit for 55 package proposes two significant reforms to energy pricing in the EU: Energy Taxation Directive (ETD) reform; and extending emissions trading to cover emissions from buildings and road transport (ETS2). A concern among stakeholders is how these reforms would impact lower income households. Various policy mechanisms are under consideration to help address potential distributional impacts. Based on a microsimulation model developed by the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) with IEEP, this report analyses a series of reform scenarios supported by graphical depictions of their distributional effects in Germany.

Can Polluter Pays Policies in the Buildings and Transport Sectors be Progressive?

Country briefing paper: Germany

Publication:Article

One of the top priorities of the German government is the establishment of a "climate club". However, this would be inadequate if it focused on border compensation. Rather, cooperative approaches are essential. In this opinion piece, Clara Brandi and Dr. Michael Jakob of Ecologic Institute weigh the problems and possibilities of designing a climate club.

Wie Kooperation im Klimaschutz (nicht) gelingt

Klima-Clubs

Year 2022

Publication:Report

Comparative analysis of the long-term strategies in Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia finds both commonalities as well as significant differences. The strategies in their current form represent an initial guide for each national transformation pathway towards a net-zero economy in the EU, but will benefit from further specification along the way. There is also presently no evidence of cross-border thinking or a search for joint solutions in the strategies. The publication identifies best practices and weaknesses of these strategies. The analysis has been conducted within the framework of the Climate Recon 2050 project, which is led by Ecologic Institute.

Long-Term Strategies Assessment of the Visegrád Group Countries

Year 2022

Publication:Article

Raffaele Piria Tagesspiegel Artikel Wasserstoff

The future will increasingly be about hydrogen import security, writes Raffaele Piria in this article published in the Tagesspiegel. On the way to climate neutrality, the risk landscape will change fundamentally. Germany must prepare for this with determination and foresight - and make numerous trade-off decisions. In this article, Raffaele Piria describes three strategic legislative steps that should be taken to advance Germany's hydrogen import strategy.

Heute beim Wasserstoff die Energiesicherheit von morgen vorbereiten

Article in the Tagesspiegel

Year 2021

Publication:Brochure

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

Mehr Nachhaltigkeit durch gekoppelte Infrastrukturen

Leitfaden für Kommunen

Year 2021

Publication:Website

4i-TRACTION: innovation · investment · infrastructure · integration

Year 2021 - 2024

Publication:Flyer

This project flyer summarizes the key features of the project and introduces the four "i's": innovation, investment, infrastructure and integration. The flyer also summarizes the six work packages and their main thematic focus. Ecologic Institute designed a programme flyer as part of the visual identity for the project "Transformative Policies for a Climate-neutral European Union (4i-TRACTION)".

TRAnsformative policies for a ClimaTe-neutral European UnION

Project Flyer

Year 2021

Publication:Report

Cover of the publication "StromNachbarn: Reformoptionen für einen beschleunigten Ausbau von Photovoltaikanlagen auf Mehrfamilienhäusern in Berlin" with a view over Berlin

This study examines current proposals for the further expansion of photovoltaics and analyses the solutions used in Spain, the Netherlands and Austria. It shows that the two central goals – accelerating the PV expansion and involving residents – are in tension with each other, at least in the short term.

This background paper for the research project "Digitalisation – Setting the Course for a Social-Ecological Digital Transformation in Berlin" within the project "Knowledge. Change. Berlin" provides an overview of the sustainability and digitalisation goals of the state of Berlin. First, the paper outlines sustainability goals relevant for the project in the following topic areas: data governance, climate protection, transport and mobility, energy and health.

Nachhaltigkeits- und Digitalisierungsziele des Landes Berlin

Einordnung der Ziele

Year 2021

Publication:Report

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

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

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

Year 2021

Publication:Report

Tenant electricity systems generate solar power on apartment buildings and deliver it directly to the households in the building. In a new study, Katharina Umpfenbach and Ricarda Faber (Ecologic Institute) evaluate the effects of the existing tenant electricity systems in Berlin. The bottom line: Berlin's 74 tenant electricity projects have positive ecological and socio-economic effects, but these remain low compared to the technically available potential. Currently, only 1 % of the tenant electricity potential is used. The study is available for download.

Publication:Policy Brief

On 17 September 2020, the European Commission proposed to raise the EU climate target for 2030, so as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% compared to 1990. In this policy brief, CLIMACT and Ecologic Institute unpack the Commission's impact assessment for the new target. The brief analyses key policy options and analytical results and compares them to recent studies, in particular CLIMACT's 2030 modelling results. Within the framework of the tightened target, the EU Commission proposes to extend the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to buildings and road transport – a major change to the EU's current climate policy architecture. The team discusses potential implications and provides context to the sectoral developments and policies. The briefing highlights key points where the Commission diverges from other studies, identifying climate mitigation potentials that merit more attention in future analysis.

Analysing the Impact Assessment on Raising the EU 2030 Climate Target

How does the European Commission's approach compare with other existing studies?

Year 2020

Publication:Document

In July 2020, the European Council agreed on an unprecedented EU recovery package – dubbed Next Generation EU. This agreement contains elements that will advance EU climate policies. However, if it is to pave the way to climate neutrality by 2050, it needs to improve.

Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGS in an EU Context

Year 2020

Publication:Document

This paper aims to explain to the failure of six carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration projects installed at coal power plants within the European Union. The projects were funded across six different members with varying suitability to coal-based CCS, which raises the question of whether common domestic factors can be identified that explain the failure of all projects. The perspective of Europeanisation is adopted to examine this question.

The project examined the effects, processes and support options for implementing innovative infrastructure coupling.The present volume analyses the effects of innovative couplings on performance, resilience, resource efficiency, and social and economic compatibility. A "sustainability check" with 26 criteria was developed and tested in an expert survey. Coupling infrastructures does not automatically lead to greater sustainability, but coupled infrastructure systems have the potential to contribute to resource conservation and security of supply. This requires a differentiated consideration of the effects on sustainability.

Nachhaltigkeitspotenziale von innovativen, gekoppelten Infrastrukturen

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:Article

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

The Public's Perception of Run-of-the-river Hydropower across Europe

Year 2020

Publication:Report

Grüner Wasserstoff: Internationale Kooperationspotenziale für Deutschland

Kurzanalyse zu ausgewählten Aspekten potenzieller Nicht-EU-Partnerländer

Year 2020

Publication:Article

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

Wie der klimaneutrale Umbau des Industriestandorts Deutschland gelingen kann

Year 2019

Publication:Book Section

On 7 October 2019, Eurostat published its most recent flagship publication "Smarter, greener, more inclusive?". The report assesses the EU's progress in implementing the Europe 2020 strategy. Commissioned by Eurostat, Katharina Umpfenbach and Amely Gundlach of Ecologic Institute edited the chapter on climate change and energy. It discusses progress towards the so-called 20-20-20 targets which aim at cutting EU greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy supply, and improving energy efficiency. The publication is available for download.

Since 2012, more than 200 experts from various fields of water management and nature conservation, the federal states and the federal government, the federal waterway administration, the energy industry, hydraulic engineering, fisheries biology, nature conservation, fishing and fishing associations and university science have been involved in the German Participatory Forum on Fish Protection and Downstream Migration. In the second cycle of the Forum, from 2015 to 2018, the productive dialogue was continued and a better understanding or various aspects of fish protection and downstream fish migration was compiled. This report documents the project work of the 2nd cycle and is available for download.

Forum Fischschutz und Fischabstieg – 2. Zyklus

Abschlussbericht

Year 2019

Publication:Report

Piria Wasserstoffdebatte Australien adelphi

A rare consensus has emerged in Australia's otherwise highly polarized energy policy: The development of a hydrogen export industry represents an overlap of interests between more progressive and more conservative groups. This report, co-authored by Raffaele Piria, provides a comprehensive overview of the hydrogen debate in Australia.

Die Wasserstoffdebatte in Australien

Year 2019

Publication:Report

Magosch, Magdalena, Raffaele Piria, Jakob Eckardt 2019: Überblick über die australische Energiepolitik. Berlin: adelphi/RAP.

Überblick über die australische Energiepolitik

Aktualisierte Studie 2019

Year 2019

Publication:Document

Publication Cover with title, author names and publishes logos

As part of a project to structure the energy law, Ecologic Institute contributed to concluding recommendations on the "Improved disclosure of subsidised renewable energy quantities and general electricity disclosure in Germany". The recommendations include general recommendations for the further development of accounting instruments of electricity disclosure, measures to improve the disclosure of supported electricity from renewable sources, additional measures on the format and content of electricity disclosure, and monitoring.

Weiterentwicklung der Ausweisung geförderter EE-Mengen und der allgemeinen Stromkennzeichnung in Deutschland

Year 2019

Publication:Policy Brief

Climate planning for 2050 has become a core strand of debate in the European Union. Focus has shifted to a potential revision of the EU's long-term climate objectives within the context of a new 2050 strategy, which is to be submitted to the United Nations under the Paris Agreement by 2020. In parallel, all EU Member States must develop national strategies of their own, albeit with little central guidance and no overarching structure in place for collaboration.

Planning for 2050 – Shifting the focus towards long-term climate objectives

Year 2019

Publication:Report

This brochure is a 'light' version of Eurostat's publication 'Sustainable development in the European Union – 2019 monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context', conveying its main messages in a visual and concise way. The brochure provides an updated snapshot of the current situation concerning 100 indicators related to the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). It thus provides a snapshot of the key trends related to sustainable development in the European Union. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The publication is available for download.

Sustainable Development in the European Union – 2019 Overview

Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

Year 2019

Publication:Report

The EU adopts essential climate issues – such as carbon taxation – by special legislative procedures. This means that the European Parliament is not an equal co-legislator and the Council decides by unanimous vote, providing each Member State with a veto. This is a problem because the urgency of climate action requires swift and bold EU action. EU climate action cannot afford a governance structure that allows one Member State to hold all others hostage in essential areas of climate action. A new Ecologic paper explores how to address this problem.

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

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

Year 2019

Publication:Article

The Energiewende means a transition from the old, nuclear-and-coal based, to a sustainable and digitalized energy system. This is a complex endeavor: the number of actors involved increases and their functions overlap. While digital technologies bring automation and potential for relief, they are an ambivalent phenomenon: with no comprehensive laws on data protection, it is unclear what is going to happen to the tremendous amount of data collected by digital appliances. Besides, technologies like blockchain are often so energy-intensive that they eat up the amount of resources that they are trying to save. Therefore, political design must actively shape a digital and ecologically sustainable energy transition – it will not happen by itself.

How Can We Make the Energiewende Digital and Sustainable?

Year 2019

Publication:Article

Energy security – the uninterrupted supply of energy at reasonable prices, as defined by IEA – has both external and internal dynamics. It can be ensured through local adequacy, that is, abundant and varied forms of indigenous energy resources, but the countries that face local shortages, as in Bangladesh, depend on imports. Shafiqul Alam explains in his online article in the Dhaka Tribune how internal measures could attenuate reliance on external sources.

Trends und Akteure in einem zunehmend digitalen Energiesystem

Year 2019

Publication:Fact Sheet

In late November 2018, the European Commission published a "strategic vision" for a European economy with net-zero emissions by 2050 – this factsheet provides an overview of those documents. It explains, summarises, and evaluates the scenarios, proposals, and conclusions of the EC's extensive analysis.

Hogan, Michael; Frederick Weston and Raffaele Piria 2018: Power systems in the 2020s: What can Germany and the PJM region learn from each other? Briefing note for the Germany – PJM States Energy Trends Forum. The Regulatory Assistance Project, Montpellier Vermont, USA.

Power Systems in the 2020s

What can Germany and the PJM region learn from each other?

Publication:Conference Paper

Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils 2018: Reforming the EU: What Role for Climate and Energy Policies in a Reformed EU? Discussion Paper for the Working Group Meeting on 24 April 2018. Ecologic Institute: Berlin.

Reforming the EU: What Role for Climate and Energy Policies in a Reformed EU? – Discussion Paper

Year 2018

Publication:Document

As part of a project to structure the energy law, Ecologic Institute contributed to a discussion paper on conceptual considerations on the concept of plant in the Renewable Energy Act . Based on the functions of the term "plant", the authors recommend a new conceptualization, according to which the current abstract term "plant" is replaced by energy carrier-specific terms "plant", which are first combined in a catalog to form a uniform term "plant". The discussion paper is available for download.

Konzeptionelle Überlegungen zum Anlagenbegriff des EEG

Diskussionspapier

Year 2018

Publication:Report

The long-term transformation to a low-carbon economy requires innovation in technology and existing practices in all sectors of the economy. The Innovation Fund under the EU Emissions Trading System is meant to support such innovation projects in industry and energy. According to analysis by the Ecologic Institute, the IF should focus on break-through projects with a high additional emission reduction effect and provide adequate financing conditions that allow also for high risk projects to be supported.

The Innovation Fund: How can it support low-carbon industry in Europe?

Design recommendations for the successor instrument to the NER 300 in Phase 4 of the EU ETS

Year 2018

Publication:Report

Piria Grid Resiliency Pricing Rule Trump adelphi

The Grid Resiliency Pricing Rule was proposed by former U.S. president Trump's Energy Secretary Rick Perry in September 2017. The goal was to introduce a multibillion-dollar incentive program for power plants in large parts of the U.S. that can store at least 90 days of fuel supplies on site. Beneficiaries would be coal-fired and nuclear power plants only. The rationale given was to strengthen the resilience of power systems. This report analyzes the electricity market policies under Trump.

Die Debatte zur Grid Resiliency Pricing Rule

Strommarktpolitik unter Präsident Trump

Year 2018

Publication:Report

Ecologic Institute analysed how three key elements of the Paris Agreement are being taken up in the EU: the long-term objectives, the 5-year pledge & review process and the planning instrument "long-term strategies".

Happy Birthday, Paris Agreement! Here is how the EU will be celebrating

State of play on the negotiations on the Energy Union Governance Regulation on three core elements of the Paris Agreement

Year 2017

Publication:Report

EUROSTAT has issued its 2017 edition on Sustainable Development in the European Union. The report provides an updated snapshot of the current situation concerning a selected number of indicators related to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This 'lite' version of the 2017 monitoring report makes use of the universal language of visuals, offering a shortcut to the essence of the messages delivered through the full version of the monitoring report. It thus provides a snapshot of the key trends related to sustainable development in the European Union. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The publication is available for download.

Sustainable Development in the European Union – 2017 Overview

Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

Year 2017

Publication:Book

EUROSTAT has issued its 2017 edition on Sustainable Development in the European Union. The report provides an updated snapshot of the current situation concerning a selected number of indicators related to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Over the past five years, the EU has made significant progress towards five goals and moderate progress towards eight SDGs. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The publication is available for download.

Sustainable Development in the European Union – 2017

Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

Year 2017

Publication:Report

This report has been prepared as part of work-package 5 of the FIThydro project on Fishfriendly Innovative Technologies for Hydropower. It aims at investigating the regulatory landscape influencing actions relevant to environmental improvements in the context of planning and operating hydropower plants. Emphasis is given to the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive, nature protection policies and policies on renewable energy and climate change adaptation, thereby outlining opportunities, barriers and challenges in reaching multiple environmental objectives. The report is available for download.

Review of Policy Requirements and Financing Instruments (for fishfriendly hydropower)

Deliverable 5.1 H2020 Research project FIThydro

Year 2017

Publication:Report

The EU is currently negotiating a comprehensive reorientation of energy and climate policy for the decade 2020-2030. In this strategy brief, Katharina Umpfenbach discusses how the next German federal government can shape the EU negotiations so as to create an EU electricity market regulation that is conducive to the German energy transition. Four central elements are identified: raising the ambition of energy targets and introducing long-term targets, developing effective oversight instruments to ensure compliance, adjusting the electricity market to the needs of wind and solar power, and initiating an exit strategy for coal firing. The strategy brief is available for download.

Nach der Bundestagswahl: Worauf es für die deutsche Politik beim Energiepaket der EU ankommt

Year 2017

Publication:Document

As part of a project to structure the energy law, Ecologic Institute contributed to a working paper on improved disclosure of subsidized electricity from renewable energy sources in electricity labelling. In this paper, criticisms of the regulations on the disclosure of EEG electricity in electricity labeling are evaluated and proposals for further development are presented. The discussion paper is available for download.

Verbesserte Ausweisung geförderter Strommengen aus erneuerbaren Energien im Rahmen der Stromkennzeichnung

Year 2017

Publication:Report

In the frame of this project a short study on the policy instrument of specific CO2-emission targets for car manufacturers in the EU is carried out which analyses and evaluates the policy instrument. The foci of the research are two questions: How did the instrument perform regarding the reductions of specific CO2-emissions of passenger cars? And how much can it contribute to reduce overall CO2-emissions of passenger transport in the EU, so as to contribute to reaching the target of the Paris agreement to stay below a warming of 2°C? The short study is available for download.

Welchen Beitrag leisten die europäischen CO₂-Flottengrenzwerte für Pkw zum Klimaschutz?

Year 2017

Publication:Book Section

In this chapter the authors, among them Ecologic Institute's Josselin Rouillard, examine how the Water-Energy-Food nexus is emerging at different scales and national contexts worldwide. The chapter presents empirical evidence of innovations in terms of policy instruments. Normative suggestions for theorizing future nexus governance are also presented.

Governing for the Nexus: Empirical, Theoretical and Normative Dimensions

Year 2017

Publication:Book Section

On 19 July 2017, Eurostat published its most recent flagship publication "Smarter, greener, more inclusive?". The report assesses the EU's progress in implementing the Europe 2020 strategy. Commissioned by Eurostat, Katharina Umpfenbach of Ecologic Institute edited the chapter on climate change and energy. It discusses progress towards the so-called 20-20-20 targets which aim at cutting EU greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy supply, and improving energy efficiency. The publication is available for download.

Smarter, Greener, more Inclusive? – 2017

Indicators to Support the Europe 2020 Strategy

Year 2017

Publication:Book Section

The text book on "Regions and Regionalism in the International Relations" offers a theoretical and conceptual overview as well as comparative insights into a range of regional regulatory models, norms and institutions in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. In a new publication, Arne Riedel, Fellow at Ecologic Institute, outlines the actors and cooperative efforts in the Arctic region and discusses actual regulatory developments, new actors as well as new political challenges.

Energie- und Umweltgovernance in der Arktis

Year 2017

Publication:Report

The EU is discussing how to reform its energy and climate policy for the period after 2020. The short study "Energiewende as a European project" looks at the negotiations on the Clean Energy package from a German perspective. It shows the enormous opportunities of the European internal market. A more developed cross-border electricity market in the EU will make it much cheaper to make the German Energiewende a reality. Yet, to go further and define a joint project for an EU-wide energy transition will require additional efforts to develop concrete objectives and implementation steps together with the other Member States.

Definition of a Data Collection Process for Bottom-up Monitoring

Year 2017

Publication:Video

How can European countries better monitor and calculate energy savings and CO2 emission reduction? This short video tutorial, produced by Ecologic Institute presents functionalities and benefits from the use of an innovative Monitoring & Verification Platform (MVP). This IT tool has been designed to provide EU member states with an easy-to-use and cost-effective system to assess the impact of their implemented energy saving measures and plans.

Monitoring and Verification Platform (MVP) for Energy Efficiency

Year 2017

Publication:Report

National long-term (2050) climate strategies have received increased attention in European policy debates in the past two years. The Paris Agreement also invites countries to develop such strategies. This study (a collaborative effort between IDDRI and Ecologic Institute) looks at five existing 2050 strategy processes in the EU and assesses what lessons they hold and how they fit within the emerging 2030 governance framework. The study is available for download.

Developing 2050 Decarbonization Strategies in the EU

Insights on Good Practice from National Experiences

Year 2017

Publication:Report

Publication:Report

The Paris Agreement states that Parties will scale up their commitments with every consecutive nationally determined contribution. A new paper by Ecologic Institute shows how EU legislation can help implement this requirement. The paper is available for download.

Robust Review and Ratcheting Up Targets – EU Climate Policies after 2020

Year 2017

Publication:Report

Piria Energieeffizienzpolitik USA adelphi

In the United States, there are no explicit goals at the federal level to limit or even reduce final energy consumption or the use of fossil fuels in the future. Nevertheless, many measures have been taken in recent years to increase energy efficiency. Some U.S. states, such as California or Massachusetts, are considered pioneers in energy efficiency policy by global standards. Read this report to learn more about the U.S.' energy efficiency policies.

Überblick über die Energieeffizienzpolitik in den USA

Year 2016

Publication:Book Section

Frameworks for Regional Co-operation: The EU

Year 2016

Publication:Report

In December 2016, the joint statement of the Expert Commission on the "Energy of the Future" Monitoring Process was published. Ecologic Institute provides scientific support to the work of the Expert Commission with a focus on the key topics that Dr. Hans-Joachim Ziesing and the Expert Commission selected for their joint statement. The joint statement is available for download.

Statement on the Fifth Monitoring Report of the Federal German Government for 2015

Expert Commission on the "Energy of the Future" Monitoring Process

Year 2016

Publication:Flyer

The multEE flyer illustrates the main project outline, objectives and modules. An overview of the project cycle is illustrated, together with details of the partner countries and the Consortium implementing the project.

Facilitating Multi-level Governance for Energy Efficiency – multEE Flyer

Year 2016

Publication:Report

To ensure that the aims of the 2030 EU climate and energy framework are met, European leaders agreed to establish a new governance system based an enhanced scheme for national planning and reporting (P&R). In the context of ongoing policy discussions surrounding these so-called National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), this paper investigates EU Member States' experiences with the existing P&R obligations and identifies important lessons to be considered in the development of the new system. The paper is available for download.

Integrating National Reality into the 2030 Governance System

An assessment of experience with climate and energy planning and reporting in select EU Member States

Year 2016

Publication:Book

This book, edited by Professor Carol Hager, Ph.D. and Ecologic Institute's Associate Professor Christoph H. Stefes, Ph.D. analyzes Germany's path-breaking Energiewende, the country's transition from an energy system based on fossil and nuclear fuels to a sustainable energy system based on renewables. The authors explain Germany's commitment to a renewable energy transition on multiple levels of governance, from the local to the European, focusing on the sources of institutional change that made the transition possible. They then place the German case in international context through comparative case studies of energy transitions in the USA, China, and Japan. These chapters highlight the multifaceted challenges, and the enormous potential, in different paths to a sustainable energy future. Taken together, they tell the story of one of the most important political, economic, and social undertakings of our time.

Germany's Energy Transition

A Comparative Perspective

Year 2016

Publication:Document

This paper presents a collection of six essays, in which climate policy experts express the different views on the EU crisis from Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Lisbon, London and Warsaw. The paper is available for download.

The EU in Turbulence – Six Essays

What are the Implications for EU Climate and Energy Policy? Views from Member States

Publication:Report

Many open questions remain for the future governance system of the EU's 2030 climate and energy targets. This report by Ecologic Institute analyzes the possible lessons that can be drawn from the experience with the European Semester and helps provide answers on key procedural issues in the implementation/progress monitoring phase. The study is available for download.

Lessons from the European Semester for Effective 2030 Governance for Energy and Climate

Year 2016

Publication:Document

As the EU considers early ratification of the Paris Agreement, this paper explains the related key legal questions that arise should the EU push to ratify without its internal burden sharing in place and without all Member States ratifying simultaneously. The paper is available for download.

Early Ratification of the Paris Agreement by the EU

Legal implications

Year 2016

Publication:Report

A new study by the Ecologic Institute shows how to ensure achievement of the 2030 EU target for renewable energy. The study is available for download.

Lucha, Christine; Andreas Prahl; Bettina Kampman et. al. 2016: Local and Regional State of Play and Policy Recommendations Concerning Sustainable Heating and Cooling: Focusing on EU Level Policy. European Committee of the Regions: Brussels.

While key barriers faced by community renewable energy projects are generally well understood, there is much less information available about the actual costs and financing implications. This report sheds light on the costs and corresponding financial impacts faced by community-owned renewable energy projects, especially in comparison to commercial renewable energy projects. The report, which was written collaboratively by Christine Lucha and Andreas Prahl(Ecologic Institute), is available for download.

As part of the DYNAMIX project, three policy reports that synthesised the assessments of three policy mixes (a land use policy mix; a metals and materials use policy mix; and an overarching policy mix) were written in order to support the pathway to absolute decoupling in the EU. The policy brief is available for download.

A Policy Mix for Dematerialisation

Assessing instruments for metals and materials use reduction

Year 2016

Publication:Podcast

The fifth POLIMP webinar featured a discussion on the topic: "After Paris: Implications of the Paris Agreement for EU climate policy" moderated by Ecologic Institute's Head of Climate, Matthias Duwe. Dr. Camilla Bausch (Director, Ecologic Institute) and Andrzej Błachowicz (Managing Director, Climate Strategies) assessed the main outcomes of the Paris negotiations and discussed what they could mean for the future of EU climate policy going forward. The audio recording is available online.

After Paris: Implications of the Paris Agreement for EU Climate Policy

5th POLIMP Webinar

Year 2016

Publication:Policy Brief

The solar services sector sells the service of providing the use of solar electricity to its customer instead of selling solar PV systems (the product). This new business model can be seen as a radical innovation for the solar sector – as it is in other sectors. It is particularly interesting from the perspective of systemic eco-innovation fostering a carbon-free and circular economy. The policy brief is available for download.

Selling Solar Services as a Contribution to a Circular Economy

Year 2015

Publication:Document

This document sets out a detailed strategy for communication and dissemination of information stemming from multEE research and activities. It outlines a plan of dissemination activities aiming at making research outputs available to the relevant target groups by means of appropriate communication tools.

multEE Communication Strategy

Year 2015

Publication:Web Application

This online platform is part of an ongoing ETS Summer University program that helps to meet the growing need for improved understanding of emissions trading as an instrument of climate policy in emerging economies and developing countries. The curriculum and corresponding activities are organized into course modules, which allows for differentiation and flexibility in the learning process. Participants from all over the world learn the material online for free with the aid of supplementary webinars that feature interactive, question-and-answer sessions with subject matter experts. Ecologic is responsible for large parts of the course content and coordination among the subject matter experts.

Empfehlungen und Ergebnisse des Forums

Publication:Podcast

The third webinar in our POLIMP Webinar Series took place on 28 October 2015 and featured a discussion on the topic "EU Climate Policy for 2030: why are we talking about governance?" moderated by Matthias Duwe (Head, Climate at Ecologic Institute). The webinar featured two main speakers. The audio recording is available online.

The Rostock Energy Alliance (Energiebündnis Rostock) was founded in April 2011 by the City of Rostock and nine other municipal stakeholders from sectors such as public transport, housing and waste and water management. Their united goal is a locally based energy supply fully sourced from renewables. While CO2 emissions should be reduced, quality of life should not. The Alliance meets face-to-face biannually to exchange knowledge and experience, as well as to seek synergies for various constituent activities. The Alliance aims to reduce the annual CO2 emission per person to 2.5t or less by 2030. Compared to 2010, this is equal to a 2% reduction per year. To date (2015), the Energy Alliance supported the city in the creation of an energy transition concept and the current implementation of associated measures, in addition to the foundation of an energy cooperative.

Energy Alliance Rostock

an expert and stakeholder platform to assist in the urban energy transition

On 2 March 2015, Eurostat published its most recent Flagship Publication Smarter, greener, more inclusive?. The report, commissioned by Eurostat, assesses the EU's progress in implementing the Europe 2020 strategy. Commissioned by Eurostat, Andreas Prahl, Katharina Umpfenbach and Eike Velten of Ecologic Institute edited the chapter on climate change and energy. It discusses progress towards the so-called 20-20-20 targets which aim at cutting EU greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy supply, and improving energy efficiency.

Smarter, Greener, more Inclusive? – 2015

Indicators to support the Europe 2020 strategy

Year 2015

Publication:Case Study

This assessment report gives an overview of the key indicators for the POCACITO (Post-Carbon Cities of Tomorrow) case study of Rostock. This mid-sized city is located in Central Europe on the north-east coast of Germany. Rostock is a regional centre and coastal city. The assessment provides an outline of some of its main challenges and opportunities. The report was used in the POCACITO project for workshops with stakeholders in Rostock on vision building and back-casting to derive a 2050 roadmap as well as a scenario modelling on Rostocks measures for climate change mitigation.

Case Study Assessment Report – Rostock

Year 2015

Publication:Report

The European Commission and the Council call for increased regional cooperation between Member States. In addition to strengthening the internal market, this cooperation is meant to facilitate the implementation of the EU 2030 energy efficiency and renewable targets. In this policy paper, Ecologic Institute's Katharina Umpfenbach, Andreas Graf and Camilla Bausch take a closer look at the existing landscape of regional institutions in the European electricity sector to explore their potential contribution to an effective future governance framework. The policy paper is available for download.

Regional Cooperation in the Context of the New 2030 Energy Governance

Year 2015

Publication:Website

The online course offers the possibility to achieve basic knowledge about the German energy system, renewable energies and the challenges the "Energiewende" in Germany has to face. The course provides interactive and entertaining questions regarding sustainable energies and takes about 2 to 2,5 hours of time, while each chapter lasts 15 to 30 minutes. The course is part of the project "Erneuerbare Energien in der Lehrerbildung verankern!" and thus includes suggestions for teaching approaches.

Bereit zur Wende – Online Course

Year 2014

Publication:Infographic

The infographic allows giving an overview of the climate policies of the EU. It shows the main economic sectors, such as Energy, Industry, Transport, Residential and Commercial, Agriculture and Forestry, Waste. It also displays which policies have been deployed for each of them under the three main target areas: greenhouse gases, renewables, and efficiency. The infographic was part of an article about the European climate policy mix on the Climate Policy Info Hub website.

Year 2014

Publication:Policy Brief

(2013). ELEEP Policy Recommendations For Energy Efficiency. UK Study Tour 13-19 April 2013. ELEEP Policy Brief. Ecologic Institute US, Atlantic Council, ELEEP: 7.

ELEEP Policy Recommendations For Energy Efficiency

UK Study Tour 13-19 April 2013

Year 2014

Publication:Article

Smart homes offer significant potential to enable new energy saving services and capabilities offered via smart grids. However, research reveals that consumer perception regarding reliability and data privacy risks, as well as high costs of technologies act as significant barriers to consumer acceptance of smart homes. In a paper, published in Energy Research and Social Science, Benjamin Boteler and co-authors investigated the differences and similarities in technical and economic drivers and barriers to smart home market development in the UK, Germany, and Italy. The paper European smart home market development: Public views on technical and economic aspects across the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy is available for download.

European Smart Home Market Development

Public Views on Technical and Economic Aspects Across The United Kingdom, Germany and Italy

Year 2014

Publication:Poster

An invited poster presentation to the 2014 BEHAVE Energy Conference. Caiati, Giovanni and Adam Pearson 2014: The Role of Behaviours in Energy Transition: The holistic approach of Human Energy. Poster: Laboratory of Citizenship Sciences, Ecologic Institute.

As part of the project "Models, Potentials and Long-Term Scenarios for Resource Efficiency" (SimRess), Ecologic Institute developed a promotional flyer based on visual style and template of the Federal Environment Agency. Flyer contains relevant general information about the project – its theme, focus, aims, activities, list of partners and contact information, as well as a simple graph built also by Ecologic Institute.

Models, Potential and Long-term Scenarios for Resource Efficiency – Flyer

SimRess Project Flyer

Year 2014

Publication:Report

World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2014

Year 2014

Publication:Book Section

Evaluation and monitoring is a crucial part of the German energy transition (Energiewende), especially for the National Climate Initiative, which supports climate-friendly behavior among businesses, consumers, and local authorities. In this book chapter, the authors provide an insight into the the National Climate Initiative, its evaluation approach and lessons learnt for following programmes.

Energieeinsparung und Energieeffizienz in Deutschland

Year 2013

Publication:Article

In the medium-term, biomass is expected to be an important part of the German energy mix. In this journal article, Ecologic Institute's Wolfgang Urban and Michael Jandewerth (Fraunhofer UMSICHT) present the results of the project "Biogas Feed-In" which was sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The focus lies on the question of how processed biogas can be fed into the natural gas network under concrete local conditions. The article, which has been published in "Informationen zur Raumentwicklung", is available for download.

Raumbezogene Analyse des Technologiepfads Biogaseinspeisung durch Einsatz von Geoinformationssystemen

Year 2013

Publication:Infographic

This infographic was developed within the project "DYNAmic policy MIXes for Absolute Decoupling of Environmental Impact of EU Resource Use from Economic Growth (DYNAMIX)". It proposes to reframe the decoupling concept and thus presents a key assumption developed in DYNAMIX. Different versions of the infographic were developed for use in online and print media, as well as a version with reduced text for PowerPoint presentations.

Decoupling Concepts

Year 2013

Publication:Infographic

This infographic was developed within the project "DYNAmic policy MIXes for Absolute Decoupling of Environmental Impact of EU Resource Use from Economic Growth (DYNAMIX)". It communicates 5 key targets regarding resource use and visualizes that there are different pathways to an economy that respects planetary boundaries. Different versions of the infographic were developed for use in online and print media, as well as a version with reduced text for PowerPoint presentations.

Respecting Planetary Boundaries

EU policy pathways to DYNAMIX 2050 vision

Year 2013

Publication:Article

This survey of Dominik Müller, Senior Analyst at Ecologic Institute, describes the regulatory and policy framework for the promotion of renewable energies in Germany as amended by the "Energiewende" announced by the German Federal Government in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. The article focuses on changes in the electricity sector chiefly through fundamental amendments of the Renewable Energies Sources Act ("Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz – EEG") since 2011. Moreover, the article also discusses the political and regulatory situation for the use of renewable energies in the heat and transport sectors in Germany.

The Energiewende and its Ramifications for the German Support Regime for Renewable Energies

Country Report Germany

Year 2013

Publication:Document

The "Teacher Training Renewable Energy" project aimed to improve the capacities of future teachers in regards to their knowledge about renewable energies and also to identify methodologies that may help teachers share this knowledge in schools. During three years of project work, Ecologic Institute, Solare Zukunft, and the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU) developed a rich and comprehensive pool of (German) training materials. All teaching materials are also available beyond the project's duration and can be downloaded for free.

Energiewende in the Classroom

Year 2012

Publication:Report

On 19 December 2012, the first monitoring report from the Federal Government and the joint statement from the expert commissions about the "Energy of the Future" monitoring process were presented. The independent expert commission, composed of Prof. Dr. Andreas Löschel, Prof. Dr. Georg Erdmann, Prof. Dr. Frithjof Staiß, and Dr. Hans-Joachim Ziesing, provided scientific support and delivered a joint statement on the monitoring process, which should show progress towards the German "Energiewende", and with it a highly efficient energy system based on renewable sources by the year 2050,. Ecologic Institute provided scientific support to this work with a focus on the key topics that Dr. Hans-Joachim Ziesing and the expert commission selected for their joint statement. The joint statement is available for download.

Statement on the First Monitoring Report by the German Government for 2011

Expert Commission on the "Energy of the Future" Monitoring Process

Year 2012

Publication:Report

The European Union needs a common vision for its energy future. A shift towards renewable energy sources will increase security of supply, improve the competitiveness of the European economy, and put Europe on a path towards sustainability. The Heinrich Böll Foundation commissioned a working group of experts from different backgrounds to provide a collection of policy ideas for two key areas that will define the future of renewable energy development in Europe: grids, and support and remuneration schemes for renewable energy technologies. The report 'A European Union for Renewable Energy' was co-authored by Sascha Müller-Kraenner, Partner of Ecologic Institute and Susanne Langsdorf, researcher at Ecologic Institute. The study is available for download.

In the early 2000s, biofuels were seen as a panacea for several environmental and economic challenges. In more recent years, however, their promotion has faded substantially. With the ongoing expansion of biofuel production worldwide, serious doubts have been raised about their sustainability and potential to reach environmental targets. This Ecologic Brief provides an assessment of the extent to which social aspects of biofuel production are addressed in current EU policies. It also explores possible ways of enhancing, reshaping, or extending existing policies in order to ensure the sustainable production of biofuels. The Ecologic Brief is available for download.

The Social Dimension of EU Biofuel Policy

Year 2012

Publication:Book Section

Handbook chapter on the promotion of the waste management recycling of biowastes under the German Life-Cycle Resource Management Act as amended in 2012 and on the incentives regime for the energy recovery from biowastes particularly in the electricity sector under the German Renewable Energy Sources Act as amended in 2011.

Förderung der Bioabfallverwertung durch Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz und Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz

Year 2012

Publication:Video

This video is one out of four that were developed and produced within the project EU sustainable development indicators: video production, co-ordinated by the Ecologic Institute.

Electricity in the EU – Sparking a Green Economy

Year 2012

Publication:Article

In a blog post on the US State Department's "Our Planet" blog, Dominic Marcellino, Fellow at Ecologic Institute US, relates the story of how the village of Ascha in Bavaria went from being completely energy dependent to producing over 100% of its electricity and 50% of its heating needs from renewable energy.

Ascha, Germany: A Small Village with a Big Vision

Year 2012

Publication:Infographic

This infographic was developed as training material in a course on the theme of "energy for development", that is targeted at development cooperation professionals, which will encounter energy issues in their work outside of the home country.

Renewables: High Investment, but Low Operating Costs

Year 2012

Publication:Poster

This poster was developed as training material in a course on the theme of "energy for development", that is targeted at development cooperation professionals, which will encounter energy issues in their work outside of the home country.

Instruments for Sustainable Energy Policy

Year 2012

Publication:Poster

The Global Sustainable Energy Challenge

Year 2012

Publication:Poster

The Energy Choice: Negotiating Cost, Carbon and Convenience

Year 2012

Publication:Poster

Power to the People – a Review of the Mexican Electrification Strategy

Year 2012

Publication:Infographic

Suitability and Potential Interaction of Policy Instruments

Year 2012

Publication:Infographic

Identifying the Best Approach: Criteria for Instrument Choice

Year 2012

Publication:Infographic

Technology Options: Clean Alternatives to Conventional Sources

Year 2012

Publication:Report

How do relevant stakeholders on the Baltic Sea Coast perceive climate change in their region? What adaptation measures are well known and which should be implemented? Additionally, who are the relevant stakeholders? These and other questions are answered in the first part of the RADOST stakeholder analysis, which was written by staff members of Ecologic Institute. The report is available for download.

RADOST Akteursanalyse – Teil II: Auswertung der Befragung von Akteuren aus Politik, Verwaltung und Zivilgesellschaft

Interessen, Nutzungsansprüche, Ziele und Konflikte relevanter Akteure der deutschen Ostseeküste vor dem Hintergrund des Klimawandels

Year 2012

Publication:Report

Cover of the report "Integration of electricity from renewables to the electricity grid and to the electricity market"

Publication:Article

This article published in Internationale Politik, Germany's leading foreign policy journal, explores the impact of Germany's phase-out of nuclear power on EU policies. Sascha Müller-Kraenner, a founder and policy advisor of Ecologic Institute, invites Germans to consider the impact of this policy on other EU Member States and sketches challenges for EU energy and climate policy. The article is available online.

Erklären, ausbauen, forschen

Wie aus einer deutschen eine europäische Energiewende werden kann

Year 2011

Publication:Conference Paper

This Issue Paper contains final conclusions and recommendations from the workshop "Water Management, Water Framework and Hydropower" which took place in September 2011. Additionally, it provides background information as well as the summary of a questionnaire on hydropower and the WFD filled-in by 24 European States. The paper is available for download.

Water Management, Water Framework Directive and Hydropower

Year 2011

Publication:Book

With the impending nuclear energy phase out, how can the energy system successfully adapt and rebuild? What concepts and which alliances are necessary for the transition from a fossil- nuclear world to the solar era? The Ecology Yearbook 2012 addresses these fundamental issues from economic, social, and technical perspectives. It keeps track of which options can lead to a green transformation, but also looks at unresolved environmental conflicts, which can only be addressed through innovators and new and transformative research. The Ecologic Institute is one of the institutes supporting the yearbook and has contributed a chapter to the 2012 edition.

Jahrbuch Ökologie 2012

Grüner Umbau – Neue Allianzen für die Umwelt

Year 2011

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

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

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

Publications

Assessment of the draft law of 11 November

Assessment of the draft law of 11 November

Debunking the "unmanageable liability" claim

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

Devising a resilience strategy for the mid-transition

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

Design recommendations and impact analysis

Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

Why hydrogen emissions matter, when they will become significant, and how the EU can tackle them

Ariadne-Analyse

Consideration of options for the EU

Ten Recommendations from the 4i-TRACTION Project

Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

Implementing the EU Methane Regulation Working Paper N° 3

Implementing the EU Methane Regulation Working Paper N° 2

Implementing the EU Methane Regulation Working Paper N° 1

Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

Begriffe, Systematisierung, Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung, Fallstudien

A criteria-based assessment of Member States reports under Article 11

Implications for PtX imports to the EU

Drei Beispiele auf kommunaler und regionaler Ebene

Masterplan municipalities initiate transformation processes.

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

Abschlussbericht

Issues for the G20

Taking stock of Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP)

Country briefing paper: Germany

How to integrate carbon removals into EU Climate Policies

Statistical annex to the EU voluntary review

Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

Security Implications and Policy Options for the EU

Challenges and opportunities of the G20 as a green hydrogen forum

National case study report #4

Post-2030 crunch issues for the move to a net zero economy

Insights into the acceptance and perceptions of particularly burdened groups

Options to reform energy pricing in the G20

Input material and takeaways from a workshop in Brussels

Need for Action and Policy Options

An assessment of national long-term strategies in the EU

An assessment of national long-term strategies in the EU

Citizen participation in the energy transition

Guest post

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

An analysis based on eight selected case studies

Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGS in an EU Context

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

An analysis based on eight selected case studies

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

Country briefing paper: Germany

Why doubling down on the Green Deal is the best strategy

Preparing the U.S. and German Energy Systems for the Risks that Climate Change Poses

Ariadne-Analysis