Publication:Article

This paper analyses the European Union's (EU) policy framework, alongside international and regional agreements relevant to wetland conservation and restoration, focusing on coastal ecosystems. Drawing on policy content analysis, it assesses how 36 EU policies and multilateral agreements support or limit coastal wetland restoration and conservation efforts in Europe.

Restoring European Coastal Wetlands for Climate and Biodiversity

Do EU Policies and International Agreements Support Restoration?

Year 2025

Publication:Article

Anthropogenic litter poses a growing threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide. While the EU's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) addresses this pollution as an environmental status indicator, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) lacks such a measure.The publication, jointly authored by researchers from the European Plastic Pirates initiative, illustrates how citizen science can address this issue by using existing litter data from related initiatives. Members of the author team included Doris Knoblauch and Mandy Hinzmann from the Ecologic Institute.

Public Participation in EU Legislation?

Recommendations for Involving Citizen Scientists in Anthropogenic Litter Research Within the Water Framework Directive

Year 2025

Publication:Policy Brief

Cover of the policy brief, featuring photos of wetlands.

The second Policy Brief of RESTORE4Cs "Unlocking potential of coastal wetlands in Europe: Integration into National Restoration Plans", highlights the critical role of National Restoration Plans (NRPs) under the EU Nature Restoration Regulation in enhancing the restoration and resilience of coastal wetlands

Unlocking potential of coastal wetlands in Europe: Integration into National Restoration Plans

A Policy Brief from the RESTORE4Cs project

Year 2025

Publication:Policy Brief

This sectoral brief explores how transitioning to a Nature-Positive Economy requires transforming marine industries from drivers of biodiversity loss to forces for ocean restoration. It was developed under the EU research project GoNaturePositive!

Blue Economy

Sectoral Brief

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:Article

The image shows the title page of an article from the journal 'Frontiers in Marine Science' titled 'Exploring marine conservation and climate adaptation synergies and strategies in European seas as an emerging nexus: a review.' The article was written by Gregory Fuchs, Fenja Kroos, Cordula Scherer, Miriam Seifert, and Nico Stelljes. It is a systematic literature review that explores approaches to marine conservation and climate adaptation strategies in European seas.

This review explores the potential synergies between marine conservation and climate adaptation strategies, which are critical for addressing climate change impacts in European coastal and marine areas. The article, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, identifies and evaluates integrated approaches that support both marine ecosystem protection and climate adaptation.

Exploring Marine Conservation and Climate Adaptation Synergies and Strategies in European Seas as an Emerging Nexus

A review

Year 2025

Publication:Article

Plastic pollution has become a severe global crisis, posing grave threats to the environment, human health, and sustainable development. Driven by unchecked plastic production, the problem worsens through the entire lifecycle of plastics—from creation to disposal—releasing not only large debris but also microscopic particles, monomers, and thousands of chemical additives. These pollutants travel worldwide via air and water currents, damaging ecosystems and wildlife, including marine species that suffer from entanglement, ingestion, and toxicity. This editorial is part of a Special Issue "An effective plastic treaty for marine life".

An Effective Plastic Treaty for Marine Life

Editorial to the Special Issue

Year 2025

Publication:Document

The environmental crises caused by humans do not stop at the oceans. To effectively tackle these complex challenges, new forms of scientific cooperation are needed. This impulse paper argues in favour of strategically strengthened cooperation between the natural, technical, social and cultural sciences. It presents five key areas of development that should pave the way for more socially relevant marine research in the future - from reforms in education to structural outreach to society. Dr Grit Martinez from the Ecologic Institute, who has been committed to combining social science and humanities perspectives and environmental research for many years, contributed to this impulse paper.

Nature and Society in Marine Research

Perspectives for interdisciplinary cooperation in the Anthropocene

Year 2024

Publication:Policy Brief

The first policy brief of the EU-funded RESTORE4Cs project highlights the importance of European coastal wetlands in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and removing carbon from the atmosphere, promoting their restoration as a climate change mitigation solution.

How Can Coastal Wetlands Help Achieve EU Climate Goals?

A Policy Brief from the RESTORE4Cs project

Year 2024

Publication:Infographic

Poster titled 'Synergies and Strategies for Marine Protection and Climate Adaptation,' illustrating a research project on integrating marine protection and climate adaptation in coastal areas. The poster features a diagram of the Nexus approach, highlighting connections between marine protection, climate adaptation, socio-economic integration, policy, governance, and potential conflicts. Visual elements include various restoration, construction, and management measures ...

The poster ‘Synergies and Strategies for Marine Protection and Climate Adaptation’ presents key results and approaches of research on the integration of marine protection and climate adaptation. It shows how these two areas can be linked in order to effectively meet the challenges of climate change in marine and coastal ecosystems.

Synergien und Strategien für Meersschutz und Klimaanpassung

Year 2024

Publication:Report

This report focuses on the assessment of the status of the marine environment, the definition of environmental objectives and the development of programs of measures to achieve good environmental status. It provides guidance to Member States on the assessment of marine waters, identifies key pressures and pressures factors and offers approaches for setting environmental targets. It supports the development of monitoring programs and the implementation of measures to reduce pollution and conserve biodiversity. The technical assistance aims to promote cooperation between Member States and create a coherent framework for maritime policy in the EU.

Fachliche Unterstützung der Umsetzung der EG-Meeresstrategie-Rahmenrichtlinie (MSRL)

Year 2024

Publication:Case Study

This UNITED project business brief discusses the legal framework and environmental implications of a project in the Greek Aegean combining aquaculture and tourism, including laws and regulations, particularly in relation to marine conservation, permitting and marine spatial planning.

Greek Pilot

Business Brief

Year 2023

Publication:Case Study

This UNITED project business brief discusses the legal framework and environmental impacts of a project in the German North Sea that combines offshore wind energy and aquaculture, including the laws and regulations that apply to offshore installations in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

German Pilot

Business Brief

Year 2023

Publication:Case Study

This Business Brief of the UNITED project examines the legal and environmental aspects of a project that successfully combines offshore wind energy production with innovative tourism activities.

Danish Pilot

Business Brief

Year 2023

Publication:Case Study

This UNITED project business brief examines the legal and environmental aspects of a Belgian project using offshore wind farms in the North Sea for the cultivation of flat oysters and seaweed. Particular attention is paid to environmental benefits, such as improved water quality and biodiversity, as well as potential challenges, including permitting procedures.

Belgian Pilot

Business Brief

Year 2023

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy paper addresses the restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems. It advocates for synergies among UN decades and underscores the need to integrate various approaches to restoring marine and coastal ecosystems.

Die Wiederherstellung von Meeres- und Küstenökosystemen

Year 2023

Publication:Website

screenshot of the srevice portal "Mission Ocean and Waters"

The Mission Ocean and Waters service portal is now live and serves as a comprehensive one-stop-shop for stakeholders, offering essential tools, contacts, knowledge, matchmaking, financing, and support for the successful execution of the EU Mission "Restore our ocean and waters by 2030". The service portal ensures access to knowledge for all citizens while extending support and technical assistance to Mission Partners actively involved in the Mission Ocean and Waters implementation.

Mission Ocean and Waters Service Portal

Year 2023

Publication:Report

Cover of the report "Implementation of ecological flows in the EU" for the European Commission

This report elaborates the main challenges faced by water management institutions in implementing e-flows in EU Member States, presents country progress in developing relevant good practices and presents relevant implementation examples.

Implementation of E-flows in the EU

Year 2023

Publication:Policy Brief

Cover page of a policy brief dated September 19th, 2023, titled 'POLICY BRIEF: Assessment on the added value of Marine Multi-Use within UNITED pilots'. The background features a soft-focus image of wind turbines at sea. The EU flag is present with a disclaimer about funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. Authors Manuel Lago - ECOLOGIC, Youssef Zaiter - ACTeon, and editors Ivana Lukic, Agnese Cosulich from Submariner Network for Blue Growth EWIV are credited.

As competition for, and interest in, use of ocean space increases, a need for management arises to optimize activity in marine areas. This policy brief provides a comprehensive consideration of the economic efficiency of marine multi-use (MU) by weighing the pros and cons of individual use options against potential MU combinations.

Assessment on the Added Value of Marine Multi-Use within UNITED Pilots

Year 2023

Publication:Article

This article illustrates the communication strategies that were successfully applied in the citizen science program Plastic Pirates in Germany. The program engages schoolchildren, teachers and youth groups in plastic pollution research. A variety of communication strategies have been implemented and continuously revised and adapted since the start of the program in 2016.

Sharing Communication Insights of the Citizen Science Program Plastic Pirates

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

Year 2023

Publication:Article

Hinzmann Mederake EU single use plastics directive article

This article, co-authored by Mandy Hinzmann and Linda Mederake from Ecologic Institute, assesses the potential of the EU "Single-Use Plastics Directive" (SUPD) to reduce litter pollution in the environment with three scenarios. The scenario analysis revealed that the success the current SUPD can be an important first step, yet further legislative actions are needed to effectively prevent plastic waste pollution - bans alone are not sufficient. The success of the Directive is therefore highly dependent on implementation and enforcement.

What Potential Does the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive Have for Reducing Plastic Pollution at Coastlines and Riversides?

Year 2023

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy brief explores the potential and benefits of marine restoration, as proposed in the regulation. Marine and coastal ecosystems are immensely important for biodiversity and human well-being. Restoring marine areas can enable the respective ecosystems to (once again) perform their natural functions, improving their overall health and resilience.

Why is Nature Restoration Critical for Marine Areas?

Year 2023

Publication:Podcast

Since we learned how to produce plastic, humans have manufactured more than 8.3 billion tons of it – most of which ended up as waste somewhere on the planet. This leads plastic waste to enter the landscape, rivers, beaches, and eventually ocean. We asked our listeners what, in their opinion, is the issue with plastic pollution. The answers ranged from negative impacts on human health and the environment to lack of recycling infrastructure and the global dimension of the plastics problem.

From Packaging to Microplastics: Unwrapping EU plastics policies

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

Year 2022

Publication:Report

Cover of the indedendent expert report "Baseline study for the implementation of lighthouses of the Mission ‘Restore our ocean and waters by 2030’: Atlantic, Arctic, Danube and Mediterranean lighthouses"

This study analyses the objectives, targets and activities of the EU Mission 'Restore our ocean and waters by 2030'. It proposes a draft set of indicators for measuring the Mission's progress, maps major stakeholders and networks, and offers recommendations for the future implementation of the Mission.

Baseline Study for the Implementation of Lighthouses of the Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030'

Atlantic, Arctic, Danube and Mediterranean lighthouses

Year 2022

Publication:Postcard

three young female hikers on a hill look at the sea

The postcard series was created for the EU4Ocean Coalition for Ocean Literacy project in order to give the initiative more visibility.

Every Action – Even the Smallest One – Brings Change to Our Ocean

Postcards

Year 2022

Publication:Poster

The roll-up series was created for the Ocean Literacy EU4Ocean Summit 2022 in Ravenna in order to give the initiative more visibility.

Every Action – Even the Smallest One – Brings Change to Our Ocean

Roll-up series

Year 2022

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy brief investigates the gaps in the existing international treaties on marine plastic pollution and proposes components that need to be considered in a new treaty. These proposals will complement the G20 work on plastic pollution. Furthermore, since the G20 summit will be held in Indonesia in 2022, the focus of this policy brief will not only be relevant to G20 countries but also to Southeast Asia as the biggest contributor of marine plastics.

Towards an International Agreement on Plastic Pollution: The Role of the G20

T20 Policy Brief

Year 2022

Publication:Case Study

The case study provides an overview of the Alaskan marine Arctic environment in terms of: 1) the state and status of its ecosystems and their biodiversity; 2) the drivers and associated pressures that impact marine ecosystem health, as well as 3) the policies in place to protect the marine environment, in particular through marine protected areas.

Marine Conservation in the Alaskan Arctic

ArkMPA Case Study: USA / Alaska

Year 2022

Publication:Case Study

Title page of the Canada ArkMPA-case study

This report contains one of six case studies of the ArkMPA, including five on marine policies in states bordering the Arctic Ocean, and one overarching regional report. The case study provides an overview of the Canadian marine Arctic environment in terms of: 1) the state and status of its ecosystems and their biodiversity; 2) the drivers and associated pressures that impact marine ecosystem health, as well as 3) the policies in place to protect the marine environment, in particular through marine protected areas.

Marine Conservation in the Canadian Arctic

ArkMPA Case Study: Canada

Year 2022

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy brief surveys the current state and recent development of the Arctic blue economy in the five Arctic coastal states (Canada, Denmark, USA, Russia and Norway), as well as the Arctic High Seas, to understand potential impacts on Arctic marine biodiversity. It also analyses the driving factors behind these developments.

The Arctic Blue Economy

Current state, developments, and implications for marine conservation

Year 2022

Publication:Flyer

The priorities of the German chairmanship of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) from 2020 to 2022 included strengthened ocean governance in the Baltic Sea region, updating the Baltic Sea Action Plan and measures on biodiversity, climate, eutrophication, pollutants, ammunition dumps, underwater noise and marine litter. The ten-year Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), which was adopted by the environment ministers of the Baltic Sea states and the European Union in Lübeck in 2021, provides for around 200 measures. Specific programs and strategies complement these measures. The goal: a healthy and sustainably used Baltic Sea. This flyer, conceived and designed by Ecologic Institute, provides an overview of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and the work of the Helsinki Commission.

Together for a Healthy Baltic Sea!

The Action Plan of the Helsinki Commission

Year 2022

Publication:Brochure

This brochure summarizes the most important key messages from 20 joint research projects and seven cross-cutting topics of the German research focus "Plastics in the Environment". The brochure is structured along the life cycle of plastics and includes five sections: Green Economy, Consumption, Recycling, Fresh-water Ecosystems, and Saltwater Ecosystems.

Key Messages of the BMBF Research Focus "Plastics in the Environment"

Short version

Year 2022

Publication:Brochure

The publication summarizes the key messages from all 20 joint research projects and the seven cross-cutting topics of the German research focus "Plastics in the Environment". Structured by main topics, the central results are presented in order to derive recommendations for various addressees. More than 70 researchers and practitioners from across the research focus have jointly co-authored the key messages.

Key Messages of the BMBF-Research Focus "Plastics in the Environment – Sources· Sinks · Solutions"

Year 2022

Publication:Website

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

Thementag: Plastik in der Umwelt

Year 2022

Publication:Article

This paper presents the results of a rapid review of the literature on gender and coastal climate adaptation conducted for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 6th Assessment Report (AR6). The findings highlight the lack of data on gender as a social dimension of adaptation and the gaps in current indicators for monitoring the Sustainable Development Goal for gender (SDG5). The paper emphasises the need for gender-disaggregated data on coastal adaptation efforts to fully capture both positive and negative gender dimensions of climate adaptation.

Climate Adaptation Interventions in Coastal Areas

A Rapid Review of Social and Gender Dimensions

Year 2022

Publication:Report

The UNITED project report "Business Analysis of UNITED Pilots" provides a detailed business analysis of the various pilot projects. This analysis includes an assessment of the economic viability, SWOT and PESTEL analyses as well as a review of the financial aspects of the projects. The aim of the report is to assess the financial attractiveness and feasibility of multi-use concepts in European marine areas, with a particular focus on the synergies and challenges arising from the combination of different maritime activities.

Business Analysis of United Pilots

Year 2022

Publication:Video

On 21 May 2022, the Ocean Literacy Festival hosted numerous activities organised by the EU4Ocean Coalition members. The festival connected ocean literacy actors from Europe, and showcased the wide diversity of ocean literacy initiatives already in place. Ecologic Institute developed a social media video trailer to give the festival more visibility.

Ocean Literacy Festival

Year 2022

Publication:Report

Cleveringa, J., Kampa, E., 2021. Intercomparison of ecological potential for Transitional and Coastal waters (TraC). Amersfoort, Berlin: Arcadis, Ecologic Institute.

Intercomparison of Ecological Potential for Transitional and Coastal Waters (TraC)

Year 2021

Publication:Report

Report cover with image of fish, title, and logos of participating institutions

This research report studies the Asian perspectives on a global plastic pollution treaty against the background of a growing momentum for the establishment of a negotiation process during the second part of the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in February 2022. It identifies solutions already pursued by Asian countries to tackle marine plastic pollution, describes the challenges and needs expressed by government officials from the region, and discusses possible treaty elements taking into account experiences of countries in the Asian region.

A Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution

Perspectives from Asia

Year 2021

Publication:Podcast

Everybody who loves the sea has a story to share. In the podcast "If Oceans Could Speak", scientists and experts from different fields, scholars and sailors, artists and activists share their stories about the oceans around us, their value and vulnerability.

If Oceans Could Speak

A podcast about the sea and its people

Year 2021

Publication:Policy Brief

Forests and the ocean are vital for climate, biological diversity, and human communities, but they are degraded and their ecosystem services are seriously impaired, mainly because financial, economic and governance structures are misconfigured. The authors of this T20 policy brief propose that G20 help strengthen the REDD+ climate instrument for forests and extend it to Blue Carbon from coastal and marine ecosystems. Scaled up to cover the Earth's two largest, most diverse and most productive ecosystems, these two approaches can deliver significant economic and climate benefits. The T20 policy brief is available for download.

Fixing Financial, Economic and Governance Structures to Save Forests and the Ocean, and Enhance Their Contributions to Climate Change Solutions

Year 2021

Publication:Article

Coasts and seas both are characterized by intense social-ecological interactions, recently the industrial appropriation of coasts worldwide and oceans as a waste disposal site for port industries and land-based production facilities. In September, White Horse Press' transdisciplinary history journal Global Environment published a special issue dedicated to Coastal Cities and their struggle for coping mechanism to the recent crisis. The special issue was edited by Ecologic Institute and starts with an introductory chapter on the more-than-ever-growing need to consider different ideas, narratives and power relations of coastal and maritime actors and groups in order to shape a coastal management that is ecologically and socially sustainable.

Coastal Cities and Urban Deltascapes Under Pressure

Quo Vadis Homo Narrans?

Year 2021

Publication:Report

This UNITED project report deals with the development of an environmental assessment framework to determine the ecological feasibility of multi-use platforms. This assessment framework is based on the practice of environmental impact assessment (EIA) and applies an integrated cumulative effects assessment (iCEA) in the scoping and identification phases of key impacts. The report aims to assess the added environmental value ("benefits") of multi-use in the marine environment.

Assessment Framework to Determine Ecological Feasibility of Multi-Use Platforms

Year 2021

Publication:Fact Sheet

This fact sheet for the project INNOVA illustrates a literature review on the effects of climate change on beach wrack landing on the German Baltic Shore. Beach wrack consists mainly of bladderwrack and seagrass and it is likely that climate change will have various effects on these plants. Aspects like rising water temperature, erosion, changes in salinity, eutrophication or oxygen deficiency are all affected by climate change. This will have direct effects on the composition and amount of beach wrack landing on the Baltic Sea shores.

INNOVA Beach Wrack Fact Sheet

Kiel Bay: Projected Climate Changes and Impacts on Beach Wrack

Year 2021

Publication:Article

This article gives an example of how to use Segrass in a sustainable way. "Using Seagrass as Insulation Material" by Nico Stelljes is published in the "Baltic Stories Magazine" that is devoted to promoting cooperation around the Baltic Sea, joint initiatives and projects of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). The article is available online.

Using Seagrass as Insulation Material

Year 2021

Publication:Article

A comparative study indicates that the collective memory of the 1872 storm is related to the background knowledge about floods, the damage extent, and the response to the storm. Flood marks and dikes help to remember the events. In general, coastal flood defence is to the largest degree implemented in the affected areas in Germany, followed by Denmark, and is almost absent in Sweden, corresponding to the extent of the collective memory of the 1872 storm. Within the affected countries, there is local variability of flood risk awareness associated with the collective memory of the storm.

A Comparative Study of the Effects of the 1872 Storm and Coastal Flood Risk Management in Denmark, Germany, and Sweden

Year 2021

Publication:Article

Wehrmann, Dorothea et. al. 2021: Wie können wir die Ozeane retten? Die Bedeutung der transdisziplinären und kollaborativen Meeresforschung. Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE): Bonn.

Die Bedeutung der transdisziplinären und kollaborativen Meeresforschung

Wie können wir die Ozeane retten?

Year 2021

Publication:Video

Plastic waste, plastic parts and microplastics can be found everywhere in the environment. Plastic particles are also detected in living organisms. But what exactly is the situation? To find out, the German Ministry of Research is funding the research priority "Plastics in the Environment" with around 40 million euros. Some of the results of the 20 funded research projects are presented in this video. Further results of the research projects as well as information on the activities of the research focus are available on the website.

Plastics in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions

Year 2021

Publication:Book Section

Germany's Polar research activities contribute to numerous initiatives and include links to climate and biodiversity protection. To prepare for future challenges and address the most pressing issues, the federal government launched a process to develop a new polar research agenda. On 19 May 2021, the steering group of the process including Ecologic Institute's Arne Riedel, handed over the concept paper on the "Changing Polar Regions" developed by over 100 experts to the Federal Ministry for Education and Research.

Forschungsagenda Polarregionen im Wandel

Konzeptpapier des Mare:N-Begleitkreises

Year 2021

Publication:Report

The report addresses training and capacity building to ensure safe and efficient ocean multi-use operations, with a focus on societal engagement and educational objectives.

Curriculum for Offshore Course, Guideline, and Learning Manual

Year 2021

Publication:Article

This paper deals with how culture is expressed through the interplay of socially, politically, and economically driven processes and practices in place-based biophysical contexts as well as the role played by narrative expressions in the formation of coastal risk management, knowledge and action. It draws upon ethnographic, comparative, and historical approaches to understand how culture frames what we know and how we respond differently to risks.

Coastal Risk Cultures

Local and Regional Formation of Knowledge and Action

Year 2021

Publication:Conference Paper

Cover conference proceedings Plastik in der Umwelt

Plastic pollution in the environment is a global problem with unforeseeable ecological consequences. Despite numerous activities and approaches, there are only a few reliable findings on the input and distribution pathways and the effects on humans and animals. In order to close these knowledge gaps, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research established the major research focus "Plastics in the Environment - Sources - Sinks - Solutions" in summer 2017 and funded 20 innovative collaborative projects. The aim of the research was to obtain an overall picture of the environmental impact of plastics along their entire life cycle, from production and use to disposal. The aim is also to identify opportunities for improvement as well as options for action, thus creating the scientific basis for holistic strategies and measures. This conference proceedings present the research of the joint projects and work results in the cross-sectional topics.

Plastik in der Umwelt – Conference Proceedings of the Final Conference

Year 2021

Publication:Flyer

Ecologic Institute designed a programme flyer as part of the visual identity for the project "Plastic in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions." The programme flyer was developed and designed to provide relevant content on the conference agenda in a concerted way to participants.

Plastik in der Umwelt – Quellen • Senken • Lösungsansätze – Final Conference Programme Flyer

BMBF-Forschungsschwerpunkt

Year 2021

Publication:Report

This UNITED report provides an economic assessment framework aimed at guiding the evaluation of multi-use platforms in European seas. It focuses on assessing financial costs, revenues, and the economic efficiency of integrating various maritime activities. The goal is to understand the viability and added value of combining different uses, such as aquaculture, renewable energy, and tourism, within the same marine space, emphasizing sustainability and economic growth.

Assessment Framework to Determine the Economic Feasibility of Multi-use Platforms

Year 2021

Publication:Article

A team of experts from the European Topic Centre on Inland, Coastal and Marine Waters (ETC-ICM) including Ecologic Institute's Dr. Ulf Stein published a study on the "Combined effects of human pressures on Europe's marine ecosystem". The paper was issued by the Journal for environment and society "Ambio". The central objective is to assess the extent to which human activities exert pressures on marine environments and where these pressures lead to degradation of the ecosystem.

Combined Effects of Human Pressures on Europe's Marine Ecosystem

Year 2021

Publication:Article

Cover of publication with text and logos

Recent and historic high-impact events have demonstrated significant flood risks to many coastal areas in Europe and across the globe. Understanding the behavior of humans in relation to risk management poses grand challenges for both natural and social sciences and humanities. The study analyzes the cultural aspects of coastal risk management and illustrates path-dependencies of concrete disaster risk reduction measures in relation to local contexts in European coastal regions in Northern and South Western Europe. Dr. Grit Martinez from Ecologic Institute co-authored the journal article.

The Role of Culture and Informal Aspects for Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction Measures

Empirical Evidence from Northern and Southern Europe, Advances in Climate Change Research

Year 2020

Publication:Report

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

Year 2020

Publication:Document

Titelseite Nutzerhandbuch Runder Tisch Meeresmüll

This user manual supports the members of the German Roundtable on Marine Litter in using the internet platform https://muell-im-meer.de. In the internal area of the platform, members have various possibilities to present their organization and its activities for reducing marine litter as well as to participate in working groups. Distribution list maintenance and communication within the Roundtable on Marine Litter is also handled and documented via the platform.

Nutzerhandbuch für Mitglieder

Internetplattform Runder Tisch Meeresmüll

Year 2020

Publication:Book Section

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are increasingly employed as a tool to protect Europe's swiftly declining marine biodiversity. However, despite increasing coverage, MPA effectiveness and equity is considered highly variable. Concurrently, Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) – that is, management that aims to protect, restore, or enhance the resilience and sustainability of an ecosystem to ensure sustainable flows of ecosystem services and conserve its biodiversity – is growing in prominence.

Ecosystem-Based Management for More Effective and Equitable Marine Protected Areas

A Case Study on the Faial-Pico Channel Marine Protected Area, Azores

Year 2020

Publication:Book

Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is the most promising approach for balancing sustainable development and biodiversity protection in aquatic ecosystems. This book introduces the essential concepts and principles required to implement Ecosystem-Based Management, detailing tools and techniques, and describing the application of these concepts and tools. This book is a joint effort with researchers from Ecologic Institute, the University College of Cork in the Republic of Ireland and the US Environment Protection Agency and can be accessed free of charge.

Ecosystem-Based Management, Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Biodiversity

Theory, Tools and Applications

Year 2020

Publication:Report

The UNITED project report "Current Environmental Assessment and Status of the Pilots" provides a comprehensive overview of the current environmental assessments and status of various pilot projects. These projects included a variety of multi-use concepts in the marine environment, including the combination of offshore wind energy with shellfish and kelp cultivation, offshore wind and solar energy, shallow estuarine aquaculture and kelp cultivation, and tourism. The report looks at the environmental aspects of these pilot projects and assesses their environmental impacts, regulatory requirements and existing environmental assessment results and monitoring capacity.

Revision of the Current Environmental Assessment and Status of Pilots

Year 2020

Publication:Video

The #YoungOceanWaves contest, promoted by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) encouraged everybody – especially young people – to show what the ocean means for them: marvelous colours and living creatures? Fun? Sports? Crazy or relaxed adventures? Delicious food or jobs? Ecologic Institute developed social media video trailers for the EU4Ocean contest.

#YoungOceanWaves Contest

Year 2020

Publication:Video

The ocean is a source of life for human beings. "Understanding human influence on the Ocean and the Ocean's influence on people" is at the core of ocean literacy. Supported by the European Commission, the EU4Ocean Coalition connects three large communities of organisations, projects, people and schools that contribute to ocean literacy and the sustainable management of the ocean: The EU4Ocean Platform is the hub for organisations and initiatives to connect, collaborate and mobilise efforts on ocean literacy.

EU4Ocean

Year 2020

Publication:Report

This research report contains the results of the UBA-project "Environmental guidelines of a German Arctic policy". It highlights several starting points for the German environmental department to foster environmental protection in the Arctic, even from a non-Arctic state’s point of view. The report also describes the activities undertaken within the project to raise awareness with the general public on existing links between Germany and the Arctic. Those activities include inter alia an explanatory video and a public event.

Ökologisch nachhaltige Nutzung mit hohen Umweltstandards in der Arktis – Umweltleitlinien deutscher Arktispolitik

Abschlussbericht

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

This report presents for the first time an overview of anthropogenic pressures and their combined effects on Europe's seas. The assessment covers the period of 2011 to 2016 and presents how human activities and pressures on seas have changed over a longer time horizon. The highest potential combined effects are found along coastal areas of the North Sea, Southern Baltic Sea, Adriatic and Western Mediterranean. However, there are also positive developments and the report points to improvements in nutrient levels, hazardous substances and northern fish and tuna stocks.

Multiple Pressures and their Combined Effects in Europe's Seas

ETC/ICM Technical Report 4/2019

Year 2020

Publication:Website

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

Runder Tisch Meeresmüll

Year 2019

Publication:Article

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

Regulation: Solutions at the Wrong End.

Plastic Atlas 2019: Facts and figures about the world of synthetic polymers

Year 2019

Publication:Document

Kemper, Melanie, Christian Bruhn 2019: Kurzkonzept für den Relaunch der Internetplattform Meeresmüll – www.muell-im-meer.de. Berlin, unpublished.

Kurzkonzept für den Relaunch der Internetplattform Meeresmüll

Year 2019

Publication:Report

As part of the 'Sustainability 2030 Science Platform', Ecologic Institute has published a study on oceans as a global commons. An overview of the different governance mechanisms in regard to the Global Commons "Oceans" area are discussed. The study is available for download and will be presented at the beginning of December at the Annual Conference 2019 of the Science Platform.

Ocean as a Global Commons

International Governance and the Role of Germany

Year 2019

Publication:Policy Brief

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

A Treaty on Plastic Waste

Discussion paper

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:Conference Paper

The conference proceedings for the status conference of the research focus "Plastics in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions", presenting the joint research projects and cross-cutting topics, are available for download.

Plastik in der Umwelt – Conference Proceedings of the Status Conference

Year 2019

Publication:Infographic

This infographic illustrates the research objects of the joint research projects with a social science component in the research focus "Plastics in the Environment" along the value chain and with a view to the addressed societal sectors. In addition, the graph indicates the target groups to which the project results are directed and whether these are mainly options for action or risk assessments.

Plastik in der Umwelt: Sozialwissenschaftliche Forschung – Infographic

Year 2019

Publication:Poster

How is a topic such as microplastics socially problematised? How can consumers use plastics more sustainably? And what role do the interests and perceptions of different actors play in international plastics regulation? These and other questions are posed by social scientists in a number of joint research projects funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research within the framework of the research focus "Plastics in the Environment". In this poster series, social science research from ten joint research projects is presented and first interim results are briefly and concisely summarised.

Plastics in the Environment: Social Science Research – Poster Series

Year 2019

Publication:Flyer

Ecologic Institute designed a programme flyer as part of the visual identity for the project "Plastic in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions." The programme flyer was developed and designed to provide relevant content on conference context, agenda, and the venue in a concerted way to participants.

Plastik in der Umwelt – Quellen • Senken • Lösungsansätze – Programme Flyer

BMBF-Forschungsschwerpunkt

Year 2019

Publication:Article

Lago, M., Boteler, B., Rouillard, J., Abhold, K., Jähnig, S., Iglesias-Campos, A., Delacámara, G., Piet, G., Hein, T., Nogueira, A., Lillebø, A., Strosser, P., Robinson, L., De Wever, A., O'Higgins, T., Schlüter, M., Török, L., Reichert, P., van Ham, C., Villa, F. and Hugh, M. (2019). Introducing the H2020 AQUACROSS project: Knowledge, Assessment, and Management for AQUAtic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services aCROSS EU policies. Science of The Total Environment, 652, pp.320-329.

Introducing the H2020 AQUACROSS Project

Knowledge, Assessment, and Management for AQUAtic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services aCROSS EU policies

Year 2019

Publication:Article

In this article, the authors, among them Ecologic Institute's Linda Mederake, assess innovative climate governance in small-to-medium-sized structurally disadvantaged cities (SDCs). Considering their deeply ingrained severe economic and social problems, it would be reasonable to assume that SDCs act primarily as climate laggards or at best as followers. However, novel empirical findings show that SDCs are capable of acting as climate pioneers. Different types and styles of climate leadership and pioneership and how they operate within multi-level and polycentric governance structures are identified and assessed. SDCs seem relatively readily willing to adopt transformational climate pioneership styles to create 'green' jobs, for example, in the offshore wind energy sector and with the aim of improving their poor external image.

Climate Pioneership and Leadership in Structurally Disadvantaged Maritime Port Cities

Year 2019

Publication:Report

Marine plastic pollution is a fast growing problem and it is not yet possible to estimate how severe the impacts currently are. Between 4.8 and 12.7 Mt of plastics ends up in the ocean each year, adding to the uncontrolled plastic waste already floating around the world’s seas. Despite many good initiatives and action plans, the world is about to lose the overall battle. There is an urgent need to vibrantly address the plastic pollution crisis of the oceans on a global level. This report by adelphi and Ecologic Institute provides suggestions in this regard. The report is available for download.

No More Plastics in the Ocean

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

Year 2018

Publication:Article

Plastic in the environment is a global problem that is particularly visible in a growing volume of plastic waste in the sea. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has set up a major research focus to investigate the extent of the problem in more detail and to develop approaches to reducing it. Until 2021, a total of 18 joint projects with more than 100 institutions from science, industry, and practice will be funded with 35 million euros in one of the world's largest research programmes on plastics to date. In addition to the main areas of work, the authors of the Ecologic Institute examines the research projects in more detail.

Dem Plastik auf der Spur

Year 2018

Publication:Case Study

Over the past three years, the AQUACROSS Assessment Framework was developed, tested, and applied in eight case studies across Europe to solve local biodiversity challenges. Finally, results from each Case Study were published in a 30-page case study report and 3-page executive summary report. The case study is available for download.

Trade-Offs in Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in the North Sea Aimed at Achieving Biodiversity Strategy Targets

AQUACROSS Case Study 1 Report

Year 2018

Publication:Case Study

Lough Erne sustains multiple competing activities, each with different demands from the system in terms of ecosystem services and physical resources. It is a heavily modified water body, containing a range of non-native Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are considered a threat to Lough Erne biodiversity and also negatively affect the society that surrounds it. In this report, we apply the AQUACROSS Assessment Framework to understand this challenge and identify and assess ecosystem-based management solutions to the challenge of the IAS Nutall’s pond weed. The case study is available for download.

Management and Impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Lough Erne in Ireland

AQUACROSS Case Study 4 Report

Year 2018

Publication:Case Study

Freshwater ecosystems in the Swiss plateau are threatened by multiple stressors that deteriorate water quality and hydromorphology. To restore these ecosystems and stop the biodiversity decline, multiple management measures will be implemented over the next decades. We propose methods for a spatial and temporal prioritisation to coordinate measures from different sectors and maximise their effectiveness while considering other societal needs. The case study is available for download.

Biodiversity Management for Rivers of the Swiss Plateau

AQUACROSS Case Study 7 Report

Year 2018

Publication:Policy Brief

Shipping is vital for trade in the global economy and in particular for countries whose economies are closely tied to trading, like those surrounding the Baltic Sea. However, compared to other sectors, shipping is also a significant driver of environmental pressures, such as the spread of alien species or other physical influences. Underwater noise and emissions of nitrogen oxide and fine dust are additional significant pressures from shipping compared to other land and sea-based activities. Shipping is also a source of greenhouse gases (GHG). Ecologic Institute's policy brief presents an assessment of 20 policies with the potential to tackle the pressures from shipping. The policy brief is available for download.

Policies for Sustainable Shipping in the Baltic Sea – SHEBA Policy Brief

A ranking of 20 policy options

Year 2018

Publication:Conference Paper

With its comprehensive research programme, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding 20 research projects which have the overall aim to noticeably decrease the amount of plastics in the environment. This conference reader, published by Ecologic Institute, presents the aims of the overall research programme as well as the 20 research projects spanning a wide range of research areas such as Green Economy, Consumption, Recycling, Freshwater Systems as well as Seas and Oceans, and the accompanying research of PlastikNet. The PlastikNet conference reader is available for download.

Plastics in the Environment - Sources • Sinks • Solutions

Overview of the Joint Research Projects

Year 2018

Publication:Report

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

European Waters – Assessment of Status and Pressures 2018

EEA Report No 7/2018

Year 2018

Publication:Policy Brief

Krüger, Ina et al., (2016): Marine Strategy Framework Directive, AQUACROSS Policy Review, European Union's Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation grant agreement No. 642317.

Marine Strategy Framework Directive

AQUACROSS Policy Review

Year 2018

Publication:Flyer

Ecologic Institute designed a promotional flyer as part of the visual identity for the project "Plastic in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions." The flyer summarizes the general objectives and aims of the project, contains a list of partners and contact information and is styled according to the project style-guide.

Plastic in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions – Project Flyer

BMBF Research Focus

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:Case Study

The objective of this case study is to apply the AQUACROSS Assessment Framework (D3.2) approach to study the Faial-Pico Channel MPA. By doing so, the overarching aim is to understand how applying the Assessment Framework and therefore the concept of Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) can lead to new and alternative management approaches for the improved protection and preservation of aquatic biodiversity.

Ecosystem-based Solutions to Solve Sectoral Conflicts in the Azores

AQUACROSS Case Study 8

Year 2018

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

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

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

Publications

Do EU Policies and International Agreements Support Restoration?

Recommendations for Involving Citizen Scientists in Anthropogenic Litter Research Within the Water Framework Directive

A Policy Brief from the RESTORE4Cs project

Sectoral Brief

GoNaturePositive! Report

A review

Editorial to the Special Issue

Perspectives for interdisciplinary cooperation in the Anthropocene

A Policy Brief from the RESTORE4Cs project

Business Brief

Business Brief

Business Brief

Business Brief

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

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

Atlantic, Arctic, Danube and Mediterranean lighthouses

Postcards

Roll-up series

T20 Policy Brief

ArkMPA Case Study: USA / Alaska

ArkMPA Case Study: Canada

Current state, developments, and implications for marine conservation

The Action Plan of the Helsinki Commission

Short version

A Rapid Review of Social and Gender Dimensions

Perspectives from Asia

A podcast about the sea and its people

Quo Vadis Homo Narrans?

Kiel Bay: Projected Climate Changes and Impacts on Beach Wrack

Wie können wir die Ozeane retten?

Konzeptpapier des Mare:N-Begleitkreises

Local and Regional Formation of Knowledge and Action

BMBF-Forschungsschwerpunkt

Empirical Evidence from Northern and Southern Europe, Advances in Climate Change Research

Internetplattform Runder Tisch Meeresmüll

A Case Study on the Faial-Pico Channel Marine Protected Area, Azores

Theory, Tools and Applications

Abschlussbericht

ETC/ICM Technical Report 4/2019

Plastic Atlas 2019: Facts and figures about the world of synthetic polymers

International Governance and the Role of Germany

Discussion paper

BMBF-Forschungsschwerpunkt

Knowledge, Assessment, and Management for AQUAtic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services aCROSS EU policies

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

AQUACROSS Case Study 1 Report

AQUACROSS Case Study 4 Report

AQUACROSS Case Study 7 Report

A ranking of 20 policy options

Overview of the Joint Research Projects

EEA Report No 7/2018

AQUACROSS Policy Review

BMBF Research Focus

AQUACROSS Case Study 8