Publication:Report

Cover of the reporrt with flag of the European Union in the background

This report presents the conclusions of the study titled "Macro-economic / Top-down Assessment of Climate Impacts on the EU Economy." Commissioned to assist the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA), the study explores how climate change-induced hazards may influence the EU's socio-economic landscape. Its central aim is to deliver both qualitative and quantitative perspectives on the broader macro-economic effects of significant climate hazards. It also investigates how these climate-related shocks ripple through different sectors of the economy. By compiling and analysing relevant data, the study provides a knowledge base to help the European Commission assess how such impacts could potentially challenge the EU’s ability to meet its climate mitigation objectives.

Macro-economic / Top-down Assessment of Climate Impacts on the EU Economy

Final Report

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

Report: Territorial and Distributional Aspects of Just Transition in the draft updated NECPs

This document assesses the just transition aspects of Germany's draft updated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). Specifically, it focuses on how well the plan addresses the territorial and distributional challenges of transitioning to climate neutrality.

Territorial and Distributional Aspects of Just Transition in the draft updated German National Energy and Climate Plan

Year 2024

Publication:Article

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

Practical First Steps Towards Comprehensive Subsidy Reform

Expert View

Year 2024

Publication: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

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

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

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

Year 2023

Publication:Policy Brief

In an increasingly interlinked and globalized world, indigenous peoples and local communities are essential for the preservation of their rights, cultures and access to land and resources. What role do they play in the dialog around environmental protection and social justice? This policy paper sheds light on the challenges and opportunities for indigenous peoples and local communities and explores how their voices can be heard and respected in international forums.

Die Rolle von Indigenen Völkern und lokalen Gemeinschaften, Frauen und Jugendlichen für die Wiederherstellung von Ökosystemen

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:Case Study

Households across Germany felt the weight of 2022's energy crisis, grappling with a dramatic increase in energy prices. Overall energy costs in Germany surged by 31% in 2022 compared to the previous year. To combat the adverse impacts of the 2022 energy crisis, Germany passed three major relief packages in 2022. This country briefing paper describes Germany’s policy response to the energy crisis of 2022 and provides a microsimulation-based summary of the distributional effects of energy price shocks on German households.

Who Took the Burden of the Energy Crisis?

Country briefing paper: Germany

Year 2023

Publication:Report

The Commission's proposal on the Carbon Removals Certification Framework puts the EU on a dangerous track that facilitates replacing emission reductions with removals. Integrating carbon removals into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme carries similar risks. Effectively, the debate on the role of carbon removals puts EU climate policies at a cross-roads.

Making Carbon Removals a Real Climate Solution

How to integrate carbon removals into EU Climate Policies

Year 2023

Publication:Report

Carbon pricing is gaining traction around the world, as more and more jurisdictions implement emissions trading systems or tax carbon emissions to achieve their climate objectives. The annual "State and Trends of Carbon Pricing" is the flagship report of the World Bank to provide a concise, up-to-date overview of what is happening in this field. With over 70,000 annual downloads, it is one of the most prominent publications on this matter.

State and Trends of Carbon Pricing Report 2023

Year 2023

Publication:Document

This paper addresses a gap by providing a conceptual basis to further the understanding of security implications of the EU’s transformation to a net-zero economy. It first defines the aspects of security under consideration (Section 2) and proposes a typology to classify fossil fuel exporting countries based on their exposure to world market prices, their capacity to adjust and their importance to the EU in terms of security issues (Section 3). It then takes stock of policy options that can be adopted in other countries to reduce adjustment costs to a changed economic environment (Section 4) and discusses how the EU can support these policies (Section 5). Finally, it highlights key implications for EU policy makers (Section 6).

How the Net-Zero Transformation Affects Fossil Fuel Exporters

Security Implications and Policy Options for the EU

Year 2023

Publication:Report

Pay as you eat meat Report Aaron Scheid CE Delft

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

Pay as You Eat Dairy, Eggs and Meat

External Cost Estimates and Policy Options to Internalise Them in Germany

Year 2023

Publication: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

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:Report

The report looks at how the system generates income for Member States and how they spent this money over the 2013-2021 period. WWF's analysis finds the current system is full of flaws and that significant changes are needed – including much stricter rules on how EU countries spend their ETS cash. Ecologic Institute's Isabel Haase contributed to the report.

Where Did All the Money Go?

How EU member states spent their ets revenues – and why tighter rules are needed

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:Article

Is infinite economic growth possible in a world with finite natural resources? For many environmentalists the answer to this question is a clear no. But economists, such as Dr. Michael Jakob of Ecologic Institute, often disagree, emphasising that economic growth can occur as productivity increases, even as consumption of natural resources and greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions decrease. His guest op-ed is available online.

Smart Growth Can Help Achieve a Good Life for All Without Killing the Planet

Year 2022

Publication:Report

The regulatory framework for the transformation to a climate-neutral industry has evolved. To take account of the changes, we have revised our analysis on the role of climate protection contracts in the steel industry, which was mainly based on data from 2020. This updated study analyzes how climate protection agreements in the steel industry can be designed in such a way that – in conjunction with the reform of European climate policy – they have an impact on climate protection, energy security and a meaningful transformation of the economy as a whole.

Klimaschutzverträge für die Industrietransformation – Aktualisierte Analyse zur Stahlbranche

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:Report

This report provides the context and justification for the development of BE-Rural's Sustainability Screening, a description of its methodological procedure, and the syntheses of results from the two experimental implementations of the approach in the Stara Zagora and Vidzeme regions, which are included in full as annexes to this report. The last chapters present the main lessons learned from these two pilots and the overall conclusions of the task.

Note on the Development of a Sustainability Screening for Regional Bioeconomy Strategies

Deliverable 5.4 H2020 Research project BE-Rural

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: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: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

Year 2022

Publication:Article

In an integrated global economy, trade policy and climate policy are closely intertwined. In this paper, Ecologic Institute's Dr. Michael Jakob adopts an interdisciplinary approach to provide an overview of the key debates in economics, political science, and legal studies related to globalization and climate change. He identifies a number of emerging issues that deserve increased attention in future research in this direction.

Globalization and Climate Change: State of knowledge, emerging issues, and policy implications

Year 2022

Publication:Report

In the light of the financial and economic crisis, the EU has further developed and tightened its regulation of the financial market in Europe. This process has also had an impact on the actors in the European carbon market and their trading strategies. This final report brings together the results of three analyses.

Emission Trading and Regulation of Financial Markets

Abschlussbericht

Year 2022

Publication:Report

Basic industries – steel, cement and chemicals – need to transform rapidly so as to remain competitive in a world that is headed towards climate neutrality. To achieve the climate targets defined for the sector, any new investment of the steel, cement and chemical industries must be compatible with the path to climate neutrality. This report by Agora Industry, FutureCamp and the Ecologic Institute takes a deeper look at Carbon Contracts for Difference – how they work, what their function should be, and how they can best be aligned with other policy instruments such as emissions trading.

Klimaschutzverträge für die Industrietransformation

Kurzfristige Schritte auf dem Pfad zur Klimaneutralität der deutschen Grundstoffindustrie

Year 2022

Publication:Document

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

Regional Strategy and Roadmap Documents

Deliverable 5.3 H2020 research project BE-Rural

Year 2021

Publication: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:Report

Both Germany and Chile have decided to phase out coal – to slash greenhouse gas emissions and to modernise the power sector. In a new publication, Agora Energiewende compared the experiences of both countries to distill lessons for policymakers navigating the challenges of exiting coal in their own countries. Ecologic Institute contributed the case study on the German coal phase-out. It looked at the increasingly conflicted position of coal in the country's energy transition, the role of the coal commission and the process leading up to the coal phase-out decision. The analysis was done in support of the working group of the Chilean-German Energy Partnership.

Phasing Out Coal in Chile and Germany

A Comparative Analysis

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: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: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:Report

To achieve the turnaround towards carbon neutrality, countries around the world need to take much more ambitious action in this decade. One of the key fields of action is the transition of the energy sector –from fossil to renewable fuels, while drastically reducing energy consumption. This paper discusses options how such action can be enhanced through multilateral cooperation.

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

Policy field energy transition

Year 2021

Publication:Website

The Ecologic Institute designed and developed the ETS Training and Capacity Building website. It provides information and teaching materials on emissions trading, information on events, training courses, study trips, technical workshops and delegation visits.

ETS Training and Capacity Building

Year 2021 - 2022

Publication:Policy Brief

Cover picture of the study with EU flags and office building in the background

The policy brief discusses the different policy pathways to reach the climate target, as presented in the EU Commissions Impact Assessement of the 2030 target plan. There are different ways how the EU can reduce emissions to -55%: mainly through tighter regulation and standards, primarily via carbon price or trough a mix of both. The policy mix route may seem most attractive: politically, it is the path of least resistance, as it continues on the current trajectory. And it promises the best of both worlds – the efficiency of carbon pricing and the certainty of regulatory approaches. At the same time, the mix has some conceptual arguments in favor: companion policies, like standards and infrastructure investment, ensure that consumers have more climate-friendly options to choose from and bring down their cost. Thereby, they make it easier to stomach higher carbon prices.

Wegmarken für das EU-Klimaziel 2030

Versteckte Risiken und Chancen der Szenarien der EU-Kommission für den Pfad zur Klimaneutralität

Year 2020

Publication:Policy Brief

What matters for the climate is the total amount of emissions and removals over time and corresponding levels of atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentration. The current focus on reductions achieved as of a specific moment in time disguises this. Emission budgets that quantify the total amount of permissible emissions would address this problem. The EU should establish an emission budget within its Climate Law. This emission budget should include all GHG emissions, not only CO2. These are some of the key findings of this briefing paper.

Why the EU Needs an Emission Budget

Year 2020

Publication:Report

To meet its increasingly stringent emissions reduction targets, the European Union plans to extend the use of emissions trading, to also cover emissions from road transport and buildings. To understand the effects of this move, DG CLIMA commissioned a comprehensive analysis to investigate the economic, social, environmental, and regulatory / administrative implications. Together with partners ICF, eclareon, Enerdata, Fraunhofer Institut, Cambridge Econometrics, CITEPA, and Milieu, the Ecologic Institute investigated the general options for either the extension of the existing EU ETS or the introduction of a stand-alone scheme.

Possible Extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to Cover Emissions from the Use of Fossil Fuels in Particular in the Road Transport and the Buildings Sector

Year 2020

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: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:Policy Brief

This short study gives a broad overview of the Commission’s proposal for the new Multiannual Financial Framework and the Next Generation EU program and their proposed climate investment shares.

European Recovery Packages and their Climate Investment Shares

Year 2020

Publication:Report

For energy-intensive industries, the transformation towards a climate-neutral form of production is a particular challenge, not only because of their large carbon footprints, but also because they are embedded in value chains that are still predominantly fossil-based. However, they too are part of the effort to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and at the same time accelerate the transition by providing competitive clean technology solutions. This study explores how European energy-instensive industries can transition to a climate-neutral economy while maintaining, and ideally improving, its global competitiveness. It investigates different technology options, policy designs and financial instruments.

Energy-intensive Industries

Challenges and opportunities in energy transition

Year 2020

Publication:Article

Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf comments on the EU corona aid package in Tagesspiegel Background. He calls for the EU Parliament to have a greater say in the matter and criticises that the aid programme is not sufficiently linked to the goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

EU-Coronamilliarden noch ohne feste Klimakriterien

Year 2020

Publication:Document

The Corona crisis offers three important lessons for climate policies and Europe's economic recovery. First, systemic shocks – like the Corona pandemic or climate change – affect the foundations of modern societies. Second, resiliency, preparedness and time are existential factors in addressing systemic crises. Third, the world’s economic recovery must help build efficient, innovative and climate neutral economies. In turn, calls to delay climate policies draw the wrong lessons from the current crisis and undermine Europe's economic recovery. All countries, including the EU, must accelerate their emission reductions drastically.

Europe's Economic Recovery – Climate Neutral, Fair and Innovative

Year 2020

Publication:Document

Tarpey, J., Beusch, C. 2020: Small-Scale Technologies and Business Models for Regional Bioeconomies. Joint Guidance Document for Stakeholders. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

Small-Scale Technologies and Business Models for Regional Bioeconomies

Joint Guidance Document for Stakeholders

Year 2020

Publication:Article

Faced with the COVID-19 crisis, there is great temptation for recovery plans to prop up yesterday’s economy. Instead, recovery plans and any economic stimulus must “build back better” and contribute to a resilient and sustainable future. In an EURACTIV op-ed, the directors of five leading think tanks and founders of the new Think Sustainable Europe network argue that any stimulus must be informed by science, strengthen resilience as well as solidarity, support the transformation towards low-carbon, sustainable societies and deal with the current challenges on an appropriate scale.

Europe's Recovery Plans Must Pass Five Sustainability Tests

Year 2020

Publication:Brochure

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and National Climate Protection Initiative (ed.), 2020: Unternehmensbeiträge zum Klimaschutz. Ergebnisse der Arbeitsgruppen des Dialogforums "Wirtschaft macht Klimaschutz".

Unternehmensbeiträge zum Klimaschutz

Ergebnisse der Arbeitsgruppen des Dialogforums "Wirtschaft macht Klimaschutz"

Year 2020

Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast

The seventh episode of the environmental podcast "Knowledge for Future" is about transdisciplinary research. The focus is primarily on cooperation between research and private sector companies. What does this cooperation look like in practice? What advantages can be gained and what challenges need to be overcome?

Transdisziplinäre Forschung: Und in der Praxis?

7th episode of "Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast"

Year 2020

Publication:Report

With the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the world of climate policy has changed, with important implications for the debate on carbon leakage. This report looks at how the risk of carbon leakage changes for different constellations of climate policy targets, how the incentives for countries have changed, and what carbon leakage entails for global emissions under these constellations.

Carbon Leakage Risks in the Post-Paris World

Year 2019

Publication:Article

Guske, A.-L.; Jacob, K.; Hirschnitz-Garbers, M.; Peuckert, J.; Schridde, S.; Stinner, S.; Wolff, F.; Zahrnt, D.; Ziesemer, F. (2019). Stories that Change Our World? Narratives of the Sustainable Economy. Sustainability, 11, 6163.

Stories that Change Our World? Narratives of the Sustainable Economy

Year 2019

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:Document

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

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

Deliverable 2.2 H2020 Research project BE-Rural

Year 2019

Publication:Document

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

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

Deliverable 1.1 H2020 Research project BE-Rural

Year 2019

Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast

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

Von unkonventionellen Ideen und spannenden Menschen

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

Year 2019

Publication: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:Book

In January 2019, Germany made a big step towards a coal phase-out: A stakeholder commission established by the federal government agreed on a schedule for plant retirement and on measures to support coal regions. For experts and journalists seeking to understand the context of the phase-out decision, scientists from the German Institute for Economic Research, Ecologic Institute, and the Wuppertal Institute have developed a comprehensive reader detailing what is at stake. The publication explains why the phase-out is needed and how it can become a success.

Phasing out Coal in the German Energy Sector

Interdependencies, Challenges and Potential Solutions

Year 2019

Publication:Report

The 2030 targets for decarbonising the EU economy have been agreed, but what does this mean concretely for the European energy and transport systems? In a new publication, Agora Energiewende is providing exactly this "Big Picture" of the EU energy transformation up until 2030. Based on an analysis of where we are today and where we need to be in 2030, the authors propose ten priorities and four flagship initiatives to make the European energy transition a success. Ecologic Institute supported Agora Energiewende in developing the publication, which is available for download.

European Energy Transition 2030: The Big Picture

Ten Priorities for the next European Commission to meet the EU's 2030 targets and accelerate towards 2050

Year 2019

Publication:Report

An international workshop titled "Act Now - Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment" was held in Brussels (Belgium). The over 50 participants included representatives from the EU Parliament, national regulatory agencies, the pharmaceutical industry, the water industry, and NGOs, amongst others. This report presents key points of the plenary presentations, summarises the main points of the first podium discussion, and provides an overview of the discussions in the three World Café tables. The report is available for download.

Act now – Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment

Workshop Report of a workshop held in Brussels on November 7, 2018

Year 2019

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the 4th CLEVER Cities fact sheet "Establishing a framework to measure the impact of nature-based solutions on urban regeneration within CLEVER Cities."

This factsheet explores the potential impacts of nature-based solutions in four key social and economic facets of urban regeneration to create a shared understanding and common approach within the CLEVER Cities project. Along with the overarching concept of urban regeneration, the following sub-themes are explored: human health and well-being; sustainable economic prosperity; social cohesion and environmental justice; and citizen safety.

Establishing a Framework to Measure the Impact of Nature-based Solutions on Urban Regeneration within CLEVER Cities

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 4

Year 2019

Publication:Report

This deliverable explores four key social and economic facets of NBS in the context of urban regeneration, namely: human health and well-being; sustainable economic prosperity; social cohesion and environmental justice; and citizen safety. It defines each concept and proposes indicators for measuring their impact in order to create a shared understanding and common approach within the CLEVER Cities project. Purely environmental aspects and indicators are beyond the scope of this document and are explored elsewhere in the project.

Defining Key Concepts and Associated Indicators to Measure NBS Impact on Urban Regeneration within CLEVER Cities

CLEVER Cities Deliverable 1.1.4

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:Report

As the institution in charge of the German government sponsored initiative "Scientific Coordination of the Support Measure for Sustainable Management" (NaWiKo), Ecologic Institute was involved with several of its working papers. These are available for download and summarise the results of various NaWiKo research projects on specific individual aspects of a sustainable economy, including policy recommendations for promoting sustainable food systems in Germany. The working papers are available for download.

A Sustainable Economy: Working papers on sustainable food systems and living labs

Year 2018

Publication:Article

Preview of an CCLR article on different devices

In this article Ralph Bodle and Vicky Noens outline some of the many finance issues to be addressed COP 24 and look more in-depth at two particular issues: the overarching goal regarding finance flows in Article 2(1)(c); and transparency of support.

Climate Finance: Too Much on Detail, Too Little on the Big Picture?

Year 2018

Publication:Document

This paper formulates recommendations for action for policy makers to promote sustainable food systems in Germany and identifies open research needs. Stephanie Wunder and Dr. Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers of Ecologic Institute contributed to this. The results paper is available for download.

Handlungsansätze zur Förderung nachhaltiger Ernährungssysteme

Ergebnispapier von BMBF-Forschungsprojekten zum Thema Ernährung

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:Brochure

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

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

Year 2018

Publication:Brochure

Bio-based industries aim to convert biological inputs, residue and wastes into greener everyday products. The industry is small compared to more traditional ones and it is a nascent industry undergoing rapid developments. Developing bio-based products demand technological innovations and market development. The fifteen success stories of specific bio-based products in this brochure, span over nine EU Member States, and they cover a wide range of products and applications. The brochure is available for download.

Bio-based Products – from idea to market

15 EU success stories

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:Brochure

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

Innovation, Renovation, Transformation

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

Year 2018

Publication:Conference Paper

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

MinFuture – Methodology Development Workshop Synthesis Brief

Year 2018

Publication:Conference Paper

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

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

MinFuture Workshop Synthesis Brief

Year 2018

Publication:Flyer

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

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

Year 2018

Publication: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: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

Publication:Video

The video "Innovative Bio-based Products: Investment, Environmental Impacts and Future Perspectives" invites you to the eponymous conference, which will take place in Brussels on 6 June 2018. In addition to providing logistical information, it contains information on the conference's content and the target audience.

Innovative Bio-based Products: Investment, Environmental Impacts and Future Perspectives – Announcement Video

Year 2018

Publication:Document

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

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

Year 2018

Publication:Website

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

Plastic in the Environment

Year 2018

Publication:Policy Brief

This brief aims to highlight the benefits to business of engaging with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how the EU Horizon 2020 project Knowledge, Assessment, and Management for Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Across EU Policies (AQUACROSS) can assist with the SDGs focused on managing aquatic ecosystems. The business brief is available for download.

The Business Benefits of Engaging with the Sustainable Development Goals

Aquacross Business Brief

Year 2017

Publication:Postcard

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

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

Year 2017 - 2018

Publication:Postcard

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

Year 2017 - 2018

Publication:Poster

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

REFRESH Food Waste Solution Contest

Year 2017

Publication:Policy Brief

After two years of research and stakeholder consultation, the BioSTEP consortium, led by Ecologic Institute, finalized the BioSTEP policy paper. This paper concludes five recommendations, aiming to support the revision of the European Bioeconomy Strategy. These recommendations were amended and complemented at the BioSTEP Forum, which was held in Brussels in March 2016. The policy paper is available for download.

Creating Networks for the Transition to a Bio-based and Circular Economy

BioSTEP Policy Paper

Year 2017

Publication:Book

The edited volume, Fighting Environmental Crime in Europe and Beyond: The Role of the EU and Its Member States, was published by Palgrave Macmillan in March 2017. The edited volume sums up the findings of EFFACE, a multi-disciplinary and international research project on environmental crime in Europe, funded by the European Union (EU). "European Union Action to Fight Environmental Crime" (EFFACE) was a 40-month research project that included eleven European research institutions and think tanks and was led by Ecologic Institute Berlin. The edited volume consists of six case studies conducted during the project on different types of environmental crime.

Fighting Environmental Crime in Europe and Beyond

The Role of the EU and Its Member States

Year 2017

Publication:Article

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

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

Year 2016

Publication:Web Application

An online map showing the key, relevant stakeholders in Germany on the issue of sustainable economy is greatly needed—particularly one that displays practitioners and scientific stakeholders separately. This web-based map created for the project, Scientific Co-ordination of Research Projects on a Sustainable Economy, is able to do exactly this! The overview lists around 200 initiatives, projects and institutions. Ecologic Institute is responsible for the concept, design, programming and content production management.

Partnerkarte | Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften

Online maps: Initiatives and Institutes for a sustainable Economy

Year 2016

Publication:Report

Hermann, Andreas; Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf; Arne Riedel et. al. 2016: Rahmen für Klimaschutzinvestitionen – Hemmnisse und Maßnahmen. Darmstadt/Berlin.

Rahmen für Klimaschutzinvestitionen – Hemmnisse und Maßnahmen

Year 2016

Publication:Document

Janssen, Rainer; Zoritza Kiresiewa; Holger Gerdes 2016: Results of the BioSTEP stakeholder consultation. BioSTEP deliverable 4.1.

Results of the BioSTEP Stakeholder Consultation

Year 2016

Publication:Flyer

Hirschnitz-Garbers, Martin and Christiane Gerstetter (2016): Scientific Coordination of Research Projects on a Sustainable Economy. Flyer.

Scientific Coordination of Research Projects on a Sustainable Economy – Flyer

Year 2016

Publication:Poster

Hirschnitz-Garbers, Martin; Christiane Gerstetter (2016): Wissenschaftliche Koordination der Fördermaßnahme Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften – NaWiKo. Poster.

Wissenschaftliche Koordination der Fördermaßnahme Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften – NaWiKo

Year 2016

Publication:Report

This BioSTEP document builds on the previous Deliverable 2.1 which collected information about the impacts of bioeconomy-related products in a database. Rather than attempting to exhaustively list the whole plethora of products and processes in the bioeconomy, the database presents a taxonomy of the main product categories, production processes and types of feedstock in the bioeconomy as well as some salient sustainability impacts and governance issues. The document is available for download.

Summary Report on the Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts of the Bioeconomy

Promoting stakeholder engagement and public awareness for a participative governance of the European bioeconomy

Year 2016

Publication:Report

Overbeek, Greet; Erik de Bakker; Zoritza Kiresiewa 2016: Review of Bioeconomy Strategies at Regional and National Levels. Promoting stakeholder engagement and public awareness for a participative governance of the European bioeconomy.

Review of Bioeconomy Strategies at Regional and National Levels

Promoting stakeholder engagement and public awareness for a participative governance of the European bioeconomy

Year 2016

Publication:Report

Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils and Arne Riedel 2016: Erhöhte Absetzbarkeit von Klimaschutzinvestitionen – den alten § 7d EStG neu fassen? Kurzstudie im Rahmen des Projekts "Rahmen für Klimaschutzinvestitionen". Ecologic Institute: Berlin.

Erhöhte Absetzbarkeit von Klimaschutzinvestitionen – den alten § 7d EStG neu fassen?

Kurzstudie im Rahmen des Projekts "Rahmen für Klimaschutzinvestitionen"

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:Policy Brief

Waste-based bio-ethanol has the potential to both fight climate change and reduce land competition. However, in order to unlock its potential, support for research and development, as well as an enabling political framework, are needed. In this policy brief, Ecologic Institute's Dr. Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers and Jorrit Gosens explain the technology's need of further research and development. The policy brief is available for download.

Producing Bio-Ethanol from Residues and Wastes

A technology with enormous potential in need of further research and development

Year 2015

Publication:Podcast

Duwe, Matthias; Ralph Bodle; Vicky Noens: Climate Finance: Where Do We Stand Before Paris? POLIMP Webinar. 26 November 2015. Web.

Climate Finance: Where Do We Stand Before Paris?

4th POLIMP Webinar

Year 2015

Publication:Report

In order to support businesses in improving their resource efficiency, Member States use a variety of approaches, ranging from voluntary to regulatory measures. This study assesses the scope of application of ten relevant measures and provides good practice cases across Member States. Through data gathering on Member State level, this study found a wide range of successful examples of measures, varying by country and region. A number of lessons learnt can be drawn from their application; these are useful for the design of support measures in other Member States. The study is available for download.

A Framework for Member States to Support Business in Improving its Resource Efficiency

An Analysis of support measures applied in the EU-28

Year 2015

Publication:Infographic

In order to support businesses in improving their resource efficiency, EU Member States use a variety of policy measures. This infographic illustrates the scope of application of ten selected policy measures taken by 28 EU countries. It shows the major differences in the extent of implementation between the Member States, as well as between the individual measures. The infographic was created for the final report of the project "A Framework for Member States to Support Business in Improving its Resource Efficiency".

Policy Measures to Support Resource Efficiency in Business – Scope of Application in the EU-28

Year 2015

Publication:Report

The present briefing provides an overview of the history of the plant, and of the legal measures taken to address the company's failure to comply with applicable environmental legislation, as well as the environmental, economic and health impacts of the lack of environmental compliance. The briefing is available for download.

The ILVA Industrial Site in Taranto

Analysis for the ENVI Committee

Year 2015

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.

EU Climate Policy for 2030: Why are We Talking About Governance?

3rd POLIMP Webinar

Year 2015

Publication:Policy Brief

Within the European water research project "Demonstrate Ecosystem Services Enabling Innovation in the Water Sector (DESSIN)" a policy brief on governance factors conducive to innovation in the urban water sector was published. Rodrigo Vidaurre and Josselin Rouillard from Ecologic Institute, provide five key recommendations on the types of incentives and stakeholder management strategies that can be employed to encourage innovation uptake in urban water management. The policy brief is targeted to technology companies and innovators and available for download.

Increasing Chances of Innovation Uptake Through Governance

A guide for technology companies and water utilities

Year 2015

Publication:Website

In the project "Scientific coordination of research projects on a sustainable economy" (Wissenschaftliche Koordination der Fördermaßnahme Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften, NaWiKo) Ecologic Institute and its partners coordinate 30 research projects, which deal with a more sustainable economy and are supported by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research. The Ecologic Institute designed and developed the project's website. It contains an interactive map, which gives an overview of all funded projects. Furthermore the webpage provides detailed information on the projects and related events as well as publications for download. User can also directly subscribe for the newsletter.

NaWiKo: Scientific Coordination of Research Projects on a Sustainable Economy

Year 2015

Publication:Article

In October 2015, DEMEAU, a three-year EU-funded FP7 project, made headlines in the release of the German American Water Technology (GAWT) Magazine. The cover of the latest edition of the magazine features the article entitled "New Approaches & Technologies for Tackling Emerging Pollutants in Drinking & Wastewater." The article authored by Ecologic Institute's Ulf Stein, Evelyn Lukat, and Anna Bee Szendrenyi sheds light on key findings from the DEMEAU project, which recently concluded in August 2015. The article is available for download.

New Approaches & Technologies For Tackling Emerging Pollutants In Drinking & Wastewater

Year 2015

Publication:Podcast

The second webinar in our POLIMP Webinar Series took place on Wednesday, 16 September 2015 from 16:00 until 17:00 CEST. The webinar featured a discussion on the topic: "Reform of the EU ETS: Making it fit for 2030" feature guest speakers Anja Kollmuss (CAN Europe) and Andrei Marcu (CEPS). The audio recording is available for download.

Reform of the EU ETS: Making it fit for 2030

2nd POLIMP Webinar

Year 2015

Publication:Policy Brief

Within the European water research project "Demonstrate Ecosystem Services Enabling Innovation in the Water Sector (DESSIN)," a policy brief on governance factors conducive to innovation in the urban water sector was published. Josselin Rouillard and Rodrigo Vidaurre from Ecologic Institute, provide five key recommendations on policy frameworks, incentives and stakeholder management strategies that can be employed to encourage innovation uptake in urban water management. The policy brief is targeted to water managers and policy makers and is available for download.

Designing Governance and Financing Regimes to Encourage Innovation Uptake

A guide for water managers and policy makers

Year 2015

Publication:Document

Investment protection and investment tribunals are among the most contentious subjects of TTIP and CETA. Could a permanent Court of Arbitration address the problems of ad hoc tribunals? In this comment (German only), Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf discusses the pro and cons of a permanent Court of Arbitration. The comment is available for download. <br /><br /><br /><br />

Schiedsgerichtshof für Investitionsstreitigkeiten

Lösung für fairen internationalen Investitionsschutz?

Year 2015

Publication:Case Study

Despite the European Union's efforts to promote good governance in Armenia, economic resources and political power have become interwoven in often illicit ways. Corruption is widespread at all levels of the state apparatus. Against this background, this case study, co-authored by Christoph Stefes and Katherine Weingartner of Ecologic Institute, looks at the causes of environmental crime in Armenia-taking the mining sector as an example-and describes measures that the European Union could take to contribute to preventing future environmental crime in the country. The case study is available for download.

Environmental Crime in Armenia: A Case Study on Mining

Year 2015

Publication:Document

Is the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) the beginning of a new era of investment protection under free trade agreements, one that addresses long standing concerns surrounding investment protection? The answer to these questions is, by and large, no. CETA's investment chapter is not only superfluous but harmful because, among other reasons, it distorts competition at the expense of domestic competitors. The comments of Dr. Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf, Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, are available for download.

Comments on Investment Protection under CETA

Good or bad; new or old?

Year 2014

Publication:Report

In this report by Ecologic Institute, the authors analyze the conditions for accessing the main European trading centers for emission allowances. The authors examine possible interactions between the primary and secondary markets and question whether a relationship between the price developments on the primary and the secondary market exists. The comprehensive empirical survey also represents the acquisition channels of German plant operators in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS). The report is available for download.

Begleitung und Evaluierung der Umsetzung von EU-Versteigerungsverfahren für die Handelsperiode 2013-2020 bzw. 2012-2020 im Luftverkehr aus ökonomischer Perspektive

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:Report

The aim of the study was to provide an initial scoping assessment of potential priorities and policy options to support the transition to a circular economy in the EU. The study reviewed existing literature, identified potential priority areas for action where accelerating the circular economy would be beneficial and where EU policy has a particular role to play, and developed policy options for consideration across a range of areas.

Scoping Study to Identify Potential Circular Economy Actions, Priority Sectors, Material Flows & Value Chains

Year 2014

Publication:Report

This study, launched in October 2012, seeks to identify performing EPR schemes for different waste streams (e.g. ELV, WEEE, Batteries, Packaging, Paper, Used Oil) and prepare detailed case studies, in order to identify common characteristics across schemes, which could serve as a guide for improving the effectiveness of such schemes. The study should allow the Commission to formulate new proposals to ensure an optimal use of EPR schemes. The study is available for download.

Development of Guidance on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Year 2014

Publication:Report

To achieve the Europe 2020 goals the EU installed the European semester, a yearly cycle of European policy coordination. Although it was supposed to effect the national level, it also influenced regional and local developments. Thus economic and fiscal governance in the European Union were boosted. This report presents two concepts for an indicator which measures regional progress.

An Indicator for Measuring Regional Progress Towards the Europe 2020 Targets

Year 2014

Publication:Article

Emissions trading promises the achievement of a pre-defined environmental outcome at least cost. If the system works and key assumptions hold, it would seem to be an "optimal" climate policy instrument. On closer inspection, however, it is less clear what constitutes an "optimal" climate policy. This paper argues that optimality involves a range of criteria beyond short-term economic efficiency, but also has to consider the longer-term dynamic efficiency, as well as the political, administrative and legal feasibility of policy instruments.

Emissions Trading in the Climate Policy Mix

Understanding and Managing Interactions with Other Policy Instruments

Year 2014

Publication:Report

This report, written by Ecologic Institute, the Institute for Managing Sustainability, and ICLEI indicates the importance of local and regional authorities (LRAs) to achieve the targets of Europe 2020. Additionally, it includes guidelines and suggestions for a better involvement of the local and regional authorities besides focusing on targets that are more realistic. The report includes desk analysis and broad online consultation to substantiate this document and is available for download.

A Mid-Term Assessment of Europe 2020 from the Standpoint of EU Cities and Regions

Year 2014

Publication:Report

This short study that Ecologic Institute produced for the Greens in the European Parliament, examines the competitiveness of European Eco-Industries. The key finding is that Eco-Industries have been a source of economic growth, particularly at times when other parts of the economy contracted. The short study is available for download.

How Crisis-resistant and Competitive are Europe's Eco-Industries?

Year 2014

Publication:Report

This report evaluates the results of a survey conducted in the summer of 2013 among German operators by Ecologic Institute and the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt). The report shows that in the third trading period there will be shifts within the carbon market and that a cost-efficient organization of the emissions trading will play an increasingly important role. The report is available for download.

Purchase Channels for German Installation Operators in EU Emissions Trading

Evaluation of a Survey among all Operators of German Installations on their Purchase Strategies in the Second and Third Trading Period

Year 2014

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Adaptation
Agriculture
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Biodiversity
Bioeconomy
Cities
Climate
Climate Foreign Policy
Coastal + Marine
Communication
Consumer Policy
Culture + Ecology
Digitalization
EU
Economics
Education
Energy
Environmental Law – Ecologic Legal
Evaluation
Events
Finance
Food
Foreign Policy
Governance
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Indicators
Industry
International Development
Land Use
Mobility
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Plastics
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Article
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Final Report

Ariadne-Analyse

Expert View

Business Brief

Business Brief

Business Brief

Business Brief

Country briefing paper: Germany

How to integrate carbon removals into EU Climate Policies

Security Implications and Policy Options for the EU

External Cost Estimates and Policy Options to Internalise Them in Germany

Input material and takeaways from a workshop in Brussels

Need for Action and Policy Options

How EU member states spent their ets revenues – and why tighter rules are needed

Current state, developments, and implications for marine conservation

Deliverable 5.4 H2020 Research project BE-Rural

Short version

Country briefing paper: Germany

Abschlussbericht

Kurzfristige Schritte auf dem Pfad zur Klimaneutralität der deutschen Grundstoffindustrie

Deliverable 5.3 H2020 research project BE-Rural

A Comparative Analysis

BMBF-Forschungsschwerpunkt

Policy field energy transition

Versteckte Risiken und Chancen der Szenarien der EU-Kommission für den Pfad zur Klimaneutralität

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

Challenges and opportunities in energy transition

Joint Guidance Document for Stakeholders

Ergebnisse der Arbeitsgruppen des Dialogforums "Wirtschaft macht Klimaschutz"

7th episode of "Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast"

Deliverable 2.2 H2020 Research project BE-Rural

Deliverable 1.1 H2020 Research project BE-Rural

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

BMBF-Forschungsschwerpunkt

Interdependencies, Challenges and Potential Solutions

Ten Priorities for the next European Commission to meet the EU's 2030 targets and accelerate towards 2050

Workshop Report of a workshop held in Brussels on November 7, 2018

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 4

CLEVER Cities Deliverable 1.1.4

Ergebnispapier von BMBF-Forschungsprojekten zum Thema Ernährung

Overview of the Joint Research Projects

15 EU success stories

BMBF Research Focus

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

MinFuture Workshop Synthesis Brief

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

AQUACROSS Case Study 8

Aquacross Business Brief

BioSTEP Policy Paper

The Role of the EU and Its Member States

Online maps: Initiatives and Institutes for a sustainable Economy