Publications

Publication:Document
 
Cover of the ad-hoc paper "QU.A.L.ITY soil carbon removals? Assessing the EU Framework for Carbon Removal Certification’s from a climate-friendly soil management perspective"
In this brief, researchers from Ecologic Institute and Öko-Institut critically assess the Commission's 2022 proposal for Framework for Carbon Removals Certification as it applies to climate-friendly soil management. In particular, they evaluate whether Framework's so-called QU.A.L.ITY criteria (Quantification, Additionality, Long-term storage, Sustainability) are sufficient to ensure high quality soil carbon removals. The brief summarises the specific challenge posed by soil carbon sequestration, identifies problems with the current proposal, and makes recommendations for improvements. The brief is available for download.

QU.A.L.ITY Soil Carbon Removals?

Assessing the EU Framework for Carbon Removal Certification from a climate-friendly soil management perspective

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
Cover of the policy brief "Why is nature restoration critical for marine areas?"
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?

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Publication:Article
 
screenshot of the online article's header
The Commission's proposal to certify carbon removals is a climate policy milestone, but it steers EU climate policy towards dangerous shoals. Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf – together with Anne Siemons and Hannes Böttcher from Öko-Institut – discusses how to circumnavigate them in the Tagesspiegel.

Zertifizierung von Kohlestoffentnahme – viele Fragen, wenige Antworten

Article in the Tagesspiegel

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

Carbon Farming Co-benefits

Approaches to enhance and safeguard biodiversity

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Publication:Article
 
1st page of the article "Making Urban Water Management Tangible for the Public by Means of Digital Solutions"
This article written by Dr. Ulf Stein and Benedict Bueb from Ecologic Institute together with researchers of the French National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRAE) presents insights of two case studies, in Paris and Berlin, which investigated the potential of two mobile applications to make urban water management visible to the public and thus increase awareness about certain water management aspects.

Making Urban Water Management Tangible for the Public by Means of Digital Solutions

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
Cov er of the policy brief "Towards Socially and Ecologically Sustainable Energy Markets. Options to reform energy pricing in the G20"
This report outlines how fossil fuel subsidies could be reformed to simultaneously address social issues in the short term without jeopardizing progress towards long-run climate targets. It first provides a concise overview of fossil fuel subsidies in the G20. It then discusses alternative ways to shield consumers against the effects of higher energy prices. Finally, it provides recommendations how the G20 could work toward socially balanced energy pricing.

Towards Socially and Ecologically Sustainable Energy Markets

Options to reform energy pricing in the G20

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Publication:Article
 
print and online cover of the journal "Klima und Recht"
The COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh was intended by the Egyptian presidency to be an implementation summit. The key outcome agreed was a financing mechanism with a fund specifically for damage and loss. Apart from that, the substantive outcomes of COP27 were mostly disappointing. This article by Dr. Ralph Bodle, Arne Riedel and Dr. Camilla Bausch provides an overview of selected outcomes, as well as insights into the process and the assessment by German civil society.

Der Klimagipfel von Sharm El-Sheikh: Fortschritt und Stillstand

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the report "Gemeinsame Umsetzung der 2030-Agenda / SDGs und des Pariser Abkommens"
The report summarises the results of a ReFoPlan project that dealt with interactions between the three agendas, possibilities of their integrated implementation and the development of Sustainable Adaptation Pathways. It provides an overview of the background and objectives, work packages, analysis results and the events held as part of the project.

Gemeinsame Umsetzung der 2030-Agenda / SDGs und des Pariser Abkommens

Abschlussbericht

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the report "Role of soils in climate change mitigation"
This report examines the mitigation potential of climate friendly soil management practices at global, EU and German level, along with key management measures, their co-benefits and trade-offs, and implementation challenges.

Role of Soils in Climate Change Mitigation

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Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast
 
To achieve the EU climate targets, a lot of money will have to be invested – according to estimates by the EU Commission, an additional 350 billion euros per year by 2030. In order to avoid greenwashing and ensure that these funds actually flow into sustainable economic activities, the EU taxonomy has been in place since 2020. What are the weaknesses of the taxonomy, and how could it be further developed in the future?

EU-Taxonomie: Ein guter Schritt für mehr Nachhaltigkeit?

14th episode of "Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast"

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
Cover of the policy brief"How much will the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law cost and how much funding is available?"
Funding the implementation of the law is a key aspect and a point of tension in the negotiations. This policy brief addresses three questions: 1.) How much will implementing the NRL cost and how much funding is available? 2.) How can Member States mobilise funding for nature restoration? 3.) How do the economic benefits brought by nature restoration compare to its costs?

How Much Will the Implementation of the Nature Restoration Law Cost and How Much Funding is Available?

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
1st page of the policy brief "Why is nature restoration critical to improving human health and well-being?"
This policy brief highlights the importance of well-functioning ecosystems for ensuring human health and well-being, not least in light of climate change. Furthermore, it outlines the potential of nature restoration and specifically the law to generate healthier living environments and to mitigate diverse physical, mental and social health threats.

Why is Nature Restoration Critical to Improving Human Health and Well-being?

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
1st page of the policy brief "How will nature restoration help fulfil EU environmental policy objectives?"
This policy brief targeted two main issues: 1) how the new nature restoration law would be beneficial to other existing EU policy objectives, and 2) which specific benefits would derive from the submission of the required National Restoration Plans (NRPs). As such, the law will – through the implementation of restoration measures – accelerate the pace of implementation of other EU laws and policies for air, climate, water, and marine.

How Will Nature Restoration Help Fulfil EU Environmental Policy Objectives?

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
1st page of the policy brief "Why is nature restoration critical for river connectivity?"
This policy brief highlights the importance of a high degree of river connectivity for healthy and biodiverse water bodies that can provide key ecosystem services such as water supply for different human uses and resilience to climate change impacts. The policy brief presents evidence and data on the decline of river connectivity due to human interventions, in particular river barriers and floodplain degradation, and the benefits offered by measures to restore free-flowing rivers.

Why is Nature Restoration Critical for River Connectivity?

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Publication:Podcast
 
How do we classify which investments are the right ones to power the transition to a climate and nature-friendly economy? This is a pretty big question, and one that is crucial to a successful implementation of the European Green Deal. The EU taxonomy – the subject of our latest episode – specifies the various criteria that investments will need to fulfil to be considered sustainable. In practice, the taxonomy is a long list of economic activities with benchmark performance standards.

Fifty Shades of Green: Sustainable finance and the EU taxonomy

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

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

Without a Debate on Sufficiency, a Circular Plastics Economy will Remain an Illusion

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Publication:Document
 
cover of the event documentation
As part of the "Private Households" dialog forum project, a fourth online dialog forum was held on December 1, 2022. The event focused on the Citizen Science project "Germany saves food!". This results report provides an overview of the core content of the presentations, the survey results and the discussion content. The results report is available for download.

Dialogforum "Private Haushalte" Citizen Science Projekt – erste Erkenntnisse, 01.12.2022

Ergebnisdokumentation

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
Cover with key messages of the policy brief "Climate Diplomacy in Turbulent Times. Taking stock of major climate developments in 2022"
This briefing by Michael Jakob and colleagues' reviews some of the major developments in global climate politics in the past year and looks ahead to 2023.

Climate Diplomacy in Turbulent Times

Taking stock of major climate developments in 2022

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Publication:Conference Paper
 
1st page of the Background paper for the European Resource Forum 2022 "50 years 'Limits to Growth' – where are we now, where should we go?"
In December 2022, the 6th European Resources Forum – "Transformative approaches for sustainable resource use and a circular economy" took place. Aaron Best of Ecologic Institute supported the German Environment Agency in content-related issues surrounding the Forum, including the preparation of this background paper.

50 Years 'Limits to Growth' – Where are we now, where should we go?

Background paper for the European Resource Forum 2022

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Publication:Conference Paper
 
1st page of the Background paper for the European Resource Forum 2022 "Sustainable Resource Use & Circular Economy – The political landscape"
The transition to sustainable resource use and a circular economy is broadly recognised as an important lever in dealing with the various current crises. Debates in various international organisations suggest that such a transition will require profound systemic changes and the increased integration of previously separated policy fields in order to deliver the expected benefits. Moreover, current efforts are largely focused on entire product value chains.

Sustainable Resource Use and Circular Economy – the political landscape

Background paper for the European Resource Forum 2022

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Publication:Conference Paper
 
first page of the Background paper for the European Resource Forum 2022 "Sustainable Resource Use and Circular Economy – the Social Dimension"
There is a clear need for sustainable resource use to confront the multiple environmental crises while allowing societies to thrive. Governments around the world seek to establish systematic policies towards the implementation of sustainable resource use and a circular economy. In the session "Sustainable Resource Use and Circular Economy – the Social Dimension" we take a closer look at how these developments affect the social aspects of sustainability. What implications can changing resource use patterns in Europe have for well-being, development, prosperity and health, especially in the global South? How can an inter- and intragenerational just resource use be achieved and what are the stumbling blocks? In December 2022, the 6th European Resources Forum – "Transformative approaches for sustainable resource use and a circular economy" took place. Dr. Aissa Rechlin of Ecologic Institute supported the German Environment Agency in content-related issues surrounding the Forum, including the preparation of this background paper.

Sustainable Resource Use and Circular Economy – the Social Dimension

Background paper for the European Resource Forum 2022

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Publication:Case Study
 
Cover of the publication "Europäische Ressourcensouveränität. Seltene Erden und das Potenzial der Kreislaufwirtschaft: Eine Fallstudie"
In light of current experiences in energy markets, Western democracies, and the EU in particular, are exploring new supply chains and strategies to reduce their raw material dependence on China. The findings presented here by the authors of this study provide an overview of the main options that the EU can currently use to counter the pressures of growing dependencies. This study discusses some positive examples of feasible circular approaches that aim to achieve savings in the use of rare earths.

Europäische Ressourcensouveränität

Seltene Erden und das Potenzial der Kreislaufwirtschaft: Eine Fallstudie

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the 4i-traction report "Policy Avenues towards a Climate-Neutral Europe"
The report maps out four policy avenues for how the EU could attain climate neutrality. The policy avenues consist of a mix of policy instruments sequenced over time, and the institutional arrangements to deliver them. Each policy avenue embodies a different paradigm, i.e., a different approach to (climate) policymaking. They thus sketch different paths that the EU could follow to align its climate policy with the goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

Policy Avenues towards a Climate-Neutral Europe

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Publication:Conference Paper
 
Cover page of the workshop documentation "Resilienz von Lieferketten stärken: Klimarisiken erkennen und Anpassungsmaßnahmen ergreifen Dokumentation zum Online-Workshop am 13.09.2022 im Rahmen der Woche der Klimaanpassung"
On 13 September 2022, the online workshop "Strengthening supply chain resilience: identifying climate risks and taking adaptation measures" was held as part of the Climate Adaptation Week organized by the BMUV. The workshop documentation summarizes further information on the various presentations and recommendations, including further links.

Resilienz von Lieferketten stärken

Klimarisiken erkennen und Anpassungsmaßnahmen ergreifen

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

Limitations of Stakeholder and Public Engagement in Bioeconomy Strategy Development Processes

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Publication:Report
 
first page of the report "Opportunities for health engagement in European climate policies Scoping study for the EPHA" with logos and the key recommendations
This paper, produced jointly by Ecologic Institute and IEEP for the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), scopes 20 EU policy documents focused on adaptation, biodiversity, water, waste, mobility, and cross-cutting topics to analyse their treatment of health in the broader context of climate mitigation and adaptation policy. The purpose was to assess their integration of health-related concepts in order to identify gaps and opportunities, as well as provide recommendations for further advocacy for the health community.

Opportunities for Health Engagement in European Climate Policies

Scoping study for the EPHA

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the report "Where did all the money go? WWF report analyses how Member States spent their ETS revenues"
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

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Recent Multimedia Publications by Ecologic Institute

Publication:Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast
 
To achieve the EU climate targets, a lot of money will have to be invested – according to estimates by the EU Commission, an additional 350 billion euros per year by 2030. In order to avoid greenwashing and ensure that these funds actually flow into sustainable economic activities, the EU taxonomy has been in place since 2020. What are the weaknesses of the taxonomy, and how could it be further developed in the future?

EU-Taxonomie: Ein guter Schritt für mehr Nachhaltigkeit?

14th episode of "Knowledge for Future – The Environment Podcast"

Year

Read more
Publication:Podcast
 
How do we classify which investments are the right ones to power the transition to a climate and nature-friendly economy? This is a pretty big question, and one that is crucial to a successful implementation of the European Green Deal. The EU taxonomy – the subject of our latest episode – specifies the various criteria that investments will need to fulfil to be considered sustainable. In practice, the taxonomy is a long list of economic activities with benchmark performance standards.

Fifty Shades of Green: Sustainable finance and the EU taxonomy

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

Year

Read more