The INTERLACE Urban Governance Atlas was officially launched on 11 May 2023 at the INTERLACE Cities Talk Nature Conference in Chemnitz. The first of its kind, the online database showcases 250 policy instruments from 41 countries supporting nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration. The interactive design invites policymakers, urban planners, researchers, civil society organizations, and others to explore and learn more about what made the instruments successful, lessons learned in their design and implementation, and their approaches to governance.

Our planet is experiencing a biodiversity crisis. And the problem across the EU is also severe, with more than 80% of habitats in the EU now in a bad or poor conservation status. To reverse this alarming trend, the European Commission has proposed the Nature Restoration Law, which aims to restore at least 20% of EU land and sea by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

The paper contains policy recommendations, including the integration of measures into NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) and NBSAPs (National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans), the consideration of a binding water treaty and a UN special representative for water. Synergies between freshwater ecosystems and flood protection should be highlighted, and cross-sectoral cooperation promoted.

This paper analyses the outcomes of the CBD COP15, specifically the adoption of the GBF and its implications for the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration. Delving into the GBF's long-term status goals for 2050 and 23 action goals for 2030, the paper highlights the importance of Action Target 2, which calls for initiating effective restoration processes in at least 30% of all degraded terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine ecosystems by 2030. It also explores how the UN Decade's global network, knowledge pool, and expertise can significantly contribute to the successful implementation of the GBF's restoration goals. The paper presents policy recommendations to ensure that the GBF's ambitious targets are met in a timely and effective manner.

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

This infographic shows, color-coded for the three developmental stages of domestic fish, body proportion-based bar spacing of rakes that can prevent fish from swimming into the high-risk areas.

This report summarizes the results of the Hydromorphology workshop series (2008, 2012, 2016, 2021) of the German Federal Environment Agency in the form of a synthesis.

The NICHES project flyer illustrates the main project objectives and case-study cities. An overview of the project process is illustrated, together with details of the partner cities implementing the project. The flyer is styled according to the project style-guides and contains contact information.

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

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

This article reviews the role of ponds and pondscapes in delivering Nature's Contributions to People and provide an overview of the challenges and opportunities for their broader implementation as Nature-based Solutions. The authors, among them Manuel Lago (Ecologic Institute) propose a conceptual framework that can help the implementation of pond Nature-based Solutions, and that outlines future research needs.

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.

This policy brief explores the potential and benefits of peatland rewetting, as proposed in the regulation.

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.

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

This animated graphic informs visitors to the Forum Fischschutz und Fischabstieg website about the end of the project.

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.

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?