Publication:Brochure

The European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO) has published the second 2026 edition of its Clean Industrial Transition Monitor Quarterly Bulletin. The publication tracks economic developments affecting European industry alongside the implementation and expected impact of key initiatives under the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal.

Clean Industrial Transition Monitor

Quaterly Bulletin 02/2026

Year 2026

Publication:Policy Brief

A policy brief from Ariadne, a Kopernikus project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, sets out why Germany and the EU should maintain ambitious climate policies and examines the instruments and formats through which they can promote climate action internationally while safeguarding domestic efforts.

Challenges and Priorities for Germany’s Climate Diplomacy

Ariadne-Dossier

Year 2026

Publication:Policy Brief

A new policy paper by Ecologic Institute examines how the EU can better integrate climate, economic, and social governance frameworks for the clean transition. It finds that important links already exist, but differences in timing, reporting, and political priorities often prevent them from working effectively.

Connecting the Dots on EU Transition Governance

Towards more integrated climate, economic, and social policy for the clean transition

Year 2026

Publication:Article

The EU’s Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation has established a framework for the certification of carbon farming. Yet credible certificates alone will not create demand. In an article published in Ökologisches Wirtschaften, Aaron Scheid of Ecologic Institute explains why binding climate targets for the agricultural sector are also needed.

Bleiben Carbon Farming-Zertifikate ein Ladenhüter?

Year 2026

Publication:Report

Geopolitical tensions, volatile energy markets and the focus on strategic autonomy have pushed industrial competitiveness to the top of the political agenda. European climate policy therefore requires close coordination between emissions reduction, investment security and competitiveness. In a background paper, Ariadne researchers summarise how governance, financing, industrial transformation, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and energy infrastructure need to simultaneously ensure decarbonisation, economic resilience and public support.

Advancing EU Competitiveness Through a More Effective Climate Transition

Ariadne-Background

Year 2026

Publication:Article

Europe’s climate movement has adopted different approaches to engaging with far-right parties. In this Tagesspiegel opinion piece, Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf of the Ecologic Institute and Erik Tang of Green Transition Denmark discuss these approaches and draw conclusions. The views expressed are solely those of the authors.

Sprechen oder nicht sprechen, das ist hier die Frage

Article in the Tagesspiegel

Year 2026

Publication:Report

ECNO’s 2026 State of EU Progress to Climate Neutrality report provides a comprehensive assessment of whether the European Union is moving quickly enough to meet its climate goals. Drawing on a broad set of indicators and policy analysis, the report evaluates progress across the economy and identifies where stronger implementation could reduce exposure to fossil fuel dependence, supply-chain vulnerabilities, affordability challenges and climate-related risks.

State of EU Progress to Climate Neutrality – 2026 Flagship Report

Year 2026

Publication:Report

The paper assesses four policy options for integrating Article 6 credits into the EU ETS through a central intermediary rather than allowing companies to purchase credits directly. It argues that this indirect approach would provide greater oversight of credit quality and supply, helping to preserve the EU ETS's role in driving domestic emissions reductions while offering limited flexibility where appropriate.

Article 6 Credits in the EU ETS 1

Brief assessment of possible integration options

Year 2026

Publication:Report

This report examines the penalty provisions contained in the revised Draft Emergency Ordinance (DEO) proposed by the Romanian government in April 2026 to implement the EU Methane Emissions Regulation (EUMR).

Romania's New Draft Penalty Rules for Violations of the EU Methane Regulation

Analysis of the draft Emergency Ordinance of 9 April 2026

Year 2026

Publication:Document

Researchers at Ecologic Institute have developed a new tool to help governments to produce socially just climate adaptation strategies. The Just2Adapt tool allows the user to analyse the justice dimensions of Heat Action Plans at the strategic level as well as at the level of individual measures. It is important that heat adaptation strategies integrate social justice considerations because of the unequal way in which the heat-health effects of climate change are distributed across the population.

Just2Adapt Tool: Supporting governments with socially just climate adaptation

Year 2026

Publication:Report

As the European Union considers to reform its Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) by integrating permanent carbon dioxide removals (CDR), this report examines safeguards to support the gradual scale-up of permanent removals whilst keeping their quantity under control to manage risks and ensure incentives for reducing emissions remain

Options for Implementing Limits for CDR Integrated Into the EU ETS 1

Final Report

Year 2026

Publication:Report

In light of the agreed expansion of European emissions trading (inter alia the gradual inclusion of maritime transport and the introduction of the EU ETS 2), the study contains an analysis of the current sanctions regime in emissions trading. The fundamental amendment to the TEHG brought about by the TEHG EU Alignment Act 2024 has already been taken into account. Proposals for a more effective sanctions regime are put forward, relating both the enforcement of existing regulations and reforms of these regulations. The study focuses on administrative offence law.

Effizienter Vollzug der Sanktionen im Emissionshandelsrecht

Ordnungswidrigkeitenrecht und Festsetzung von Zahlungspflichten

Year 2026

Publication:Policy Brief

ECNO’s 2026 update provides the first comprehensive assessment of all 27 final National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). It evaluates whether Member States’ contributions and policy frameworks are sufficient to meet the EU’s 2030 climate and energy targets. The results show a clearer and more complete picture than previous assessments. However, the overall conclusion remains unchanged: despite some progress, the EU is still not fully on track to meet its 2030 targets.

Delivering the EU's 2030 Climate and Energy Targets

Gaps in national contributions and policies

Year 2026

Publication:Article

Nature-based solutions (NbS) at the landscape scale are increasingly recognised for their role in supporting biodiversity, enhancing ecological connectivity and contributing to climate change adaptation. However, their assessment and implementation remain complex. This article examines these challenges using the concept of pondscapes – networks of ponds and their surrounding terrestrial habitats – as a case for landscape-scale NbS.

Challenges for Assessing and Implementing Nature-based Solutions at Landscape-scale

Insights from project on ponds and pondscapes

Year 2026

Publication:Infographic

Infographic showing assessment of progress along the clean industrial value chain in Europe, covering upstream inputs, production, and demand side, including clean energy access, industrial decarbonisation, electrification, circularity, energy efficiency, and clean technology supply, with cross-cutting factors like finance, skills, and trade highlighted (ECNO 2026).

The infographic underscores a central insight of the Clean Industrial Transition Monitor: Europe has put in place many of the necessary building blocks for a clean industrial transition. However, achieving scale will depend on addressing remaining bottlenecks and ensuring coherent implementation across all parts of the value chain.

Assessment of Progress Along the Value Chain

Year 2026

Publication:Report

The transition to a clean and competitive industrial base is crucial to strengthening Europe’s resilience and strategic economic independence. The Clean Industrial Transition Monitor by ECNO assesses real-world progress using more than 50 indicators and provides a comprehensive and nuanced picture of both progress and remaining gaps.

Moving to a Clean Industrial Future in Europe