Susanne Langsdorf

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Susanne Langsdorf

MA (International Relations)
BA (Political Science, Public Law)

Coordinator Resource Conservation & Circular Economy
Senior Fellow

Team
Topics

Susanne Langsdorf coordinates the field of resource conservation and circular economy at Ecologic Institute. Her work focuses on the analysis of instruments, measures and strategies of German, European and international resource efficiency and circular economy policy. In addition, she has extensive experience engaging stakeholders in research processes, interviewing, moderation, project management and leadership. Susanne Langsdorf works in German, English and Spanish and has a good basic knowledge of Chinese.

At Ecologic Institute, Susanne Langsdorf is currently leading the projects Scientific Support of the Development of a Strategy for a Circular Economy in Germany (NKWS) and Scientific Accompanying Research on Current Discourses on Resource Conservation – National, European and International Level. In addition, as part of the project Resource Efficiency and Natural Resources in an International Context, she supports the work of the International Resource Panel and evaluates the latest research reports for the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection.

In various projects, Susanne Langsdorf also worked in cooperation with modelers of different multi-regional input-output models in the field of forecasting resource use in different scenarios and on the effects of resource policy instruments. In SimRess – Models, Potentials and Long-Term Scenarios for Resource Efficiency, political packages of measures to increase resource efficiency were simulated and their effectiveness was examined. In the European research project DYNAMIX, policy approaches for decoupling resource consumption and economic growth in the EU were developed.

Susanne Langsdorf's research also focuses on urbanization and transition processes. Within Ecologic Institute, she led the project Transformation Towards Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructures (TRAFIS) and the European research project Post-Carbon Cities of Tomorrow (POCACITO).

Before joining Ecologic Institute, Susanne Langsdorf worked as a project manager for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's Shanghai office and was responsible for the office's environmental and energy work.

For her Master's degree in International Relations, Susanne Langsdorf studied at Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and the University of Potsdam (Germany), concentrating on energy and security policy with a regional focus on China. Her Bachelor’s degree in political science and public law was obtained at the University of Rostock and the Universidad de Granada (Spain).

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Selected projects by Susanne Langsdorf
ProjectScientific Support of the Development of a Strategy for a Circular Economy in Germany
 

© Adobe Stock 2023

The substantial negative environmental repercussions stemming from the current extent of natural resource consumption are readily apparent. Efforts to decouple global economic growth from resource consumption and the resulting environmental impacts have so far been... Read more

Scientific Support of the Development of a Strategy for a Circular Economy in Germany

Duration
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Funding
ProjectScientific Accompanying Research on Current Discourses on Resource Conservation
 

© asray|Fotolia.com

On the one hand, the project investigates the potential for greenhouse gas savings through resource efficiency and circular economy measures. On the other hand, it provides scientific support for the organization of the European Resource Forum (ERF) 2022 and 2024 and... Read more

Scientific Accompanying Research on Current Discourses on Resource Conservation

Duration
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Funding
ProjectResource Efficiency and Natural Resources in an International Context
 
Green Earth around which a green arrow leads. Several plants / leaves sprout from the top of the arrow.

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Global extraction of primary raw materials has been growing continuously for decades, and absolute decoupling between economic growth and resource consumption, let alone environmental impacts associated with the use of natural resources, has not yet been achieved.... Read more

Resource Efficiency and Natural Resources in an International Context

Duration
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Funding
ProjectSustainable Development of Infrastructures in Regions of Structural Change (TransIS)
 

Bild von Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke auf Pixabay

To strengthen climate protection in Germany, the amendment of the Climate Protection Act in 2021 further tightened the greenhouse gas emission targets for 2030 and set the goal of climate neutrality for the year 2045. An important step in the energy sector is the phase... Read more

Sustainable Development of Infrastructures in Regions of Structural Change (TransIS)

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ProjectTransformation Towards Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructures (TRAFIS II)
 
| © Ecologic Institut
Infrastructure systems are undergoing a process of profound transformation. They are under great pressure to change in order to contribute to changing social objectives. Expectations and challenges with regard to climate adaptation and climate protection, the circular... Read more

Transformation Towards Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructures (TRAFIS II)

Duration
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ProjectTransformation to Climate Resilient and Resource-conserving Infrastructure (TRAFIS)
 
| Fotolia © thomas haltinner
The TRAFIS project investigates the development of climate resilient and resource-conserving infrastructures through the lens of transition and action research. The project focuses primarily on interlinked infrastructures. Infrastructure and infrastructure systems... Read more

Transformation to Climate Resilient and Resource-conserving Infrastructure (TRAFIS)

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ProjectResource Flows in Thuringia, Germany (ThueRess)
 

Photo by La Miko on Pexels

Thuringia is one of the first German states to draft its own resource conservation strategy. This requires a solid data basis on the resource flows of the state. In the ThüRess project, Ecologic Institute and the Institute of Economic Structures Research (GWS) are... Read more

Resource Flows in Thuringia, Germany (ThueRess)

Duration
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Funding
Selected publications by Susanne Langsdorf
PublicationReportHintergrundpapier: Plastikpolitik in Deutschland und der EU
 
Plastic pollution – especially the dramatic littering of the oceans – and the public concerns about it have powerfully brought the issue on the European and German political agenda. Since then, there have been a whole series of new initiatives to regulate plastics -... Read more

Mederake, Linda; Hinzmann, Mandy; Langsdorf, Susanne (2020): Hintergrundpapier: Plastikpolitik in Deutschland und der EU. Ecologic Institut: Berlin.

PublicationBrochureKreislaufführung und Sekundärrohstoffe
 
screenshot of Hessen study

Adobe Stock

This study presents innovative processes and technologies of the circular economy. The case studies come from a range of industries that are of particular importance to the federal state of Hesse and demonstrate the broad applicability of the methods presented. The... Read more

Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH (ed.) 2022: Kreislaufführung und Sekundärrohstoffe. Praxisbeispiele und Potenziale. 2. updated edition. Taunusstein / Neuhof: Print Pool GmbH.

PublicationCase StudyEuropäische Ressourcensouveränität
 
Cover of the publication "Europäische Ressourcensouveränität. Seltene Erden und das Potenzial der Kreislaufwirtschaft: Eine Fallstudie"

© Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit

Global demand for raw materials is rising continuously. Increases in overall consumption levels, as well as technological advances in specific areas such as IT, green technologies and power generation, continue to fuel international competition for rare commodities.... Read more

Langsdorf, Susanne et al. 2022: Europäische Ressourcensouveränität. Seltene Erden und das Potenzial der Kreislaufwirtschaft: Eine Fallstudie. Potsdam: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.

PublicationReportAssessment of Resource Nexus-related Challenges and Opportunities in the Context of the European Green Deal
 
Cover of the publication "Assessment of resource nexus-related challenges and opportunities in the context of the European Green Deal"

© Ecologic Institute

This background report examines European Green Deal policies from a resource nexus perspective, identifying relevant challenges and opportunities associated with particular transition pathways foreseen in the European Green Deal. The background report functions as a... Read more

Best, Aaron, Susanne Langsdorf, Laurens Duin, Ariel Araujo (2021). Assessment of resource nexus-related challenges and opportunities in the context of the European Green Deal. Background report for the EEA Briefing "Applying a 'resource nexus' lens to policy: opportunities for increasing coherence".

PublicationReportAbsolute Reduktion der Ressourcennutzung
 
Front cover of the publication "Absolute Reduktion der Ressourcennutzung" with the key elements listed and an image collage

© fotolia Kadmy_XXL

In 2016, the Dutch government set the goal of establishing a circular economy in 2050. An important milestone is 2030: by then the use of abiotic primary raw materials – minerals, fossil raw materials and metals – is to be reduced by 50 %. In current... Read more

Langsdorf, Susanne; Duin, Laurens (2021). Absolute Reduktion der Ressourcennutzung. Vorreiter Niederlande - Ein Vorbild für Deutschland? Ecologic Institut, Berlin.

PublicationReportThe Circular Economy and its Impact on Developing and Emerging Countries
 
Cover of the study "The circular economy and its impact on developing and emerging countries"

© Ecologic Institute

The circular economy is a key solution to reduce resource use and tackle a range of environmental impacts that arise from resource use. In recent years, many strong economies have developed strategies to foster the circular economy. But what do we know about how these... Read more

Langsdorf, Susanne; Duin, Laurens (2022). The circular economy and its impact on developing and emerging countries. An explorative study. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportRessourcenschonungspolitik in der EU
 
publication cover

© Ecologic Institute

Decoupling economic growth and resource use is a core objective of the "European Green Deal". How this is to be achieved is formulated in the new "Action Plan for the Circular Economy" and the "Industrial Strategy" of 2020. Reason enough to take a closer look at the... Read more

Langsdorf, Susanne (2021): Ressourcenschonungspolitik in der EU. Eine Zusammenschau politischer Strategiepapiere von den Anfängen bis heute. Ecologic Institut, Berlin.

PublicationReportInfrastrukturkopplungen als Beiträge zur Nachhaltigkeitstransformation: Einflussfaktoren und Handlungsmöglichkeiten
 
Coupled infrastructure innovations can support transformations towards sustainable and climate-resilient societies. Coupled infrastructures unlock opportunities for providing new services and improving the efficiency in service provisions. The coupling of heat grids... Read more

Hölscher, K., J.M. Wittmayer, A. Olfert, M. Hirschnitz-Garbers, J. Walther, B. Brunnow, G. Schiller, M. Hinzmann, S. Langsdorf, S. Albrecht, S. Maschmeyer, M. Müller, M. Hasenheit (2020). Infrastrukturkopplungen als Beiträge zur Nachhaltigkeitstransformation: Einflussfaktoren und Handlungsmöglichkeiten. Teilbericht des Vorhabens: "Transformation hin zu nachhaltigen, gekoppelten Infrastrukturen". UBA-Texte 100/2020, Umweltbundesamt, Dessau-Roßlau.

PublicationReportNachhaltigkeitspotenziale von innovativen, gekoppelten Infrastrukturen
 
In the scope of the UBA project Transformation towards Sustainable, Coupled Infrastructures (TRAFIS), effects, processes and support options for the implementation of innovative infrastructure couplings were examined. The focus is on the water, wastewater, energy,... Read more

Olfert, A., B. Brunnow, G. Schiller, J. Walther, M. Hirschnitz-Garbers, S. Langsdorf, K. Hölscher, J. M. Wittmayer (2020). Nachhaltigkeitspotenziale von innovativen, gekoppelten Infrastrukturen. Teilbericht des Vorhabens: "Transformation hin zu nachhaltigen, gekoppelten Infrastrukturen". UBA-Texte 99/2020, Umweltbundesamt, Dessau-Roßlau.

PublicationReportErfolgsbedingungen und Prozessbegleitung für eine nachhaltige Umgestaltung von Infrastrukturkopplungen
 
Infrastructure coupling offers the potential to make public services more sustainable in the long term and to contribute to climate and resource protection. As complex socio-technical systems, infrastructure systems are subject to a multitude of influences which can... Read more

Hirschnitz-Garbers, M., M. Hinzmann, S. Langsdorf, J. Walther, A. Olfert, G. Schiller, B. Brunnow, K. Hölscher, J.M. Wittmayer (2020). Erfolgsbedingungen und Prozessbegleitung für eine nachhaltige Umgestaltung von Infrastrukturkopplungen. Teilbericht des Vorhabens: "Transformation hin zu nachhaltigen, gekoppelten Infrastrukturen". UBA-Texte 101/2020, Umweltbundesamt, Dessau-Roßlau.

PublicationReportTransformation hin zu nachhaltigen, gekoppelten Infrastrukturen – Synthese der Ergebnisse
 
The project examined the effects, processes and support options for implementing innovative infrastructure coupling. Current developments, the associated transformation processes including supporting and hindering factors as well as potential sustainability effects of... Read more

Hirschnitz-Garbers, M., A. Olfert, G. Schiller, B. Brunnow, K. Hölscher, J.M. Wittmayer, J. Walther, M. Hinzmann, S. Langsdorf (2020). Transformation hin zu nachhaltigen, gekoppelten Infrastrukturen – Synthese der Ergebnisse. Teilbericht des Vorhabens: "Transformation hin zu nachhaltigen, gekoppelten Infrastrukturen". UBA-Texte 102/2020, Umweltbundesamt, Dessau-Roßlau.

PublicationBrochureRessourcenschonung als Zukunftsaufgabe
 
The national and international political agenda shows that resource conservation is a central task for environmental policy: In Germany, Europe and globally, there are political programmes and strategies aimed at fostering sustainable resource use. In five theses, this... Read more

Hirschnitz-Garbers, Martin, Susanne Langsdorf, Ullrich Lorenz 2018: Ressourcenschonung als Zukunftsaufgabe – Ansatzpunkte für eine systemische Ressourcenpolitik. Umweltbundesamt: Dessau-Roßlau.

PublicationReportPotentiale und Kernergebnisse der Simulationen von Ressourcenschonung(spolitik)
 
| UBA TEXTE 48/2018
The SimRess project tested the potential effects of future developments and strategies relevant to resource policy on important environmental and economic indicators. The study summarises the main project findings of the project "Models, Potentials and Long-Term... Read more

Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers et. al. 2018: Potentiale und Kernergebnisse der Simulationen von Ressourcenschonung(spolitik). Endbericht des Projekts "Modelle, Potentiale und Langfristszenarien für Ressourceneffizienz" (Sim-Ress). UBA Texte 48/2018. Umweltbundesamt: Dessau-Roßlau.

PublicationBook SectionNachhaltige Kommunen durch Digitalisierung?!
 
With this contribution Doris Knoblauch and Susanne Langsdorf from Ecologic Institute offer an easy-to-use three-step process that allows for a meaningful assessment of projects' sustainability. The process has already been tested by two digitization projects. The... Read more

Knoblauch, Doris; Langsdorf, Susanne (2017): Nachhaltige Kommunen durch Digitalisierung?! – Ein Verfahren zur Einschätzung der Auswirkungen kommunaler Digitalisierungsprojekte auf eine nachhaltige Entwicklung. In: Bertelsmann Stiftung (Hrsg.) Monitor Nachhaltige Kommune. Bericht 2017. Schwerpunktthema Digitalisierung. Gütersloh.

PublicationCase StudyCase Study Assessment Report – Rostock
 
Publication cover

© POCACITO project

This assessment report gives an overview of the key indicators for the POCACITO (Post-Carbon Cities of Tomorrow) case study of Rostock. This mid-sized city is located in Central Europe on the north-east coast of Germany. Rostock is a regional centre and coastal city.... Read more

Albrecht, S., Schock, M. (2015): Individual Case Study Assessment Report – Rostock. European Union FP7: POCACITO - Post-carbon cities in Europe: A long-term outlook under the grant agreement n° 613286. WP3 Deliverable.

PublicationReportInformationskampagnen für Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten – Effekte und Ausrichtungen
 
Hirschnitz-Garbers, M. und Langsdorf, S. (2015): Informationskampagnen für Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten – Effekte und Ausrichtungen. Vertiefungsanalyse 4 im Projekt Ressourcenpolitik: Analyse der ressourcenpolitischen Debatte und Entwicklung von Politikoptionen ... Read more

Hirschnitz-Garbers, M. und Langsdorf, S. (2015): Informationskampagnen für Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten – Effekte und Ausrichtungen. Vertiefungsanalyse 4 im Projekt Ressourcenpolitik: Analyse der ressourcenpolitischen Debatte und Entwicklung von Politikoptionen (PolRess). www.ressourcenpolitik.de

Recent content by Susanne Langsdorf

Publication:Report
 
cover of the UBA report "Ressourceneffizienz und natürliche Ressourcen im internationalen Kontext. Entwicklungslinien der Ressourcenpolitik mit Schwerpunkt auf Ressourcenschonung und Ressourceneffizienz"
This report analyzes documents and formats focusing on resource efficiency, resource conservation and the circular economy at the German, European and international level. It outlines significant developments and expected trends in resource policy and identifies research needs. Given the rapid increase in global resource use, driven by population growth and economic expansion, the transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy is a key challenge. This need is reinforced by various global crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and increasing resource dependency. The report emphasizes that innovative and effective policies are needed at both national and international levels to promote and implement this transition.

Ressourceneffizienz und natürliche Ressourcen im internationalen Kontext

Entwicklungslinien der Ressourcenpolitik mit Schwerpunkt auf Ressourcenschonung und Ressourceneffizienz

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Publication:Article
 
Titelkopf und Anfang des Artikels 'Lang lebe der Rohstoff!'. Ein beigefügtes Bild zeigt zwei Industriekletterer, die an einem Windrad arbeiten, im Hintergrund ist eine weitere Windturbine sichtbar. Unter dem Bild steht der Hinweis, dass Windräder eine Vielzahl an Mineralen und Metallen enthalten, die für die Transformation hin zu einer klimaneutralen Wirtschaft entscheidend sind.
In the article "Lang lebe der Rohstoff" (available in German), Susanne Langsdorf provides an overview of Germany's use of raw materials, its dependence on sometimes problematic trading partners and what tools Germany has to reduce this.

Lang lebe der Rohstoff!

A more sustainable use of resources is possible. There is a wide range of measures available to reduce consumption - but there is a lack of implementation.

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Project
 
Despite Germany's Circular Economy and Waste Management Act "Kreislaufwirtschafts- und Abfallgesetz" of 1996, the country's economy remains essentially linear. To transition from this status quo and lead the way towards a genuinely circular and resource-efficient economy, the development of a National Circular Economy Strategy (Nationale Kreislaufwirtschaftsstrategie) (NKWS) is now in progress. The project provides scientific support to the development of this strategy, as much as to the related debate.

Scientific Support of the Development of a Strategy for a Circular Economy in Germany

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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:Brochure
 
screenshot of Hessen study
This study presents innovative processes and technologies of the circular economy. The case studies come from a range of industries that are of particular importance to Hesse and demonstrate the broad applicability of the technologies presented. The case studies are split into five main groups, each containing a few innovative and sustainable projects by various institutions and firms. They also offer insights into the economic and ecological advantages of the projects and provide the readers with a thorough understanding of the processes.

Kreislaufführung und Sekundärrohstoffe

Praxisbeispiele und Potenziale

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Project
 
Recycling and giving back
In view of a strong waste management sector with good separate waste collection rates and high recycling rates of over 80 %, Germany is generally well positioned to increase the use of recyclates. So far, however, this potential has only been partially exploited. Against this background, Ecologic Institute, together with the Policy Assessment Research Group of the Freie Universität Berlin, identifies and describes barriers to the use of recyclates and policy instruments to overcome these barriers. Options for action are shown on the basis of selected practical examples.

Policy Instruments to Increase the Use of Recycled Materials

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Project
 
In light of recent experiences with supply shortages, Western democracies, and the EU in particular, are exploring new supply chains and strategies to reduce their dependence on third-country imports. Ecologic Institute provided an overview of possible options that the EU can currently use to counter growing dependence. Using a case study on rare earths from China, the focus was particularly on the possible contribution of the circular economy to security of raw material supply.

Raw Material Dependency of the EU from China

A Case Study on Rare Earths and how the Circular Economy Can Help Reducing the EU's Dependency

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Project
 
The project investigates the potential for greenhouse gas savings through resource efficiency and circular economy measures. Ecologic Institute supports the formulation of resource conservation measures as input for the modelling of GHG saving potentials (WP1 led by GWS). Furthermore, Ecologic Institute is responsible for the scientific support of the European Resource Forum in 2022 and 2024 including the development of background papers.

Scientific Accompanying Research on Current Discourses on Resource Conservation

National, European and International Level

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the study "The circular economy and its impact on developing and emerging countries"
This study presents selected (inter)national and regional initiatives for the circular economy, including the European Circular Economy Action Plan and the circular economy in China's 14th Five-Year Plan and shows if and how these strategies take developing and emerging countries into account. Furthermore, the study explores some of the key effects that come with increased circularity. Key topics discussed are the effect on trade in primary raw materials, the shift to bio-based products, a possible reduction in waste exports and knowledge transfer. The report also provides a brief analysis of selected specific measures from the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan of 2020, with a special focus on their potential impact on developing and emerging countries.

The Circular Economy and its Impact on Developing and Emerging Countries

An explorative study

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