Ecologic Institute

The Arctic is often referred to as the bellwether of global climate change. According to the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment and the most recent assessment from IPCC, the warming rate is twice that of the global average, with predictions of further increases leading to substantial loss of Arctic sea ice and large-scale thawing of the permafrost. The Arctic has also been a bellwether for the impact of long-range transboundary air pollution, both regarding human health and how pollutants affect wildlife. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals (e.g. mercury) are transported long distances through air and water, are deposited in the Arctic and bioaccumulate through the food chain. Some indigenous peoples have a high exposure to these pollutants, primarily through their diet. The goal of this project is to improve the effectiveness of EU environmental policies with respect to the Arctic region. Read more ...

The research project LEDDRA deals with the socio-environmental fit of responses to land and ecosystem degradation and desertification (LEDD). It aspires to generate new knowledge on the theory of responses to LEDD, integrated methodologies to assess the fit of responses, and carries out applications adapting the ecosystem approach, and suitable policy guidance of future interventions. In this way, LEDDRA will provide support to sustainable land management and to responsive policy making at national, EU and international level. The Ecologic Institute analyses the policy context and develops policy recommendations as regards diverse responses to LEDD and response assemblages at the different spatial levels. Read more ...

During the summer semester 2010, the Research Group Ecosystem Services will organise a course on “Ecosystem Services and Land Use” at the Humboldt University Berlin. The course is geared toward Bachelor’s and Master’s students in geography or related disciplines. In this context, Holger Gerdes, Fellow at Ecologic Institute, will teach a class on the valuation of ecosystem services. Read more ...

Illegal fishing and logging, and the international trade in illegally sourced fish and wood products cause enormous environmental and economic damage. Consumer countries contribute to the problem by importing fish and timber without ensuring legality – a problem the EU tries to address with two new regulations. In this briefing paper, Duncan Brack, Heike Baumüller and Katharina Umpfenbach compare the recently adopted EU regulations on illegal fish and timber products. The authors contrast the very different approaches and highlight areas that might need further strengthening. Read more ...