1. German Federal Cabinet resolves upon draft energy law
2. Rules on the Grid Access in the European Union's liberalised electricity market - Dissertation
3. Linking Transboundary River Management to Water Security: the Example of Flooding in Europe - Publication
4. Screening methods for Water data Information in support of the Water Framework Directive (SWIFT-WFD)
5. Potential not yet exhausted - Cost aspects of the European Water Framework Directive - Publication
6. Launch of two new OekoWorld Mutual Investment Funds (Stocks and Bonds)

1. German Federal Cabinet resolves upon draft energy law
On 28 July, the German Federal Cabinet resolved upon a new draft energy law (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz - EnWG). This is an important step regarding the implementation of the European acceleration directives for electricity and gas and thus regarding the reform of the German grid-bound energy sector. At the same time, the federal cabinet resolved upon a draft changing of the renewable energies law (Erneuerbare Energien Gesetz - EEG). The changes  proposed in this draft enable the regulatory body (REGTP) to follow up on breaches of EEG-duties. Ecologic is supporting the German Federal Ministry for the Environment by assessing the revised laws, especially the environmental aspects.
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2. Rules on the Grid Access in the European Union's liberalised electricity market - Dissertation
Dr. Camilla Bausch has published her dissertation. Therein she examines the European directives initiating the liberalisation process of the European electricity markets, as well as the legal framework in Germany, France and England/Wales. Within her thesis, Camilla Bausch puts particular emphasis on the "essential facilities" doctrine.
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3. Linking Transboundary River Management to Water Security: the Example of Flooding in Europe - Publication
Thomas Dworak and Eduard Interwies published an article in the Bellagio Forum's magazine. The article focuses on the elements of the Water Framework Directive referring to transboundary water courses and analyses the current need for their improvement throughout Europe in order to mitigate the effects of flooding.
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4. Screening methods for Water data Information in support of the Water Framework Directive (SWIFT-WFD)
The monitoring requirements for successful implementation of the WFD will directly depend upon available measurement techniques of demonstrated quality, which will be able to deliver reliable data at an affordable cost. In light of the above, the SWIFT-WFD activities are planned to support these needs and to ensure a proper link of the project results to policy end users. In this context, Ecologic publishes policy briefs every three months to update SWIFT partners and other interested groups on policy developments and news related to water monitoring and screening issues. The first two policy briefs are available for download.
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5. Potential not yet exhausted - Cost aspects of the European Water Framework Directive - Publication
According to the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), all water bodies in the European Union should reach 'good status' by 2015. The WFD is one of the first environmental policy directives of the European Community that explicitly draws on economic considerations for achieving its ambitious objectives. By the end of 2004, an economic analysis of the importance of water uses has to be completed for each river basin district. This article summarises the present implementation status of the economic analysis in Germany and other European Member States and outlines challenges ahead for the reporting deadline 2004.
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6. Launch of two new OekoWorld Mutual Investment Funds (Stocks and Bonds)
After the success of the award-winning OekoVision investment fund focusing in small and mid-sized businesses OekoWorld Lux SA has launched two new mutual investment funds, OekoTrend Bonds and OekoTrend Stocks Europe. Ecologic hosted the constituent meeting of the investment advisory board. This sets and applies selection and weighting criteria and supervises their application.
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