The study by Ecologic Institute provides scientific input for the discussion on more environmentally friendly crop protection in the future. It provides an overview of the potentials and barriers associated with alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides, as well as approaches on the implementation of integrated pest management that have so far been given too little consideration. The study is available for download.

Based on the policy developments and scientific findings, this paper provides an overview of the role of ecosystem restoration for the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. It outlines a policy context that considers the evolution of restoration activities and their importance in different elements of the Convention, maps them on a timescale, and focuses particularly on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Ecologic Institute's Gregory Fuchs and Rebecca Noebel provide policy recommendations to realize the adaptation potential of restoration. The policy brief has been included as an input for the German delegation in preparation for the COP27 climate negotiations in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) and is available for download.

Restorative nature-based solutions, such as the restoration of wetlands and rivers, can help tackle challenges such as biodiversity loss, social inequity and climate change in cities around the world. United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), together with several other partners of the INTERLACE project, published a Peer Learning Note on the potential of urban ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions. The Peer Learning Note seeks to share practices and lessons learned. It provides good practice examples from different cities and peri-urban areas in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain and Colombia on how to integrate nature in the search for a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient urban development. The Peer Learning Note, available in English and Spanish, is targeted at cities, local and regional governments, communities and organizations worldwide.

A democratic dialogue with a broad spectrum of stakeholders and society at large is considered necessary for the transformation to a sustainable bio-based economy. As such, several dedicated bioeconomy strategies across Europe and beyond outline objectives towards broader stakeholder and public engagement. In the book chapter "Limitations of Stakeholder and Public Engagement in Bioeconomy Strategy Development Processes" in "Zukünfte nachhaltiger Bioökonomie", Dr. Zoritza Kiresiewa, Laurens Duin and Holger Gerdes address the degree of participation and the role of the individual actor groups and society in strategy development processes and recommend concrete actions for more inclusive and effective stakeholder and public engagement. The publication is available online.

Drawing on existing experience from across the globe, this policy brief provides an overview of the process of developing a long-term strategy (LTS) and its challenges, examines the support available for countries undergoing this process and presents some ideas on how the G20 could raise the political profile of the strategies. It has been included as input into the T20 process preceding the 2022 summit. The policy brief by Isabel Haase and Matthias Duwe (Ecologic Institute) is available for download.

This policy brief summarizes the results of 17 case studies of non-EU countries. It presents the main lessons and takeaways for the EU along the four challenges that define the 4i-TRACTION project: facilitating integration across sectors, shifting investments, rolling out infrastructure and fostering innovation for a climate-neutral economy. The policy brief is available for download.

This study, produced jointly by Ecologic Institute and IEEP for the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), scopes 20 EU policy documents focused on adaptation, biodiversity, water, waste, mobility, and cross-cutting topics to analyze their treatment of health in the broader context of climate mitigation and adaptation policy. The purpose was to assess their integration of health-related concepts in order to identify gaps and opportunities, as well as provide recommendations for further advocacy for the health community. The study is available for download.

This policy brief prepared by Dr. Ulf Stein and Benedict Bueb from Ecologic Institute together with other European experts was published by the European Commission.  It provides an overview of current gaps in the EU legislative framework that hinder the realization of the benefits of digitalization in the water sector and offers concrete recommendations on how to overcome them. The policy brief is available for download.

51 years ago, on 14 October 1971, the Federal Government's Environmental Programme was adopted and has lost none of its relevance to this day. On the occasion of the conclusion of the contemporary historical study on German environmental policy since 1971 conducted by Ecologic Institute, an exciting analysis is now available.

With the Fit-for-55 package about to be put into law, and the RePowerEU plan adopted in response to the energy crisis, EU climate and energy are undergoing the most profound change in years, getting the EU on track to a post-fossil energy system. In a three-day series of events, partners from the Ariadne research project presented key insights from their work that is relevant for the further development of EU climate and energy policy, and discussed these with representatives from political institutions, academia, civil society and business. The events served to share research insights, to discuss and validate findings and their relevance for EU policy process, and to gather inputs for further research. The event documentation is available online.

On 23 November 2022, Dr. Stephan Sina, Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, participated as an expert in a hearing of the Hessian State Parliament's Committee for Environment, Climate Protection, Agriculture and Consumer Protection on the government draft of a Hessian Act on the Promotion of Climate Protection and Adaptation to the Consequences of Climate Change. Together with about 40 associations and experts, he commented on the draft law and answered questions from members of parliament. The written statement is available for download.

Ewa Iwaszuk, a Fellow at Ecologic Institute, held a presentation titled "Policy instruments to promote implementation of nature-based solutions" at a side event called "Nature-based solutions for building performance" during the global climate conference COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (Egypt). Ewa's presentation made the case that policy instruments and their governance act as critical enablers or barriers to the adoption of nature-based solutions. She presented the Urban Governance Atlas that Ecologic Institute is currently developing within the framework of the INTERLACE project and discussed good practice examples of policy instruments from around the world that support the implementation of nature-based solutions at a building level. A recording of the event is available online.

How has youth activism shaped the European Green Deal? And what role does the plan play for young people and future generations? In November, Ecologic Institute kickstarted a new webinar series for young people. The participants engaged in a discussion with climate communication expert Adam Wallin and Stefan De Keersmaecker, Coordinating Spokesperson for the European Green Deal from the European Commission. The experts' presentations are available online.

In October 2022, Mandy Hinzmann and Doris Knoblauch (both Ecologic Institute) each accompanied a school class as part of Plastic Pirates, a citizen science campaign to collect data on (plastic) waste pollution in rivers. The students take on the role of scientists and collect, sort and catalogue litter according to scientific methods. The results are checked and incorporated into a large study. The results of the citizen science campaign, which is now taking place not only in Germany but throughout Europe, are published on the Plastic Pirates – Go Europe! website.

Ecologic Institute's team of economists looks forward to welcoming you as a graduate with a focus on economic issues related to climate and energy policy.

If you are an expert in energy economics and energy policy, the Energy Team of Ecologic Institute is looking forward to meeting you.

Ecologic Institute is pleased to receive your application for the position as a Student Assistant in the field of plastic and urban governance.

The human resources department of Ecologic Institute consists of three dedicated women representing three generations. We are looking for someone equally dedicated to strengthen our team and help us with a variety of small – and sometimes larger – administrative tasks.