In the context of increasing environmental challenges, the urban development program is calling for greater integration of biodiversity and urban nature into urban development. The new practical guidance "Green and diverse urban (re)design" shows how local authorities can implement concrete measures to promote ecological diversity in urban areas. From the creation of new green spaces and the renaturalization of bodies of water to the greening of roofs and façades, the guide offers practical recommendations and illustrative examples. A comprehensive checklist helps to review and optimize existing urban development plans in terms of their suitability for biodiversity.

In times of scarce resources and increasing environmental pollution, the use of recycling and secondary raw materials is gaining in importance. But what is preventing Germany from realizing this potential? This expert assessment analyses the obstacles to the use of recyclates and shows which political instruments are needed to overcome them. With concrete recommendations for action, it outlines an effective policy mix that paves the way to a more sustainable future.

The EU has set an ambitious goal to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. However, despite the efforts made as part of the Green Deal and the Fit-for-55 package, analyses by the 4i-TRACTION project reveal that the EU is still far from reaching this target. The two publications – a policy brief and a comprehensive report – identify critical gaps in EU climate policy and offer ten concrete recommendations to bridge these gaps. These recommendations cover enhanced sectoral policy integration, accelerated infrastructure development, necessary investments, and innovation-promoting strategies to ensure that the EU stays on track towards climate neutrality.

The EU is making promising progress on the road to climate neutrality but needs to keep up the pace to achieve the goal. This is the result of the second progress report by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO), which has analyzed developments in over 100 indicators across all areas of society. The weak points identified provide crucial information for the work of the EU institutions.

Interview: Ewa Iwaszuk

The podcast "Polski Kongres Klimatyczny 2024" features highlights from the discussion that took place at the Polish Climate Congress in March 2024. In the podcast, Ewa Iwaszuk, Fellow at Ecologic Institute, discusses the importance of "green synergy" in municipal cooperation and emphasizses the role of nature-based solutions (NbS) in the development of sustainable cities. Ewa Iwaszuk highlighted how the work of Ecologic Institute and its partners supports cities to effectively integrate these approaches into their infrastructure projects in order to tackle climate change and improve quality of life.

On 4 July 2024, experts gathered at the Ecologic Institute to discuss innovative approaches to coastal protection as part of the MEER project. The dialogue facilitated cross-sector collaboration on strategies to address climate change and enhance biodiversity. If you were not able to attend or want to delve deeper into the findings, the presentations and a summary of the workshop are now available for download.

One month after the European elections, the joint 4i-TRACTION and NDC Aspects conference sought to spotlight key issues of the EU's transition to climate neutrality and provided an opportunity to discuss options to address them in a global context. The conversations between policy makers and other stakeholders were introduced by substantive contributions from the EU-funded research projects that have developed new insights into the challenges of climate action in Europe and globally over the past three years.

On 31 July 2024, the mayors of the Colombian cities of Villa Rica, Hato Nuevo, El Charco, and Ospina visited the Ecologic Institute as part of a study trip organized by FLACMA. The mayors presented their municipalities' environmental potentials and challenges and engaged in fruitful discussions with Ecologic Institute's researchers on water management, agriculture, and nature-based solutions. Highlighting the INTERLACE project, they explored the successful cooperation between European and Latin American cities in ecosystem restoration. This visit underscores the importance of knowledge exchange and collaboration in addressing critical issues for communities in both regions.

Discover the intersection of sustainable agriculture and culture at the AgriKultur Festival in Berlin! On 20 and 21 September, immerse yourself in a vibrant program featuring insightful lectures, hands-on workshops, delicious regional cuisine, and artistic performances. Whether you want to participate as a visitor, artist, exhibitor, or volunteer, this is your chance to actively contribute and help bridge the gap between city and country.

On 2 and 3 October 2024, leading experts, decision-makers, and practitioners from Europe and Latin America will meet in Granollers (Spain) to discuss nature-based solutions for sustainable urban transformation. Experience inspiring lectures, interactive workshops as well as hands-on field trips that will provide you with in-depth insights into urban ecosystem restoration. Network with international experts and actively shape the future of our cities. Register now to take home new ideas for your city!