The first policy brief of the EU-funded RESTORE4Cs project highlights the importance of European coastal wetlands in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and removing carbon from the atmosphere, promoting their restoration as a climate change mitigation solution. The authors argue that mainstreaming climate change mitigation commitments that support coastal wetland protection and restoration will contribute to the achievement of national, EU, and international climate goals.

The transition to climate neutrality poses enormous challenges for Germany, especially regarding the fair distribution of burdens and opportunities. But does the current draft of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) go far enough? Despite more ambitious targets compared to 2019, the German draft remains imprecise in many areas and lacks crucial details. Concrete solutions are particularly needed for issues such as transport poverty, working conditions and local initiatives for clean energy. This report, reviewed by Ecologic Institute, sets out why the draft NECP should be urgently revised to ensure a fair and sustainable future for all. Now that the final NECP has been published, a follow-up project will assess if there has been any advancement compared to the draft.

As an output of the international academic conference "Towards the Polish Climate Protection Act" on 7 September 2022 in Szczecin, Wolters Kluwer Poland has published an edited volume entitled "Współczesne Wyzwania Prawa Ochony Klimatu" (Contemporary challenges of climate law). Dr. Stephan Sina, Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, contributed an English-language essay on the German Federal Climate Change Act. He describes the development and main features of the Act, as well as its revision based on the decision of the Federal Constitutional Court on 24 March 2021. He also presents lessons learned and good practices, and addresses challenges.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) hold immense potential to address global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss – but how can ambitious goals finally be translated into municipal policy action? This peer-reviewed article provides valuable insights around designing and implementing good practice policy instruments to support NbS, drawing on lessons learned from the Urban Governance Atlas. The authors define good practice criteria for NbS policy instruments and provide concrete recommendations and inspiring success stories to advance the implementation of NbS in cities around the world.

On 3 September 2024, Dr. Stephan Sina, Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, held a presentation on 'Legislation between Climate Action and Security of Supply – Challenges of the Energy Transition' as part of a visit by a delegation from the Legislative Affairs Commission (LAC) of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China to the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action. In addition to two further presentations by representatives of the Ministry, there was an exchange of views with the Chinese delegation.

The Climateurope2 Webstival will take place on 19 and 20 September 2024. This virtual event will provide a platform for exchange on the development, use and quality of climate services and their importance for innovation and policymaking. The Webstival ties in with the 2022 and 2023 editions and will once again address topics relevant to the application of climate services. Registration for the Webstival is still open. Take the opportunity to participate in exciting discussions on the future of climate services.

On 24 September 2024, Ecornet experts will meet in Berlin to discuss the role of Germany on the path to a climate-neutral Europe by 2040. The focus will be on impulses for the EU level and the coordination of national climate policy. Register and bring your perspectives into the discussion!

On 22 October 2024, the first of four organic market information meetings will take place at the Heimvolkshochschule in Seddiner See (Germany). The focus will be on current developments in the organic grain market, particularly the processing and marketing of organic grain. The event will offer practical workshops and networking opportunities across the entire value chain. Register now and gain valuable insights for the future of the organic grain market!

The future of climate services depends on your input! The EU project Climateurope2 works to improve the development and quality standards of climate services to ensure they are trustworthy and effective. Dr. Grit Martinez of Ecologic Institute invites you to take part in an important survey that will help guide this effort. By sharing your insights, you can contribute to the creation of standardisation procedures for climate services that support both adaptation and mitigation efforts. Take the survey now and help shape a more sustainable future! 

To support our team in Berlin, we are looking for a researcher with expertise in biodiversity and nature restoration in full or part-time. The biodiversity team at Ecologic Institute works on research projects at the German, European and global level focusing on nature conservation and ecosystem restoration in rural-urban landscapes. We welcome applications from candidates with expertise in relevant policy areas, with a particular focus on current policy developments at the EU and national level and a sound understanding of interlinkages with related topics such as land use, climate, water and urban planning.