Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy

Project
 
In this research and dialogue project on behalf of the Climate Neutrality Foundation, Ecologic Institute analyzes the complex landscape of Germany's bilateral and plurilateral partnerships in the fields of energy, climate and raw materials, with a focus on partnerships with countries of the Global South.

Germany's Partnerships for Energy, Climate, Resources and Development

How to make their work more transformative towards climate neutrality

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Project
 
The Arctic Summer College 2011, hosted by Ecologic Institute, provides a platform for Arctic researchers to debate and develop ideas about a range of issues facing Arctic decision-makers, such as: Arctic economic, environmental and security policy; the impacts of large scale energy projects at the regional scale; and approaches to ecosystem-based management.

Arctic Summer College 2011

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Project
 
The project aims to facilitate a focused, well-founded and trustful exchange between leading German environmental organisations and think tanks on the climate agenda of the G7 and the G20. The aim is to invite persons to the expert dialogue who have distinguished themselves through years of political commitment in multilateralism and who are multipliers in their field. The expert dialogue will identify the most pressing climate policy issues for the G7 and the G20 and discuss recommendations for action.

G7 and G20 Climate Policy: Exchange with Key Stakeholders

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Project
 
In this project, Ecologic Institute undertook an inventory of climate policies, emissions pathways and complementary measures in the G7 countries. This is intended to help identify gaps in the existing policy landscape of global decarbonisation efforts. Based on the findings, possible improvements were proposed. The project report is available for download.

G7 Climate Crossroads

State of Play

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Project
 
Germany took over the G7 Presidency from the United Kingdom at the start of 2022. Climate continues to stand on top of the G7's agenda as global emissions continue to grow. In this project Ecologic Institute, in partnership with WWF and E3G, brings together a select group of think-tanks and NGOs to discuss priorities for the German G7 presidency. Based on policy briefs by E3G and Ecologic Institute, experts in the German climate policy field discuss key issues around climate at the G7 to identify and concretise priorities and action items for the G7. Key topics include decarbonising industry, climate partnerships and their financing, climate clubs, and loss and damage.

Towards More Climate Action at the G7

Recommendations for the German Presidency

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Project
 
Climate lawsuits have become a frequently chosen tool in the fight for more ambitious climate policies in recent years. In the extensive reporting on this topic, one aspect has so far been neglected: the differences between the jurisprudence in the Global South and the Global North. To address the related issues, Verfassungsblog, Völkerrechtsblog and the journal World Comparative Law (WCL) in cooperation with the Ecologic Institute are organizing an online symposium on the subject of "Comparative Climate Litigation in North-South Perspective".

Comparative Climate Litigation in North-South Perspective

Online Symposium

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Project
 
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Global climate action is not moving fast enough – This is confirmed by the result of the latest review on the progress of implementing the Paris Agreement. Close international cooperation and aligning existing climate policy frameworks could foster reducing emissions much faster in the short run. The Ecologic Institute investigates which structures of multilateral cooperation linked to climate action already exist – and furthermore, develops ideas on how to go beyond existing structures to increase global climate action.

Accelerating Global Climate Action before 2030

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Project
 
The Jean Monnet Network on Atlantic Studies is an initiative across the four Atlantic continents by 10 leading think tanks and independent experts to collaborate in interdisciplinary exploration of three emerging pan-Atlantic themes of particular relevance to the European Union: (1) energy and transport in the context of climate change; (2) commercial interactions such as trade and investment; and (3) pan-Atlantic challenges to human security.

Jean Monnet Network on Atlantic Studies (2016-2019)

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Project
 
On behalf of the German Environment Agency, Ecologic Institute is carrying out the discussion series "Improving climate protection – for Paris and beyond." As part of the project, several expert workshops provide a platform for different stakeholder representatives to discuss and evaluate developments of the climate regime, the status of the UN climate negotiations and the outcome of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that will be held in Paris in December 2015.

Improving Climate Protection – for Paris and Beyond – Discussion Series

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Project
 
Ecologic Institute cooperates on researching the "Environmental Security in the Arctic Ocean".  The work culminates in a NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) and a book that addresses the prevention of conflicts in relation to scarcity of resources, and threats to environmental security with implications for economic, cultural and political instability. The project's main sponsor is the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme (SPS).

Environmental Security in the Arctic

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Project
 
The committees of the European Parliament play a critical role in ensuring the effectiveness of EU policy during both the development of legislation and policy and its subsequent implementation. The Committee on Foreign Affairs (Affaires étrangères, AFET) is one of the 20 Committees of the European Parliament and is, among others, responsible for the Common Foreign Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). Ecologic Institute was leading a consortium of six institutes given a framework contract to provide the European Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committees with independent expert advice on a range of issues relating to developmental and environmental policy. During the course of this project, standard briefings, ad-hoc briefings, studies and workshops were conducted.

Framework Contract Development Policy for the European Parliament

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Project
 
In January 1999, Ecologic conducted the workshop on "Responding to Environmental Conflicts: Implications for Theory and Practice". The aim was to discuss how to prevent environmental conflicts using approaches in different policy fields. In particular, non-governmental ways to tackle the complex dynamics of this type of conflict were considered.

Responding to Environmental Conflicts: Implications for Theory and Practice

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Project
 
The EC increasingly participates in international conferences and mixed international agreements alongside its Member States. The appearance of both EC and Member States raises questions of competences for the negotiation, conclusion and implementation of such international instruments. In particular in the field of marine environment, substantial progress is hindered by an opaque division of competences between the EC and its Member States and lack of coordination. Accordingly, the German Federal Environmental Agency commissioned Ecologic with the task of analysing the division of external competences between the EC and its Member States taking into account the OSPAR-Convention.

EC External Competences

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Publication:Document
 
The analysis by Ariadne project partners examines Germany's climate foreign policy during the current legislative period. Beyond the international context, they also consider the organizational structure within the German government and the responsible ministries. The researchers conclude that Germany has been able to set the pace for international climate policy by transferring the responsibility for international climate policy to the Foreign Office and creating the role of Special Envoy for International Climate Policy. In contrast, the record of Germany's engagement in bilateral and plurilateral formats has yielded mixed results.

Deutschlands Klimaaußenpolitik: Kontext – Rückschau – Weiterentwicklung

Ariadne-Analyse

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the Ecologic report "Developing Germany’s Partnerships for Transformation. How can Germany’s Energy, Climate, Development and Raw Materials Partnerships become more transformative for a resilient transition to climate neutrality"
This report provides an independent, systematic analysis of the structures, activities, and impacts of Germany’s Energy, Climate, Development, and Raw Materials Partnerships (ECDRPs). A particular focus lies on the partnerships with countries of the Global South. Based on the analysis, the report provides recommendations for the development of Germany’s partnerships by answering the central question: How can Germany's ECDRPs be made as impactful as possible and more transformative for a resilient transition towards climate neutrality in Germany and its partner countries?

Developing Germany's Partnerships for Transformation

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Publication:Report
 
A coherent German foreign climate policy is essential for the success of the national and European energy transition, as well as for the effective support of ambitious climate policies outside the European Union. This Ariadne background paper provides cornerstones and discusses options for the elaboration and further development of Germany's foreign climate policy. To this end, it distinguishes four categories of relevant goals: traditional climate policy goals, industrial policy goals, security and trade policy goals, and broader foreign policy goals. For each goal, it is necessary to identify appropriate means by which it can be achieved and barriers that stand in its way and need to be considered accordingly.

Eckpunkte zur Entwicklung einer Klimaaußenpolitikstrategie Deutschlands

Ariadne-Hintergrund

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Publication:Report
 
Piria New England Energiepolitik adelphi
This study, co-authored by Raffaele Piria, provides an overview of the New England region, the current focus of energy and climate policy debates, key energy policy institutions, and the common electricity market. The study was produced to accompany the New England-Germany Energy Transition Forum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2019.

Energiepolitik in der Region New England

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Publication:Report
 
Piria Wasserstoffdebatte Australien adelphi
A rare consensus has emerged in Australia's otherwise highly polarized energy policy: The development of a hydrogen export industry represents an overlap of interests between more progressive and more conservative groups. This report, co-authored by Raffaele Piria, provides a comprehensive overview of the hydrogen debate in Australia.

Die Wasserstoffdebatte in Australien

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
Cover page of the policy brief "Advancing a Green Hydrogen Agenda in the G20" with the main finding and recommendations
This policy brief aims to support the work of NGOs and think tanks by developing elements of a green hydrogen agenda for the G20. Based on an analysis of the heterogeneous interests and agenda of the G20 countries, the first part discusses the challenges and opportunities of the G20 as a forum for shaping the emerging markets for hydrogen and hydrogen-based products into a direction that is compatible with climate neutrality. The second section outlines the governance challenge of ensuring the environmental and social sustainability of hydrogen production and use. Finally, it develops options on how to advance a green hydrogen agenda in the G20.

Advancing a Green Hydrogen Agenda in the G20

Challenges and opportunities of the G20 as a green hydrogen forum

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
first page of the policy brief "What can the EU learn from non-EU countries on its path to climate neutrality?" with the main findings and recommendations
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.

What Can the EU Learn from Non-EU Countries on its Path to Climate Neutrality?

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the 4i-TRACTION report "Transformative climate policies: a conceptual framing of the 4i’s"
What makes climate policy transformative? This report sets out the conceptual framing of transformation and transformative climate policies taken in the 4i-TRACTION project.

Transformative Climate Policies

A conceptual framing of the 4i's

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
Cover of the policy brief "What Role for a Climate Club under the German G7 Presidency? Options and Recommendations for a Climate Club"
The German government has put the formation of an 'ambitious, bold, and cooperative' climate club on top of its G7 Presidency agenda. But what is a climate club? And what type of climate club should the German G7 Presidency push toward? This policy brief provides some answers to these questions and formulates recommendations for the German Presidency.

What Role for a Climate Club under the German G7 Presidency?

Options and Recommendations for a Climate Club

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Publication:Article
 
As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to take a heavy toll, the heads of state and government gathering in Versailles today and tomorrow (10-11 March 2022) will need to take actions that support Ukraine while also shoring up the bloc's own strategic autonomy from Moscow. The European Green Deal will be crucial for the success of this strategy. This op-ed, which is available online, explains why.

Russia's War in Ukraine

Why doubling down on the Green Deal is the best strategy

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
Cover of the Policy Brief - Accelerating the Global Transformation of Industry at the G7
Transforming and decarbonising industry is essential for reaching climate-neutrality and the goals of the Paris Agreement. How can the G7 accelerate the decarbonisation of industry? Ecologic Institute's policy brief maps out a number of opportunities and potential priorities for the German Presidency. The Recommendations are available for download.

Accelerating the Global Transformation of Industry at the G7

Recommendations for the German G7 Presidency

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Publication:Podcast
 
This podcast of the European network of think tanks "Think Sustainable Europe" is discussing the main outcomes of the climate negotiations at COP26 in Glasgow. The climate conference and its outcomes were received with a range between careful optimism and disapppointment on the little progress. Following the invitation of the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), one of Ecologic Institute's climate negotiation experts, Arne Riedel, joined Michael Nicholson (IEEP) and Philip Glas (IISD) for the exchange.

COP26: Overview and Main Outcomes

A Think Sustainable Europe Podcast

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the publication "Advancing multilateral cooperation on climate action. Ideas for new initiatives across four policy areas and how to use existing international venues as stepping stones"
The year 2021 saw a positive dynamic on climate action internationally, despite the pandemic and its negative impacts on people’s well-being and on the global economy. Especially, the reverse in the US approach to the climate crisis has provided a new boost. Moreover, COP26 in Glasgow created political momentum, as it has shown a global spotlight on the need for international action and on various forms of cooperation to achieve the 1.5 °C target. In 2022, there are several windows of opportunity for further advances in multilateral cooperation on the climate crisis, including in the G7 and G20 discussions, led by Germany and Indonesia, respectively. And the new German government has reiterated its desire to create a new "climate club" in this context. This report contains several proposals for specific new initiatives that could be started.

Advancing Multilateral Cooperation on Climate Action

Ideas for new initiatives in four policy fields and how to use existing international venues as stepping stones

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Publication:Policy Brief
 
cover of the policy brief
Forests and the ocean are vital for climate, biological diversity, and human communities, but they are degraded and their ecosystem services are seriously impaired, mainly because financial, economic and governance structures are misconfigured. The authors of this T20 policy brief propose that G20 help strengthen the REDD+ climate instrument for forests and extend it to Blue Carbon from coastal and marine ecosystems. Scaled up to cover the Earth's two largest, most diverse and most productive ecosystems, these two approaches can deliver significant economic and climate benefits. The T20 policy brief is available for download.

Fixing Financial, Economic and Governance Structures to Save Forests and the Ocean, and Enhance Their Contributions to Climate Change Solutions

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Event:Digital Event
 
At a lunch talk on Thursday, 24 March 2022, 2:00-3:00 p.m. (CET), one of the authors of the symposium, Sam Bookman from Harvard Law School, will speak about his latest research topic "What happens when you win? The constitutional dimensions of rights-based climate litigation". With him, we will draw the line to and discuss the first insights of the symposium.

The Constitutional Dimension of Climate Litigation

Lunch Talk with Sam Bookman (Harvard Law School)


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Event:Conference
 
This virtual conference shared ideas for advancing additional multilateral action in support of the goals of the Paris Agreement and discuss them with international experts.

Accelerating Global Climate Action Before 2030

Identifying options for more international climate action


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Event:Digital Event
 
Event banner
In this COP26 side event, we discussed priorities for the further development of long-term strategies, lessons from strategy formulation and implementation processes in the EU and ASEAN, and prospects for international cooperation. We draw on recent analyses by the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), the German Development Institute (DIE / GDI), the EU, including the EU-funded Enhanced Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (E-READI) study on the development of LTS in ASEAN and the Climate Recon 2050 platform (CR2050) experiences.

Long-Term Strategies: Priorities, Lessons and Opportunities for International Cooperation

COP26 EU Side Event


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Event:Discussion
 
Many consider the Climate Summit in Glasgow, which will take place end of 2021, the most important summit since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015. Upon invitation by the Andrássy University Budapest and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Dr. Camilla Bausch discussed recent developments in climate policy in the lead-up to COP26.

The EU on the Road to the Glasgow Climate Summit (COP26)

Dr. Camilla Bausch speaks at the Andrássy University Budapest event "Visions for Europe"


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Event:Discussion
 
On Saturday, 8 December 2018, Ecologic Institute hosted a side event in the EU Pavilion at the COP24 in Katowice (Poland), in cooperation with ICLEI Europe. Invited practitioners and experts discussed the role nature-based solutions (NBS) and multi-level governance play in facilitating the transition of cities and regions to carbon-neutrality.

Nature-based Solutions and Multi-level Governance for Carbon-neutral and Resilient Cities and Regions


Katowice, Poland

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Event:Visitors Program
 
From 15 to 21 October 2017, Ecologic Institute implemented an information visit within the framework of the Visitors Programme of the Federal Republic of Germany on "Post Cop21" – Climate Policy for 2050. Representatives from ministries, Think Tanks, NGOs and journalists were invited to participate on a tour to Berlin, Bonn and the Lusatia region. The objective of the visit was to learn about and discuss the developments of international climate policy and German domestic climate politics in the light of the outcome of the Paris Agreement. The participants of the programme dealt with the results of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference and their significance for German policy making.

"Post Cop21" – Climate Policy for 2050

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Berlin, Lusatia and Bonn, Germany

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Event:Digital Event
 
Between July and September 2017 this nine-part webinar series brought together Arctic experts, professionals and students. The webinar series covered topics including shipping and marine governance, energy, environmental impact assessments, science, security, and indigenous communities in the Arctic.

Arctic Summer College 2017 – Webinar Series

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Berlin, Germany and Washington DC, United States

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Event:Digital Event
 
This webinar brings together three experts in conversation about the Arctic at COP21, its effects on the region today, and the prospects for renewable energy for both mitigation and adaptation. Arctic policymakers and residents are facing a unique opportunity to reinvent circumpolar energy development for a sustainable future.

100 Days In: COP21 and the Arctic's Future – An Era of Energy Transition


Berlin, Germany

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Event:Discussion
 
The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP) at the International Relations Program, University of Pennsylvania, conducts research on the role policy institutes play in governments and in civil societies around the world. On Wednesday, 22 January 2014, the TTCSP released its 2013 Report. On this occasion, more than 25 global partners implemented local launch events.

Launch of the Global Go To Index Report 2013


Berlin, Germany

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Event:Discussion
 
On the occasion of the launch of the 2013 Arctic Summer College, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Europe Program and Ecologic Institute welcomed William M. Eichbaum, vice president of Marine and Arctic Policy of the World Wildlife Fund, R. Andreas Kraemer, Director of Ecologic Institute, and Dr. Kelly K. Falkner, Director of Polar Programs of the National Science Foundation for a conversation on the environmental and social impacts of a rapidly changing Arctic. The discussion can be watched online.

Conservation on Thin Ice: What You Need to Know about the Changing Arctic Environment


Washington DC, United States

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Presentation:Lecture
 
At the invitation of the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), Dr. Camilla Bausch held a "Lectio Magistralis". At this Lectio, leading experts such as Jean-Claude Trichet (Former President of the European Central Bank) and Sergei Guriev (Professor of Economics at Sciences Po in Paris) discuss key political and scientific insights with master's students of the ISPI School. Dr. Bausch's lecture focused on dynamics, setbacks and breakthroughs in international climate policy – including an outlook on 2023 and identifying opportunities for the students themselves to take action.

Climate Protection as a Global Policy Challenge: Lectio Magistralis by Camilla Bausch


Dr. Camilla Bausch

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Presentation:Interview
 
As the war in Ukraine escalates, the climate crisis continues. But environmental policy in particular could build important bridges, reminds Dr. Camilla Bausch Scientific & Executive Director of Ecologic Institute. In an interview with Elisabeth von Thadden, she discusses, among other things, the environmental impact of the war and the dichotomy over Ukraine's demand to the secretariats of thirteen major international environmental agreements to exclude Russia from relevant decision-making bodies and suspend Russian membership in the agreements.

In Environmental Policy, We Cannot Afford a Bloc Formation


Dr. Camilla Bausch

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Presentation:Panel discussion
 
Delivering for "People, Planet, Prosperity" is the proclaimed aim of the Italian G20 Presidency. The question as to how the G20 should work towards this aim was discussed at the Think 20 (T20) Summit in Milan in early October. The T20 Summit brought together 51 speakers, over 800 in-person participants and 16,000 online attendees from all over the world, reaching over 1 million people through social media.

Climate and Growth: The Road to a Green Recovery


Dr. Camilla Bausch

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Presentation:Panel discussion
 
How do policymakers balance future climate and energy security issues in light of a rapidly changing world? Dr. Camilla Bausch addressed the dynamic geopolitical energy landscape and some associated security concerns for Germany and Europe in a controversial debate with a group of transatlantic Parliamentarians from across the aisle. This was part of the 16th Annual Congress-Bundestag Forum by the German Marshall Fund.

16th Annual Congress-Bundestag Forum


Dr. Camilla Bausch

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Presentation:Panel discussion
 
Book Discussion - The Future of Think Tanks and Policy Advice
On 9 June 2021, prominent heads of think tanks convened to discuss the recommendations made in the recently published book, "The Future of Think Tanks and Policy Advice Around the World". Dr. Camilla Bausch reflected on key points from the contribution, she co-authored with R. Andreas Kraemer.

Book Discussion on the Future of Think Tanks and Policy Advice


Dr. Camilla Bausch

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Presentation:Chairing
 
Book Cover
At a time where climate change is already causing migration, the anticipated increase of numbers has gained in focus in international debates. Dr. Camilla Bausch moderated a roundtable discussion on related upcoming issues at the Mercator Foundation Roundtable on Climate Migration. The Roundtable accompanied the publication of the German version of the "Atlas of Environmental Migration."

Mercator Roundtable: Atlas of environmental migration


Dr. Camilla Bausch

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Presentation:Panel discussion
 
T20 Spring Roundtable event invitation cover
What are the key ingredients of a "Sustainable Recovery for a Green Future?" This was the topic of two events organized by Think20 (T20) during the Italian G20 presidency. Dr. Camilla Bausch, co-chair of the T20 Task Force on environmental issues, spoke on carbon neutrality, long-term climate strategies and the European Green Deal.

Heading towards Carbon Neutrality


Dr. Camilla Bausch

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Presentation:Speech
 
On 1 and 2 April 2014, Christiane Gerstetter, Senior Fellow on the Ecologic Institute's legal team, gave two presentations in Brussels on investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). She concluded that including ISDS in TTIP would entail incalculable risks for environmental regulation that are not counter-balanced by benefits. She therefore recommended not to include ISDS provisions in TTIP. The presentations are available for download.

Investor-state Dispute Settlement in TTIP


Dr. Christiane Gerstetter

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Presentation:Speech
 
At the 2011 Alumni Conference of Lund University’s Master’s Program of International Environmental Science (LUMES) in Lund (Sweden), Elena von Sperber presented and discussed the results of the CALAMAR project, a transatlantic dialogue on marine governance lead by Ecologic Institute, which was concluded in June 2011.

Recommendations for Transatlantic Cooperation on High Seas Governance


Elena von Sperber

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Presentation:Chairing
 
Lead by Ecuador’s Ambassador to Germany, his Excellency Jorge Jurado, and Ivonne Baki, who is the country’s top negotiator for the Yasuni-ITT Initiative, a high-level delegation presented an Ecuadorian proposal for the protection of climate and biodiversity at the Ecologic Institute.

Ecuadorian Initiative to Protect Climate and Biodiversity


Loni Gardner JD

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Presentation:Speech
 
<p>&#13; Andrew Reid, Transatlantic Fellow at Ecologic Institute, presented the results of the project Cooperation Across the Atlantic for Marine Governance Integration (CALAMAR) to decision-makers, scientists and other maritime stakeholders at the 2011 European Maritime Day in Gdansk (Poland). Examining opportunities for EU/US cooperation on maritime governance, the project was presented as part of a panel on strategies for strengthening maritime clusters in the Atlantic region.</p>

Opportunities for EU/US Cooperation on Maritime Governance


Andrew Reid

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