Amidst intense global efforts to tackle plastic pollution, the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty highlights the critical role of reducing primary plastic polymers. The Scientists' Coalition, consisting of leading scientists worldwide, argues in its latest policy brief that without a significant reduction in the production of these polymers, the effective fight against plastic pollution is not possible. The urgent call aims to draw attention to the need to break the plastic cycle at its source - the production of primary plastic polymers. This approach is crucial as it directly reduces the amount of plastics that end up in our environment.

This report assesses the implementation status and quality of a selection of 11 provisions from 4 EU laws in 6 EU countries (Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Poland and Spain). These 4 EU laws are Directive (EU) 2019/944 on common rules for the internal market for electricity (DIR), Regulation (EU) 2019/943 on the internal market for electricity (REG), Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable resources (RED) and Regulation (EU) 2022/2577 laying down a framework to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy (ACC).

The MoorNet conference in Bonn will focus on synergies and conflicting objectives in connection with the rewetting of degraded and near-natural peatlands. Peatlands are unique habitats for highly specialised animal and plant species, and their protection plays a decisive role in climate protection and other environmental goals. The event will take place on 19 and 20 November 2024 at the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation in Bonn. The aim is to gain an overview of current and future synergies and conflict solutions in the field of nature conservation. The event is aimed in particular at stakeholders who are specifically concerned with synergies and conflicting goals in the practical implementation of peatland protection.

Niepołomice, a Polish city with almost 30,000 inhabitants, has received customised training on how to tackle challenges in their community with nature-based solutions. Marcela Gutierrez (University of Costa Rica), Natalia Burgos Cuevas and Doris Knoblauch (both Ecologic Institute) presented concrete options for the municipality to representatives of the city of Niepołomice in March 2024, after the city representatives had presented the urban challenges in December 2023.

As part of the Polish Climate Congress from 19 to 20 March 2024 in Warsaw, Ewa Iwaszuk, a Fellow at Ecologic Institute, took part in a panel discussion on implementing nature-based solutions in urban areas. She was joined on the panel by Joanna Kiernicka-Allavena (Climate-KIC), Anna Banaszczyk (World Bank), Marcin Sadura (Warsaw Municipal Sewage Company) and Robert Skowroński (Szczecin Marshal’s Office). The discussion was moderated by Mateusz Kowali (Polish Green Network).

On 4 April 2024, Mandy Hinzmann presented communication insights and best practices of the citizen science program "Plastic Pirates" at the European Citizen Science Conference in Vienna. The presentation highlighted that effective communication strategies are crucial for the success of citizen science initiatives.

This report analyzes documents and formats focusing on resource efficiency, resource conservation and the circular economy at the German, European and international level. It outlines significant developments and expected trends in resource policy and identifies research needs. Given the rapid increase in global resource use, driven by population growth and economic expansion, the transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy is a key challenge. This need is reinforced by various global crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and increasing resource dependency. The report emphasizes that innovative and effective policies are needed at both national and international levels to promote and implement this transition.

The book and e-book "Climate Change in Germany" was republished in March 2024 by the Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS). The open access book is a comprehensive presentation of climate change and the consequences of climate change in Germany. The interdisciplinary work brings together specialist areas and topics from 165 experts from the climate, natural, environmental, social and human sciences. The work highlights various options for action for adaptation and climate protection activities in individual regions in Germany and across different sectors. Dr. Grit Martinez from Ecologic Institute is co-author of the article "Further development of climate change adaptation strategies".

This article emphasizes the significant role of culture in shaping and utilizing climate services, which are crucial for achieving climate resilience and sustainable development in various regions. By incorporating cultural perspectives, the development of climate services can be tailored to meet the specific needs and values of local communities, enhancing their effectiveness and relevance.

Organized by the Euro-Mediterranean Climate Change Center (CMCC) in close collaboration with the EU Climate Change Adaptation Mission, the European project Climateurope2 celebrated a festival uniting science, services and standards for a climate resilient future from 11 to 13 March 2024. Dr. Grit Martinez of Ecologic Institute contributed to the festival with a set of activities spanning from facilitation of fishbowl discussion and break out groups with practitioners to an interview with the media team of Climateurope2. Climateurope2 team wishes to thank all participants for actively participating in the Climateurope2 Festival. The insightful discussions, presentations and debates that took place over the three days of the event laid the basis for fostering new connections within the European climate services community.

This report analyzes the challenges and opportunities arising from the phase-out of coal in Germany, with a specific focus on the three major coalfields: the Central German, Rhenish and Lusatian coalfields. It offers a detailed insight into the challenges and strategic approaches and emphasizes the need to develop regional infrastructures in a targeted and sustainable manner in order to meet the economic, social and ecological challenges of the three major German coalfields. Innovative technical solutions and a stronger integration of different infrastructure sectors can support the transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to a sustainable and resilient regional development.

The guideline "More sustainability through coupled infrastructures" presents a comprehensive approach on how municipalities can make their infrastructure systems more sustainable through innovative sector coupling. It emphasizes the role of new technical possibilities and the need for a systemic perspective in order to fully exploit the potential of infrastructures and focus on long-term sustainability.

This report analyzes how innovative, sustainable infrastructure solutions can be successfully disseminated through specific mechanisms and under certain conditions. It emphasizes the importance of cooperative networks and suitable framework conditions for the dissemination of innovations at municipal and regional level.

This final report provides an analysis of the innovation and dissemination processes of infrastructure solutions that aim to increase sustainability and resilience. The research was conducted as part of the TRAFIS II project.

This report offers a critical and in-depth analysis of current financing and implementation practices for climate adaptation measures in Europe and provides strategic recommendations for optimizing these processes.