This policy brief investigates the gaps in the existing international treaties on marine plastic pollution and proposes components that need to be considered in a new treaty. These proposals will complement the G20 work on plastic pollution. Furthermore, since the G20 summit will be held in Indonesia in 2022, the focus of this policy brief will not only be relevant to G20 countries but also to Southeast Asia as the biggest contributor of marine plastics.
The Commission's proposal on the certification of Carbon Dioxide Removals (CDR) could be a milestone of EU climate policy making. It can put the EU on the right track – with a watertight CDR definition, and a firewall between removals and reductions; or the wrong track – dubious low-impact carbon removal schemes that pretend to offset what cannot be offset. As the integrity of EU climate policy is at stake, the EU cannot afford to take the wrong turn, writes Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf in the EU Observer.
In addition to the protection of still intact peatlands, the restoration and sustainable management of previously drained peatland soils are important contributions for protecting biodiversity and the mitigation of climate change. In order to address these needs in a more targeted manner, the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) published the first National Peatland Protection Strategy in September 2021. Together with DUENE e.V., partner in Greifswald Moor Centrum, Ecologic Institute supports the implementation of the National Peatland Protection Strategy.
The regulatory framework for the transformation to a climate-neutral industry has evolved. To take account of the changes, we have revised our analysis on the role of climate protection contracts in the steel industry, which was mainly based on data from 2020. This updated study analyzes how climate protection agreements in the steel industry can be designed in such a way that – in conjunction with the reform of European climate policy – they have an impact on climate protection, energy security and a meaningful transformation of the economy as a whole.
This Think 2030 policy brief proceeds in five parts. Section 1 defines what a sustainable agri-food system should look like according to the scientific literature and how an Sustainable Food System (SFS) law could bring EU food systems more in line with the evidence. Section 2 then explores the potential objectives of a law and how to define a sustainable EU agri-food system. Section 3 discusses the architecture of the law, and section 4 explores the need for a multi-level governance framework involving Member States. Finally, the conclusion considers possible political pathways to the achievement of an ambitious SFS law. The policy brief is available for download.
This international conference provides an opportunity to learn and exchange knowledge on the topic of microplastics in soils, and is aimed at scientists and decision-makers alike. The first day of the event focuses on the state of the science, the second day on identifying policy solutions and recommendations for action at the European and international level. This hybrid event took place on 19 and 20 October 2022 in Berlin (Germany). Ecologic Institute organised the conference as a hybrid event, which was attended by 60 people on site and up to 150 people online.
This Think2030 policy brief highlights the importance of adopting an ambitious EU nature restoration law – given the manifold benefits of restoration to nature, people, and the economy – and discusses what is needed to ensure that the restoration targets are achieved by Member States. It formulates a series of recommendations for Member States and the EU institutions to facilitate the successful implementation of the upcoming law.
The International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) resumed in-person trainings with the 2022 edition of its flagship training activity, the two-week ICAP Summer School on Emissions trading. The training took place in Florence (Italy) from 22 August to 2 September 2022. Participation in the summer school was open to applicants from emerging economies and developing countries. The course was aimed at public officials or stakeholders from the non-governmental, academic and private sectors who are or will be involved in deciding on, designing and implementing carbon pricing mechanisms.
Record high energy prices and inflation are putting social cohesion in Germany under stress. Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf discusses in the IPG Journal whether this will divide Germany or not. The article is available online.
The environmental disaster on the Oder River has brought the issue of environmental crime back into the spotlight. In a video report by the TV station Deutsche Welle, experts, including Stephan Sina from Ecologic Institute, explain the reasons for the difficulties in prosecuting environmental crimes and possible approaches for improvement. The contribution "Environmental Crime – How do they get away with it?" can be viewed online.
This study presents innovative processes and technologies of the circular economy. The case studies come from a range of industries that are of particular importance to Hesse and demonstrate the broad applicability of the technologies presented. The case studies are split into five main groups, each containing a few innovative and sustainable projects by various institutions and firms. They also offer insights into the economic and ecological advantages of the projects and provide the readers with a thorough understanding of the processes.
Germany's current nutrition system is not sustainable; it requires a far-reaching socio-ecological transformation. This finding forms the starting thesis of the STErn project, whose interim results and policy recommendations for action were discussed at a workshop on 21 March 2023. This paper provided the basis for the discussion.
This discussion paper focuses on the potential for political intervention to promote regionalization (in the interests of sustainability) in the most effective way possible. It is part of the work of the research project "Socio-ecological Transformation of the Food System" (acronym STErn) carried out on behalf of UBA/BMU.
On 4 July 2022, around 30 experts discussed political strategies for a regionalization of the food system, achieving as many positive sustainability effects as possible and avoiding negative impacts. The discussion was based on an input paper by the project team, the core statements of which were presented in two short presentations by the main author, Gerolf Hanke (Oeko-Institut).