Resulting from the pilot phase of the KOPOS project, this policy brief presents a comprehensive approach to safeguarding agricultural land that can be applied at both regional and municipal level. The authors emphasize the importance of this topic for various levels of sustainability-oriented policy, particularly in the areas of agriculture, food, sustainability and rural development. They suggest linking these topics more closely in order to achieve more effective policy-making. Another important aspect is the recommendation to reduce the consumption of agricultural land through spatial planning instruments and to protect it from conversion.

This report on EU drought policy provides a comprehensive overview of drought policies, planning and management in EU Member States and outlines the measures planned at both national and EU levels. It is based on a thorough analysis of legislation, planning, and management measures, including the latest drafts of the River Basin Management Plans as of Spring 2022. Insights are drawn from over 70 interviews with Member State administrations and stakeholders, complemented by an extensive review process.

On behalf of the International PtX Hub, Ecologic Institute co-authored a series of papers on the EU criteria and standards for green hydrogen and other PtX products. The first one analyzes the Commission Delegated Regulation (CDR) 2023/1184 defining the conditions under which electricity used to produce hydrogen may be counted as fully renewable according to EU law and the CDR 2023/1185 setting out the methodology to assess the GHG emissions savings from renewable fuels based on hydrogen and for recycled carbon fuels. The second one complements the first by answering questions on these two CDR, which were frequently asked during a series of online workshops with experts and stakeholders from Algeria, Chile, India, Jordan, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay and Vietnam. The third one discusses the implications of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for imports of PtX products to the EU.

To achieve the ambitious climate targets of the Federal Climate Change Act, a rapid expansion of renewable energies, particularly wind and photovoltaics (PV), is crucial. In this context, achieving 215 GW of installed PV capacity by 2030 has become a specific target of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). This report deals with the central role that buildings play in meeting PV expansion targets, with the potential to cover up to 25% of EU electricity consumption through rooftop PV. The report takes stock of the status quo of PV use in the building sector and the associated obstacles and discusses relevant legal regulations and their development.

The European Commission's proposal on the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) and the amendments proposed by the Council and the European Parliament contain minimum criteria for the sustainability of carbon removal. These criteria are vague and require specification. A new paper by Oeko-Institut and Ecologic Institute examines the sustainability criteria in detail. The German Environment Agency published the fact sheet.

Discover valuable insights from the collaborative efforts of the ALL-Ready Pilot Network, which engaged 20 members across 13 partner countries. The lessons learnt from this pilot initiative offer essential recommendations for overcoming challenges in establishing the forthcoming European Network of Agroecology Living Labs and Research Infrastructures. With a focus on co-creative and participatory methodologies, the pilot network effectively navigated diverse challenges, such as geographical disparities, user scalability, and the integration of various activities.

In this podcast episode, you will learn how the transition to a sustainable economy can be made fair and just. With experts from the European Commission and the European Trade Union Confederation, we delve into the environmental, economic, social, and political aspects of just transition. Discover more about current success stories and the policies being implemented by the EU and its member states. Listen now to understand the transition!

In the fourth episode of "CLIMATE ON AIR," experts Julie Evain and Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (I4CE) discuss the EU's role in promoting green investments for a climate-neutral future. Discover the financial strategies needed to achieve the EU's climate goals and learn how the banking sector and transitional plans can contribute to addressing climate-relevant risks. Listen to an exciting discussion about the future of EU's sustainable finance strategy.

Climate protection is losing political clout. Many people no longer see the climate movement as a broader social issue. There are many reasons for this. Strong polarization is one of them. Dr. Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf discusses what could be done in the Tagesspiegel.

Moderation and Speech: Linda Mederake

This webinar addressed key factors and challenges of citizen participation on the path to climate neutrality. Experts from three German municipalities - the district of Osnabrück, the district of Ahrweiler and the city of Kempten - shared their experiences of integrating participatory elements into climate neutrality strategies. They emphasized the importance of citizen participation to increase transparency, governance openness, and ownership over decisions and described both challenges and successes in involving the public. The speakers Andreas Witte, Wilhelm Schulz and Thomas Weiß contributed their experience from various areas of municipal climate protection. The webinar offered practical insights into the development of climate protection concepts and measures with active citizen participation. The recording of the webinar and the presentation slides are available online.

Speech: Aaron Scheid

During a parliamentary evening on 12 December 2023, Aaron Scheid presented an analysis of the environmental economic impact of animal-based food production. Focusing on external environmental costs, particularly greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, and providing quantitative evidence of billions of Euros in costs, Scheid proposed tax incentives to internalize these costs. His presentation emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy that considers political, social, and economic aspects, and provided policy options for a sustainable food policy.

Speech: McKenna Davis

The symposium "Regreening Cities with Nature-based Solutions in EU and China – Bridging Science, Policy, and Practice," held at the end of November 2024, focused on the role of nature-based solutions (NbS) in urban development. McKenna Davis, who spoke on the panel, shared valuable insights from the INTERLACE project and discussed how NbS can help address urban challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss. The conference brought together experts from various fields to discuss strategies and collaborations for implementing NbS in urban spaces and highlighted the need to integrate such solutions into local policy-making to promote resilient, healthy, and sustainable urban environments.

Discover the future and the potential of renewable energies and join us as we shed light on the Rhine-Hunsrück district's path to becoming a leader in climate protection and energy innovation. Find out how a region can successfully reduce fossil fuels and switch to local renewable energy sources. We will discuss challenges, solutions and the economic benefits that arise from this transformation – a regional added value of 44 million euros in 20 years! Register by 29 January and join our event – we look forward to seeing you!

To strengthen our team at our Berlin office, we are looking for a Financial Accountant. Our mission is to contribute to shaping a more sustainable world through science, research and policy advice. Be part of the dedicated and experienced finance team and contribute to the success of our mission!

As a Student Assistant in Water Policy / Integrated Water Resources Management, you will support our Water Resources Management Team in research work, preparing reports and communication tasks within national and international projects.