Small ponds can bring about big changes: The PONDERFUL project shows how ponds and pond landscapes can make crucial contributions to climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation as nature-based solutions – and why we urgently need them. This technical handbook provides practice-oriented guidelines for dealing with these valuable ecosystems and demonstrated how ponds can be integrated into existing landscapes to benefit both nature and people.

This 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 advanced its coordination and given momentum to 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.

This legal opinion on the resilience of the EU ETS analyses whether the system is sufficiently crisis-proof to deal with economic downturns, inflation and natural disasters. These crisis scenarios can significantly impair the functioning of the EU ETS. For example, a rise in energy prices in the wake of a crisis often leads to increased emissions, as there is greater recourse to cheaper fossil fuels such as coal. Developments of this kind push the system to its limits, as they increase demand for emission allowances, causing their prices to rise.

Climate-friendly soil management measures generate climate impact through both temporary carbon removals and emissions reductions, posing a challenge for defining key terms such as "carbon removals," "emissions reductions," "avoided emissions," and "negative emissions". This policy brief examines the scientific definitions of these key terms to create a concise glossary and discuss the most important definitional issues related to soil carbon. One important conclusion is the need for adaptation of definitions to different policy contexts.

While carbon farming offers farmers a way to mitigate climate change, these practices also affect other sustainability outcomes, including biodiversity, soil health, and water. In this brief, we propose how the EU's regulation establishing a Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Certification Framework (CRCF) can ensure that carbon farming also delivers sustainability benefits related to carbon farming on mineral soils. The brief was co-authored by members of a CREDIBLE project focus group that included participants from carbon farming certification schemes, farmer associations, soil scientists, and policy experts, and that built on a series of workshops.

Plastic waste, cigarette butts and wide rivers: A seven-year citizen science study of over 26,000 macro-litter items examined on German riverbanks shows how complex the dynamics of river pollution are – and how important political action against plastic waste is becoming. In this article, Mandy Hinzmann and Doris Knoblauch from Ecologic Institute, along with other researchers, explain why broad rivers are particularly affected and how citizen science makes long-term trends visible.

On 6 and 7 November 2024, the Ready4NetZero study tour brought together representatives from 15 cities in Central and Eastern Europe in Chemnitz (Germany). Together, they explored innovative approaches and strategies for climate neutrality. In addition to providing practical insights into advanced projects such as a renewable district heating system and a battery storage system, the event also provided a forum for exchanging expertise. Using the Ready4NetZero guide as a foundation, best practices, challenges and solutions were shared, paving the way for local long-term climate strategies. This tour illustrated how small and medium-sized cities can become pioneers in climate protection through research, collaboration and knowledge transfer.

On 7 November 2024, the conference "EU Climate Target 2040: Strategies and Measures" was held in Brussels, bringing together experts, policymakers and EU representatives. The focus was on implementing the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a net 90% by 2040. Dr. Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf (Ecologic Institute) and Sabine Gores (Oeko-Institut) presented key findings from their forthcoming report – their presentation is available online.

On 21 October 2024, Ecologic Institute, along with representatives of GIZ, hosted a delegation from Beijing as part of the project "Analyses of German and European Climate Law Structure." The visit began with a warm welcome from Ecologic Institute's Director Christoph Heinrich and featured presentations by the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau, which shared insights on the Green Beijing Strategy and its comprehensive policies aimed at carbon emission control and climate adaptation. Doris Knoblauch presented key aspects of German climate policies, while Natalia Burgos Cuevas introduced the EUKI project, focusing on developing long-term climate neutrality strategies for municipalities. The event concluded with a vibrant discussion that underscored the importance of international cooperation and Ecologic Institute's commitment to fostering global knowledge exchange on climate action.

Speech: Gregory Fuchs

On November 14, 2024, experts and stakeholders gathered in Wittmund County to develop strategies for the North Sea region. The workshop focused on nature-based solutions (NbS), the restoration of coastal habitats, and integrating climate protection into tourism and regional development. Ecologic Institute’s Gregory Fuchs presented approaches aimed at enhancing the resilience of ecosystems and coastal communities. Together, participants developed locally adapted, scientifically grounded, and socially inclusive measures.

Speech: Hugh McDonald

On 8 November 2024, the final webinar of the EU project PONDERFUL took place. Led by Professor Jeremy Biggs (Freshwater Habitats Trust) and Hugh McDonald (Ecologic Institute), it discussed how national and regional plans can be developed to protect, restore and create ponds and ponded landscapes. The aim was to inform policy makers on how these small but effective ecosystems can be used as nature-based solutions (NbS) to adapt to and mitigate climate change. In addition, two key publications of the PONDERFUL project were presented during the webinar: the technical manual and a guide for policy makers.

Speech: Gregory Fuchs

In the face of rapidly changing marine environments, innovative strategies are essential to preserve biodiversity and promote sustainability. Gregory Fuchs recently led a series of workshops on the island of Vilm (Baltic Sea, Germany), highlighting how Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) and Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) can address complex marine challenges. He also shared insights from research projects like Marine SABRES.

How can marine protected areas be made more resilient to climate change? Discuss with experts from science, policy and practice at a virtual workshop on 10 December 2024. Exciting insights, European case studies and networking opportunities can be expected. Register now!

Following the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Colombia, the annual funding deficit and the associated mobilization of additional financial resources remains a key challenge. With the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU has the opportunity to anchor nature-positive investments more firmly and to be a global role model. Ecologic Institute is actively supporting these efforts, including through technical studies on the integration of biodiversity and climate targets in the future EU budget after 2027.