Ecologic Institute Newsletter No 268 – January 2025
Germany's Circular Economy Strategy
- Ecologic Institute Newsletter
A Landmark Step Towards Sustainability
Dear Reader,
In December 2024, the German government adopted the National Circular Economy Strategy (NCES), while news outlets were preoccupied with the collapse of said government. Fears within the circular economy sector that the strategy would fall victim to the political upheaval proved unfounded: the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection pressed ahead, setting a milestone in Germany’s development towards a circular economy and, in a resource-saving spirit, ensured that the time and effort that had been invested up to that point would not be in vain.
The strategy was developed in the context of an overarching process that involved the accompanying (and ongoing) research project "Scientific Support of the Development of a Strategy for a Circular Economy in Germany", which Ecologic Institute participates in, and a multi-stakeholder process, which had run since April 2023. According to the ministry, over 80 organizations and associations submitted almost 1,500 comments on drafts, and over 300 experts from business, academia, and civil society took part in the participation formats.
Of course, even a thorough stakeholder process cannot reconcile all opposing viewpoints. Nevertheless, the NCES's adoption was greeted with support and even celebration by many different stakeholders who see a circular economy not only as a necessity but also as an opportunity to strengthen Germany’s resource independence, support climate protection, reduce waste, and reap economic benefits. The strategy presents the overarching goal of transforming the economy to provide wellbeing with less resource input, to retain materials in the cycle for as long as possible, and to close the loop wherever feasible. A per capita resource consumption target of 6–8 tonnes – about half of what it is today – is included to "serve as guidance". Beyond outlining the broad vision, the strategy is rich in concrete ideas and tools to drive transformation, especially within the selected priority areas.
It remains to be seen how many of these ideas will be translated into legislation, e.g. into a Resource Protection Law ("Ressourcenschutzgesetz"), as is demanded by many stakeholders. However, even a possible future conservative government has an incentive to advance the circular economy for both economic and resource independence reasons. For researchers, this next phase raises new questions: What exactly is a circular business model, and how can we measure it? Which indicators should we use to measure the transition to a circular economy beyond the current predominant focus on resource use and footprints? What does a German circular economy mean for trading partners?
The Resource Conservation & Circular Economy Team at Ecologic Institute is looking forward to being part of this journey. The upcoming expert dialogue "Access not Ownership: Opportunities and Challenges of the Sharing Economy", which you will find featured in this edition of our newsletter, will delve into how shared use can conserve resources and drive sustainability.
Happy reading!
Susanne Langsdorf
Coordinator Resource Conservation & Circular Economy
Implementing the EU 2040 Climate Target: Building blocks and measures – Report
The European Climate Law sets the stage for bold action: a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. With EU emissions dropping 8% in 2023 – five times the average rate since 2005 – the momentum is building. This report, co-authored by Ecologic Institute and Oeko-Institut, explores the key building blocks and measures needed to meet the 2040 climate target and provides actionable insights and strategies for a climate-neutral Europe.
Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Report and Annex
Soils store more carbon than the atmosphere and all plants combined. But how can we make better use of their mitigation potential? This report by Ecologic Institute assesses how funding can be best used to promote climate-friendly soil management. Both action-based and results-based funding can support some sustainable agricultural practices. However, our analysis, including of ten carbon credit methodologies, shows that soils pose considerable challenges for funding effective climate mitigation. In particular, we find that offsetting approaches are an inappropriate instrument for funding climate-friendly soil management measures.
Regionalised Factors for Successful Implementation of Subsoil Management – Report
In order to maximize the potential of the subsoil in arable farming for more efficient and sustainable cultivation, several factors are relevant. In the project “Sustainable Subsoil Management as Part of the Bioeconomy (Soil³)”, authors, including experts from Ecologic Institute, analyzed potentials and obstacles for the implementation of subsoil management in Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony-Anhalt. The report shows how geophysical and socio-economic factors influence implementation and provides practical recommendations for action.
Legal Commentaries on Climate Law
Dr. Ralph Bodle, Arne Riedel and Dr. Stephan Sina from Ecologic Institute's Legal Team are among the authors of this comprehensive legal commentary on climate change law (BeckOK Klimarecht), which was published by C. H. Beck on their online platform in December 2024. The commentary is edited by Prof. Ekkehard Hofmann and Dr. Franziska Heß and is the first to cover climate-related laws and treaties at international, European and national level.
Climate-Ready Marine Protected Areas – Online Workshop
On 10 December 2024, Ecologic Institute and AquaEcology's workshop brought together experts to discuss the role of marine protected areas (MPAs) in climate adaptation and resilience. Input on nature-based solutions and adaptive protection strategies inspired an intensive exchange. Three research impulses provided practical insights into innovative approaches for strengthening and adapting MPAs to climate change. The presentation slides are now available for download.
On the Way to a UN Plastics Agreement
Panel Discussion: Doris Knoblauch
On 21 January 2025, the United Nations Association of Germany (DGVN) hosted a panel discussion to discuss the next steps in the global plastics negotiations. The fifth round of negotiations in November 2024 ended without an agreement – a failure? Doris Knoblauch, scientist at Ecologic Institute, took part in the panel discussion and reported on the progress of the negotiations and how things could now proceed from her perspective.
Tools and Indicators for Coastal Wetland Restoration – Webinar
On 19 February 2025, the RESTORE4Cs project will host a webinar titled "Tools and Indicators for Coastal Wetland Restoration to Promote Climate Resilience in Europe". This event will present and discuss effective tools and metrics to improve the sustainable management of European coastal wetlands in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and habitat degradation. We look forward to your registration.
Access not Ownership: Opportunities and Challenges of the Sharing Economy – Expert Dialogue as part of Re-Use Berlin
On behalf of the Berlin Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment (SenMVKU), Ecologic Institute is organizing an expert dialogue focusing on the opportunities and challenges of the Sharing Economy. The event will take place taking place on 25 February 2025, in Berlin. The aim of the expert dialogue is to discuss current developments, challenges and potentials on the basis of practical examples. Additionally, the event will provide space to address political and societal aspects as well as key elements for successful implementation. The event will provide an opportunity for circular economy and Sharing Economy stakeholders as well as other interested parties to network, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. Please note that the event will be held in German.
Pharmaceuticals and the Environment: New teaching and information materials now available!
In a project for the German Environment Agency (UBA), Ecologic Institute, together with Kiel University and Kiel University Hospital, developed a series of teaching and information materials on the environmental aspects of pharmaceuticals. All materials can be ordered or downloaded free of charge from the UBA portal "Pharmaceuticals and the Environment", which was developed as part of the project.
Contents
- Publications
- Implementing the EU 2040 Climate Target: Building blocks and measures – Report
- Funding Climate-friendly Soil Management – Report and Annex
- Regionalised Factors for Successful Implementation of Subsoil Management – Report
- Legal Commentaries on Climate Law
- Recent: Events and Presentations
- Climate-Ready Marine Protected Areas – Online Workshop
- On the Way to a UN Plastics Agreement
- Register now!
- Tools and Indicators for Coastal Wetland Restoration – Webinar
- Access not Ownership: Opportunities and Challenges of the Sharing Economy – Expert Dialogue as part of Re-Use Berlin
- News
- Pharmaceuticals and the Environment: New teaching and information materials now available!