Europe must confront water stress risks and adapt its governance to build water resilience. In a series of three reports, Ecologic Institute, together with partners from the EU project GOVAQUA, examine three topics of critical importance for water resilience: design and implementation of water allocation regimes as well as eflows policies and strategies and the regulation of water value chains. 

This report examines the assumptions of the EU Commission’s 2040 Climate Target Impact Assessment on BECCS (Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage) and DACCS (Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage) focusing on their biomass, energy, electricity, and water requirements in 2040. While the Impact Assessment does not take a cautious approach to biomass availability or the electricity and energy consumption of DACCS, the low reliance on industrial removals by 2040 results in a minimal overall impact. This creates an opportunity for further technological advancements beyond 2040, enhancing DACCS efficiency and ensuring the sustainable implementation of BECCS. 

Plastic pollution has become a severe global crisis, posing grave threats to the environment, human health, and sustainable development. Driven by unchecked plastic production, the problem worsens through the entire lifecycle of plastics – from creation to disposal – releasing not only large debris but also microscopic particles, monomers, and thousands of chemical additives. These pollutants travel worldwide via air and water currents, damaging ecosystems and wildlife, including marine species that suffer from entanglement, ingestion, and toxicity. This editorial is part of a Special Issue "An effective plastic treaty for marine life", edited by Dr. Carmen Morales (University of Cadiz), Doris Knoblauch (Ecologic Institute), and Dr. Stefano Aliani (ISMAR) and published in Science of the Total Environment. 

The publication "Locally Rooted, Globally Connected" captures key insights from four years of transdisciplinary collaboration within the INTERLACE project, coordinated by Ecologic Institute. It highlights lessons from knowledge exchange between cities, researchers, networks, and stakeholders across Europe and Latin America, focusing on co-creating nature-based solutions (NBS) in diverse contexts. The report offers practical tools – including key lessons, checklists, and summaries – to support effective cross-regional collaboration and urban ecosystem restoration. Topics include trust-building, inclusive co-creation, city-to-city exchanges, and navigating cultural and logistical challenges.

Nature-based solutions (NBS) aim to make the world a better place for all, i.e. to ensure that vulnerable groups such as women, children, migrants and people with disabilities benefit alongside other groups in society. This report, which is part of the INTERLACE project, uses a survey and targeted interviews to assess how these groups have been included in the planning and implementation of the INTERLACE project's activities and offers valuable insights for future NBS initiatives and research. The report is accompanied by a collection of stories with vivid illustrations that demonstrate the importance of community action and inclusivity in creating an equitable and sustainable future. 

How can strict marine protection – where ecosystems remain largely untouched – restore ocean health while benefiting local communities and economies? This question was at the heart of the 4th EU Blue Parks Community Workshop, held under the Mission Ocean & Waters initiative. The event explored concrete pathways toward achieving 10% strict protection in European seas. As the coordinating body of the EU Blue Parks Community on behalf of the European Commission, Ecologic Institute supports stakeholder dialogue, facilitates knowledge exchange, and connects science, policy, and practice – strengthening marine conservation strategies across Europe.

The kick-off conference at the Umweltforum Berlin on 11 and 12 March 2025 marked the start of the new 'Circular Textiles' funding measure from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), in which a total of 16 joint research projects and an accompanying networking and transfer project will be working on solutions to support a circular textile economy until 2028. The aim of the event, which was attended by around 100 people, was to present the individual projects, identify common challenges and derive cross-cutting topics for collaborative work. The Ecologic Institute is supporting the initiative with a transfer project and organized the conference.

How can we reduce the impact of pharmaceuticals on our environment? One possible approach is to introduce an environmental information and classification system for pharmaceuticals. This contains information about pharmaceuticals and can support doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in reviewing, prescribing or recommending pharmaceuticals with regard to their environmental properties. At the beginning of March 2025, the project results of the research project 'Pharmaceutical Index Environment – Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Pharmaceutical Environmental Information and Classification System in Germany', led by Ecologic Institute, were presented to a wide range of interested parties. 

How can sharing models contribute to more sustainable resource use? At the expert dialogue "Access Instead of Ownership," experts from academia, practice, and civil society discussed the opportunities and challenges of the sharing economy. The focus was on financing, societal acceptance, and political support needed to establish communal sharing in the long term. It became clear that while non-commercial initiatives play a key role in the circular economy, they face structural barriers. The discussion continues – the next Re-Use Berlin expert dialogue will take place in autumn 2025. The presentations and a summary of the workshop can be found on our website. 

Lecture: Doris Knoblauch

On March 17, 2025, Doris Knoblauch spoke to 21 experts from ministries, authorities, NGOs, and industry from low-income and emerging countries about the urgent need for an international, legally binding agreement on plastics. She highlighted the issue of plastic pollution at all stages – from production to disposal – and called for global action to protect both the environment and human health. She also addressed the harmful effects of plastic additives on human health, the increasing amount of plastic waste in wealthier countries, and the role of textiles in overproduction. Her presentation was part of the 48th UNEP/UNSECO/BMUV International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries, organized by the Centre for International Postgraduate Studies of Environmental Management (CIPSEM) at the Technical University of Dresden. 

Speech: Dr. Grit Martinez 

The fourth Webstival of the Climateurope2 project took place on 11 and 12 March 2025. Dr Grit Martinz from Ecologic Institute presented the results of in-depth ethnographic research on issues of equity in the context of the Most Outer Regions. She highlighted the ongoing impact of colonial structures and attitudes on climate justice, including access to climate services for people of indigenous origin. In doing so, she emphasised the potential of a decolonial ecology in European territories and globally to adapt to the consequences of climate change, together with the political struggles against (post)colonial domination, structural racism and the pollution of the ecosystem. 

Moderation, Panel Discussion, Presentation: Hugh McDonald, Julia Pazmino Murillo 

At the Second European Carbon Farming Summit, the focus was on achieving sustainability outcomes through carbon farming. Topics discussed included certification, policy synergies, and effective rewarding mechanisms for farmers. Hugh McDonald and Julia Pazmino from Ecologic Institute organized a breakout session on sustainability through carbon farming. Hugh McDonald participated in the expert panel "Policy areas relevant to carbon farming: Synergies and trade-offs," where he discussed how EU policy can promote the adoption of carbon farming practices. Julia Pazmino presented initial findings from the Climate Farm Demo project on rewarding mechanisms for farmers during the session "Rewarding mechanisms: Insights from farmers, agri-food companies, and researchers for a successful approach." Some key takeaways and session recordings can be found on our website. 

Speech: McKenna Davis 

On 25–26 February 2025, Biodiversa+, in collaboration with UNEP-WCMC and supported by the Research Council of Norway, hosted a Foresight Workshop in Oslo to explore how nature-based solutions (NBS) can drive transformative change. McKenna Davis, Senior Fellow and Coordinator of Nature-based Solutions at Ecologic Institute, contributed as an invited expert. The workshop brought together around 30 participants from policy, practice, and research to identify key trends, governance challenges, and innovation priorities for advancing NBS. The outcomes will feed into Biodiversa+'s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and strengthen its flagship programs. The event highlighted the need for collaborative, forward-looking strategies to embed NBS in sustainability transformations

Join the Ready4NetZero Final Conference on 3 April 2025 in Kraków (Poland), with online participation available. This hybrid event, organized under the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) and the Ready4NetZero project, will bring together policymakers, experts, and local authorities to exchange insights, strategies, and best practices for effective climate action. The conference will focus on long-term climate planning within the European Green Deal framework, showcase best practices from European cities on their path to net zero, and discuss governance, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement. Attendees will also have access to a practical guidebook for cities and a brochure featuring pilot actions from participating municipalities. Limited in-person spots are available, so register early for either the online or on-site event. 

How can local governments successfully shape the path to climate neutrality? At the Ready4NetZero multiplier workshop on 23 April 2025 (online), you can expect practical resources, insights from pilot municipalities in Central and Eastern Europe and current discussions on local climate action measures in the EU. Network with experts and exchange experiences. We look forward to your registration!

Join the Plastic Pirates this spring to fight plastic pollution in our waters! From May 1 to June 30, 2025, school classes and youth groups can contribute to vital research by exploring plastic waste along the coasts and in the Elbe and Danube river systems. Collect data, learn about environmental science, and make a real impact in the fight against plastic pollution. Sign up now for this exciting opportunity to be part of a European-wide initiative!