Ruta Landgrebe-Trinkunaite

MSc (Environmental Sciences)

MSc (Environmental Sciences & Policy)

Fellow

Team: Research & Policy Analysis
Topics: Biodiversity

Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure

Coastal + Marine

Land Use

Agriculture

Bioeconomy

Resource Conservation + Circular Economy

Evaluation

Indicators

Ruta Landgrebe-Trinkunaite is an environmental scientist in the Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions team at Ecologic Institute. Her work focuses on the evaluation and development of biodiversity and nature conservation policies, both terrestrial and marine, at the European and national levels. In her research, she also focuses on agricultural and forestry policies, with an emphasis on sustainable land use practices and the integration of water and climate change objectives. She is particularly interested in the linkages between these policy areas and seeks synergetic solutions, especially through nature-based solutions (NbS). A native Lithuanian, she is fluent in German and English, has a good understanding of Russian and basic communication skills in French and Spanish.

Ruta Landgrebe-Trinkunaite has extensive experience in evaluating and analysing the practical implementation of nature conservation policies, including the Habitats and Birds Directives and Natura 2000 management. She was involved in the development of the methodology for assessing the effectiveness of marine protected area management "Effective management of marine Natura 2000 sites and other EU marine protected areas" (DG Environment). Furthermore, she has extensive experience in the evaluation of EU Common Agricultural Policy measures and their impacts on biodiversity, soil, water and climate change. Ruta regularly contributes to the evaluation of national CAP strategic plans, e.g. "Evaluation of draft CAP strategic plans with regard to environmental requirements" (DG Environment) and "Support for the implementation of CAP strategic plans" (DG Environment). She is also involved in the preparation of the annual SDG monitoring reports, focusing on SDG 15 "Life on land" (EEA).

She is currently leading the research and development project for the Status Conference: Biodiversity and Climate Change (BfN), which aims to identify knowledge gaps and further research needs on current topics at the interface of biodiversity and climate change. At the Institute, she leads the tasks in two projects on sustainable forest management "Supporting the implementation of the new EU Forest Strategy for 2030" (DG Environment) and "Supporting the implementation of the 3 billion trees commitment" (DG Environment).

Prior to joining Ecologic Institute, Ruta Landgrebe worked at the Center for Environmental Policy (AAPC) in Vilnius (Lithuania). Her work focused on the evaluation and development of air quality and climate policy in Lithuania. From 1997 to 1998, she worked for the Lithuanian Ministry of Environment in the area of air quality for the Programme of Community aid to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (PHARE). PHARE funded Lithuania's accession and integration process into the EU. Between 1994 and 1997, Ruta Landgrebe worked in a regional environmental agency on implementating of air quality, water, quality, and noise monitoring programs.

Ruta Landgrebe completed her first Master of Environmental Science at the Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas (Lithuania). Her second master's degree, accredited through the University of Manchester, was obtained at the Central European University in Budapest (Hungary) in environmental sciences and policy.

Ruta is actively involved with Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. (DUH) and serves as the President of the Lithuanian Expat Organisation (LEO) under the umbrella of Global Lithuanian Leaders (GLL), where she advocates for environmental and diaspora-related issues.

Contact Ruta Landgrebe-Trinkunaite by Email

Publications

Selected publications by Ruta Landgrebe-Trinkunaite

Biodiversity, Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure

PublicationReportIdentifying the Drivers of Successful Implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives – Study for the DG Environment

The time to meet the next target to halt the loss of biodiversity in the EU by 2020 is approaching. Thus, it is a time to take stock of the successes and failures. In response, Ecologic Institute contributed to a study for the DG Environment on "Identifying the drivers... Read more

Tucker, G, Stuart, T, Naumann, S, Stein, U, Landgrebe-Trinkunaite, R and Knol, O (2019) Study on identifying the drivers of successful implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives. Report to the European Commission, DG Environment on Contract ENV.F.1/FRA/2014/0063, Institute for European Environmental Policy, Brussels.

PublicationReportFAQ Note on the Links between the Nature Directives and the Nitrates Directive

This FAQ note presents the links between the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Nitrates Directive. The FAQ note specifies the legislations’ objectives, highlight the interactions between both areas of legislation, and points to the opportunities for greater... Read more

European Commission (ed.) 2019: FAQ note on the links between the Nature Directives and the Nitrates Directive.

Land Use

PublicationArticleSocial Memory and the Resilience of Communities Affected by Land Degradation

Wilson, G. A., Kelly, C. L., Briassoulis, H., Ferrara, A., Quaranta, G., Salvia, R., Detsis, V., Curfs, M., Cerda, A., El-Aich, A., Liu, H., Kosmas, C., Alados, C. L., Imeson, A., Landgrebe-Trinkunaite, R., Salvati, L., Naumann, S., Danwen, H., Iosifides, T., Kizos, T., Mancino, G., Nolè, A., Jiang, M., and Zhang, P. (2017) Social Memory and the Resilience of Communities Affected by Land Degradation. Land Degrad. Develop., 28: 383–400. doi: 10.1002/ldr.2669.

Agriculture

PublicationReportTowards Climate-friendly and Resilient Agri-food Systems in Central Eastern Europe

Cover image for a report titled "Towards climate friendly and resilient agri-food systems in Central Eastern Europe." The subtitle reads "The role of agroecological practices, sustainable diets, and holistic policies." The background features a scenic rural landscape with fields and trees.

Agriculture in the EU accounts for approximately 13% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Globally, the agri-food system is responsible for nearly a third of global emissions. Agriculture and food consumption are key drivers of biodiversity decline,... Read more

Frelih Larsen, A. et al. (2024). Towards climate friendly and resilient agri-food systems in Central Eastern Europe: the role of agroecological practices, sustainable diets, and holistic policies. Ecologic Institute, Berlin. ISBN 978-3-937085-37-1

Resource Conservation and Circular Economy

PublicationReportRessourceneffizienz und natürliche Ressourcen im internationalen Kontext

cover of the UBA report "Ressourceneffizienz und natürliche Ressourcen im internationalen Kontext. Entwicklungslinien der Ressourcenpolitik mit Schwerpunkt auf Ressourcenschonung und Ressourceneffizienz"

The report analyzes documents and formats focusing on resource efficiency, resource conservation and the circular economy at the German, European and international level. It outlines significant developments and expected trends in resource policy and identifies research... Read more

Rechlin, Aissa et al. 2024: Ressourceneffizienz und natürliche Ressourcen im internationalen Kontext. Entwicklungslinien der Ressourcenpolitik mit Schwerpunkt auf Ressourcenschonung und Ressourceneffizienz. Abschlussbericht. Umweltbundesamt: Dessau-Roßlau.

Indicators and Evaluation

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2024

Cover of the report titled 'Sustainable development in the European Union: Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context, 2024 edition' by Eurostat. The design features shades of blue with a colorful hot air balloon graphic in the lower half. The balloon consists of vertical stripes in various colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The title of the report is in white text at the top left.

The 2024 publication is Eurostat's eighth regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7),... Read more

Gebers, Kathrin et al. (ed.) 2024: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2024 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2023

Cover of "Sustainable development in the European Union Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context 2023 edition"

The 2023 publication is Eurostat's seventh regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 ... Read more

Petri, Ekkehard, et al. (ed.) 2023: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2023 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2022

Cover of the publication "Sustainable development in the European Union Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context" 2022 edition

The 2022 publication is Eurostat's sixth regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 ... Read more

Blumers, Miriam, et al. (ed.) 2022: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2022 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2020

This publication is the fourth of Eurostat’s regular reports monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. The analysis in this publication builds on the EU SDG indicator set, developed in cooperation with a large number of stakeholders. The indicator set... Read more

Bley, Simon Johannes, et al. (ed.) 2020: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2020 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationReportGuidance Note on Site Selection

Cover of the Report "Guidance note on site selection. Support to Member States regarding the monitoring of effects of air pollution on ecosystems according to Article 9(1) of the NEC Directive (Directive (EU) 2016/2284)"

Air pollution is not only the major environmental health problem in the EU, but also damages the environment and ecosystems. Article 9 of the NEC Directive (Directive (EU) 2016/2284) requires Member States to monitor the impact of air pollution on ecosystems in their... Read more

Landgrebe, R., Best, A., Hayes, F., Stein, U., Harker, G., Schritt, H., Duin, L., and Deacon, S. 2022: Guidance note on site selection: Support to Member States regarding the monitoring of effects of air pollution on ecosystems according to Article 9(1) of the NEC Directive (Directive (EU) 2016/2284).