Publication:Article

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".

An Effective Plastic Treaty for Marine Life

Editorial to the Special Issue

Year 2025

Publication:Policy Brief

The first policy brief of the EU-funded RESTORE4Cs project highlights the importance of European coastal wetlands in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and removing carbon from the atmosphere, promoting their restoration as a climate change mitigation solution.

How Can Coastal Wetlands Help Achieve EU Climate Goals?

A Policy Brief from the RESTORE4Cs project

Year 2024

Publication:Infographic

Poster titled 'Synergies and Strategies for Marine Protection and Climate Adaptation,' illustrating a research project on integrating marine protection and climate adaptation in coastal areas. The poster features a diagram of the Nexus approach, highlighting connections between marine protection, climate adaptation, socio-economic integration, policy, governance, and potential conflicts. Visual elements include various restoration, construction, and management measures ...

The poster ‘Synergies and Strategies for Marine Protection and Climate Adaptation’ presents key results and approaches of research on the integration of marine protection and climate adaptation. It shows how these two areas can be linked in order to effectively meet the challenges of climate change in marine and coastal ecosystems.

Synergien und Strategien für Meersschutz und Klimaanpassung

Year 2024

Publication:Report

This report focuses on the assessment of the status of the marine environment, the definition of environmental objectives and the development of programs of measures to achieve good environmental status. It provides guidance to Member States on the assessment of marine waters, identifies key pressures and pressures factors and offers approaches for setting environmental targets. It supports the development of monitoring programs and the implementation of measures to reduce pollution and conserve biodiversity. The technical assistance aims to promote cooperation between Member States and create a coherent framework for maritime policy in the EU.

Fachliche Unterstützung der Umsetzung der EG-Meeresstrategie-Rahmenrichtlinie (MSRL)

Year 2024

Publication:Case Study

This UNITED project business brief discusses the legal framework and environmental implications of a project in the Greek Aegean combining aquaculture and tourism, including laws and regulations, particularly in relation to marine conservation, permitting and marine spatial planning.

Greek Pilot

Business Brief

Year 2023

Publication:Case Study

This UNITED project business brief discusses the legal framework and environmental impacts of a project in the German North Sea that combines offshore wind energy and aquaculture, including the laws and regulations that apply to offshore installations in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

German Pilot

Business Brief

Year 2023

Publication:Case Study

This Business Brief of the UNITED project examines the legal and environmental aspects of a project that successfully combines offshore wind energy production with innovative tourism activities.

Danish Pilot

Business Brief

Year 2023

Publication:Case Study

This UNITED project business brief examines the legal and environmental aspects of a Belgian project using offshore wind farms in the North Sea for the cultivation of flat oysters and seaweed. Particular attention is paid to environmental benefits, such as improved water quality and biodiversity, as well as potential challenges, including permitting procedures.

Belgian Pilot

Business Brief

Year 2023

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy paper addresses the restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems. It advocates for synergies among UN decades and underscores the need to integrate various approaches to restoring marine and coastal ecosystems.

Die Wiederherstellung von Meeres- und Küstenökosystemen

Year 2023

Publication:Website

screenshot of the srevice portal "Mission Ocean and Waters"

The Mission Ocean and Waters service portal is now live and serves as a comprehensive one-stop-shop for stakeholders, offering essential tools, contacts, knowledge, matchmaking, financing, and support for the successful execution of the EU Mission "Restore our ocean and waters by 2030". The service portal ensures access to knowledge for all citizens while extending support and technical assistance to Mission Partners actively involved in the Mission Ocean and Waters implementation.

Mission Ocean and Waters Service Portal

Year 2023

Publication:Report

Cover of the report "Implementation of ecological flows in the EU" for the European Commission

This report elaborates the main challenges faced by water management institutions in implementing e-flows in EU Member States, presents country progress in developing relevant good practices and presents relevant implementation examples.

Implementation of E-flows in the EU

Year 2023

Publication:Policy Brief

Cover page of a policy brief dated September 19th, 2023, titled 'POLICY BRIEF: Assessment on the added value of Marine Multi-Use within UNITED pilots'. The background features a soft-focus image of wind turbines at sea. The EU flag is present with a disclaimer about funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. Authors Manuel Lago - ECOLOGIC, Youssef Zaiter - ACTeon, and editors Ivana Lukic, Agnese Cosulich from Submariner Network for Blue Growth EWIV are credited.

As competition for, and interest in, use of ocean space increases, a need for management arises to optimize activity in marine areas. This policy brief provides a comprehensive consideration of the economic efficiency of marine multi-use (MU) by weighing the pros and cons of individual use options against potential MU combinations.

Assessment on the Added Value of Marine Multi-Use within UNITED Pilots

Year 2023

Publication:Article

This article illustrates the communication strategies that were successfully applied in the citizen science program Plastic Pirates in Germany. The program engages schoolchildren, teachers and youth groups in plastic pollution research. A variety of communication strategies have been implemented and continuously revised and adapted since the start of the program in 2016.

Sharing Communication Insights of the Citizen Science Program Plastic Pirates

Best practices from 7 years of engaging schoolchildren and teachers in plastic pollution research

Year 2023

Publication:Article

Hinzmann Mederake EU single use plastics directive article

This article, co-authored by Mandy Hinzmann and Linda Mederake from Ecologic Institute, assesses the potential of the EU "Single-Use Plastics Directive" (SUPD) to reduce litter pollution in the environment with three scenarios. The scenario analysis revealed that the success the current SUPD can be an important first step, yet further legislative actions are needed to effectively prevent plastic waste pollution - bans alone are not sufficient. The success of the Directive is therefore highly dependent on implementation and enforcement.

What Potential Does the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive Have for Reducing Plastic Pollution at Coastlines and Riversides?

Year 2023

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy brief explores the potential and benefits of marine restoration, as proposed in the regulation. Marine and coastal ecosystems are immensely important for biodiversity and human well-being. Restoring marine areas can enable the respective ecosystems to (once again) perform their natural functions, improving their overall health and resilience.

Why is Nature Restoration Critical for Marine Areas?

Year 2023

Publication:Podcast

Since we learned how to produce plastic, humans have manufactured more than 8.3 billion tons of it – most of which ended up as waste somewhere on the planet. This leads plastic waste to enter the landscape, rivers, beaches, and eventually ocean. We asked our listeners what, in their opinion, is the issue with plastic pollution. The answers ranged from negative impacts on human health and the environment to lack of recycling infrastructure and the global dimension of the plastics problem.

From Packaging to Microplastics: Unwrapping EU plastics policies

Sixth episode of the podcast "Green Deal – Big Deal?"

Year 2022

Publication:Report

Cover of the indedendent expert report "Baseline study for the implementation of lighthouses of the Mission ‘Restore our ocean and waters by 2030’: Atlantic, Arctic, Danube and Mediterranean lighthouses"

This study analyses the objectives, targets and activities of the EU Mission 'Restore our ocean and waters by 2030'. It proposes a draft set of indicators for measuring the Mission's progress, maps major stakeholders and networks, and offers recommendations for the future implementation of the Mission.

Baseline Study for the Implementation of Lighthouses of the Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030'

Atlantic, Arctic, Danube and Mediterranean lighthouses

Year 2022

Publication:Postcard

three young female hikers on a hill look at the sea

The postcard series was created for the EU4Ocean Coalition for Ocean Literacy project in order to give the initiative more visibility.

Every Action – Even the Smallest One – Brings Change to Our Ocean

Postcards

Year 2022

Publication:Poster

The roll-up series was created for the Ocean Literacy EU4Ocean Summit 2022 in Ravenna in order to give the initiative more visibility.

Every Action – Even the Smallest One – Brings Change to Our Ocean

Roll-up series

Year 2022

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy brief investigates the gaps in the existing international treaties on marine plastic pollution and proposes components that need to be considered in a new treaty. These proposals will complement the G20 work on plastic pollution. Furthermore, since the G20 summit will be held in Indonesia in 2022, the focus of this policy brief will not only be relevant to G20 countries but also to Southeast Asia as the biggest contributor of marine plastics.

Towards an International Agreement on Plastic Pollution: The Role of the G20

T20 Policy Brief

Year 2022

Publication:Case Study

The case study provides an overview of the Alaskan marine Arctic environment in terms of: 1) the state and status of its ecosystems and their biodiversity; 2) the drivers and associated pressures that impact marine ecosystem health, as well as 3) the policies in place to protect the marine environment, in particular through marine protected areas.

Marine Conservation in the Alaskan Arctic

ArkMPA Case Study: USA / Alaska

Year 2022

Publication:Case Study

Title page of the Canada ArkMPA-case study

This report contains one of six case studies of the ArkMPA, including five on marine policies in states bordering the Arctic Ocean, and one overarching regional report. The case study provides an overview of the Canadian marine Arctic environment in terms of: 1) the state and status of its ecosystems and their biodiversity; 2) the drivers and associated pressures that impact marine ecosystem health, as well as 3) the policies in place to protect the marine environment, in particular through marine protected areas.

Marine Conservation in the Canadian Arctic

ArkMPA Case Study: Canada

Year 2022

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy brief surveys the current state and recent development of the Arctic blue economy in the five Arctic coastal states (Canada, Denmark, USA, Russia and Norway), as well as the Arctic High Seas, to understand potential impacts on Arctic marine biodiversity. It also analyses the driving factors behind these developments.

The Arctic Blue Economy

Current state, developments, and implications for marine conservation

Year 2022

Publication:Flyer

The priorities of the German chairmanship of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) from 2020 to 2022 included strengthened ocean governance in the Baltic Sea region, updating the Baltic Sea Action Plan and measures on biodiversity, climate, eutrophication, pollutants, ammunition dumps, underwater noise and marine litter. The ten-year Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), which was adopted by the environment ministers of the Baltic Sea states and the European Union in Lübeck in 2021, provides for around 200 measures. Specific programs and strategies complement these measures. The goal: a healthy and sustainably used Baltic Sea. This flyer, conceived and designed by Ecologic Institute, provides an overview of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and the work of the Helsinki Commission.

Together for a Healthy Baltic Sea!

The Action Plan of the Helsinki Commission

Year 2022

Publication:Brochure

This brochure summarizes the most important key messages from 20 joint research projects and seven cross-cutting topics of the German research focus "Plastics in the Environment". The brochure is structured along the life cycle of plastics and includes five sections: Green Economy, Consumption, Recycling, Fresh-water Ecosystems, and Saltwater Ecosystems.

Key Messages of the BMBF Research Focus "Plastics in the Environment"

Short version

Year 2022

Publication:Brochure

The publication summarizes the key messages from all 20 joint research projects and the seven cross-cutting topics of the German research focus "Plastics in the Environment". Structured by main topics, the central results are presented in order to derive recommendations for various addressees. More than 70 researchers and practitioners from across the research focus have jointly co-authored the key messages.

Key Messages of the BMBF-Research Focus "Plastics in the Environment – Sources· Sinks · Solutions"

Year 2022

Publication:Website

The Ecologic Institute designed and developed the theme day website "Plastic in the Environment". It contained the event documentation and programme information.

Thementag: Plastik in der Umwelt

Year 2022

Publication:Article

This paper presents the results of a rapid review of the literature on gender and coastal climate adaptation conducted for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 6th Assessment Report (AR6). The findings highlight the lack of data on gender as a social dimension of adaptation and the gaps in current indicators for monitoring the Sustainable Development Goal for gender (SDG5). The paper emphasises the need for gender-disaggregated data on coastal adaptation efforts to fully capture both positive and negative gender dimensions of climate adaptation.

Climate Adaptation Interventions in Coastal Areas

A Rapid Review of Social and Gender Dimensions

Year 2022

Publication:Report

The UNITED project report "Business Analysis of UNITED Pilots" provides a detailed business analysis of the various pilot projects. This analysis includes an assessment of the economic viability, SWOT and PESTEL analyses as well as a review of the financial aspects of the projects. The aim of the report is to assess the financial attractiveness and feasibility of multi-use concepts in European marine areas, with a particular focus on the synergies and challenges arising from the combination of different maritime activities.

Business Analysis of United Pilots

Year 2022

Publication:Video

On 21 May 2022, the Ocean Literacy Festival hosted numerous activities organised by the EU4Ocean Coalition members. The festival connected ocean literacy actors from Europe, and showcased the wide diversity of ocean literacy initiatives already in place. Ecologic Institute developed a social media video trailer to give the festival more visibility.

Ocean Literacy Festival

Year 2022

Publication:Report

Cleveringa, J., Kampa, E., 2021. Intercomparison of ecological potential for Transitional and Coastal waters (TraC). Amersfoort, Berlin: Arcadis, Ecologic Institute.

Intercomparison of Ecological Potential for Transitional and Coastal Waters (TraC)

Year 2021

Publication:Report

Report cover with image of fish, title, and logos of participating institutions

This research report studies the Asian perspectives on a global plastic pollution treaty against the background of a growing momentum for the establishment of a negotiation process during the second part of the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in February 2022. It identifies solutions already pursued by Asian countries to tackle marine plastic pollution, describes the challenges and needs expressed by government officials from the region, and discusses possible treaty elements taking into account experiences of countries in the Asian region.

A Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution

Perspectives from Asia

Year 2021

Publication:Podcast

Everybody who loves the sea has a story to share. In the podcast "If Oceans Could Speak", scientists and experts from different fields, scholars and sailors, artists and activists share their stories about the oceans around us, their value and vulnerability.

If Oceans Could Speak

A podcast about the sea and its people

Year 2021

Publication:Policy Brief

Forests and the ocean are vital for climate, biological diversity, and human communities, but they are degraded and their ecosystem services are seriously impaired, mainly because financial, economic and governance structures are misconfigured. The authors of this T20 policy brief propose that G20 help strengthen the REDD+ climate instrument for forests and extend it to Blue Carbon from coastal and marine ecosystems. Scaled up to cover the Earth's two largest, most diverse and most productive ecosystems, these two approaches can deliver significant economic and climate benefits. The T20 policy brief is available for download.

Fixing Financial, Economic and Governance Structures to Save Forests and the Ocean, and Enhance Their Contributions to Climate Change Solutions

Year 2021

Publication:Article

Coasts and seas both are characterized by intense social-ecological interactions, recently the industrial appropriation of coasts worldwide and oceans as a waste disposal site for port industries and land-based production facilities. In September, White Horse Press' transdisciplinary history journal Global Environment published a special issue dedicated to Coastal Cities and their struggle for coping mechanism to the recent crisis. The special issue was edited by Ecologic Institute and starts with an introductory chapter on the more-than-ever-growing need to consider different ideas, narratives and power relations of coastal and maritime actors and groups in order to shape a coastal management that is ecologically and socially sustainable.

Coastal Cities and Urban Deltascapes Under Pressure

Quo Vadis Homo Narrans?

Year 2021

Publication:Report

This UNITED project report deals with the development of an environmental assessment framework to determine the ecological feasibility of multi-use platforms. This assessment framework is based on the practice of environmental impact assessment (EIA) and applies an integrated cumulative effects assessment (iCEA) in the scoping and identification phases of key impacts. The report aims to assess the added environmental value ("benefits") of multi-use in the marine environment.

Assessment Framework to Determine Ecological Feasibility of Multi-Use Platforms

Year 2021

Adaptation
Agriculture
Arctic
Biodiversity
Bioeconomy
Cities
Climate
Climate Foreign Policy
Coastal + Marine
Communication
Consumer Policy
Culture + Ecology
Digitalization
EU
Economics
Education
Energy
Environmental Law – Ecologic Legal
Evaluation
Events
Finance
Food
Foreign Policy
Governance
Health
Indicators
Industry
International Development
Land Use
Mobility
Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure
Plastics
Public Diplomacy
Resource Conservation + Circular Economy
Trade
Water

Adaptation
Agriculture
Arctic
Biodiversity
Bioeconomy
Cities
Climate
Climate Foreign Policy
Coastal + Marine
Communication
Consumer Policy
Culture + Ecology
Digitalization
EU
Economics
Education
Energy
Environmental Law – Ecologic Legal
Evaluation
Events
Finance
Food
Foreign Policy
Governance
Health
Indicators
Industry
International Development
Land Use
Mobility
Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure
Plastics
Public Diplomacy
Resource Conservation + Circular Economy
Trade
Water

Article
Book
Book Section
Brochure
Case Study
Conference Paper
Document
Fact Sheet
Flyer
Infographic
Newsletter
Podcast
Policy Brief
Postcard
Poster
Report
Thesis
Video
Web Application
Website

Publications

Editorial to the Special Issue

A Policy Brief from the RESTORE4Cs project

Business Brief

Business Brief

Business Brief

Business Brief

Best practices from 7 years of engaging schoolchildren and teachers in plastic pollution research

Sixth episode of the podcast "Green Deal – Big Deal?"

Atlantic, Arctic, Danube and Mediterranean lighthouses

Postcards

Roll-up series

T20 Policy Brief

ArkMPA Case Study: USA / Alaska

ArkMPA Case Study: Canada

Current state, developments, and implications for marine conservation

The Action Plan of the Helsinki Commission

Short version

A Rapid Review of Social and Gender Dimensions

Perspectives from Asia

A podcast about the sea and its people

Quo Vadis Homo Narrans?