Publication:Video

This video, produced within the REACHOUT project, focuses on the Fluvial Flooding hazard, and showcases how climate service tools can be applied in real-world urban policy challenges. It serves as a visual guide to help municipal representatives, local consultants, and service providers understand and implement these tools effectively.

Increasing Flood Resilience: tools for city planners

Year 2025

Publication:Video

This video, produced within the REACHOUT project, focuses on the Urban Heat climate hazard, and showcases how climate service tools can be applied in real-world urban policy challenges. It serves as a visual guide to help municipal representatives, local consultants, and service providers understand and implement these tools effectively.

Tackling Urban Heat: tools for city planners

Year 2025

Publication:Report

Urban community garden with a colorful sign reading 'Cosechando Comunidad' (Harvesting Community), part of the INTERLACE project publication cover titled 'Locally rooted, globally connected' about Europe–Latin America knowledge exchange in urban ecosystem restoration.

The publication “Locally rooted, globally connected” captures key lessons learned from the knowledge exchanges in the context of the transdisciplinary research and international cooperation between cities, researchers, city networks, and wider stakeholders from Europe and Latin America conducted in the frames of the INTERLACE project. Through partnerships across the two regions, the project highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of working across diverse cultural, institutional, and geographic contexts and demonstrated the importance of tailoring NbS to local contexts while balancing the need for comparability across regions.

Locally Rooted, Globally Connected

Lessons from Europe-Latin America knowledge exchanges in a transdisciplinary research project

Year 2025

Publication:Book

Focusing on cities in the European Arctic, this book consolidates research on sustainable development, local and urban governance, and transnational cooperation in the region. It examines to what extent there is transnational cooperation between urban areas in remote locations and how it can be enhanced to better align with global sustainable development policies to successfully implement goals set for example by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Sustainable Urban Development in the European Arctic

Year 2025

Publication:Document

Stories have the unique potential to inspire change, shape perceptions, and foster understanding across diverse audiences. This collection of stories, developed as part of the INTERLACE project, aims to convey the profound emotional and cultural importance natural surroundings have for local communities and showcase the power of collective action.

Stories of Justice in Action

Learning from the INTERLACE project

Year 2025

Publication:Report

Nature-based solutions (NbS) aim to improve the world for everyone, which means ensuring that vulnerable groups, such as women, children, migrants, and people with disabilities, benefit alongside other social groups. This report, part of the INTERLACE project, assesses how these groups have been included in the planning and implementation of project activities, offering valuable insights for future NBS initiatives and research.

Ethics, Gender and Diversity Monitoring in INTERLACE

Summary report

Year 2025

Publication:Infographic

Illustration of a future scenario titled "If We Finally Take Action…" depicting a sustainable landscape in 20 to 30 years. The negative scenario shows the consequences of inadequate climate protection. Plus symbols highlight different aspects of sustainable development. The graphic is created by NABU/Ecologic Institute.

This interactive infographic shows what the future could look like in 20 to 30 years - in two scenarios: one with resolute climate protection and another scenario that leaves everything as it is. The intention is to make the consequences of climate change more tangible and to illustrate the urgency of climate protection measures.

Wie sehen die Folgen der Klimakrise aus?

Year 2025

Publication:Report

The report ‘From Ideas to Action’ presents the strategy papers of the seven INTERLACE partner cities, which were developed in close cooperation with local stakeholders in Europe and Latin America. These papers highlight tailor-made strategies for nature-based solutions (NbS), including the revitalisation of urban parks in Chemnitz and the development of a search engine for green infrastructure projects in Kraków. The aim is to effectively address the unique challenges of each city, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and social inequality.

From Ideas to Action

INTERLACE impulses for successfully implementing NbS in cities

Year 2024

Publication:Book

A new textbook entitled 'Urban Nature: New directions for city futures', co-authored by Ecologic Institute's McKenna Davis, has just been published. The introductory textbook with a global scope aims to train students of geography, sustainability, and urban and environmental studies to re-imagine and transform cities to meet climate, biodiversity, and sustainability challenges. It speaks directly to the twin crises of biodiversity loss and a changing climate as well as the imperative to integrate justice with urban nature and nature-based solutions, putting cities in focus as spaces and places for transformative change.

Urban Nature – New Directions for City Futures

Year 2024

Publication:Article

The INTERLACE project, funded by Horizon 2020, exemplifies innovative transdisciplinary approaches to tackling urban challenges through nature-based solutions (NBS). By fostering stakeholder engagement, developing practical tools, and supporting ecosystem restoration, the project empowers cities across Europe and Latin America to implement sustainable NBS. McKenna Davis and Benedict Buebfrom Ecologic Institute provided key insights into the project's progress and outcomes.

Nature-based Solutions to Urban Challenges

Year 2024

Publication:Report

Der Bericht "Integrating Nature-Based Solutions in Policy and Planning. Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities" (dt.: Erkenntnisse und Lektionen aus den INTERLACE-Städten), fasst die Erfahrungen der sieben Partnerstädte in Europa und Lateinamerika zusammen. Er richtet sich an politische Entscheidungsträger:innen und Stadtplaner:innen, die naturbasierte Lösungen (NbS) systematisch in ihre städtischen Planungs- und Governance-Strukturen einbinden möchten. Dabei betont die Publikation die Bedeutung inklusiver Beteiligungsprozesse sowie den Einsatz moderner Daten- und Finanzierungsinstrumente, um NbS auf eine breitere Ebene zu skalieren.

Integrating Nature-Based Solutions in Policy and Planning

Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities

Year 2024

Publication:Web Application

Urban areas across the globe are facing unprecedented challenges – pollution, climate change, urban sprawl – and traditional solutions are falling short. Join the Interlace project's free online course to discover how nature-based solutions offer a promising approach to help create resilient, sustainable cities.

Nature-based Solutions: How to regenerate nature to make neighborhoods more livable, biodiverse, and resilient to climate change

MOOC

Year 2024

Publication:Report

This report from the INTERLACE project examines the co-creation of governance instruments with partner cities, offering insights into the collaborative development of policies and tools that support the implementation of nature-based solutions (NbS). Developed through structured exchanges with city representatives and guided by the expertise of the project task team, the report sheds light on both the challenges and practicalities of co-creating governance frameworks for urban ecosystem restoration.

Insight notes on co-producing value-added governance instruments for restorative NbS

Milestone 2.3

Year 2024

Publication:Brochure

The practical guidance "Green and diverse urban (re)design" shows how local authorities can implement concrete measures to promote ecological diversity in urban areas. From the creation of new green spaces and the naturalization of bodies of water to the greening of roofs and façades, the guide offers practical recommendations and illustrative examples.

Städte grün und vielfältig (um)gestalten

Praxisleitfaden für Kommunen zur Berücksichtigung von biologischer Vielfalt in Gebieten der Städtebauförderung

Year 2024

Publication:Report

The guidance document "Developing ambitious local long-term climate neutrality strategies", developed as part of the Ready4NetZero project serves as a comprehensive roadmap for administrative staff in small- and medium-sized municipalities as they navigate the complexities of becoming climate neutral. It is structured to facilitate a clear understanding of the necessary cross-cutting measures for developing effective local long-term climate strategies, including realizing a long-term vision, establishing baselines, fostering participation, planning action, financing, monitoring, evaluation, and ensuring a just transition.

Developing Ambitious Local Long-term Climate Neutrality Strategies

Charting the course: crafting forward-thinking local climate neutrality strategies

Year 2024

Publication:Infographic

This poster conveys key content from the Ready4NetZero publication "Developing ambitious local long-term climate neutrality strategies". It presents five key elements for effective local long-term climate neutrality strategies.

Planning for Net Zero

Key Elements in Shaping Effective Local Long-term Climate Neutrality Strategies

Year 2024

Publication:Brochure

The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 calls on cities to promote urban nature in the form of “Urban Nature Plans” for the protection of biodiversity, for climate protection and adaptation and for the quality of life in cities, and to set ambitious targets for this. This brochure transfers the approach of urban nature plans to the German context and offers concrete tips for implementation. This includes a checklist to determine the extent to which a municipality's existing plans already correspond to urban nature plans.

Stadtnatur-Plan: Lebensqualität, Klima und biologische Vielfalt zusammendenken!

Ein Leitfaden zur Umsetzung der EU-Biodiversitätsstrategie 2030 in urbanen Gebieten

Year 2024

Publication:Article

screenshot article sitting in our own soup

Urban water management is facing new challenges due to climate change. Intensified precipitation is putting additional stress on stormwater systems, leading to increased flood risks, more frequent combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and resultant risks to public health and urban biodiversity. These topics are addressed in a new publication co-authored by Gregory Fuchs and McKenna Davis of Ecologic Institute entitled 'Sitting in our own soup? Combined sewers, climate change and nature-based solutions for urban water management in Berlin.'

Sitting in Our Own Soup? Combined sewers, climate change and nature-based solutions for urban water management in Berlin

Year 2024

Publication:Video

The CLEVER Cities Guidance is an online platform conceptualized by Ecologic Institute to give you unique insight into the multifaceted world of sustainable urban development. This introductory video aims to raise not only the interest but also the engagement of stakeholders from local governments, the academic community and the public and to bridge the gap between the different target groups. The video takes you through the CLEVER Cities Guidance, clearly highlighting the concrete contribution it makes in the context of sustainable urban development.

CLEVER Cities Guidance

Year 2023

Publication:Infographic

Illustration of multifunctional measures for urban infrastructure that combine water retention and greening. It shows green roofs, green facades, photovoltaic systems, permeable pavements, deep beds with retention space, multifunctional retention areas and a cistern for rainwater utilization. Benefits include improved air quality, noise reduction, heat reduction and resource conservation. Source: Ecologic Institute and Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment.

Ecologic Institute conceived and designed several infographics for the update of the Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in Baden-Württemberg. These visualise some of the thematised climate impacts on the various fields of action and support the understanding of the content. The infographics are designed in accordance to the project's style guidelines.

Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in Baden-Württemberg – Infographic Series

Year 2023

Publication:Website

The CLEVER Cities Guidance online platform developed by Ecologic Institute features insights, tools, indicators and lessons learned about nature-based solutions (NBS) emerging out of the CLEVER Cities project and its nine partner cities. Filling a gap in available resources, the Guidance focuses on (1) policy and planning strategies, (2) how to generate and measure social impacts of NBS, and (3) approaches for co-creation and engaging stakeholders.

CLEVER Cities Guidance

clever-guidance.clevercities.eu

Year 2023

Publication:Brochure

Due to changing climatic conditions, the state government of Baden-Württemberg committed to update its adaptation strategy in 2023. This compact information highlights the measures from the state strategy in which municipalities have an important role to play. It is intended to help them define and implement, or work towards implementing, the measures necessary for their local conditions and risks. It provides a compact overview for municipalities on their way to adapt to the consequences of climate change.

Kompaktinformation für Kommunen: Strategie zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Baden-Württemberg – Fortschreibung

Year 2023

Publication:Brochure

Cover of the short version "Strategie zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Baden-Württemberg. Fortschreibung"

The adaptation strategy provides the framework for the adaptation activities of the state of Baden-Württemberg and serves as a basis for implementation, especially for administration, municipalities and the economy. Due to changing climatic conditions, the state government of Baden-Württemberg committed to update its adaptation strategy in 2023. This short version summarizes the contents of the adaptation strategy.

Kurzfassung: Strategie zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Baden-Württemberg – Fortschreibung

Year 2023

Publication:Brochure

Ecologic Institute provided editorial and graphical support for the update of the adaptation strategy in Baden-Württemberg. Using graphical elements and a well-designed reader guidance, the reading orientation was improved and the visual quality of the document was increased. In addition to the graphic design, Ecologic Institute provided support for the drafting of several chapters, e.g. on climate change impacts, summarized sectoral adaptation challenges and developed an abridged version of the update of the adaptation strategy.

Strategie zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Baden-Württemberg – Fortschreibung

Year 2023

Publication:Report

This paper focuses on co-creation for nature-based solutions, providing practical examples and guidance for local decision-makers. It sheds light on the effective utilization of co-governance approaches, encouraging participatory processes and collaborative creation in the realm of nature-based solutions.

Harnessing the Power of Collaboration for Nature-based Solutions

New ideas and insights for local decision-makers

Year 2023

Publication:Infographic

The INTERLACE Urban Governance Atlas was launched in 2023. It invites political decision-makers, urban planners, researchers, civil society organizations, and all interested parties to delve into the success stories of 250 political instruments from 41 countries. These instruments support nature-based solutions and tools for ecosystem restoration. The Atlas aims to showcase what has made them successful, the lessons learned in their design and implementation, and the governance approaches they employ. Developed by the Ecologic Institute, the infographic provides a clear overview of what the Urban Governance Atlas is and who can benefit from it.

Urban Governance Atlas

Year 2023

Publication:Web Application

The INTERLACE Urban Governance Atlas was officially launched on 11 May 2023 at the INTERLACE Cities Talk Nature Conference in Chemnitz. The first of its kind, the online database showcases 250 policy instruments from 41 countries supporting nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration. The interactive design invites policymakers, urban planners, researchers, civil society organizations, and others to explore and learn more about what made the instruments successful, lessons learned in their design and implementation, and their approaches to governance.

Urban Governance Atlas

Year 2023

Publication:Flyer

The NICHES project flyer illustrates the main project objectives and case-study cities. An overview of the project process is illustrated, together with details of the partner cities implementing the project. The flyer is styled according to the project style-guides and contains contact information.

Nature's Integration in Cities' Hydrologies, Ecologies and Societies (NICHES)

Year 2023

Publication:Article

This blog post shows why the EU Renovation Wave should link environmental and social issues. EU member states are currently facing three crises: the climate crisis, an energy security crisis and a social crisis. The EU Renovation Wave has a key role in responding to all three crises. However, it can only fulfill this key role if the implementation of the renovation wave is socially fair.

Kein Pfusch am Bau! Verteilungspolitische Effekte der EU-Renovierungswelle

Blog Post

Year 2023

Publication:Article

This article written by Dr. Ulf Stein and Benedict Bueb from Ecologic Institute together with researchers of the French National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRAE) presents insights of two case studies, in Paris and Berlin, which investigated the potential of two mobile applications to make urban water management visible to the public and thus increase awareness about certain water management aspects.

Making Urban Water Management Tangible for the Public by Means of Digital Solutions

Year 2023

Publication:Policy Brief

Healthy urban ecosystems and biodiversity are key to ensuring the resilience of European cities. This policy brief presents evidence and data to support strong targets for urban ecosystem restoration to be included in the Nature Restoration Law.

Why is Nature Restoration Critical for the Resilience of European Cities?

Year 2022

Publication:Thesis

Buildings are responsible for more than 30% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions from energy. To increase energy and resource efficiency, the EU Renovation Wave sets the target of doubling renovation rates in the next ten years. The EU also presents the Renovation Wave as a countermeasure against energy poverty, which currently impacts around 34 million EU residents. However, EU-level analyses which connect the technical aspects of the plan with socioeconomic criteria that account for energy poverty remain scarce. In this paper, Nora Kögel from Ecologic Institute addresses that gap by investigating the distributional effects of reaching the Renovation Wave’s 2030 goals in the EU27 countries.

Socioeconomic Effects of EU Renovation Wave Expenditure on Low-Income Groups in the EU27

Year 2022

Publication:Podcast

On one of those days when the temperature hit 30 degrees, the "Green Deal – Big Deal?" podcast host Ewa Iwaszuk from Ecologic Institute in Berlin speaks with her guests about the climate change impacts in cities and especially about the EU's plans on how to adapt to and better deal with those impacts. The discussion focuses on the possibilities that nature offers to help us cope with challenges such as heat and flooding.

Beating the Heat: Europe prepares for climate change impacts

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

Year 2022

Publication:Brochure

Cover of the peer learning note "Urban Ecosystem Restoration and Nature-based Solutions"

The Peer Learning note seeks to share practices and lessons. It provides good practice examples from different cities and peri-urban areas in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain and Colombia on how to integrate nature in the search for a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient urban development. The Peer Learning Note is targeted at cities, local and regional governments, communities and organizations worldwide interested in the topic of urban restoration.

Urban Ecosystem Restoration & Nature-based Solutions

UCLG Peer Learning Note #31

Year 2022

Publication:Podcast

To achieve the EU's goals, we need to rethink mobility from the ground up. This involves many aspects, including electric mobility, walking, cycling and public transport. The second episode of the "Green Deal – Big Deal?" podcast examines the challenges and issues that the mobility transformation needs to address, including environmental problems like climate change and air pollution.

It's Electric! The future of mobility in Europe.

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

Year 2022

Publication:Report

This paper describes important findings from the project "Data Governance and Regulation for a Sustainable Berlin" and formulates – in addition to the application field-specific papers – overarching recommendations.

Datengovernance und -regulierung für ein nachhaltiges Berlin

Übergeordnete Erkenntnisse und Empfehlungen

Year 2022

Publication:Podcast

In the first episode of the Green Deal – Big Deal? podcast we unpack the European Green Deal and discuss its importance with our guests Dr Hans Bruyninckx (European Environment Agency) and Dr Åsa Persson (Stockholm Environment Institute).

European Green Deal – What is Europe trying to achieve and where are we now?

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

Year 2022

Publication:Report

This paper examines the concept of an "extended" digital product passport from a socio-ecological perspective using the example of batteries for electric vehicles. It evaluates different approaches to data regulation and formulates policy recommendations for decision makers in Berlin. It is based on preliminary work from the project, in which in particular three ideal types of data regulation and a methodology for their scenario-based evaluation were developed.

Nachhaltige Datenregulierung für die Kreislaufwirtschaft in Berlin

Hintergründe und Policy-Empfehlungen

Year 2022

Publication:Brochure

The guideline "More sustainability through coupled infrastructures" presents a comprehensive approach on how municipalities can make their infrastructure systems more sustainable through innovative sector coupling. It emphasizes the role of new technical possibilities and the need for a systemic perspective in order to fully exploit the potential of infrastructures and focus on long-term sustainability.

Mehr Nachhaltigkeit durch gekoppelte Infrastrukturen

Leitfaden für Kommunen

Year 2021

Publication:Report

The report "Governance Analysis for Planning and Implementation of Urban NBS" presents insights from a governance analysis conducted in the six INTERLACE partner cities: CBIMA (Costa Rica), Chemnitz (Germany), Envigado (Colombia), Granollers (Spain), Metropolia Krakowska (Poland), and Portoviejo (Ecuador). The analysis examines existing governance structures, policymaking and implementation practices, as well as challenges and enabling factors for advancing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in urban areas.

Governance Analysis for Planning and Implementation of Urban NBS

Governance Practices, Challenges and Needs of INTERLACE Cities

Year 2021

Publication:Report

Cover of the publication "StromNachbarn: Reformoptionen für einen beschleunigten Ausbau von Photovoltaikanlagen auf Mehrfamilienhäusern in Berlin" with a view over Berlin

This study examines current proposals for the further expansion of photovoltaics and analyses the solutions used in Spain, the Netherlands and Austria. It shows that the two central goals – accelerating the PV expansion and involving residents – are in tension with each other, at least in the short term.

StromNachbarn: Reformoptionen für einen beschleunigten Ausbau von Photovoltaikanlagen auf Mehrfamilienhäusern in Berlin

Year 2021

Publication:Document

The INTERLACE project, coordinated by Ecologic Institute, has published the "Guidance on Gender, Cultural, and Ethical Considerations" to support inclusive, transparent, and fair stakeholder participation. The document provides practical recommendations and measurable indicators to help project partners integrate gender, cultural, and ethical considerations into their activities.

Inclusive Participatory Process for Urban Ecosystem Restoration

Guidance on Gender, Cultural, and Ethics-related Considerations

Year 2021

Publication:Website

Are you interested in environmental issues or European policy? Would you like to understand what the European Green Deal is, and how will it impact our lives in the years to come? Then you have come to the right place. On the Green Deal – Big Deal website you can find all episodes of our podcast, our webinars and additional information about the European Green Deal.

Green Deal – Big Deal?

Year 2021 - 2023

Publication:Report

Promising approaches were identified via participatory stakeholder workshops, that could contribute to establishing circular construction in Berlin. Such approaches include a stronger orientation of the legal framework towards the circular economy, for example through an obligation to selective deconstruction in the Berlin Building Code. On the other hand, there is a need for even stronger public procurement of circular approaches in the building sector by facilitating the consideration of life-cycle costs in procurement practice. With the combination of these approaches, it seems possible to establish Berlin as a Circular City in the building sector in the long term.

Zirkuläres Bauen in Berlin – Transformationsroadmap

Circular City Berlin: Vom Potenzial zur Umsetzung

Year 2021

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy brief examines current proposals for the further expansion of photovoltaics. It shows that the two central goals – accelerating the PV expansion and involving residents – are in tension with each other, at least in the short term. Based on the analysis, the following sequence of measures is proposed: First, as an immediate intervention, PV plants that feed all of their electricity generation into the grid should be made economically viable again.

Wie gelingt der urbane Solar-Turbo?

Reformoptionen für einen beschleunigten Ausbau von Solaranlagen auf Mehrfamilienhäusern in Berlin

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:Article

Wehrmann, Dorothea et. al. 2021: Wie können wir die Ozeane retten? Die Bedeutung der transdisziplinären und kollaborativen Meeresforschung. Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE): Bonn.

Die Bedeutung der transdisziplinären und kollaborativen Meeresforschung

Wie können wir die Ozeane retten?

Year 2021

Publication:Report

The global COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted profound inequalities and vulnerabilities across the Global South, particularly in areas such as energy access, urban resilience, and environmental governance. Contributors to the IASS study analyzed challenges and potential pathways toward sustainable recovery, emphasizing the role of renewable energy, urban planning, and climate-smart economic strategies. The pandemic exposed systemic fragilities, demonstrating the urgent need for holistic, integrated approaches to development that address economic, environmental, and social dimensions simultaneously.

Sustainable Solutions for the Global South in a Post-Pandemic World

Year 2021

Publication:Article

Focusing on urban and rural development at the regional and local level as key areas of application for climate services, the paper characterizes this valley of death and suggests options to bridge the gap. The authors, among them Ecologic Institute's Dr. Grit Martinez, suggest that reframing of the concept of climate services can help expand their applications and effectiveness, taking local non-climate challenges, opportunities and narratives into account.

Reframing Climate Services to Support Municipal and Regional Planning

Year 2021

Publication:Article

This article co-authored by Sandra Naumann and McKenna Davis from the Ecologic Institute provides an overview of the state of the art of the environmental European policy framework and the recognized role of nature-based solutions (NBS) and sustainable urban planning (SUP) in reaching defined objectives and outlines insights on where NBS and SUP could play a larger role within this framework. Finally, it derives recommendations for a better integration of such concepts into the current framework. The article is available for download.

Nature-Based Solutions and Sustainable Urban Planning in the European Environmental Policy Framework

Analysis of the State of the Art and Recommendations

Year 2021

Publication:Report

Publication Cover with Buildings in the City

The report provides up-to-date information for policymakers on the how to apply nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and at the same time making use of multiple societal benefits that these solutions can bring. Drawing on selected examples across Europe, the report shows how impacts of extreme weather and climate-related events are already tackled in this way. It also assesses global and European policies and how nature-based solutions are increasingly being integrated in the efforts to shift towards sustainable development.

Nature-Based Solutions in Europe: Policy, Knowledge and Practice for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction

EEA Report No 1/2021

Year 2021

Publication:Policy Brief

NATURVATION Publication Cover Image with text and a photograph of a city garden

This briefing note, published within the EU-funded Horizon 2020 project NATURVATION, takes a critical look at the value and limits of climate nature-based solutions to deliver on biodiversity goals. Building on research findings from NATURVATION, the brief discusses the question: How can we realise the added value of urban climate nature-based solutions for biodiversity?

Urban Nature: A Shared Solution to the Climate and Biodiversity Crises?

Year 2021

Publication:Report

This background paper for the research project "Digitalisation – Setting the Course for a Social-Ecological Digital Transformation in Berlin" within the project "Knowledge. Change. Berlin" provides an overview of the sustainability and digitalisation goals of the state of Berlin. First, the paper outlines sustainability goals relevant for the project in the following topic areas: data governance, climate protection, transport and mobility, energy and health.

Nachhaltigkeits- und Digitalisierungsziele des Landes Berlin

Einordnung der Ziele

Year 2021

Publication:Report

Tenant electricity systems generate solar power on apartment buildings and deliver it directly to the households in the building. In a new study, Katharina Umpfenbach and Ricarda Faber (Ecologic Institute) evaluate the effects of the existing tenant electricity systems in Berlin. The bottom line: Berlin's 74 tenant electricity projects have positive ecological and socio-economic effects, but these remain low compared to the technically available potential. Currently, only 1 % of the tenant electricity potential is used. The study is available for download.

StromNachbarn: Evaluation der sozialen und ökologischen Wirkungen von Mieterstromanlagen in Berlin

Year 2021

Publication:Report

Publication Cover with a photo of the city of Berlin

As part of the CiBER project "Circular City Berlin - pathways from potential to implementation", initiatives and business models are being investigated that can contribute to the development of a next-generation circular economy in Berlin. The special focus is on the areas of construction, electronics and textiles. The next-generation circular economy is about innovations in product design and product use systems.

Circular City Berlin – Kreislaufwirtschaft der zweiten Generation

Konzeptionelle Übersicht eines neuen Innovationsökosystems

Year 2021

Publication:Report

The innovation field of construction is a resource-relevant field in Berlin – in 2017, the construction sector accounted for about 22 percent of the raw material input of the state of Berlin. Currently, the recycling rate for mineral construction waste is around 50 percent, and is expected to increase to more than 60 percent by 2030. Circular economy approaches in the field of construction have to cover the entire life cycle: from the design of durable and deconstructable structures to the use-phase and material-preserving re-use to circular business models.

Zirkuläre Innovationen im Bereich Bauen in Berlin

Potenziale und Governance-Ansätze

Year 2021

Publication:Report

To assist provincial authorities in Vietnam with the preparation of air quality management plans, UfU and Ecologic Institute have developed a package of three publications with concrete activities and recommendations for immediate action.

Air Quality Management Action in Vietnamese Provinces and Cities

Toolbox for Immediate Action

Year 2020

Publication:Report

Publication cover "Local Air Quality Management"

Air Quality Management Action in Vietnamese Provinces and Cities

Local Air Quality Management – Manual for combined use with the AQMA-Table

Year 2020

Publication:Report

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are emerging as a tool to integrate nature into territorial planning, with great opportunities to address these threats and benefit humans and ecosystems in parallel. The guide for integrating nature-based solutions in urban planning, a first approach for Colombia has been developed to facilitate the inclusion of nature in urban planning through a seven-step process. The guide was written by Carolina Figueroa during her time at Ecologic Institute as an Alexander von Humboldt International Climate Protection Fellow. The guide is available for download.

Guía para la integración de las Soluciones Basadas en la Naturaleza en la planifcación urbana

primera aproximación para colombia

Year 2020

Publication:Report

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are solutions that are inspired and supported by nature. They can be used in urban settings to complement or replace "traditional" or "grey" solutions to social and environmental challenges, such as air pollution, the heat island effect, water scarcity, flooding, loss of nature and lack of social cohesion. This guidance document highlights a range of policy and supporting instruments relevant for NBS design, implementation and maintenance.

Addressing Climate Change in Cities – Policy Instruments to Promote Urban Nature-based Solutions

Year 2020

Publication:Policy Brief

2020: Green refuges for enabling cities' preparedness for future pandemics and global change. ENABLE Policy Brief 3.

Green Refuges for Enabling Cities' Preparedness for Future Pandemics and Global Change

ENABLE Policy Brief 3

Year 2020

Publication:Report

To meet its increasingly stringent emissions reduction targets, the European Union plans to extend the use of emissions trading, to also cover emissions from road transport and buildings. To understand the effects of this move, DG CLIMA commissioned a comprehensive analysis to investigate the economic, social, environmental, and regulatory / administrative implications. Together with partners ICF, eclareon, Enerdata, Fraunhofer Institut, Cambridge Econometrics, CITEPA, and Milieu, the Ecologic Institute investigated the general options for either the extension of the existing EU ETS or the introduction of a stand-alone scheme.

Possible Extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to Cover Emissions from the Use of Fossil Fuels in Particular in the Road Transport and the Buildings Sector

Year 2020

Publication:Website

The Ecologic Institute developed the INTERLACE project website. It provides information and materials to strengthen urban ecosystem restoration in the European Union and Latin America. INTERLACE aims to strengthen cooperation, learning and peer-to-peer interactions on the local, regional and global scales through the Cities Talk Nature mechanism. The six partner cities are central to this process, providing and sharing experiences with other cities globally and building technical and procedural capacities. A web-based Innovation Hub will support these efforts by disseminating INTERLACE's results and the hands-on tools for urban decision-makers and planners created by the project.

INTERLACE – Restoring Urban Ecosystems

Year 2020 - 2024

Publication:Podcast

This podcast explores different aspects of urban nature through stories of innovators from across Europe who use their passion and creativity to make cities green.

Innovating with Nature, People and Places

5th episode of the podcast "Creating Green Cities"

Year 2020

Publication:Podcast

This podcast explores different aspects of urban nature through stories of innovators from across Europe who use their passion and creativity to make cities green.

Valuing Nature: Can Money Really Grow on Trees?

4th episode of the podcast "Creating Green Cities"

Year 2020

Publication:Report

Int this report, Irina Herb and Christiane Gerstetter of Ecologic Institute, as well as Alexandru Matei (ICLEI), present insights on how nature-based solutions can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), defined in the 2030 Agenda, and recommend several pathways for doing so.

Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions: Sustainable Development Goals

NATURVATION Guide

Year 2020

Publication:Report

In this publication, Doris Knoblauch (Ecologic Institute), Lorenzo Felicetti, and Ulf Stein (Ecologic Institute) shed light on the untapped potential of ICT solutions in water management across Berlin, Milan, Copenhagen, Paris and Sofia, the five cities analysed in the project digital-water.city. In the analysis, the cross-cutting nature of digital water governance, and thereby its multifunctionality in terms of policy goals became evident.

Policy Matrix – Screening of Digital, Data and Water Policies

Starting points for untapped potential of ICT solutions in water management

Year 2020

Publication:Podcast

This podcast explores different aspects of urban nature through stories of innovators from across Europe who use their passion and creativity to make cities green.

All Hands on Deck: Governing Urban Green

3rd episode of the podcast "Creating Green Cities"

Year 2020

Publication:Podcast

This podcast explores different aspects of urban nature through stories of innovators from across Europe who use their passion and creativity to make cities green.

Urban Trees and Gardens: How Good Are They Really for You?

2nd episode of the podcast "Creating Green Cities"

Year 2020

Publication:Policy Brief

2020: Local Action for Green and Blue Infrastructure – Lessons learned from transdisciplinary and cocreation processes in cities. ENABLE Policy Brief 2.

Local Action for Green and Blue Infrastructure – Lessons learned from transdisciplinary and cocreation processes in cities

ENABLE Policy Brief 2

Year 2020

Publication:Policy Brief

2020: Operationalising EU Policies for Urban Green and Blue Infrastructure. ENABLE Policy Brief 1.

Operationalising EU Policies for Urban Green and Blue Infrastructure

ENABLE Policy Brief 1

Year 2020

Publication:Website

Ecornet is a German network of independent research institutes with a focus on the environment and sustainability. The goal of this unprecedented research project "Wissen. Wandel. Berlin" was to strengthen Berlin's pioneering role in the development of innovative approaches to ensuring a liveable, climate-neutral and sustainable city. The Ecornet Berlin website was developed, implemented and designed by Ecologic Institute. It served the public communication of the project's goals, events and results.

Ecornet Berlin – Ecological Research Network

Year 2020 - 2022

Publication:Podcast

Green roofs make buildings cool. Literally. As cities deal with the impacts of climate change, green roofs can offer solutions and help with rainwater management, insulation and cooling, amongst other benefits. No matter the weather, installing a green roof also benefits biodiversity and can transform inaccessible, unused areas into inspiring communal green spaces in the middle of densely built urban centres.

Bringing Nature Back into Cities

1st Episode of the podcast "Creating Green Cities"

Year 2020

Publication:Article

The measures imposed by Berlin to contain the coronavirus pandemic are characterised by a pragmatic approach that poses less constraints on personal freedom than the measures adopted in other cities and countries. And yet it seems to be working. Support for small local businesses, solidarity and medical preparedness are at the heart of this approach. In this article, Doris Knoblauch from Ecologic Institute elaborates on the situation in the city of Berlin during the corona crisis.

Berlin: Pragmatic solidarity to face COVID-19

Year 2020

Publication:Article

Local governments have little influence on short- and long-term climate policies taken at national and supranational levels. As the role of global cities is put to test by the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for an urgent and coherent management of the emergency in urban realities places further emphasis on the quest for sustainable urbanisation processes and strategies worldwide. Ewa Iwaszuk (Ecologic Institute) provides a commentary on the contribution of global cities to meeting the SDG13 within the ISPI Dossier "Global Cities in the Age of Covid-19: Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development".

Tackling Climate Change: Give Cities a Voice

Year 2020

Publication:Policy Brief

The multifunctional character of nature-based solutions enables them to provide responses to both social and environmental challenges. This policy brief provides gaps and opportunities to sustainable urban development through NBS at local and national as well as EU and international level. It also analyses local needs from the European and international levels.

Gaps and Opportunities to Sustainable Urban Development through Nature-based Solutions

CLEVER Cities Policy Brief

Year 2020

Publication:Article

The German article "Seven at one blow! Regional Food Strategies as key to more sustainable Urban-Rural cooperations" deals with the role of regional food strategies as a promising approach for an integrated, sustainable development of urban and rural areas. The article, written by Stephanie Wunder, Coordinator Food Systems at the Ecologic Institute and Franziska Wolff, Head of Environmental Law & Governance at Öko-Institut summarizes the results of the UBA project "Rural Urban Nexus", led by Ecologic Institute. The text is part of "The Critical Agricultural Report". Since 1993 "Der kritische Agrarbericht" is an annually published flagship book, that critically reflects about agriculture in Germany in the context of the EU Common Agricultural Policy. The 2020 edition focused on the changing relationship between rural and urban areas.

Sieben auf einen Streich

Regionale Ernährungsstrategien als Schlüssel für eine nachhaltigere Stadt-Umland-Kooperation

Year 2020

Publication:Book

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are solutions that are inspired and supported by nature. They can be used in urban settings to complement or replace "traditional" or "grey" solutions to perform functions, such as thermal insulation and stormwater retention and filtration. Focusing on addressing climate change, this catalogue presents a wide selection of NBS that exemplify high climate mitigation potential and applicability across a range of urban contexts.

Addressing Climate Change in Cities – Catalogue of urban nature-based solutions

Year 2019

Publication:Book Section

In this chapter Ewa Iwaszuk, Linda Mederake and Doris Knoblauch (all Ecologic Institute) analyse the extent to which municipal long-term climate strategies contain formulations and measures aimed at promoting urban transformative change (defined as non-linear change for sustainability that profoundly transforms cities and the systems they form part of). The methodology is applied to the strategies of three cities from around the world (Austin, Texas, USA; Berlin, Germany; Melbourne, Australia) to understand the extent to which the visions outlined in these local-level strategies can be said to be transformative.

The Transformative Potential of Local Climate Change Strategies

Year 2019

Publication:Report

This study shows that a commitment to a regional food policy promises positive effects in a whole range of policy areas, including environmental protection, sustainable land use, health, strengthening local value chains, education, and participation. Regional food policy in Germany requires the establishment of new structures and can only succeed if administrations work together across disciplines and sectors, if there is cooperation between the city and its environs and if it is shaped in a participatory process together with all the actors concerned. Due to the high media interest and the mobilisation potential that the topic of nutrition has to offer, it might be easier to set up these processes compared to many other topics.

Regionale Ernährungssysteme und nachhaltige Landnutzung im Stadt-Land-Nexus

Year 2019

Publication:Report

The report "Integrated approaches for sustainable urban-rural development" published by the German Federal Environment Agency at the end of 2019 summarizes the results of the three-year research project "Rural Urban Nexus – Global Land Use and Urbanization" (RUN). The findings of the project, that was led by Ecologic Institute, show that there is already a wide range of strategic approaches, instruments and institutional forms for better collaboration between cities and their surrounding areas. Rather than establishing new instruments, administrations and policy makers should make greater use of existing possibilities – especially informal instruments of regional planning – and to integrate sustainable urban and peri-urban development into existing policies. In particular, the development of regional food strategies can be an important entry point and catalyst for achieving sustainable urban rural development.

Rural Urban Nexus – Globale Landnutzung und Urbanisierung

Integrierte Ansätze für eine nachhaltige Stadt-Land-Entwicklung

Year 2019

Publication:Report

This report by Ecologic Institute explores the extent to which current policy frameworks support sustainable urban development and nature-based solutions (NBS). It reveals that a variety of different terms are used across countries in policies and discourses in support of sustainable urban development, with green (and blue) infrastructure being the most frequently used. However, while many policies were shown to have strong explicit support for sustainable urban development, these often lack mandatory policy instruments.

Multi-level Policy Framework for Sustainable Urban Development and Nature-based Solutions – Status quo, gaps and opportunities

CLEVER Cities Deliverable 1.2

Year 2019

Publication:Infographic

This infographic visualises the evaluation results of various measures to promote electric vehicles. It specifies the corresponding measures and illustrates the evaluation criteria. The infographic is licensed under a Creative Commons license CC BY-ND 4.0, i. e. it can be used without any changes, if the author is mentioned.

Evaluation Outcome for Measures to Promote EVs

Year 2019

Publication:Book Section

While hardly anyone would argue against the importance of cities and local governments in the implementation of climate policies, what remains contested is their role in the international climate regime. This analysis by Ecologic Institute uncovers how the activities of cities and transnational city networks, which have been evolving over the years, have gradually broadened the international climate regime, although cities are not subjects of international law. The analysis is available for download.

The Evolving Role of Cities as Non-state Actors in the International Climate Regime

Year 2019

Publication:Report

This working paper identifies the main overarching trends affecting the food supply system, sets out the environmental and socio-economic implications of spatial decoupling of food production, consumption and disposal, and addresses the particular role of urbanisation in changing supply systems. The effects in industrialised and developing countries are considered in equal measure.

Nachhaltige Ernährungssysteme in Zeiten von Urbanisierung und globaler Ressourcenknappheit

Herausforderungen und Handlungsmöglichkeiten

Year 2019

Publication:Report

The report first presents non-institutional factors that influence the relationship between urban and rural areas. In the second part, it provides an overview of institutional framework conditions and instruments for the design of sustainable urban-rural linkages. The third section of the report analyses existing instruments and policies for the sustainable design of urban-rural linkages. It covers instruments at the German, EU and international levels. Examples of good practice from European and non-European countries in the field of "regional food systems" have a complementary, illustrative function.

Rahmenbedingungen und Instrumente für die Gestaltung nachhaltiger Stadt-Land-Verknüpfungen

Year 2019

Publication:Article

The circumstances under which different ecosystem service benefits can be realized differ. The benefits tend to be coproduced and to be enabled by multiple interacting social, ecological, and technological factors, which is particularly evident in cities. As many cities are undergoing rapid change, these factors need to be better understood and accounted for, especially for those most in need of benefits. We propose a framework of three systemic filters that affect the flow of ecosystem service benefits: the interactions among green, blue, and built infrastructures; the regulatory power and governance of institutions; and people's individual and shared perceptions and values. We argue that more fully connecting green and blue infrastructure to its urban systems context and highlighting dynamic interactions among the three filters are key to understanding how and why ecosystem services have variable distribution, continuing inequities in who benefits, and the long-term resilience of the flows of benefits.

Enabling Green and Blue Infrastructure to Improve Contributions to Human Well-Being and Equity in Urban Systems

Year 2019

Publication:Article

The capacity of multifunctional natural areas to simultaneously address user preferences, answer municipal needs, and fulfil wider political obligations is far from being fully realised. The present article responds to this situation and highlights the Q-method as an effective approach for assessing and integrating user viewpoints on urban GBI and its benefits in urban decision-making and planning processes.

Integrating User Preferences into Urban Green and Blue Infrastructure Planning

Insights from Halle, Germany and Stockholm, Sweden

Year 2019

Publication:Fact Sheet

1st page of the 4th CLEVER Cities fact sheet "Establishing a framework to measure the impact of nature-based solutions on urban regeneration within CLEVER Cities."

This factsheet explores the potential impacts of nature-based solutions in four key social and economic facets of urban regeneration to create a shared understanding and common approach within the CLEVER Cities project. Along with the overarching concept of urban regeneration, the following sub-themes are explored: human health and well-being; sustainable economic prosperity; social cohesion and environmental justice; and citizen safety.

Establishing a Framework to Measure the Impact of Nature-based Solutions on Urban Regeneration within CLEVER Cities

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 4

Year 2019

Publication:Book Section

Urbanisation is an ongoing global trend that results in a considerable level of new land take and the loss of soil and its functions. This article reveals how different EU cities have addressed these issues through specific approaches with a focus on efficient land use. Lead by the Ecologic Institute, this analysis was carried out as part of the FP7 project "Preventing and Remediating Soil Degradation (RECARE)".

Land Take and Soil Sealing – Drivers, Trends and Policy (Legal) Instruments

Insights from European Cities

Year 2019

Publication:Fact Sheet

Private businesses lack awareness of market opportunities and appropriate business models for deploying nature-based solutions. This CLEVER Cities factsheet outlines types of NBS financing sources and the potentials of public-private partnerships. The CLEVER Cities factsheet No 3, edited by Ecologic Institute, is available for download.

Impact-driven Financing and Investment Strategies for Urban Regeneration

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 3

Year 2019

Publication:Fact Sheet

Private businesses lack awareness of market opportunities and appropriate business models for deploying nature-based solutions. This CLEVER Cities factsheet outlines green market opportunities and potential business policies for urban nature-based solutions. The CLEVER Cities factsheet No 2, edited by Ecologic Institute, is available for download.

Green Market Opportunities and Business Policies for Urban Nature-based Solutions

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 2

Year 2019

Publication:Fact Sheet

This CLEVER Cities factsheet outlines the main barriers and success factors for successful implementation of nature-based solutions. The CLEVER Cities factsheet No 1, edited by Ecologic Institute, is available for download.

Key Barriers to and Factors for Improving the Successful Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 1

Year 2019

Publication:Article

In this article, the authors, among them Ecologic Institute's Linda Mederake, assess innovative climate governance in small-to-medium-sized structurally disadvantaged cities (SDCs). Considering their deeply ingrained severe economic and social problems, it would be reasonable to assume that SDCs act primarily as climate laggards or at best as followers. However, novel empirical findings show that SDCs are capable of acting as climate pioneers. Different types and styles of climate leadership and pioneership and how they operate within multi-level and polycentric governance structures are identified and assessed. SDCs seem relatively readily willing to adopt transformational climate pioneership styles to create 'green' jobs, for example, in the offshore wind energy sector and with the aim of improving their poor external image.

Climate Pioneership and Leadership in Structurally Disadvantaged Maritime Port Cities

Year 2019

Publication:Report

Green and blue infrastructure (GBI) has the potential to effectively slow down, halt and reverse the negative effects of human activities on the environment while safeguarding valuable ecosystem services that these natural settings provide, especially in urban areas. The successful implementation of GBI is linked to a variety of factors, especially so the policy and institutional framework in which they are embedded. Acknowledging this potential, this report aims to understand the policy contexts which foster or hinder the uptake and positive impacts of green and blue infrastructure across a range of European cities.

City Level Policy and Institutional Frameworks – A supporting or hindering factor for green and blue infrastructure?

Insights from five ENABLE cities

Year 2018

Publication:Report

This final report presents the results of the research project "Internet of services and things and compliance with environmental standards of technical infrastructures – a concept study for Schwerin and its surroundings". The report is available for download.

Internet der Dienste und Dinge und Erfüllung von Umweltstandards technischer Infrastrukturen – am Beispiel der Landeshauptstadt Schwerin und Umland

Year 2018

Publication:Report

This deliverable explores four key social and economic facets of NBS in the context of urban regeneration, namely: human health and well-being; sustainable economic prosperity; social cohesion and environmental justice; and citizen safety. It defines each concept and proposes indicators for measuring their impact in order to create a shared understanding and common approach within the CLEVER Cities project. Purely environmental aspects and indicators are beyond the scope of this document and are explored elsewhere in the project.

Defining Key Concepts and Associated Indicators to Measure NBS Impact on Urban Regeneration within CLEVER Cities

CLEVER Cities Deliverable 1.1.4

Year 2018

Publication:Brochure

This brochure describes the threats to soils in Europe, how the RECARE project has addressed these and provides clear examples of soil management options and policy solutions. Ecologic Institute's Ana Frelih-Larsen and Sandra Naumann contributed to the RECARE project brochure, which is available for download.

RECARE Project – Finding and sharing solutions to protect our soils

Year 2018

Publication:Policy Brief

The problem of historical contamination remains an important gap in European policymaking on soils. Political commitment is required to address the issue of historical contamination systematically by providing a common EU framework to guide and facilitate activities at the national level, where in turn establishing and implementing national strategies for managing soil contamination is important. Finally, improving knowledge, sharing, and availability of existing information, and engaging stakeholders in the process of remediating soil contamination is recommended by the authors, lead by Ana Frelih-Larsen and Sophie Ittner of Ecologic Institute. The RECARE policy brief is available for download.

Remediating Historical Soil Contamination

Effective Measures and Policy Solutions

Year 2018

Publication:Policy Brief

The persistent damaging impacts of subsoil compaction call for policy intervention in order to secure yields and adapt to climate change, as well as to sustain soil ecosystem services for future generations. The authors of this RECARE Policy Brief, including Ana Frelih-Larsen of Ecologic Institute, demand that policy responses need to address the underlying drivers of farmers' decision-making concerning field traffic through a systematic and coordinated approach for sustainable soil management in Europe. The RECARE policy brief is available for download.

Subsoil Compaction – A threat to sustainable food production and soil ecosystem services

Year 2018

Publication:Policy Brief

Despite the extensive loss of productive soils and the valuable ecosystem services that soils provide, the awareness of the magnitude and negative implications of these processes remain relatively low. In this RECARE policy brief, Ecologic Institute's Sandra Naumann and Ana Frelih-Larsen together with Gundula Prokop from the Austrian Environment Agency illustrate the scale of the problem and identify ready-made solutions and steps policy makers and practitioners can take across different levels, from city planning to national and European level. The RECARE policy brief is available for download.

Soil Sealing and Land Take

Year 2018

Publication:Article

There is a consensus about the strategic importance of cities and urban areas for achieving a global transformation towards sustainability. While there is mounting interest in the types of qualities that increase the capacity of urban systems to attain deep transformations, empirical evidence about the extent to which existing institutional and material systems exhibit transformative capacity is lacking. This paper thereby seeks to determine the extent to which sustainability initiatives led by local governments and their partners reflect the various components that the literature claims can influence the emergence of transformative capacity as a systemic property of urban settings. The article is available for download.

Transformative Capacity and Local Action for Urban Sustainability

Year 2018

Publication:Document

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly being adopted as an effective tool to address urban challenges. But, to what extent do current policy frameworks support or hinder their implementation? This report examines if and how the concept of NBS is addressed in select EU and Member State policies and funding instruments. The report was published within the Horizon 2020 project NATURVATION and is available for download.

Nature-based Solutions in European and National Policy Frameworks

Year 2018

Publication:Book Section

Can urban living labs support social and governance innovations and therewith contribute to sustainable urban planning? Can they serve as a tool to assist cities in adapting to new emerging challenges? This chapter of the Urban Planet book address these questions. The chapter introduces a brief history of urban living labs and the governance challenges they intend to address, and subsequently explores whether urban living labs hold potential as a new forum for urban governance innovation experiments to support positive transformative change. The open access chapter and book are available for download.

Utilizing Urban Living Laboratories for Social Innovation

Year 2018

Publication:Brochure

Green growth brings about multiple social and economic benefits. Together with Ecofys, Ecologic Institute produced a brochure, which highlights examples of green growth that stem from a range of sectors (energy, buildings, transport, agriculture and industry) and are located throughout Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. The brochure presents cutting-edge technologies, forward-thinking entrepreneurs, smart combinations of financing options, and innovative project designs. The brochure is available for download.

Innovation, Renovation, Transformation

Good practice examples of projects promoting green growth across Central, Eastern and Southern Europe

Year 2018

Publication:Article

This paper offers a preliminary assessment of a sample of boundary-spanning organisations based across six case studies (Barcelona, Chicago, London, Medellin, Mexico City and Seoul) and across three types of BSOs: living labs, innovation districts and sector-oriented BSOs. Unpacking the shape and development of BSOs, and "placing" them in urban governance, we begin to sketch a preliminary agenda geared to offer a better appreciation of the "information ecosystem" underneath policy-making in cities. The paper is available online.

Informing Urban Governance? Boundary-spanning Organisations and the Ecosystem of Urban Data

Year 2018

Publication:Web Application

So far, the Urban Nature Atlas has collected evidence on 1000 nature-based solutions (NBS) interventions. With that, it provides the most comprehensive basis for the analysis of socio-economic and innovation patterns associated with urban NBS in Europe. Ecologic Institute was involved in the design and implementation of the database, which is intended to support research, policy and public relations.

Urban Nature Atlas – NATURVATION

Year 2018

Publication:Report

Work Package 3 (WP3) of the ENABLE-project aimed to analyze citizen perceptions of and preferences for various CES provided by GBI. It also identified potential means to integrate such knowledge and information in municipal planning processes. This report presents the research results of the work package.

Methodological Review and Framework: Cultural ecosystem services provided by green and blue infrastructure

Year 2018

Publication:Article

Ecologic Institute contributed to a practical guide for local-level evaluations of changes in ecosystem services. The approach helps to associate such changes to specific water management measures and enables both monetization and qualitative appraisal of impacts. Possible links between WFD State parameters and specific ESS classes are proposed. The article is available for download.

Getting into the Water with the Ecosystem Services Approach

The DESSIN ESS evaluation framework

Year 2018

Publication:Book

How can cities and municipalities contribute to climate mitigation? What are the municipal institutions, actors and processes that matter? Which areas of activity and which approaches show promising results? These are the questions addressed in this anthology of Ecornet. In the book, researchers describe and analyse in 14 articles how the implementation of the Paris Agreement can be advanced by activities at the local level.

Klimaschutz kommunal umsetzen – Implementing climate policies at the local level

How climate action can succeed in cities and municipalities

Year 2018

Publication:Brochure

In December 2017 the publication "Creative Environment – a guide to art and sustainability initiatives in Berlin" was published by Ecologic Institute. The guide is the result of Ecologic Institute's inaugural Writer-in-Residence program. Curator Yasmine Ostendorf spent two months conducting interviews and researching initiatives in Berlin that are working in the shared spaces between art and sustainability.

Creative Environment – A guide to art and sustainability initiatives in Berlin

Year 2017

Publication:Book Section

With this contribution Doris Knoblauch and Susanne Langsdorf from Ecologic Institute offer an easy-to-use three-step process that allows for a meaningful assessment of projects' sustainability. The process has already been tested by two digitization projects. The article is available online in the "Monitor Nachhaltige Kommune. Report 2017" published by the Bertelsmann Stiftung.

Nachhaltige Kommunen durch Digitalisierung?!

Ein Verfahren zur Einschätzung der Auswirkungen kommunaler Digitalisierungsprojekte auf eine nachhaltige Entwicklung

Year 2017

Publication:Book Section

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) as a promising nature-based solution are the focus of a new chapter, written by Ecologic Institute's McKenna Davis and Sandra Naumann. The authors utilize a range of case studies and evidence from across Europe to underline the potential of SUDS as a tool to reduce the negative effects of urban flooding and resultant water pollution. The diverse environmental and societal co-benefits are also presented as well as insights on the potential cost-effectiveness of SUDS as compared to grey infrastructure solutions.

Making the Case for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems as a Nature-based Solution to Urban Flooding

Year 2017

Publication:Website

The NATURVATION Project has launched its website, which offers information on the project, nature-based solutions, six city profiles and much more. Alongside news and information about the project, the new website includes a blog, which will update readers on NATURVATION research and outputs as the project progresses.

NATURVATION – cities – nature – innovation

Year 2017

Publication:Article

Nature-based solutions promoting green and blue urban areas have significant potential to decrease the vulnerability and enhance the resilience of cities in light of climatic change. They can thereby help to mitigate climate change-induced impacts and serve as proactive adaptation options for municipalities. We explore the various contexts in which nature-based solutions are relevant for climate mitigation and adaptation in urban areas, identify indicators for assessing the effectiveness of nature-based solutions and related knowledge gaps.

Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Urban Areas

Perspectives on Indicators, Knowledge Gaps, Barriers, and Opportunities for Action

Year 2017

Publication:Report

Afman, Maarten et. al. 2017: EU Energy Market Policy: Local and Regional Experience and Policy Recommendations. European Committee of the Regions: Brussels.

EU Energy Market Policy

Local and Regional Experience and Policy Recommendations

Year 2017

Publication:Report

Bach, Inga; Nick Evans; Zbigniew M. Karaczun et. al. 2016: Bau einer emissionsarmen Wirtschaft. Praxis auf lokaler Ebene in Polen und Deutschland. Warschau.

Bau einer emissionsarmen Wirtschaft

Praxis auf lokaler Ebene in Polen und Deutschland

Year 2016

Publication:Report

This booklet gives an overview of the POCACITO project, focussing on the methodology used and most importantly on the major findings, results and outcomes of the project.

Final Synthesis Booklet POCACITO

Major Findings and Outputs of the POCACITO Project

Year 2016

Publication:Report

The overall goal of the DESSIN ESS software system is to support users implementing the DESSIN ESS evaluation framework and sustainability assessment. This document describes how the software should do this, from the end-user perspective. The document is organized into so-called "user stories". Each user story describes a task that a user would like the software to perform, and explains why performing the task provides value to the user. The users stories are organized into "epics", which are groups of similar stories. Most of the user stories are written from the perspective of an evaluation lead carrying out an ESS assessment, as this was thought to be the most likely user of the system. The software framework presented here was developed by DHI, ECOLOGIC, SINTEF, and IWW in collaboration with the DESSIN user group, which consists of the demo site representatives who will be the end users of the software.

System Requirement Specification and System Design Documents

Requirement elicitation and system design (Deliverable 23.1, DESSIN)

Year 2016

Publication:Report

The report analysed the impact of the EU Adaptation Strategy in 2013 on the development of national, regional and local adaptation strategies in the Member States. For the report, the authors of Ecologic Institute, ICLEI und UCL analysed national, regional and local adaptation policies. The analyses included interviews with two regional governments and a survey to signatories of the initiative MayorsAdapt. The report is available for download.

Regional and Local Adaptation in the EU since the Adoption of the EU Adaptation Strategy in 2013

Year 2016

Publication:Report

In recent decades, and after a gradual improvement in water quality due to wastewater treatment and reduced industrial activities, urban rivers and lakes have become increasingly important in the planning of urban ecology, green infrastructure, green areas and climate change adaptation in European cities. According to a new EEA report, new initiatives for integrated water management in urban areas contribute to making cities greener and more sustainable.

Rivers and Lakes in European Cities

Past and Future Challenges

Year 2016

Publication:Article

Innovative ways to manage the urban water cycle are required to deal with an ageing drinking and waste water infrastructure and new societal imperatives. This paper examines the influence of water governance in enabling transformations and technological innovation uptake in urban water management. A governance assessment framework is developed and applied in three case-studies, examining different scales and types of innovations used to tackle challenges in European urban water management. The methodology combines documentary analysis and interviews to reconstruct historical storylines of the shift in the water governance of urban water management for each site. The research provides detailed empirical observations on the factors conducive to innovation uptake at the local level. Critical governance factors such as commitment to compromise, the necessity to build political support, and the role of "entrepreneurs" and coalitions are highlighted. The paper also explores the role of discursive strategies and partnership design, as well as that of regulative, economic and communicative instruments, in creating barriers and opportunities to initiate and secure change. A number of recommendations targeted at innovators and water managers are presented in the conclusion.

Governance Regime Factors Conducive to Innovation Uptake in Urban Water Management

Experiences from Europe

Year 2016

Publication:Report

In this study, Ecologic Institute researched – together with ICLEI and the Austrian Environmental Agency – how cities and regions that have signed the Covenant of Mayors went through the process of creating and implementing their Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs). The case studies provide an overview of the multi-level governance activities of Hanover, the Region of Barcelona and the Region of Emilia Romagna. For the case studies pertaining to sustainable financing, the city of Bath, the Region of Sardegna and the city of Namyslow were picked. The study is available for download.

Multi-level Governance and Partnership Practices in Development and Implementation of Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP)

Year 2016

Publication:Report

Lucha, Christine; Andreas Prahl; Bettina Kampman et. al. 2016: Local and Regional State of Play and Policy Recommendations Concerning Sustainable Heating and Cooling: Focusing on EU Level Policy. European Committee of the Regions: Brussels.

Local and Regional State of Play and Policy Recommendations Concerning Sustainable Heating and Cooling

Focusing on EU Level Policy

Year 2016

Publication:Report

The DESSIN Ecosystem Services Evaluation Framework is a methodology used to systematically assess the impacts of innovative solutions to water-related challenges from the environmental, economic and social perspectives. The framework consists of the DESSIN Cookbook, a Companion Document, a Supplementary Material File and a Case Reporting Template. The framework is aimed at decision-makers, practitioners and technology developers who want to evaluate the potential impacts of new technologies and water management measures on freshwater ecosystems and their services. The documents are available for download.

Framework for Evaluating Changes in Ecosystem Services

Year 2016

Publication:Policy Brief

Policy Brief no.3 examines the case of using Climate information Services to increase urban resilience, learning from the Danish experience with Cloudburst management. It is based on one of the detailed narratives carried out for the RECREATE project. The policy brief is available for download.

Climate Information Services for Urban Resilience

Learning from the Danish experience with cloudburst management

Year 2016

Publication:Policy Brief

The RECREATE Policy Brief no.4 examines the case of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in two different application areas: (1) coastal protection and (2) urban drainage systems. It is based on one of the detailed narratives carried out for the RECREATE project. The RECREATE Policy Brief no.4 is available for download.

Coastal Protection and Suds – Nature-based Solutions

Year 2015

Publication:Flyer

The Rostock Energy Alliance (Energiebündnis Rostock) was founded in April 2011 by the City of Rostock and nine other municipal stakeholders from sectors such as public transport, housing and waste and water management. Their united goal is a locally based energy supply fully sourced from renewables. While CO2 emissions should be reduced, quality of life should not. The Alliance meets face-to-face biannually to exchange knowledge and experience, as well as to seek synergies for various constituent activities. The Alliance aims to reduce the annual CO2 emission per person to 2.5t or less by 2030. Compared to 2010, this is equal to a 2% reduction per year. To date (2015), the Energy Alliance supported the city in the creation of an energy transition concept and the current implementation of associated measures, in addition to the foundation of an energy cooperative.

Energy Alliance Rostock

an expert and stakeholder platform to assist in the urban energy transition

Year 2015

Publication:Article

Cities and municipalities play a key role in finding solutions for climate change issues on the local level. A number of research projects already provides best-practice examples and strategies for their implementation. An effective exchange of municipalities facilitates the spread of available knowledge much faster. Within this article Ecologic Institute's Doris Knoblauch, Arne Riedel, and Monica Ridgway discuss the central challenges of both groups and elaborate on the themes and methods used for networking. The article is available for download.

Wie können Städte voneinander lernen?

Netzwerke im Klimaschutz

Year 2015

Publication:Report

The American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS) at Johns Hopkins University released a report detailing the future of power in a post-carbon society. Max Grünig, from Ecologic Institute co-authored the report with David Livingston. This Policy Report offers German and American perspectives on the emerging fuel challenges in the transportation sector and the importance of post-carbon cities. It is an example of AICGS' commitment to comparing and contrasting the interests and policies of Germany and the United States in an effort to identify common policy challenges, choices and opportunities. The report is available for download.

The Future of Power in a Post-carbon Society

Breaking the Carbon Cartel: How Cities are Leading the Way to a Post-Carbon Tomorrow

Year 2015

Publication:Report

This Deliverable reports the results of the assessment of governance factors conducive to innovation uptake carried within the context of the FP7 DESSIN project. The research is based on the analysis of innovation uptake in the three DESSIN mature case-study sites (i.e. Aarhus, Emscher, Ebro) which had welcomed some successful transformation in urban water management. A number of recommendations are presented in the conclusion to inspire future "entrepreneurs" in promoting innovation uptake in urban water management. The report is available for download.

Governance Regime Factors Conducive to Innovation Uptake in Urban Water Management

Deliverable 12.1, DESSIN

Year 2015

Publication:Book Section

What makes adaptation measures successful, and how can they be used as good examples? In his recent article "The view beyond the horizon – International examples of climate adaptation", Dr. Nico Stelljes aims to answer this question using different success factors for the classification of good examples of adaptation to climate change, presenting five examples of adaptation measures. The article was published in the seventh volume of the OEKOM series 'Climate Change within Regions'.

Der Blick über den Tellerrand

Internationale Beispiele der Klimaanpassung

Year 2015

Publication:Case Study

This assessment report gives an overview of the key indicators for the POCACITO (Post-Carbon Cities of Tomorrow) case study of Rostock. This mid-sized city is located in Central Europe on the north-east coast of Germany. Rostock is a regional centre and coastal city. The assessment provides an outline of some of its main challenges and opportunities. The report was used in the POCACITO project for workshops with stakeholders in Rostock on vision building and back-casting to derive a 2050 roadmap as well as a scenario modelling on Rostocks measures for climate change mitigation.

Case Study Assessment Report – Rostock

Year 2015

Publication:Report

This document provides a state-of-the-art review to support the conceptual and practical development of the DESSIN ESS Evaluation Framework. It briefly presents the state of affairs regarding the measurement of changes in ESS, including description of existing classification systems, analytical frameworks and economic valuation methodologies. The challenges associated with spatial and temporal variations of ESS are considered and an approach to define and measure sustainability is presented. Finally, the next steps in the work plan of Work Area 1 are outlined.

Water Status Related Changes in ESS, Economic Valuation and Sustainability Assessment of ESS

Internal state of the art report on ecosystem services evaluation (Deliverable 11.1, DESSIN)

Year 2014

Publication:Poster

Monica Ridgway; Beáta Vargová (2014): Supporting the Transition to a Post-carbon Society – POCACITO Poster Series. Poster. Berlin: Ecologic Institute.

Supporting the Transition to a Post-carbon Society – POCACITO Poster Series

Year 2014

Publication:Book Section

Döhler, Felix; Grünig, Max; Langsdorf, Susanne, 2014. Ökostadt – Vision und Wirklichkeit. In: Heike Leitschuh et al. (Hrsg.): Jahrbuch Ökologie 2015. Re-Naturierung. Stuttgart: S. Hirzel Verlag, 229-236.

Ökostadt – Vision und Wirklichkeit

Year 2014

Publication:Book

The Yearbook Ecology 2015 was published at the end of August 2014. This issue's focus is on re-naturation: society in harmony with nature, which is examined from economic, social, technical and ecological points of view. Ecologic Institute is one of the institutes supporting this yearbook and contributed three articles in the 2015 edition.

Jahrbuch Ökologie 2015

Re-Naturierung – Gesellschaft im Einklang mit der Natur

Year 2014

Publication:Report

Deliverable B of the two-part report on "Multilevel Governance of our Natural Capital" provides a set of recommendations targeting Member States and local and regional authorities. These aim to support the achievement of the EU Biodiversity Strategy’s targets for 2020 and the implementation of CBD Decision X/22. The recommendations are the result of an analysis that was based on the findings from an online survey and desk research. The document presents a set of headline recommendations and elaborates on each recommendation with a more detailed explanation and illustrative examples.

Multilevel Governance of our Natural Capital – Part B: Recommendations

The contribution of regional and local authorities to the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Year 2014

Publication:Report

The report was prepared by Ecologic Institute and ICLEI. It was conducted for the Committee of the Regions (CoR) to inform the CoR's contribution to the review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and contribute to the monitoring of the implementation of CBD Decision X/22 within the Member States. The main task of the study was the collection and analysis of information from the 28 Member States and their regions and cities on the involvement of local and regional authorities in the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and CBD Decision X/22. The report is available for download.

Multilevel Governance of our Natural Capital – Part A: Analysis and Case Studies

Year 2014

Publication:Postcard

As part of the visual identity for project "Post-Carbon Cities in Europe: A Long-Term Outlook" (POCACITO), Ecologic Institute designed a promotional flyer in small postcard format. The flyer summarizes general objectives and aims of the project, is styled according to the project style-guide and also contains a list of partners, contact information and a QR-code directing to the project website. Flyers are distributed during project events.

European Post-Carbon Cities of Tomorrow – Flyer

POCACITO Project Flyer

Year 2014

Publication:Policy Brief

(2014). ELEEP Policy Recommendations for Urban Development and Transportation. Portland-Seattle Study Tour 26-31 January 2014. ELEEP Policy Brief. Ecologic Institute US, Atlantic Council, ELEEP.

ELEEP Policy Recommendations for Urban Development and Transportation

Portland-Seattle Study Tour 26-31 January 2014

Year 2014

Publication:Website

The Ecologic Institute is responsible for concept, design, programming and content of the POCACITO project website. The website provides information on the project, the case studies and the project results. There is also a "marketplace of ideas", where users can search for specific information by filtering the topics, locations and population. An interactive map then shows the accompanying cities. Furthermore all news about the project can be found in the blog on the website.

European Post-Carbon Cities of Tomorrow (POCACITO)

Year 2014 - 2016

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

Lessons from Europe-Latin America knowledge exchanges in a transdisciplinary research project

Learning from the INTERLACE project

Summary report

INTERLACE impulses for successfully implementing NbS in cities

Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities

MOOC

Milestone 2.3

Praxisleitfaden für Kommunen zur Berücksichtigung von biologischer Vielfalt in Gebieten der Städtebauförderung

Charting the course: crafting forward-thinking local climate neutrality strategies

Key Elements in Shaping Effective Local Long-term Climate Neutrality Strategies

Ein Leitfaden zur Umsetzung der EU-Biodiversitätsstrategie 2030 in urbanen Gebieten

clever-guidance.clevercities.eu

New ideas and insights for local decision-makers

Blog Post

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

UCLG Peer Learning Note #31

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

Übergeordnete Erkenntnisse und Empfehlungen

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

Hintergründe und Policy-Empfehlungen

Leitfaden für Kommunen

Governance Practices, Challenges and Needs of INTERLACE Cities

Guidance on Gender, Cultural, and Ethics-related Considerations

Circular City Berlin: Vom Potenzial zur Umsetzung

Reformoptionen für einen beschleunigten Ausbau von Solaranlagen auf Mehrfamilienhäusern in Berlin

Quo Vadis Homo Narrans?

Wie können wir die Ozeane retten?

Analysis of the State of the Art and Recommendations

EEA Report No 1/2021

Einordnung der Ziele

Konzeptionelle Übersicht eines neuen Innovationsökosystems

Potenziale und Governance-Ansätze

Toolbox for Immediate Action

Local Air Quality Management – Manual for combined use with the AQMA-Table

primera aproximación para colombia

ENABLE Policy Brief 3

5th episode of the podcast "Creating Green Cities"

4th episode of the podcast "Creating Green Cities"

NATURVATION Guide

Starting points for untapped potential of ICT solutions in water management

3rd episode of the podcast "Creating Green Cities"

2nd episode of the podcast "Creating Green Cities"

ENABLE Policy Brief 2

ENABLE Policy Brief 1

1st Episode of the podcast "Creating Green Cities"

CLEVER Cities Policy Brief

Regionale Ernährungsstrategien als Schlüssel für eine nachhaltigere Stadt-Umland-Kooperation

Integrierte Ansätze für eine nachhaltige Stadt-Land-Entwicklung

CLEVER Cities Deliverable 1.2

Herausforderungen und Handlungsmöglichkeiten

Insights from Halle, Germany and Stockholm, Sweden

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 4

Insights from European Cities

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 3

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 2