Publications

Publication:Report
 
Cover of Ecologic Institute's report entitled "Integrating Hydrogen Emissions Into the EU Policy Framework. Why hydrogen emissions matter, when they will become significant, and how the EU can tackle them"
While hydrogen (H2) emissions make up a negligible fraction of today's GHG emissions, they are set to become more significant in the 2030s and, should the EU and the global community progress towards climate neutrality, will likely be substantial in the 2040s, as achieving climate neutrality requires the expansion of hydrogen use alongside the rapid reduction of other GHGs. As decisions made today will shape hydrogen value chains for decades, this paper develops a series of policy proposals to implement a four-pronged strategy.

Integrating Hydrogen Emissions Into the EU Policy Framework

Why hydrogen emissions matter, when they will become significant, and how the EU can tackle them

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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?

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Publication:Document
 
The analysis by Ariadne project partners examines Germany's climate foreign policy during the current legislative period. Beyond the international context, they also consider the organizational structure within the German government and the responsible ministries. The researchers conclude that Germany has been able to set the pace for international climate policy by transferring the responsibility for international climate policy to the Foreign Office and creating the role of Special Envoy for International Climate Policy. In contrast, the record of Germany's engagement in bilateral and plurilateral formats has yielded mixed results.

Deutschlands Klimaaußenpolitik: Kontext – Rückschau – Weiterentwicklung

Ariadne-Analyse

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Publication:Report
 
Cover page of the final report titled 'Rechtsgutachten zur Krisenfestigkeit des EU-ETS' (Legal Opinion on the Resilience of the EU-ETS). The report is part of the 'Climate Change 43/2024' series. Authors include Lina-Marie Dück and Madeleine Pumberger from the Ecologic Institute in Berlin, and Michael Jakob from Climate Transition Economics, Berlin. The report is published by the Umweltbundesamt (German Environment Agency), and the blue cover features the Umweltbundesamt logo at the bottom.
This report analyses the resilience of the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and shows how global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine can affect its operation. In view of rising energy prices and economic uncertainties, it becomes clear that the EU ETS needs to improve its legal resilience to crisis situations. The report highlights necessary reforms to make emissions trading more resilient and effective in the future.

Rechtsgutachten zur Krisenfestigkeit des EU-ETS

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Publication:Report
 
Cover page of a report titled 'Pricing methane emissions from the energy sector: Considerations of options for the EU.' The report is authored by Raffaele Piria and Benjamin Görlach, with the final report date being September 30, 2024. The Ecologic Institute logo is featured at the top, and the design includes grey and blue geometric shapes on a white background.
This paper examines whether an EU-wide pricing mechanism should be introduced and explores feasible design options. It concludes that the EU should price CH4 emissions from the energy sector to complement the EU-MER, providing an economic incentive to reduce CH4 emissions beyond the mandated level.

Pricing Methane Emissions from the Energy Sector

Consideration of options for the EU

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Publication:Book
 
Cover of the report titled 'Sustainable development in the European Union: Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context, 2024 edition' by Eurostat. The design features shades of blue with a colorful hot air balloon graphic in the lower half. The balloon consists of vertical stripes in various colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The title of the report is in white text at the top left.
The 2024 overview brochure accompanies Eurostat's eighth regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The brochure is available for download.

Sustainable Development in the European Union – 2024 Overview

Overview of Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

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Publication:Report
 
cover oage (updated)
This publication discusses the penalty regime to be established by the EU Member States to sanction infringements against the recently adopted EU Methane Regulation (EU-MER). In these regimes, (administrative) fines will play a major role. The EU-MER stipulates that the level of fines must be proportionate to the environmental damage and impact on human health associated with the infringement as the core criterion. The working paper proposes applying a core reference value of 6.000 EUR/tCH4 to be adjusted according to the aggravating or mitigating factors foreseen by the regulation.

Penalties and Selected Legal Issues

Implementing the EU Methane Regulation Working Paper N° 3

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Publication:Report
 
The EU Methane Regulation (EU-MER) is crucial for reducing methane (CH4) emissions from the energy sector, thereby enhancing our chances at achieving the climate targets. This paper discusses the respective roles of the responsible ministries (RM) and the competent authorities (CA) and examines how the CA's tasks can be allocated to various pre-existing agencies at the national or regional level. Additionally, the working paper discusses the importance of political autonomy for CA and how MS can prevent undue influence.

Governance at the National Level: Responsible ministries and competent authorities

Implementing the EU Methane Regulation Working Paper N° 2

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Publication:Report
 
Updated cover page
The EU Methane Regulation (EU-MER) is crucial for reducing methane emissions from the energy sector, thereby enhancing our chances at achieving the climate targets. This paper describes the tasks of the Member States' responsible ministries and competent authorities, analyses the resources they will need to accomplish them, and provides recommendations for effective planning. 

Tasks and Resources Needed at the National Level

Implementing the EU Methane Regulation Working Paper N° 1

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Publication:Book
 
Cover of the report titled 'Sustainable development in the European Union: Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context, 2024 edition' by Eurostat. The design features shades of blue with a colorful hot air balloon graphic in the lower half. The balloon consists of vertical stripes in various colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The title of the report is in white text at the top left.
The 2024 publication is Eurostat's eighth regular report monitoring progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. Ecologic Institute's authors covered the chapters on Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), Life on Land (SDG 15) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). The publication is available for download.

Sustainable Development in the European Union – 2024

Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of Ecologic institute's report "Analysis of the implementation of EU provisions for the clean energy transition in selected Member States"
This report assesses the implementation status and quality of a selection of 11 provisions from 4 EU laws in 6 EU countries (Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Poland and Spain). These 4 EU laws are Directive (EU) 2019/944 on common rules for the internal market for electricity (DIR), Regulation (EU) 2019/943 on the internal market for electricity (REG), Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable resources (RED) and Regulation (EU) 2022/2577 laying down a framework to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy (ACC).

Analysis of the Implementation of EU Provisions for the Clean Energy Transition in Selected Member States

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of a report titled 'Transformation towards sustainable, resilient infrastructures - Concepts, systematization, sustainability assessment, case studies'. It's the 55th publication of 2024 in the 'TEXTE' series, intended for the German Environment Agency. Below the title are the names of the authors from various institutions including the Leibniz Institute for Ecological Spatial Development, Ecologic Institute, and the Brandenburg University of Technology.
This final report provides an analysis of the innovation and dissemination processes of infrastructure solutions that aim to increase sustainability and resilience. The research was conducted as part of the TRAFIS II project.

Transformation hin zu nachhaltigen, resilienten Infrastrukturen

Begriffe, Systematisierung, Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung, Fallstudien

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of the 4i-TRACTION report "Fostering transformative climate governance? The potential of multilevel climate and energy dialogues A criteria-based assessment of Member States reports under Article 11 of the Governance Regulation"
This study assesses the progress of EU Member States in embedding participatory governance processes to foster transformative climate governance. Through comprehensive criteria-based analysis and in-depth interviews across several nations, this publication unveils the current state of MLCED implementation, challenges in stakeholder engagement, and the adequacy of mechanisms designed to steer us towards a climate-neutral future.

Fostering Transformative Climate Governance? The potential of multilevel climate and energy dialogues

A criteria-based assessment of Member States reports under Article 11

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Publication:Report
 
Cover of a publication titled 'Restrictions on the Use of Photovoltaic Electricity in Buildings'. The image shows solar panels on a balcony with lush plants in the background and a city skyline in the distance. In the top right corner is the logo of the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development next to the title. The names of the authors are listed below: Katharina Umpfenbach, Lina-Marie Dück, Tobias Kelm, Felix Dengler, Ricarda Faber, and Michael Jakob.
To achieve the ambitious climate targets of the Federal Climate Change Act a rapid expansion of renewable energies, particularly wind and photovoltaics (PV), is crucial. In this context, achieving 215 GW of installed PV capacity by 2030 has become a specific target of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). This report deals with the central role that buildings play in meeting PV expansion targets, with the potential to cover up to 25% of EU electricity consumption through rooftop PV.

Restriktionen bei der Nutzung von Photovoltaik-Strom im Gebäudebereich

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Publication:Report
 
Cover page of a report titled "EXPLAINING THE NEW EU CARBON BORDER ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM (CBAM)" in large white letters on a green background. Below is the subtitle "Implications for PtX imports to the EU". The background features an isometric graphic of industrial symbols and elements associated with energy production and trade. At the top of the page, logos of supporting organizations are displayed: International PtX Hub, the Federal BMWK, International Climate Hub etc.
This report discusses on the implications of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for imports of PtX products to the EU. PtX means essentially hydrogen based on electrolysis and its derivates. After providing an overview of the CBAM mechanism, its implementation phases and the roles and responsibilities of producers within CBAM, the report provides insights into the calculation of embedded emissions for PtX products, including examples for imported ammonia and crude steel.

Explaining the New EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Implications for PtX imports to the EU

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