Determining environmental impacts of products is complex. In this study, BIO IS, the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) and the Ecologic Institute investigated approaches for verifying that claims made by companies on the environmental properties of products or their own overall environmental performance are correct. The study was commissioned by the European Commission, DG Environment. The Ecologic Institute contributed an analysis on the law of the World Trade Organziation as far as relevant for related policy measures. The report is available for download.

As renewable energy sources are more widely used and corresponding support systems expanded, the economic significance of the sector is also growing. This, in turn, also leads to a growing potential for trade disputes involving renewable energy production. This study on renewable energy law presents the international legal framework relevant to support systems for renewable energy, notably WTO law. A particular focus is on local-content requirements existing in this sectors as well as on trade remedy procedures. The study (in German) is available for download, including an English summary.

A new report on Arctic information and communication needs ("Gap Analysis Report") has been released as part of the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment of development of the Arctic Preparatory Action project, funded by DG Environment of the European Commission. The Gap Analysis Report was led by Ecologic Institute in partnership with the European Science Foundation, National Research Council of Italy, Sámi Education Institute, and Tromsø Centre for Remote Sensing. The report is available for download.

This report, written by Ecologic Institute, the Institute for Managing Sustainability, and ICLEI indicates the importance of local and regional authorities (LRAs) to achieve the targets of Europe 2020. Additionally, it includes guidelines and suggestions for a better involvement of the local and regional authorities besides focusing on targets that are more realistic. The report includes desk analysis and broad online consultation to substantiate this document and is available for download.

This report contains a presentation of the effects of climate change on German coastal areas, possible courses of action through spatial planning and ICZM, possible methods for communication and participation, a description of the four case studies and recommendations for action for the implementation of ICZM, spatial planning and the funding of these measures. The report is available for download.

The German energy transition impacts neighbouring countries; however this fact has yet to be adequately addressed in Germany. This study builds on insights gained during trilateral meetings and provides information and analyses which explain the different approaches and debates in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland. The authors – among them Dr. Camilla Bausch and Sascha Müller-Kraenner from Ecologic Institute – offer a range of recommendations, in particular for better cross-border cooperation and intensified dialogue with the goal of facing our energy and climate challenges together. The study is available for download.

Even though Europe's seas contribute highly to our economic and social well-being by offering a diverse array of species, habitats and ecosystems, they are threatened by human activities. In order to protect Europe's seas from irreversible damage the European Environment Agency (EEA) published 'Marine messages' that gives an overview of the current state-of-affairs of European seas and our use of them. Benjamin Boteler and Dr. Manuel Lago from the Ecologic Institute contributed to this report. The brochure is available for download.

This report, authored by Ecologic Institute, first describes the two processes for the development of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the post-2015 development agenda, and the options to integrate the results of both processes in order to arrive at one set of goals. It goes on to discuss the possible structure of a set of SDGs, and discusses a number of topic clusters, as an illustration of what possible SDGs could look like. The report is available for download.

Zelljadt, Elizabeth, 2014. Scenarios for international climate policy instruments. WP5 Deliverable 5.1. Berlin, Ecologic Institute.

This report evaluates the results of a survey conducted in the summer of 2013 among German operators by Ecologic Institute and the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt). The report shows that in the third trading period there will be shifts within the carbon market and that a cost-efficient organization of the emissions trading will play an increasingly important role. The report is available for download.

This short study that Ecologic Institute produced for the Greens in the European Parliament, examines the competitiveness of European Eco-Industries. The key finding is that Eco-Industries have been a source of economic growth, particularly at times when other parts of the economy contracted. The short study is available for download.

The deliverable 'Inventory of River Restoration Measures: Effects, Costs, and Benefits' was published in January 2014 as part of the FP7 REFORM project. Scientists at Ecologic Institute led the work in collaboration with several European partners, including economists and ecologists. The information in the deliverable will help river basin managers by providing examples of how representative data on the costs and benefits of river restoration can be gathered and analysed to support the drafting of programmes of measures for the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive. The deliverable is available for download.

In this study for the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Christiane Gerstetter and Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf of Ecologic Institute look at the "I" in TTIP, investment rules in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership under negotiation between the US and the EU. They assess the impact of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) rules on environmental regulation by analysing existing case law. The study is available for download.

Crivello, Silvia et al. 2013: Milesecure 2050 Deliverable 1.3 - Report on Main Trends in European Energy Policies Politecnico di Torino, Torino.

Despite their successful application in other environmental domain (such as air quality and climate), the use of economic policy instruments (EPIs) to tackle water management issues has faced many challenges. This report, written by Ecologic Institute in collaboration with partners as part of the EU-funded FP7 EPI-Water project, provides practical guidance to policy-makers and interested parties on the formulation of economic policy instruments for water management. Economic policy instruments presented in the report include incentive pricing, pollution taxes, water and pollution trading schemes, payments for environmental services, and risk management schemes. The report is available for download.