Contents:

1.      Sustainable Development in the European Union – 2013 Eurostat Monitoring Report

Is there a trend towards more sustainable consumption patterns in the european union (EU)? Is there a reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions? Is the EU losing its natural capital? Answers to these and other questions are presented in the 2013 Eurostat monitoring report on Sustainable Development in the european union. As partner in a consortium with the Vienna University of Economic and Business, INFRAS, and Haymarket Media Group, the Ecologic Institute played a substantial role in drafting the 2013 Eurostat monitoring report.The monitoring report is available for download.
http://ecologic.eu/10286

2.      Learning for Sustainable Agriculture: Urban Gardening in Berlin – Publication

Recent years have shown a boom of urban gardening initiatives in berlin. Among the core motivations of many gardeners has been the wish to actively experience and contribute to sustainable agriculture. Within the European FP7 research project “SOLINSA – Support and Learning of Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture” the Ecologic Institute conducted a case study about urban gardening initiatives in Berlin, in particular the “Allmende Kontor” located on the grounds of the former Tempelhof Airport. The study, authored by Stephanie Wunder, Senior Fellow and Coordinator Agriculture at the Ecologic Institute, analyses the role that sustainability plays among other motivations in these initiatives, identifies success factors and barriers, and eventually draws conclusions about the transferability of these experiences to other regions. The study a nd a poster presentation are available for download.
http://ecologic.eu/10308

3.      Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation on the German Coast – Publications

In the F&E project “KüstenKlima” a range of solutions and recommended actions have been produced to show how spatial planning together with the instrument of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) could support collaboration and conflict solving in settled or semi-natural German coastal areas – also with regard to climate protection and climate change. Ecologic Institute’s Susanne Altvater, Franziska Lehmann, and Dr. Nico Stelljes have, together with the planning office “Raum und Energie,” created various working aids for administrators and conducted workshops. The working aids are available online.
http://ecologic.eu/4666

4.      Black Carbon Emissions from Kerosene Lamps – Publications

This study by Ecologic Institute examines the current landscape of lighting efforts and initiatives, as well as market growth and development for modern, sustainable off-grid lighting alternatives. The study considers the benefits and costs of upgrades in target regions, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Policy recommendations are given for action from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) that would enhance existing efforts and achieve more rapid black carbon reductions and climate benefits. The study and a policy brief are available for download.
http://ecologic.eu/10232

5.      Combating Wildlife Crime: Efforts and Perspectives from the UK and Germany – Presentation

On 22 January 2014, more than 100 participants from ministries, NGOs, embassies and research institutions came together in the British Embassy in berlin. The event focused on how to more successfully prevent wildlife crime, including activities such as the poaching of rhinos for their horns, the killing of elephants for ivory, or the trade in endangered reptiles. Christiane Gerstetter, Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, remarked that environmental crime is currently considered too difficult a concept to implement and enforce, even by many experts and practitioners. The ensuing panel discussion was moderated by R. Andreas Kraemer, Director of Ecologic Institute.
http://ecologic.eu/10320

6.      Pharmaceuticals in the Environment – Science-Policy Event

Ecologic Institute organized a Science-Policy Event in Brussels on Pharmaceuticals in the Environment. Several European, national, and international projects presented their results – from the perspective of their relevance to environmental policy – to interested stakeholders. All presentation slides, summaries, and statements are available for download.
http://ecologic.eu/10306

7.      Research on Responses to Land Degradation and Desertification – Register Now for the LEDDRA Conference

The LEDDRA Policy Conference aims to present selected and policy-related project findings and to discuss associated policy recommendations, as well as to develop new critical thinking to support future initiatives addressing Land and Ecosystem Degradation and Desertification (LEDD). The conference brings together LEDDRA researchers, policy makers from international, EU organizations, and Member States, as well as stakeholder groups and NGOs. The discussion and questions raised by the presentations and dialogue at the conference will contribute to ongoing efforts to combat land degradation and desertification at the international, European, and national levels. The online registration form can be accessed on the conference website.
http://ecologic.eu/10303

8.      Distinguished Research for the Environment – News

For four years now, Ecologic Institute has claimed a top spot in the “Environment” category of the highly regarded global rankings of policy institutes, or think tanks, published by the University of Pennsylvania. In 2013, Ecologic Institute was ranked 9th out of a group of 70 similar organizations. That is the highest ranking for an environmental think tank in Germany, and the third highest in Europe.
http://ecologic.eu/10302

9.      Ecologic Institute: Science and Policy for a Sustainable World – Publication

In our brochure “Ecologic Institute: Science and Policy for a Sustainable World” (German: “Wissenschaft und Forschung für eine nachhaltige Welt“), we introduce Ecologic Institute as a transdisciplinary research organization. We focus on environmental research and address relevant sociopolitical questions of sustainability research. We bring new insights into environmental policy. Discover our research projects, academic collaborations, and teaching activities. Our new brochure is available for download.
http://ecologic.eu/10201

10.    Ecologic Institute Seeks Law Clerk and Student Assistant – Opportunities

Ecologic Institute is currently in search of new staff members and is advertising for the following position:
– Law Clerk in the field of environmental energy law (Applications are due 4 February 2014) and
– Student Assistant – Data Management (Applications are due 12 February 2014).
For more information regarding the requirements and the necessary application documents, please visit our website. Please apply online.
http://ecologic.eu/opportunities