Publications

This study analyses EU-wide greenhouse gas reduction scenarios for the year 2040. Four scenarios presented by the European Commission, in its Impact Assessment for the 2040 intermediate climate target, are compared against three scenarios developed in the project titled ‘Pathways to an EU in 2050 with net-zero GHG emissions’.

The EU Taxonomy requires large and capital-market-oriented companies to report on the sustainability of their economic activities. How far this redirects capital flows or changes financing conditions remains unclear. This report outlines approaches to model the Taxonomy’s effectiveness, drawing on modelling from the Pathways project (“Pathways to an EU in 2050 with net-zero GHG emissions”).

Broad and ambitious climate action is urgently needed since the Paris Agreement’s goals are still out of sight. While globally aligned and joint climate policy measures would be the best solution to avoid carbon leakage, in their absence, alternative measures can address carbon leakage risks. However, they can also result in fragmentation and inefficiencies.

This publication analyses the advantages and disadvantages of carbon credits compared to other financing instruments for protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems. Nine instruments are examined, including emission credits, biodiversity certificates, development cooperation, and blue bonds.

This report examines the risks and opportunities of using carbon crediting mechanisms to fund the protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems. It evaluates seven projects registered in the voluntary carbon market, focusing on key challenges related to integrity risks such as additionality, quantification, permanence, safeguards, and double counting.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are recognized as important providers of ecosystem services, supporting soil health and key soil functions.

The energy efficiency of lighting technology products has so far been assessed primarily using inadequate parameters (such as luminous flux and luminous efficacy), and only part of the benefits provided by lighting products is taken into account.

The triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution threatens the long-term sustainability of human development and well-being. Addressing these crises requires integrated approaches since underlying drivers and pressures are strongly interconnected.

The formation of NER in simulation studies on degradation in the environment is an issue addressed in all European regulations on chemical substances. Some of these residues can be released back into the environment over the long term. This proportion must therefore be considered in the persistence assessment.

The report examines possible paths to a circular carbon economy and the challenges of transparently recording these carbon flows, which are required by international reporting obligations such as the Paris Agreement and the Federal Climate Protection Act. A two-step method is used: First, the relevant carbon flows are visualized to provide an overall understanding.

The drivers and effects of the triple plenatary crisis of climate change, biodiveristy loss and environmental pollution are highly interconneted and can only be effectively addressed through systemic, cross-sectoral, and justice-oriented approaches.

The drivers and impacts of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution are highly interlinked, yet current research and policy responses to meet the challenges remains fragmented, leaving important gaps in the understanding of systemic linkages and impacts on both ecosystems and people.