According to a new semi-systematic literature review conducted by IEEP, supported by five case studies, the single most important factor in unlocking local and regional socio-economic benefits of renewables is the degree of ownership of the resources within the region. This is a robust finding across many types of regions, technologies, and research methodologies.
This blog was written by Michael Nicholson, Head of UK Environmental Policy at the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), who attended COP26 as an IEEP delegate. The statements expressed in this blog do not necessarily represent the views of IEEP.
This event explores the interlinkages between trade policies and circular economy concepts by providing insights on specific sectors, opportunities, and challenges for developing and transition economies through concrete examples.
The European Green Deal, followed by the Trade Policy Review, highlights the EU’s commitments to ‘greening’ the Union’s trade and trade policy, including a promise to improve the mainstreaming of social and environmental sustainability concerns in EU Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). However, despite years of promising rhetoric, EU trade is not yet making a positive contribution to sustainable development.
This online event, co-organised by IEEP and TMG Research gGmbH, will look at the potential and trade-offs of digitalisation as an accelerator for food security in the context of the Africa-EU cooperation.
Countries joining the Global Methane Pledge have committed to reducing global methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030. But there is a lack of attention on emissions from the agriculture sector, although they account for most of the global methane emissions.
IEEP has submitted feedback to the European Commission's public consultation on the review of the Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) Chapter action plan.
IEEP is convening discussions with a group of stakeholders on agricultural R&I, with a focus on Horizon Europe. In light of the proposed budget cuts by the Council, stakeholders voice their support for appropriate funding for vital research, in line with the Parliament’s and Commission’s budget position.
European soils are under great threat, an issue which the research and innovation-based Horizon Europe Mission on soil is aiming to address. IEEP welcomes the mission and R&I efforts for rapid and combined efforts.
What kind of information does the European Union need to get serious about implementing the Green New Deal? One critical aspect is finding out the impacts that its consumption and production is having on biodiversity, both at home and in other parts of the world: its biodiversity footprint.
On 16 September, several stakeholders came together at a workshop to discuss sustainable biomass supply and the role of bioenergy in the EU going forward. But how much agreement can be established?
The EU’s proposal for a revised GSP regulation aims to better address global challenges, but does it deliver for sustainable development and the environment?
Building on its extensive work on pollinator conservation, IEEP is joining forces with 25 organisations to contribute to reversing the decline of wild pollinators in Europe.
Following the release of the Fit for 55 package and the EU Climate Law's promise to create a Climate Change Advisory Board, IEEP and the EEAC network organised a webinar to discuss with scientists and policymakers how scientific evidence can best be used in the context of European climate policymaking.
Today IEEP responded to the public consultation on the draft sustainability criteria for the sustainable finance taxonomy. In the call for feedback, the Platform on Sustainable Finance is gathering evidence to strengthen the final recommendations to the European Union.
Science is unequivocal about the urgent need for a radical change in the way we produce and consume food. Yet, the most influencing policy behind this is criticized for not stimulating and encouraging the necessary transition towards sustainable practices in the sector.
Halfway through her mandate, President Ursula Von der Leyen today addressed the European Parliament during her second State of the European Union address.
As a key part of the Green Deal published in May 2020, the European Commission introduced the Farm to Fork strategy which looks at accelerating the transition towards a fair, sustainable and healthy food system. The strategy includes targets for a European food system with a reduced footprint until 2030, addressing the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Policies that serve current and future generations should be developed with a robust science-policy interface. The EU Taxonomy process teaches valuable lessons on the need to strengthen the elements that underpin decision-making. IEEP, together with Marzia Traverso (RWTH Aachen University) draw conclusions on transparency, independence and accessibility of scientific evidence in the political decision-making process.
