Economics
Our economic model has brought prosperity to large parts of humanity – but it has also led us into a series of crises. The continuing overuse of natural resources has caused the climate crisis, an unprecedented loss of biodiversity, and damaged water, air, and soil. Therefore, we need to transform our economic system to remain within the carrying capacity of our climate and ecosystems, and to become resilient toward unfolding climate change. Through its projects and publications, Ecologic Institute develops solutions for this transformation.
Of central importance are incentives for sustainability – for consumers and investors alike. Economic instruments such as emissions trading systems, environmental taxation, or the reduction of environmentally harmful subsidies play a role here, as does a reform of the financial system. Ecologic Institute uses a suite of analytical tools to identify which incentives need to be corrected and which barriers need to be overcome.
This also includes the issue of how we measure economic progress. This concerns welfare indicators as well as the economic valuation of environmental goods and services, and the question of how such approaches can inform policy decisions.
At the same time, Ecologic Institute's team of economists investigates potential economic transformation pathways toward sustainability and climate protection. This includes analyses of the impacts of such transformations – for example, on employment and international competitiveness.
Contact
Selected Projects for Economics
Analysis of the Competitive Situation and the Carbon Leakage Risk of European Industries
- Duration
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Oct 2017 - May 2021
- Funding
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Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Germany
Dialogue Forum "Business Mitigates Climate Change"
- Duration
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Jan 2017 - Apr 2020
- Funding
CO-designing the Assessment of Climate Change Costs (COACCH)
- Duration
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Dec 2017 - May 2021
- Funding
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European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), international
Economics of Climate Change Adaptation in Europe (ECONADAPT)
- Duration
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Oct 2013 - Sep 2016
- Funding
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European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), international
Bridging the Gap for Innovations in Disaster Resilience (BRIGAID)
- Duration
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May 2016 - Apr 2020
- Funding
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European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), international
Energy Intensive Industries: Challenges and opportunities in energy transition
- Duration
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Dec 2019 - Apr 2020
- Funding
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European Parliament (EP), international
Evaluating Economic Policy Instruments for Sustainable Water Management in Europe (EPI-Water)
- Duration
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Jan 2011 - Dec 2013
- Funding
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European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), international
European Topic Centre on Inland, Coastal and Marine Waters (ETC/ICM)
- Duration
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Jan 2019 - Dec 2021
- Funding
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European Environment Agency (EEA), international
Demonstrate Ecosystem Services Enabling Innovation in the Water Sector (DESSIN)
- Duration
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Jan 2014 - Jan 2018
- Funding
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European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), international
Knowledge, Assessment, and Management for Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Across EU Policies (AQUACROSS)
- Duration
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Jun 2015 - Nov 2018
- Funding
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European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), international
The 3Ts - Tariffs, Taxes, and Transfers - in the European Water Sector
- Duration
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Jul - Nov 2011
- Funding
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Dansk Vand- og Spildevandsforening (DANVA), Denmark
Selected Publications for Economics
Görlach, Benjamin and Elizabeth Zelljadt (2019): Carbon Leakage Risks in the Post-Paris World. UBA Climate Change 43/2019. Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt
Water Economics
Lago, M., Mysiak, J., Gómez, C.M., Delacámara, G., Maziotis, A. (Eds.) 2015: Use of Economic Instruments in Water Policy. Insights from International Experience. Heidelberg: Springer International Publishing.
Selected Events for Economics
Conference:Business Mitigates Climate Change – Final Event of the Dialogue Forum
- Date
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11 March 2020
- Organizer
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Ecologic Institute, Germany
Protection of Aquatic Biodiversity
Conference:Ecosystem-Based Management for the Protection of Aquatic Biodiversity – AQUACROSS Final Conference
- Date
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10 - 11 October 2018
- Organizer
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Ecologic Institute, Germany
Water Economics
Conference:First EPI-Water Conference in Berlin
- Date
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26 - 27 January 2012
- Organizer
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Ecologic Institute, Germany