Publications

Original research article

What is nuclear cultural heritage? Developing an analytical framework

Nuclear cultural heritage (NCH) is a relatively new approach. It was introduced by Rindzevičiūtė (2019) and is being discussed internationally with reference to its contribution to knowledge preservation of nuclear objects and practices as well as safety aspects, especially in the context of nucl

Discussion Paper

Climate Targets for EU Member States after 2030: Functions and Options

The paper by the Ecologic Institute and Oeko-Institut explores seven options for EU Member States how to best design national climate targets for the time after 2030.

[Translate to English:] Permanent carbon removals through DACCS/BioCCS

Second assessment of the draft technical specifications for certification under the EU CRCF

[Translate to English:] This document provides an assessment of the revised draft technical specifications for the certification of permanent carbon removals through DACCS/BioCCS under the EU CRCF provided by the European Commission, dated 12 March 2025. The revised methodology has been improved in

Biochar

Second assessment of the draft technical specifications for certification under the EU CRCF

This document provides an assessment of the revised draft technical specifications for the certification of permanent carbon removals through biochar under the EU CRCF provided by the European Commission, dated 12 March 2025. In some areas, the revised methodology has been improved, in particular by

Gas grid regulation in the context of net zero transitions: A review of seven European countries

This paper addresses the urgent need for reforming gas infrastructure planning in Europe to align with climate targets. Currently, gas grid development is reactive, driven by distribution system operators (DSOs), rather than proactively adapting to declining demand for fossil gas which is required i

Headwinds - Annual Report Oeko-Institut 2024

These remain challenging times for the environment and climate. Despite progress on renewables expansion and new political strategies for a more sustainable economy, climate action is encountering opposition in many quarters. How can we stay on course despite the headwinds? Which scientific solution

Country reports for Germany, Greece, France, Ireland, and Poland

Vulnerability in the context of the ETS 2: Existing data and instruments in the housing sector

This report explores relevant data on housing characteristics and instruments in the buildings sector that pertain to vulnerable groups in five Member States: Germany, France, Poland, Greece, and Ireland. National sources and European Union (EU)-level data are used to provide insights into the housi

Blueprint for Agriculture - Poster

The EEG approach to promoting biodiversity measures

The Ecosystem Services Act (ÖLG) proposes financing biodiversity measures in agriculture through a surcharge on raw materials, similar to the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). A projection for Germany estimates a land requirement of 3.8 million hectares and a funding need of approximately

Planning Cultures and Cultural Dimensions of the Energy Transition

Initial results on regional identities and requirements for participation in planning

This presentation explores the role of regional identities in shaping participation requirements for planning processes, particularly in the context of renewable energy development. It examines theoretical concepts such as place attachment and place identity and applies them to three model regions i

Final Report

Scientific support for the design of a certification framework for Carbon Dioxide Removals in the EU

This report summarizes the results of the research project “Scientific support for the design of an EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework” that provided support to national policy makers during the CRCF negotiation process.

Final version

Study on feasibility of the ProBaMet approach in other countries and secondary non-ferrous metals supply chains

This study was developed within the project Partnership for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling (ProBaMet), which was launched in early 2024 with the aim to stimulate and realise systematic improvements in the recycling sector for used lead-acid batteries in Nigeria. The lead-acid battery recycl

Quantitative Impact Study

Boosting the use of recycled steel in the EU automotive industry under the ELV Regulation

To assess how to increase scrap-based steel use in the automotive industry under the proposed ELV regulation, T&E commissioned Oeko-Institut to conduct a dedicated feasibility study on steel recycled targets. Oeko-Institut was chosen as they had already carried out a study to support the impact asse

Report

Nature-based solutions for climate and biodiversity protection in selected national climate contributions

This report aims to inform the implementation of the German Action Plan with experiences from other countries that have also developed NbS measures to strengthen their natural carbon sinks. Six case study countries were selected for analysis: United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), Ethi

In: Energy Research & Social Science, Volume 120

Embracing sufficiency to accelerate the energy transition

In a rapidly warming world, the transition to renewable energy faces challenges on many fronts. Sufficiency measures, which focus on reducing overall energy demand, hold great potential to accelerate the energy transition and create truly sustainable societies, yet remain underexplored in policy cir

Demands and starting points for an ecologically sustainable, forward-looking and transformative structural policy

Advancing regional structural policy

This policy paper addresses the question of why and how regional structural policy should be further developed in the face of far-reaching ecological challenges. In the focus of this policy paper are three principles: ecological sustainability, anticipation and transformation. This policy paper focu

Feasibility of sufficiency policy instruments. An assessment using impact chains for the German mobility sector

The transport sector is not on track to meet the Paris Agreement climate targets. Rapid decarbonization of transport requires fuel switching and energy savings through modal shift and demand reduction – which are the aims of transport-sufficiency policy. We analyze passenger transport-policy instr

Fact check and discussion

Technical approaches to removing methane from the atmosphere (methane removal)

Against the background of the discussion on Carbon Dioxide Removal, the question arises as to whether there are also technologies to remove methane (CH4) from the atmosphere (Methane Removal), which is 30 times more harmful to the climate. Methane is converted into CO2 in the atmosphere by natural o

Implementing the EU 2040 Climate Target: Building blocks and measures

The European Climate Law (ECL) requires the EU to adopt a climate target for 2040. The Eu-ropean Commission recommends an EU climate target for 2040 of 90% reduction in net GHG emissions by 2040 (compared to 1990). Achieving emission reductions on this scale is indispensable if the EU is to stay on

ENSURE-Background paper

How can regulation foster innovation in the electricity grid? Findings from case studies in Great Britain and Italy

Integrating renewable energy sources into the electricity grid is crucial for reaching the German decarbonization goals. However, increasing renewable energy integration challenges the stability and reliability of lower voltage networks managed by distribution system operators. Simply expanding netw

Interim report

Identifying and supporting vulnerable households in light of rising fossil energy costs

Rising energy prices, poor energy performance of buildings and low incomes can leave households unable to meet their energy needs, adequately heat their homes or pay their energy bills. These households are referred to as energy poor or vulnerable households. However, a standardised definition and r