www.ecologic.eu

Guardians of People and the Planet:

Think TanksPromoting Policies on Environment,Resources, Energy, Climate, Health,and Sustainable Development

R. Andreas Kraemer

Director, Ecologic Institute, Berlin – Brussels – Vienna, European UnionChairman, Ecologic Institute, Washington DC – San Mateo, California, USA

Beijing, 7-9 October 2011

www.ecologic.eu

http://www.ecologic.eu/ 1995 - 2011

Private, Independent, Non-Partisan, Mission-Based, Non-Profit

Independent, constructive and competent Voice for:Environment in international & EU affairsInternational & EU dimension in environment policyIntegration of environment into other policies

'Think tank’, 6 founders, Euro 120K core capital, 1.3 m net assets ('10)Governed by company law (business), ‘Operative Foundation’

120 Experts & support staff in Berlin, Brussels, Vienna; Washington DC

Policy-relevant science, and science-based policy analysis & advisory

Project-driven, solution-oriented, inclusive and thus Trans-Disciplinary

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Ecologic Institute Family Structure

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http://www.ecologic.eu/ 1995 - 2010

1995 Ecologic Institute Berlin, Germany2000 Ecologic Legal (16 staff lawyers, 2011)

2001 Ecologic Institute Brussels, EU Office

2001 Transatlantic Program

2002 Ecologic Events (in-house agency)

2005 Konrad von Moltke Fund (DE chapter 75K Euro, 2010)

2006 Relaw, Clearing House for Renewable Energy Law

2007 Ecologic Institute Vienna, Austria

2008 Ecologic Institute Washington DC2009 Konrad von Moltke Fund (US chapter 15K US$, 2010)

2011 Ecologic Institute California, San Mateo Project Office

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http://www.eius.org/ founded on Earth Day 2008

Legally and financially independent Public Charity (laws of the D.C.)

Qualified under US IRC Sections 170(b)(10)(A)(vi), 501(c)(3), [509(a)(1)]

Programs: Policy-relevant work but no lobbying, in six core areas:Explaining the European Union (and changing the Washington debate)Climate and Energy (e.g. carbon trading & international negotiations)Infrastructure Finance & Economics of Transition (e.g. crisis & stimulus)Transatlantic Dialogues & Exchanges (e.g. farmers, journalists, business)US & EU as Partners in the World (e.g. Arctic, UN, security)Biodiversity and Conservation (e.g. access & benefit sharing)

Dedicated Team of 4+1 (end 2010) at Dupont Circle in DC

Focused on Washington DC, with coast-to-coast OutreachSince 2011 with Project Office in San Mateo, CA

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Michael MehlingPresident, Ecologic Washington

www.ecologic.eu

What is the "Environment" ?

'Media': Water, oceans, soil, air, fauna & flora (biodiversity), chemicals, ...Renewable resources (water, timber, fish, cattle, bush-meat, ...)in the wild or in management systems (husbandry, agro-forestry, etc.)Non-renewable resources (minerals, coal, oil & gas, ...)Ecosystem Services (functions), e.g. nutrient cycles, heat transfers, ...Requiring integrity and resilience of ecosystemsResources, but also threats: Floods, droughts, fires, pests, predators, ...Relevant for human health, public health, "livelihood security", ...Space for human life, relevant for identity, mental stability, spirituality, ...Today also "Climate", a currently dominant, global themeNeed to integrate environmental concerns into other policy fields !

Many Think Tanks work on specific aspects or in limited geographies;There are few "global full-service environment Think Tanks"

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What is Special about Environment Policy ?

Environmental protection and the rational management of resourcesare in the public interest (even if on occasion small groups benefit)

This forces environmental Think Tanks into (public interest) advocacy

Environmental concerns are "urgent"; civilization is under threat, but,

Environmental concerns are largely "low politics" (except for climate)This forces environmental Think Tanks to rely on attention-creating events,including environmental catastrophes, and to create regular "events"

Environmental concerns play out in the long run, are "future-relevant"This forces environmental Think Tanks to work with scenarios ("speculation")

Environmental concerns are global, international, or "trans-boundary"This forces environmental Think Tanks to think globally and form networks(there are few truly global environmental Think Tanks: IUCN, IISD, WRI, ...)

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Environmental Science and Policy – The Interface

Environmental science, technology, economics, regulation are dynamicThis creates uncertainties and a need to act on "precautionary principle";environmental Think Tanks are drawn into controversies

This also creates the need for "adaptive (cyclical) policy management";environmental Think Tanks are drawn into policy implementation

The urgency of the environmental challenge comes from natural sciences

Natural sciences say that individual and collective human behaviormust change: Legitimacy for some, "eco-dictatorship" for others.Solutions are formulated through technology, planning & zoning etc.

Solutions are implemented through social-science approaches, such aseconomics, political science, law, sociology, psychology, ...

Environmental Think Tanks must be multi-disciplinary or trans-disciplinarywhich lowers acceptance of their science output and risks a loss of credibility

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Environmental Think Tanks – Have to Work in Low Politics

Limited influence: Environment remains a marginal policy field;environment continues to deteriorate, persistence of environmentallyharmful or "perverse" subsidies

Subversive influence: Ideas travel and are "adopted" by politicians,origin in a Think Tank is forgotten (condition for success of the ideas)

Strategic influence: Good at "packaging arguments" for the longer term,"framing the issues" and "scoping the solutions"

Guerilla tactics: "Ambush" an issue at the right time, following events.Needs preparedness and "analysis on the shelf"

Creating opportunities for influence: Create "policy rhythm" throughregular reports, events, press releases etc. ("policy cycle management")

...

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Environmental Think Tanks – What is Their Influence ?

Limited influence, but

Influence cannot be measured or compared because of the complexityof political decisions, multiplicity of actors and the time-delays involved

But case studies and anecdotes can tell stories of influence

For fundraising and recruitment,perception of influence is more important than actual influence

Reputation is more important than influence.

But reputation can easily lead to conflicts with (political or governmental)sponsors or clients.

Think Tanks engaged in contract research are in competition with their clientsabout visibility and media attention

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Guarding People & Planet: Environmental Think Tanks I

"Environment" is Overarching Term, like "Sustainable Development"(Economic) "Resources" were traditional focus since 1950s, for example:

Resources for the Future – RFF, USA (1952)World Resources Institute – WRI, USA (1982)Worldwatch Institute, USA (1974) did not use "Environment"

"Environment" being used in Europe since the 1970s, for example:International Institute for Environment and Development – IIED, UK (1971)International Institute for Environment and Society – IIES or IIUG, Germany (1972)was first government-financed "environmental policy think tank", closed in 1992?Institute for European Environmental Policy – IEEP, Germany (1976), now LondonÖko-Institut | Institute for Applied Ecology, Germany (1977)Environmental Policy Research Center (FFU) at Free University of Berlin (1986),first "academic" think tank >> "Berlin School of Environmental Political Science"

"Sustainable Development" since Brundtland Commission (1986-1987)International Institute for Sustainable Development – IISD, Canada (1990)Institute for Sustainable Development & Intern. Relations – IDDRI, France (2001)

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Guarding People & Planet: Environmental Think Tanks II

"Environment" is Diversifying into Specific Fields or Challenges:"Climate" is a "spin-off policy area" of the 1990s

Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Germany (1991)Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany (1992)Pew Center on Global Climate Change, USA (1998)

"Security" is a spin-off in the 2000's (after the events of 11 September 2001)Institute for Environmental Security – IES, Netherlands (2002)UNU Institute for Environment & Human Security – UNU-IEHS, [Germany] (2003)Institute for Environmental Diplomacy and Security – IEDS, USA (2010)

"Resources" is likely to make a comeback, and link to traditional agenda:Energy Resources: Coal, Oil, Gas >> Renewable Energies & Energy EfficiencyMineral Resources: Rare Earths, Copper, precious metals >> Urban MiningLiving Resources: Water, Fish, Forest, Soil >> BioDiversity & Ecosystem Services

"Global Governance" is likely to grow in importance because of:Economic Globalization & "Planetary" or Ubiquitous Challenges (Geo-Engineering)

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Responding to Economic Globalization & Market DynamicsEconomic Dynamic is Greater than Political & Diplomatic Dynamics

Result: Governments are Losing Control over Development

Priority Action Needed in these Areas:Phasing out Environmentally and Socially Harmful, Perverse SubsidiesUsing Economic Instruments to Ensure that Prices Reflect ExternalitiesUsing Government Procurement to Favor Sustainable Products & ServicesAllowing and Facilitating Labeling and Certification to Guide ConsumersPerforming Environmental & Social Impact Assessments on Economic PoliciesReinstating the Priority of People over (transnational) Corporations & InvestorsReinstating the Priority of the Planet over Corporations & InvestorsReinstating the Priority of Science over Economic Interests (Precaution)Subjecting Commodity Trading Regimes to Sustainability CriteriaCoordinating Work to Improve Land Management and Food SecurityImproving Transparency of and Participation in Decision-Making

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Responding to the Environment and Resource CrisisBeyond Oil >> Renewable Energy & BatteriesBeyond Nuclear >> Smart Grids & Demand ResponseBeyond Toxicity >> Chemical Substitution PolicyBeyond Extraction >> Resource Efficiency, Recycling & Urban MiningBeyond Sprawl >> New Sustainable Cities for 4-5 bn People by 2050Beyond Hunger >> Sustainable Agriculture & Healthy NutritionBeyond Extinction >> Protecting and Enhancing Biological DiversityBeyond Patents >> Equitable Use of Genetic Resources & IP (Patents)Beyond Exploitation >> Fair Trade, Equitable SocietyBeyond Predation >> Cooperation for Fisheries & Other Living ResourcesBeyond Denial >> Adapting to Coastal Land Loss, and DesertificationBeyond Anarchy >> Effective International Cooperation (Governance)Beyond GDP >> New Metrix for Economic and Social Policies

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Designing Policies for a Sustainable & Equitable FutureAchieving Policy Coherence

Policy Evaluations, Policy (Impact) Assessments, Policy Revisions

Policy Integration: "Environmental Protection Requirements Must beIntegrated into the Definition and Implementation of [All Relevant] Policies"

Overcoming the "Vertical Separation" of Governmental Responsibilities

Towards a New Development ParadigmBeyond GDP, Admit Shortcomings and Misguiding Nature of GDPDevelop Alternative & Complementary Metrix (Footprint, Happiness, HDI, ...)Age of Transformation will not be Linear; Develop new Models

Towards a New Scientific Foundation of Policy FormulationFrom Disciplinary to Inter-, Multi- and then Trans-Disciplinary ScienceDevelopment of Transformational and Transformation Research

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Environmental Think Tanks in Action: Some ExamplesENB (and Linkages) by IISD: Making Environmental Diplomacy GlobalIPPC by IEEP: Integrating Pollution Prevention in IndustryWFD by Ecologic Institute: Facilitating an EU Water Policy FrameworkFSC by WWF et alii: Acting where the UN Failed our ForestsMillennium Ecosystem Assessment by WRI: Counting BlessingsWCD by IUCN & WB: Holding back the Dams, Protecting our RiversNo Nukes by Öko-Institut: Making Phase-Out Possible in Germany...

A note of caution: Causes and effects of policies are diffuse, and thereare always many actors, especially in cases of success. The contributionof a singular Think Tank on specific policy outcomes is always in doubt.

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ENB by IISD: Making Environmental Diplomacy Global

Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB)Program of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

ENB reports on multilateral negotiations on environmental challenges

Fast services; reports of previous day are ready for breakfast next morning

Provides an archive of negotiations, positions, side events, documents etc.

Important for the "memory of negotiations", and for scholars and analysts

ENB is the only place to understand "Environmental Diplomacy" as a whole

Financed by many governments, foundations, and other sponsors

Important for (small, developing) countries with small diplomatic corps

Modes of Action: Publication, Networking, Building Information Infrastructure

More information: http://www.iisd.ca/enbvol/enb-background.htm

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IPPC by IEEP: Integrating Pollution Prevention in Industry

EU's IPPC Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and ControlAchievement of the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP)

The IPPC Directive brings cross-media approach to pollution control policy

Stimulated modernization of environmental administration ("one agency only")

The IPPC approach was pioneered in the US (where is was badly applied)

IEEP (with WWF US) stimulated Policy Learning from the US in UK and EU

UK first applied IPPC regulatory approach, and IEEP advocated EU action

European IPPC Bureau (EIPPCB) was set up by the EU (Institutionalization)

The IPPC Directive will be recast as Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)

Modes of Action: Convening, (transnational) Policy Learning, Advocacy

More information: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/pollutants/stationary/ippc/index.htm

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WFD by Ecologic Institute: A Fresh EU Water Policy

EU's Water Framework Directive (WFD), a revolution in water policyFacilitated by Ecologic Institute with the governments of Germany and UK

The WFD brings river-basin approach and integrated water management

The WFD combines emission control and environmental quality approaches

The WFD triggered modernization of administration ("river basin organization")

The WFD was very controversial between Germany and UK (and all others)

Ecologic Institute stimulated Policy Learning among EU Member States

Policy Learning led to "Parallel Negotiations" (among practitioners)

The WFD inspires water management and Policy Reforms around the world

Modes of Action: Facilitation, Policy Learning, Parallel Diplomacy

More information: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/index_en.html

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Millennium Ecosystem Assessment by WRI: Valuation

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) by WRIFacilitated by World Resources Institute (WRI) with philanthropic support

1360+ Experts Assessed Consequences of Ecosystem Change for Humans

Response to demand from scientists and international organizations

Developed with the Involvement of UNEP, UNDP, World Bank, many others

Financing from: Avina, Packard, UN Foundation; Global Env. Facility, others

Concluded that "Ecosystem Services" Need Protection & Sustainable Use

MA is to Biodiversity Conservation what IPCC Reports are to Climate Policy

MA changed the Terms of the Debate, Triggered Further Action (eg TEEB)

Modes of Action: Convening, Aggregation, Research, Negotiations, Report

More information: http://www.maweb.org/en/Index.aspx

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No Nukes by Öko-Institut: Making Phase-Out Possible

No Nukes by Öko-Institut: Making Germany Phase-Out Nuclear Power

Achievement of Öko-Institut For Applied Ecology (and the German nation)

Controversy over Nuclear Power led to Restrictions of Academic Freedom

Critical Scientist sought Freedom by establishing independent Öko-Institut

Öko-Institut build reputation for Sound Science, broke the Cartel of Silence

German Green Movement built the Technology Base in Renewable Energy

Coalition of Conservative and "Green" Politicians initiated Feed-In Tariffs

Öko-Institut evaluated and assessed policies, provided data and arguments

Other "Social-Ecological Research Organizations" contributed also

Modes of Action: Critical Science, Advocacy, Engagement, Development

More information: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energiewende (in German)

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Guardians of People and the Planet:

Think TanksPromoting Policies on Environment,Resources, Energy, Climate, Health,and Sustainable Development

R. Andreas Kraemer

Director, Ecologic Institute, Berlin – Brussels – Vienna, European UnionChairman, Ecologic Institute, Washington DC – San Mateo, California, USA

Beijing, 7-9 October 2011