Ecologic Institute is an independent research organisation focused on environmental policy, sustainability and the scientific foundations of public decision-making. Founded in 1995, it is based in Berlin and works through international, interdisciplinary project teams. The institute describes itself as a private, not-for-profit think tank for applied environmental research, policy analysis and consultancy.
Its work spans a broad range of environmental topics, including climate and energy policy, water, biodiversity, resource efficiency, agriculture, the Arctic and development policy. A recurring theme in its work is the integration of environmental issues into other policy areas, with research intended to be directly relevant for governments and public institutions. Ecologic Institute also plays a role in policy assessment and knowledge exchange, particularly in the European and transatlantic context.
The organisation has offices in Berlin, Brussels and Washington, D.C., which reflects its geographic reach beyond Germany. It works closely with European and international partners and is a member of the Ecological Research Network (Ecornet). Its size is modest but substantial for a policy research institute, with more than 100 staff members.
Among its recent and longer-running areas of work are EU climate and energy policy, the Paris Agreement, and strategies for reaching climate neutrality by 2050. The institute has also contributed to projects on climate services and environmental risk governance. On its website, one featured publication is “Systemic and Complex Risk Governance for Europe’s Preparedness and Sustainability,” which examines how complex environmental risks interact across systems and how governance can respond.