North South Transitions to Green Economies

Published: 19 June 2012
The worldwide and sustainable transition of energy systems will only succeed if the economic and technological capacities of all countries are involved. Few developing countries have considerable production capacities for climate-friendly technologies. If the creation of attractive enabling environments in the global South goes hand in hand with new ways of careful export support in the global North, this will work as a global and fair Green New Deal.

Critique of the Green Economy - Toward Social and Environmental Equity

Published: 13 June 2012
Publication Series on Ecology 22: The idea of growth as the way to end poverty and escape economic and financial crisis remains largely undisputed and is currently reflected in the concept of the green economy. But not everything that is “green” and efficient is also environmentally sustainable and socially equitable. This essay outlines a policy of less, of wealth in moderation, to enable the Earth’s resources to make a life of dignity and without need possible for all.

Inside a Champion

Published: 7 June 2012
The international community likes to see Brazil as a socially oriented, economically successful state that is sensitive to environmental and climate-friendly issues – a great power on its way to the top; a champion. But in Brazilian civil society, another perception of its own state and the politics it pursues prevails. This publication takes a closer look at this discrepancy between how Brazil is perceived by those outside of and within its borders.

Borderline - The EU's New Border Surveillance Initiatives

Published: 16 July 2012
The research paper “Borderline” examines two new EU border surveillance initiatives, that would increase surveillance of the EU’s sea and land borders and extend biometric ID checks to all non-EU nationals. The authors of the report are not only in doubt of the social need for the new systems, but also criticise the decision-making process in order to implement the new programmes.

The Wealth of the Commons

Published: 19 April 2013
The Wealth of the Commons is about history, political change, public policy and cultural transformation on a global scale – but most of all, it’s about commoners taking charge of their lives and their endangered resources. It’s about common people doing uncommon things.

Gender relations and women’s vulnerability to climate change

Published: 13 April 2012
The study analyzes the way in which an adaptation measure carried out in the Mexican state of Tabasco has contributed to modifying gender relations. In the relocation program analyzed, implemented in response to severe flooding in 2007, the housing units built were granted to women.

Solidarity and Strength - The Future of the European Union

Published: 3 April 2012
This volume is the result of the work of the Commission on the Future of the European Union. The Commission, composed of 60 renowned experts from the worlds of politics, science and civil society, was charged with sketching out future prospects and drafting recommendations for key areas of European policy – areas crucial for giving a new dynamic to European cooperation.

The Future We Want - A Feminist Perspective

Published: 15 March 2012
Publication Series on Ecology 21: The Future We Want – the motto chosen by the UN in the run-up to the June 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) – is certainly forward-looking. Rio+20 is supposed to define routes towards a safer, fairer, greener, and cleaner world. But the blueprints for a green economy are devoid of gender perspectives. Christa Wichterich’s essay takes a closer look on the relations between feminism and ecology.