Division International Environmental Policy

Climate change, biodiversity loss, plastic pollution: We are working on the major environmental crises of our time and are arguing for a socio-ecological transformation based on climate and resource justice. This requires a very rapid exit from coal, oil and gas, an end to the exploitation of nature and man and a critical and precautionary use of technologies.

Recent articles

Photo: In a valley near a forested hill, several round water basins with light blue liquid and white pipelines are visible.

Rare Earths: Why European Industries Are Dependent on Myanmar

Commentary

Almost two-thirds of the heavy rare earths dysprosium and terbium on the global market come from Myanmar. How should Germany and Europe deal with the mining of urgently needed rare earths in the civil war-torn country of Myanmar?

By Johanna Sydow

Photo: Aerial view of a junkyard with numerous containers filled with metal and aluminum scrap. Piles and piles of recyclable material.

Creating a Globally Fair Circular Economy in the Clean Industrial Deal

Analysis

A new study examines how the transition to a circular economy can be made fair globally. Against this background, we evaluate the Clean Industrial Deal presented by the EU Commission in February 2025.

By Luisa Denter and Johanna Sydow

Criticality and the Securitization of Southeast Asia’s Indigenous Mineral Resources

Article

Southeast Asia’s geographical location is blessed with abundant natural resources – minerals, forests, and wildlife. For hundreds of years, these resources have been a source of livelihood and even life for Indigenous peoples, as well as local communities. However, the capitalist perspective of development is rapidly encroaching on the mineral-rich lands of these peoples.

By Maya Quirino

All articles on International Environmental Policy

Topics

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Plastic

Luftaufnahme einer kleinen Mine in der Nähe von Mt. Isa Queensland.

Resource Politics

Climate

Geoengineering

Biodiversity

The Rights of Nature

New Economy of Nature

Inside the Green Economy

50 Years of International Environmental Policy

Publications

Global Circular Economy

Study

A circular economy can help mitigate the negative effects of our resource consumption and reduce the massive dependence on raw materials from other countries. The study sets out what needs to be considered in order to achieve a just transition towards a circular economy.

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Photo: A dilapidated building with a partially collapsed roof and chimneys. In the foreground, a warning sign in Serbian. Above, the cover of the report The Jadar Project, Serbia: history, context and concerns.

The Jadar Project, Serbia

E-Paper

Concerns about Serbia’s Jadar project grow due to irregularities by authorities and Rio Tinto. Issues like sustainability failures, activist repression, unlawful assessments, corruption, and political influence, erode trust. This briefing covers the developments, concerns, and implications.

Climate Justice and Equitable Futures

E-Paper

The briefing shows how the scenarios of the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report (AR6) perpetuate existing inequalities into the future. It explores alternative perspectives that prioritize equitable futures, climate justice, and well-being for all in IPCC AR7.

From Boom to Burden

Report

This report strives to shed light on the various biophysical as well as sociocultural long-term impacts of mining, which can mean massive long-term monetary costs for states and further generations.

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All publications on International Environmental Policy