Global biodiversity loss – How the EU can promote environmentally friendly consumption
According to Eurostat (2024), the consumption footprint of people in Europe is 14 tonnes of material per capita. The United Nations Environment Programme says the target should be 5.5 to 8 tonnes. This consumption contributes to global biodiversity loss, especially in the Global South. A new study by the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) and the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg (ifeu) highlights the role of soy, palm oil and shrimp production. The researchers make recommendations for EU policy in line with biodiversity conservation goals. This week, the results of the study ‘Towards nature-friendly consumption’, commissioned by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), were discussed at an online conference with international experts.
Experts warn of setbacks in climate action – clear criticism of state policy
At its press conference in October 2025, the Climate Expert Council of Baden-Württemberg once again criticised the state government's climate policy from 2024. In a joint appeal, the members, including ifeu Managing Director Prof. Dr. Pehnt, urgently warned that important measures for achieving climate targets are often being massively neglected in favour of political debates and agendas at state and federal level nationwide, across Europe and worldwide, and that as a result, setbacks are even being observed sector-specific.
Guido Reinhardt and Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer at Anuga 2025
At this year's ‘Organic on stage’ market discussion at Anuga, the world's largest food trade fair in Cologne, Guido Reinhardt explained the ifeu Institute's positions on the food transition on the podium. In his opening statement on organic food, Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer reaffirmed that he would continue to support the goals of the previous government's national ‘Bio-Strategy 2030’. This consists of achieving a 30% share of organic farming and 30% organic food on the market by 2030. According to Minister Rainer, his main focus will be on communal catering.
Handover in the departmental management
After a successful and formative period, Guido Reinhardt is handing over the management of the Biomass and Nutrition department to Nils Rettenmaier. We wish them both every success, happiness and good luck in their new roles!
Heat Atlas Germany now available in version 4.0
Version 4.0 of the Heat Atlas Germany's heating demand data, which is calculated in a standardised and proven way across Germany, is now available. In addition to the current stock of residential and non-residential buildings from the official 3D building models, information from the current 2022 census has also been incorporated into the improved calculation of the heat demand values. The Heat Atlas Germany 4.0 thus offers an optimal and comprehensive data basis for municipal heat planning, heat supply concepts, transformer planning and potential analyses.
"Climate resilience" theme week at the climate-neutral building forum: ifeu provides specialist materials
The new thematic focus "Climate resilience" in the climate-neutral building forum shows how buildings and neighbourhoods can respond to climate change - with greening, unsealing, urban climate analysis and practical recommendations for planning and construction. ifeu is a member of the Buildings Forum partner network.
New report on market for energy services published
Since 2015, a team of experts from Prognos AG, Verian and ifeu has been monitoring and evaluating the market for energy services in Germany on behalf of the Federal Agency for Energy Efficiency (BfEE). Based on the study and extensive surveys of supply and demand, the latest market report has now been published. The presentation of the figures has been supplemented by an overview of the political framework conditions and a look at the practical side of the energy services market.
EnXylaScope at the EUBCE: Sustainability assessment by ifeu
The EUBCE, the largest European biomass conference with more than 1,200 participants, recently took place in Valencia. The ifeu was on site with presentations and as session chair and was occasionally available to answer visitors' questions at the EnXylaScope stand. The project of the same name is investigating various value chains for enzymatically modified xylan. The associated sustainability assessment was prepared by ifeu and recently published.
Launch of EU project ‘CERISEA’: industrial production of 5-HMF
CERISEA is a pioneering project: for the first time, the bio-based platform chemical 5-HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) is to be produced on an industrial scale from fructose and non-food side streams. 5-HMF is considered a versatile ‘sleeping giant’ of green chemistry – but until now, there has been no industrial production. Twelve European partners are involved in the project, which is led by Michelin Engineered Polymers and includes ifeu.