At the meeting of our Scientific and Strategic Advisory Board on 4 and 5 June, key questions concerning the cities of the future were discussed. The focus was on trade-offs between climate protection, land use and growing infrastructure needs, as well as possible approaches to managing scarce resources in an integrated way. It became clear that forward-looking planning and a holistic perspective on land, water, climate and infrastructure are essential.

The European collaborative project PREVENT is developing and testing modular solutions to prevent, detect and respond to cyberattacks in the context of electromobility – for example in public charging, fleet operations and public transport. IKEM supports the project with analyses of economic issues relating to these solutions and their regulatory framework.

What knowledge do people need in order to become actively involved in community energy? In the CommunitE/BiNe project, we are exploring exactly this question in order to develop tailored educational programmes.

You can participate in our online survey until 30 June.

The E-CORE project examines the role of electric road systems (ERS) in decarbonising heavy goods transport. As part of the project, this study analyses a potential Austrian–Hungarian ERS corridor.

This article by Jana Eschweiler and Simon Großmann analyses the new regulation on energy sharing under Section 42c of the German Energy Industry Act, which, from 1 June 2026, establishes for the first time an explicit legal framework for the shared use of renewable electricity via the public grid.

This article explores the relevant provisions from emissions control, construction, nature conservation and aviation law. Franziska Stamme and Josefine Lyda outline both specific needs for adaptation and options for reforming the legal framework.

Based on presentations delivered around COP30, this book – edited by Márcia Dieguez Leuzinger, Lorene Raquel de Souza and Mariana Amorim Murta (CEUB University, Brazil) – brings together eleven contributions on various aspects of climate law.

Two articles by Prof Dr Rodi and Till Reinholz address the legal challenges of climate policy in the area of land use and land-use change (LULUC), as well as the often-neglected issue of soil protection.

The removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using technical methods may play an important role in achieving climate neutrality in the future. In the UPTAKE project, Jana Eschweiler and Simon Großmann examined whether and how such technologies are integrated into the climate plans and regulatory frameworks of the G7 countries. The findings are now available in a series of factsheets.

Within the hyBit project, IKEM analysed the legal framework for integrating unavoidable industrial waste heat into Bremen’s district heating system. This policy brief by Jana Eschweiler provides accessible information for citizens interested in municipal heat planning, explaining the relevant legislation and its implications.

Under the motto “Climate Spark – Igniting Multi-Level Action to Achieve the Global Energy Transition”, this year’s IKEM Academy explores how momentum in climate action can be maintained even in challenging times. From 31 August to 4 September, the programme includes lectures, creative workshops and site visits.

On 17 and 18 September 2026, the second conference of the European Association of Climate Law (EACL) will take place in Helsinki, Finland, focusing on the state of climate law ten years after the Paris Agreement.

Over the past three years, E-CORE has explored solutions for a sustainable and electrified freight corridor between Rotterdam and Budapest. The results will be presented at the E-CORE Innovation Lab on 24 November in Berlin, alongside discussions on implications for transport policy and decarbonised infrastructure in Europe.

The research project WasSERDICHT was launched with a kick-off meeting on 26 and 27 May in Borken. Together with partners, IKEM is investigating how heat from drinking water systems can be used to unlock new climate-friendly potential for heating supply.

On 4 June, IKEM hosted Ukrainian researchers as part of the Women of Ukraine empOWered project. The initiative supports them in developing gender equality plans in line with Horizon Europe requirements and in strengthening their integration into European research networks. The meeting discussed initial progress, challenges and next steps.

As project lead for ENGAGE Islands, Dàmir Belltheus Avdić took part in the Lead Partner Seminar of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme in Kiel on 16–17 June. Project leaders from across the region met to exchange views on implementation, work plans and funding issues.

From 22 to 26 June, IKEM supported the Digital GreenTalents Summer School 2026 – a week-long programme organised by the German Informatics Society. Around 30 early-career researchers from across the world gathered near Frankfurt to discuss topics relating to digitalisation and sustainability. IKEM contributed to event management and moderation.

Contributions include:

• Hüttl: Soil – a key resource for the survival of humankind
• Eschweiler/Grossmann/Beucker/Froese: Energy sharing under Section 42c EnWG
• Frerichs/Andres/Aykut: Climate litigation in Germany
• Stamme/Lyda: Gaps in the current permitting regime for airborne wind energy
• Stehl/Blüm: No combustion engine phase-out through civil litigation
• Case Law: German Federal Court of Justice (BGH), 23 March 2026 – VI ZR 365/23: No entitlement to an early “phase-out of combustion engines” (Part II)
• Case Law: District Court of The Hague, 28 January 2026 – C/09/659832 / HA ZA 24-53: State obligations for climate protection with regard to overseas territories (Bonaire)

Are you researching legal aspects of climate change and interested in publishing your work? Contact the editorial team: klimr@ikem.de.

Join the IKEM team! We are currently recruiting:

• Doctoral candidates (m/f/d)
• Legal trainees
• Interns

We also offer positions for doctoral researchers.

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