Headline: News 2012

<p>The German energy transition is followed with great interest also in the Nordic countries. At a conference “The Energiewende – is there a Nordic Way?”, organized by the IASS and the Nordic Embassies in Berlin, high-level participants from Germany and the Nordic countries debated the political, economic, technical and social aspects of a sustainable energy future.</p>

<p>What transformations of the global financial system are required to ensure a sustainable development of humankind within planetary boundaries? The Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies in Potsdam has started an investigation of this question. To support this inquiry, it teams up with the European research network <a>Global Systems Dynamics and Policy</a>, coordinated by the <a>Global Climate Forum</a>.</p>

<p>A new book of the IASS sheds light on the perspectives of sustainable development. The book, published by the German publishing house Metropolis Verlag, originates from a workshop at the IASS and is edited by <a href="/node/556">Judith Enders </a>and <a href="/node/71">Moritz Remig</a>.  An English translation of the book is in preparation and will appear in 2013.</p>

<p>The Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies has become an official non-state partner of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). The CCAC was launched in February 2012 in order to draw attention to “short-lived climate forcing pollutants” (SLCPs), including gases like ozone and methane and particles like soot, and to help curb their emissions. Not only are these pollutants harmful to human health, agriculture and ecosystems, but they also play a large role in climate change - at present, their combined role is nearly as large as carbon dioxide.</p>

<p>On December 5^th2012, <a href="/node/66">Ivonne Lobos Alva</a>, IASS-Global Soil Forum Research Fellow, took part in an event at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO’s Headquarters in Rome. The event took place in commemoration of FAO joining the International Union of Soil Sciences in the Celebration of the World Soil Day by organizing, as part of the 145 session of the FAO Council, a side event entitled “Securing healthy soils for a food secure world: a day dedicated to soils”.</p>

The new book "Institutional and Social Innovation for Sustainable Urban Development" (Routledge), edited by IASS Executive Director Klaus Töpfer and by Harald Mieg (Georg-Simmel Center of Metropolitan Studies of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin), reflects the situation of cities in the context of global change and increasing demands for sustainable development.

On December 7th, 2012, Prof. Carlo Rubbia was awarded a honorary degree by the University of Split for his scientific achievements in the field of physics as well as his contribution to the development and international recognition of the University of Split.