2026 marks an incredible milestone for us: IEEP turns 50!
To celebrate these five decades of work, cooperation, dedication, and leadership in providing evidence-based policy recommendations, we are organising a dedicated session during our Think2030 conference in Brussels. On 21 April, with the participation of Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, we will welcome friends and colleagues, decision-makers, environmental experts, industry and civil society to reflect on fifty years of EU environmental policymaking while looking decisively to the future. Three thematic sessions will focus on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and a balanced EU trade policy that delivers both strategic autonomy and environmental sustainability.
Over the year, we will also release a series of blogs, videos and contributions produced in collaboration with colleagues and important figures of IEEP's long and fascinating history. This month, Honorary Fellow Nigel Haigh and our Executive Director, Antoine Oger, discuss the origins of IEEP and reflect on the challenges ahead.
As always, enjoy your reading!
The IEEP editorial team
Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, will open Think2030 and set the strategic framework for discussions on how Europe can align environmental ambition with economic transformation, social fairness and global responsibility.
Latest news and reports from IEEP
Mercedes Sanchez Varela is appointed new chair of IEEP Supervisory Board As we enter the sixth decade of IEEP leadership, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Mercedes Sanchez Varela as its new Chairperson, effective January 2026. Mercedes will be supported by Marianne Kettunen and Thomas Nowak as Deputy Chairs.
Throughout 2026, we will retrace our long history, highlight key moments in EU policymaking, and showcase our influence and impact on some of the most critical events. In this first blog, Honorary Fellow Nigel Haigh and our Executive Director, Antoine Oger, talk about the origins of IEEP and reflect on the challenges to come.
Is the EU CBAM drifting off the climate policy track?
This brief examines the most recent revisions to the mechanism—introduced in December 2025, shortly before its full entry into force—and assesses their consistency with the EU’s stated climate objectives.
Establishing a true coherent trans-European nature network
In January, NaturaConnect gathered policymakers, scientists and practitioners in Brussels for a two-day workshop to discuss the preliminary findings of the project dedicated to advancing the TEN-N.
Vacancy | New call for the IEEP-EGU Policy Mentoring scheme
We are excited to announce our new Policy Mentoring scheme, which provides early- and mid-career scientists with the opportunity to work alongside members of the Institute for European Environmental Policy in Brussels.
How Regenerative & Conservation Agriculture can chart a trail for healthy soils and farms
Join this webinar on the 12 February when agricultural experts from TRAILS4SOIL will explore the answers to critical questions about Regenerative & Conservation Agricultural Practices and introduce you to our major new research project.
Transforming landscapes with pollinator research: A discussion for land and protected area managers
Join us for this full-day Safeguard event (with a lunch included) gathering stakeholders to shape the future of pollinator-friendly land and agricultural management. From policy dialogue to hands-on knowledge exchange, participants will explore how research, EU policy, and practice can come together to support pollinator recovery.
If you want to find out more about us, our work and expertise, get in touch today! Contact us
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor CINEA can be held responsible for them
The Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) is an independent sustainability think tank with offices in Brussels. As a not-for-profit organisation with over 40 years of experience, we are committed to advancing impact-driven sustainability policy across the EU and the world.
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