Expertise

Green Economy & Circular Economy

Sustainable, decarbonised, circular.

A sustainable economic system is organised in cycles, combines ecological solutions with economic opportunities, it protects natural resources and the environment. But, in the transformation process towards a green and circular economy, opportunities must be identified, incentives created, achievements perpetuated and old habits overcome – all while making sure that everyone is on board.

Resource efficiency and circular economy

The linear economic model is not sustainable and is destroying the foundation on which it stands. The way out: the transformation to a circular economy, where the value and finiteness of resources are taken into account. This path to a sustainable circular economy challenges every-one – science, product designers, industry and waste management, and last but not least, consumers.

Cross-sectional environmental sector

The environmental economy is the key element of the green economy. It combines technical solutions and services with environmental benefits. It includes businesses from a wide range of sectors – from waste water and waste disposal to environmentally friendly mobility, raw material efficiency, renewable energies, and innovative forms of agriculture.

Innovations for tomorrow

Research, developments, and innovations are the lubricant for the green transformation. In addition to optimisation and product improvements, it is about creating completely new business models.

  • Where are Europe’s largest research competencies located?
  • How can the transfer from science to the markets be made successful?
  • How can the immense opportunities and disruptions of digitalisation be used in a targeted manner for a sustainable orientation of the economy?

We pursue these and other aspects with a diverse set of methodologies and comprehensive competencies from innovation and digitalisation analyses.

Green Economy & Circular Economy: A selection of our services

Modelling development dynamics

We analyse the socio-economic importance and dynamics of green markets on the basis of the tried-and-tested Envigos model.

Analysis of international markets

We examine trade flows, sales markets, and the global competition for future green technologies.

Web crawling, patent and research data analysis

On the basis of patent analyses, research data, and web crawling, we shed light on innovation and research competencies.

Insights into the start-up scene

With the analysis of company databases and start-up networks, we give our clients an insight into the start-up process.

Big data analytics

Using big data approaches, we are making digitalisation potentials and challenges measurable for green markets.

Intelligent networking

We establish network connections between the actors and complex issues of the green economy.

Our work on this topic

Take a look at our latest projects and activities.

Status Report on the German Recycling Economy 2024

2024
| Project

The 2024 Status Report gives a comprehensive picture of the whole Recycling Economy sector and its future challenges.

Green transformation of industrial cities

| Event

The workshop is dedicated to the challenges surrounding the green transformation of regions. Prognos EU head Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will report on his experiences with circular industrial cities at EU level in a presentation.

Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) Conference

-
| Event

Hanne Hagedorn and Vera Wechner are participating in the first General Conference of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). This conference, organized by the European Commission, serves as a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas on how cities, regions, and their partners across Europe are already harnessing all the energy and ideas to promote the transition to a circular economy and stimulate social innovation.

The Circular Week 2023

-
| Event

From October 24th to 25th, Hanne Hagedorn will be in Warsaw for the Green Economy Network.NRW as part of the Circular Economy Week 2023.

Internationalisation of the Baden-Württemberg environmental technology sector

2023
| Project

What are the biggest sales opportunities? How can the location gain visibility worldwide? Further development of the strategic foundations.

Implementation of the European Green Deal through EU cohesion policy

ongoing
| Project

The EU’s C4T platform supports structurally weak regions in their transition to a carbon-free and resilient Europe. In this context, Prognos is responsible for establishing a scientific forum.

EU monitoring framework: Economic aspects of the circular economy

2023
| Project

Prognos was commissioned to develop a methodological framework for the collection of economic data on the circular economy, climate change and bioeconomy and its regular automated processing.

A sustainable approach to raw materials in Eastern and Northern Finland

2023
| Project

The services sector in this region is growing and is considered exceptionally innovative within the EU. Our input paper for a “Clusters meet Regions” event.

Ressource efficiency in Bavaria

ongoing
| Project

Efforts to reduce the consumption of resources in the Bavarian economy must be increased. A Prognos study provides information on the status quo and the starting points for savings.

Green Economy in Munich: Developments and potential

2023
| Project

The green economy is an important economic factor for the city of Munich and its surrounding area. On behalf of the Bavarian capital, Prognos analysed the current situation and the development perspectives for the sector.

DG REGIO – Evaluation of the European Green Deal

ongoing
| Project

How effective has the EU cohesion policy been in driving green change in Europe? This and other questions are being investigated jointly with COWI, Milieu, and CSIL, on behalf of the European Commission (DG REGIO).

Green Economy Report North Rhine-Westphalia 2022

2022
| Project

In its fourth edition, Prognos analyses the economic and ecological impact of the green economy in NRW.

Green finance's contribution to achieving climate neutrality in Germany

2022
| Project

What is the public share of climate protection investment? An investigation for the KfW.

Circular economy potential for rural development

2022
| Project

Equal living conditions in the city and in the country are a federal government goal. We are looking into how the circular economy can contribute to this for the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Construction (BMWSB).

Accompanying the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative

ongoing
| Project

The CCRI focuses on the implementation of a circular economy in European cities and regions. Prognos is supporting the initiative as a project partner in the associated Coordination and Support Office.

Status Report on Germany’s Closed-Loop Economy 2020

2020
| Project

The "Status Report on Germany’s Closed-Loop Economy 2020" provides an up-to-date overview of the sector's activities, economic relevance and future challenges.

Green Finance's contribution on the way to climate neutrality

2021
| Project

On the way to climate neutrality, green finance gains importance. For the first time, the total climate protection investments required to achieve the climate targets in Germany have been quantified by Prognos.

Ecological transformation and dual education in Bremen

2021
| Project

What is the demand for professionally trained specialists in Bremen as a business location in light of climate protection measures?

Business Sustainability Initiative

2021
| Project

Prognos supports Baden-Württemberg’s Business Sustainability Initiative. This initiative forms a central pillar of the state's sustainability strategy.

Green Economy Network.NRW

ongoing
| Project

Prognos has been involved in the Green Economy Network.NRW (KNUW) since 2017. It offers players in the environmental industry a platform for exchange and strengthens the market oppor-tunities of companies from NRW.

Green Economy Report North Rhine-Westphalia 2020

2020
| Project

North Rhine-Westphalia continues to be the leading federal state in the environmental economy. This is shown in the new Environmental Economy Report NRW 2020.

EU’s Global Leadership in Renewables

2020
| Project

Prognos, together with COWI, CEPS, and Capgemini invent, examines Europe's position and competitiveness in global renewable energy value chains.

Analysis of climate paths in the transport sector 2030

2019
| Project

On behalf of BDI and BCG, Prognos has analysed how Germany can achieve its climate protection targets for 2030 in the transport sector. The result: decisive changes are needed.

Jobwende – Effects of the Energiewende on Work and Employment

2019
| Project

On behalf of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), Prognos examined the importance of the energy transition for future employment in Germany.

CIRCTER – Circular Economy and Territorial Consequences

2019
| Project

An investigation into the economic structure of the regional Circular Economy in Europe.

Climate Path for Germany

2018
| Project

How can Germany reach its 2050 climate goals - and under what conditions is that possible? Those are the questions addressed by a study for the Association of German Industry (BDI).

Green Economy Report North Rhine-Westphalia 2017

2017
| Project

North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany's largest provider of environmental products and services. The sector generated around 28 billion euros in 2015 - more than six percent of the state's gross value added.

Hazardous Waste Management in EU Member States

2015
| Project

Support to Member States in improving hazardous waste management based on assessment of Member States' performance.

Do you have questions?

Your contact at Prognos

Oliver Lühr

Partner, Head of Environmental, Circular Economy & Climate Change

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Jannis Lambert

Senior Project Manager

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About us

Prognos – Providing Orientation.

Prognos is one of the oldest economic research centres in Europe. Founded at the University of Basel, Prognos experts have been conducting research for a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors since 1959 – politically independent, scientifically sound.

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