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Research Fields

 

  • Regulation of resource use and resource conservation
  • Climate and energy transition law
  • Environmental and planning law
  • International and European environmental and trade law
  • Sustainable urban development
  • Environmental and climate protection interests in (quasi) judicial review procedures
  • Participation of citizens and NGOs

 

Current Projects

 

Bumblebee MorhartFelixFornoff

 

INTEGRA - Integration of habitat structures into agricultural land to promote insect pollinators

The project is a collaboration with Prof. Dr. Alexandra-Maria Klein and Dr. Felix Fornoff (Chair of Conservation and Landscape Ecology), Jun.-Prof. and environmental lawyer Dr. Cathrin Zengerling (Chair of Transformation towards Sustainable Energy Systems) as well as Dr. Sebastian Gayler (Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation at the University of Hohenheim). As part of the INTEGRA project, a team led by Dr. Christopher Morhart and Prof. Dr. Thomas Seifert from the Chair of Forest Growth and Dendro-ecology at the University of Freiburg are studying the ways in which trees and shrubs are suited as a habitat for pollinating insects in agricultural areas. Researchers will record the range of blossom and nesting places offered by different trees and shrubs around the year to develop a free and publicly available software tool for reassessing and transforming agricultural systems. The project also investigates the legal framework of agroforestry systems, that arise from the integration of trees and shrubs in agricultural systems. Therefore, the software tool will also integrate the legal framework and potential sources of funding to support actors in their planning processes.

BMEL, 2021-2023.

 

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I4C - Intelligence for Cities - From Data to Predictions to Decisions

The I4C project investigates how artificial intelligence methods can support the adaptation of cities to climate change. In the project, a model of the city of Freiburg is combined with weather forecasts and climate simulations. In the high-resolution 3D model, critical locations are visualized and risks are identified. Machine learning methods are used to adapt the weather forecast model to the actual development of the atmosphere, as well as for the forecast itself and for cause analysis. The results can be used to derive planning, political and legal measures to improve the adaptability of cities to extreme events. The project is accompanied by considerations of ethics and data protection when dealing with artificial intelligence.

Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit, KI-lighthouses-Funding, 2021-2023.

 

https://www.maxpixel.net/Wind-Power-Black-Forest-Wind-Turbine-Pinwheel-1056112

 

Landscape and sustainable energy transition: the legal protection of landscape(s) through the prism of the energy transition. Participating Researcher. Lead: Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Lambert, Université de Strasbourg

Eucor - The European Campus, Seed Money, 2021-2022

 

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Urban Footprints Project (UFP)

The research group "Urban Footprints - Towards Greater Accountability in the Governance of Cities' Carbon and Material Flows" explores the current as well as the potential future role of cities as crucial actors in combating climate change and resource depletion.

Volkswagen Foundation, Freigeist-Fellowship, 2018-2023

 

Publications

  • Zengerling, C., Sotto, D., Fuo, O. (2022). Cities. In Reins, L.; Verschuuren, J. (Eds.) Research Handbook on Climate Change Mitigation Law (pp. 398-431), 2nd edition. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Zengerling, C. (2022). Kommunale Klimaschutzplanung. In Rodi, M. (Hrsg.) Klimaschutzrecht (pp. 235-256). Beck.
  • Fuo, O., Zengerling, C., Sotto, D. (2022). A Comparative Legal Analysis of Urban Climate Mitigation and Adaptation in the Building Sector in Brazil, Germany, and South Africa. Climate Law, 12(1), 32-97. https://doi.org/10.1163/18786561-12010002
  • Harseim, L., Sprecher, B., Zengerling, C. (2021). Phosphorus Governance within Planetary Boundaries: The Potential of Strategic Local Resource Planning in The Hague and Delfland, The Netherlands. Sustainability, 13 (19), 10801. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910801
  • Scheffran, J., Zengerling, C., Lange, A., d’Amico, E. (2021). In Stammer, D.; A. Engels; J. Marotzke; E. Gresse; C. Hedemann; J. Petzold (Eds.). Hamburg Climate Futures Outlook 2021. Assessing the plausibility of deep decarbonization by 2050 (pp. 41-49). Cluster of Excellence Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS). Hamburg, Germany.
  • John, N., Harseim, L., Vignola, G., Zengerling, C. (2021). Of Zeros and Ones: Choices that shape the zero carbon and digital city of tomorrow. In Schwegmann, R., Ziemer, G., Nönning, J. R., Digital City Science. Researching New Technologies in Urban Environments (pp. 105-113). Perspectives in Metropolitan Research, No. 6, jovis.
  • AScUS poster
  • Zengerling, C. (2020). Städte im polyzentrischen Klimaschutzregime, Zeitschrift für Umweltrecht (ZUR) 1/2020, 3-11.
    • Also published in: Faßbender, K., & Köck, W. (2021). Rechtliche Herausforderungen und Ansätze für eine umweltgerechte und nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung. Nomos.
  • Zengerling, C. (2019). Governing the City of Flows: How Urban Metabolism Approaches May Strengthen Accountability in Strategic Planning. Urban Planning, 4/1, 187-199. Open access
  • UFP Kick-off Workshop Documents 
  • Zengerling, C. (2018). Action on Climate Change Mitigation in German and Chinese Cities - A Search for Emerging Patterns of Accountability. Habitat International, 75, 147-153.

 

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CLICCS

Participating Researcher in three subprojects of the cluster of excellence "CLICCS - Climate, Climatic Change and Society" of the University Hamburg: „Dynamics of Climate Governance: Norms, Contestation, and Policies“, „Coping with Climate-Related Uncertainties and Variabilities” and „Sustainable Adaptation Scenarios for Urban Areas - Water from Four Sides".

DFG, 2019-2025

Publications

  • Zengerling, C., Aykut, S., Wiener, A., Bähring, J.; d’Amico, E. (2023). Social driver assessment: Climate litigation. In A. Engels, J. Marotzke, E. Gresse, A. López-Rivera, A. Pagnone & J. Wilkens (Eds.), Hamburg Climate Futures Outlook 2023. The plausibility of a 1.5°C limit to global warming: Social drivers and physical processes. Cluster of Excellence Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS). Hamburg, Germany.
    • Scheffran, J., d’Amico, E., Frisch, T., Zengerling, C. (2023). Social driver assessment: Transnational Initiatives. In A. Engels et al. (ibid).
    • Perino, G., Jarke-Neuert, J., Zengerling, C., Wickel, M., Schenuit, F. (2023). Social driver assessment: Climate-Related Regulation. In A. Engels et al. (ibid).
  • Aykut, S., Bassen, A., Beyer, J., Brüggemann, M., Busch, T., d’Amico, E., Engels, A., Frisch, T.,  Gresse, E., Guenther, L., Hedemann, C., Jarke-Neuert, J., Johnson, J., Lange, A., Pavenstädt, C.,  Perino, G., Petzold, J., Sander, J., Scheffran, J., Schenuit, F., Wickel, M., Wiener, A., Wilkens, J., Zengerling, C. (2021). Summary of the Social Driver Assessment. In Stammer, D.; A. Engels; J. Marotzke; E. Gresse; C. Hedemann; J. Petzold (Eds.). Hamburg Climate Futures Outlook 2021. Assessing the plausibility of deep decarbonization by 2050 (pp. 41-49). Cluster of Excellence Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS). Hamburg, Germany. Weitere Kapitel im Hamburg Climate Futures Outlook, Part II, Social Driver Assessment:
    • Zengerling, C., Aykut, S., Wiener, A., Wickel, M. Climate Litigation
    • Aykut, S., Schenuit, F., d’Amico, E., Zengerling, C., Scheffran, J. UN Climate Governance
    • Scheffran, J., Zengerling, C., Lange, A., d’Amico, E. Transnational Initiatives
    • Perino, G., Jarke-Neuert, J., Zengerling, C., Wickel, M., Schenuit, F. Climate-Related Regulation

 

Klimapolis

 

KLIMAPOLIS

Participating Researcher in “Klimapolis”, a 5-year joint project between Germany and Brazil to establish and develop a long term cooperative research on urban air pollution and climate change in metropolitan areas of Brazil.

BMBF, 2017-2022

 

Publications

  • Fuo, O., Zengerling, C., Sotto, D. (2022). A Comparative Legal Analysis of Urban Climate Mitigation and Adaptation in the Building Sector in Brazil, Germany, and South Africa. Climate Law, 12(1), 32-97. https://doi.org/10.1163/18786561-12010002
  • Kohler, M.; Engels, A.; Koury, A.P.; Zengerling, C. (2021). Thinking Urban Transformation through Elsewhere: A Conversation between Real-World Labs in São Paulo and Hamburg on Governance and Practical Action. Sustainability, 13 (22), 12811. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212811

 

from stock images: https://environment.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/events_frontiers_community_solar.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Paragraf_-_symbol.svg/1310px-Paragraf_-_symbol.svg.png

 

Climate and Energy Transition Law

Project-related and own research

 

Publications

  • Zengerling, C., Sotto, D., Fuo, O. (2022). Cities. In Reins, L.; Verschuuren, J. (Eds.) Research Handbook on Climate Change Mitigation Law, 2nd edition. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Zengerling, C. (2022). Kommunale Klimaschutzplanung. In Rodi, M. (Hrsg.) Klimaschutzrecht. Beck.
  • Fuo, O., Zengerling, C., Sotto, D. (2022). A Comparative Legal Analysis of Urban Climate Mitigation and Adaptation in the Building Sector in Brazil, Germany, and South Africa. Climate Law, 12(1), 32-97. https://doi.org/10.1163/18786561-12010002
  • Perino, G., Jarke-Neuert, J., Zengerling, C., Wickel, M., Schenuit, F. (2021). Climate-Related Regulation. In Stammer, D.; A. Engels; J. Marotzke; E. Gresse; C. Hedemann; J. Petzold (Eds.). Hamburg Climate Futures Outlook 2021. Assessing the plausibility of deep decarbonization by 2050 (Part II). Cluster of Excellence Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS). Hamburg, Germany.
  • Zengerling, C. (2020). Städte im polyzentrischen Klimaschutzregime, Zeitschrift für Umweltrecht (ZUR) 1/2020, 3-11.
    • Zweitveröffentlichung in: Faßbender, K., & Köck, W. (2021). Rechtliche Herausforderungen und Ansätze für eine umweltgerechte und nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung. Nomos.
  • Zengerling, C. (2019). Ausbau von Elektromobilitätsangeboten in der Wohnungswirtschaft – Erkenntnisse aus dem Forschungsprojekt e-Quartier Hamburg, Die Wohnungswirtschaft, 5/2019, 28-29.
  • Aykut, S., Neukirch, M., Zengerling, C., Engels, A., Suhari, M., Pohlmann, A. (2019). Energiewende ohne gesellschaftlichen Wandel? Der blinde Fleck in der aktuellen Debatte zur "Sektorkopplung", Energiewirtschaftliche Tagesfragen, 3/2019, 20-24.
  • Zengerling, C. (2018). Action on Climate Change Mitigation in German and Chinese Cities - A Search for Emerging Patterns of Accountability. Habitat International, 75, 147-153.
  • Kortländer, J., Zengerling, C. (2018). Solarstrom im Quartier – Potentiale und Grenzen des neuen Mieterstromgesetzes. RaumPlanung, 198 / 5-2018, 55-59.
  • Prill, T., Zengerling, C. (2018). Elektromobilität in urbanen Wohnquartieren – Handlungsspielräume und quartiersbezogene Strategien. PLANERIN, 3, 37-41.
  • Kortländer, J., Zengerling, C. (2018). Das neue Mieterstromgesetz – (k)ein Beitrag zur Energiewende?. Zeitschrift für Neues Energierecht (ZNER), 22/1, 13-20.
  • Duncker, M., Zengerling, C. (2017). Elektromobilität in der kommunalen Planung. RaumPlanung 190, 44-49.

 

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International Trade Law and Environmental Protection

Own research

Publications

  • Zengerling, C., Buchmüller C. (2023, im Erscheinen). Umweltschutz und Freihandel. In H.-J. Koch, E. Hofmann, M. Reese (Eds), Handbuch des Umweltrechts. 6. Auflage. München: Vahlen.
  • Zengerling, C. (2021). Klimaschutz und Welthandel – Erste Ansätze ökologischer Rechtsstaatlichkeit im EU-Mercosur Freihandelsabkommen? In: Benjamin, H., Westland M. (Eds.) Der ökologische Rechtsstaat. (deutsch/portugiesisch)
  • Harrison J.; Paulini, S.; Ankersmit. L.; van Asselt, H.; Barros-Platiau, A.; Eslava, L.; Harstad, B.; Marzano, K.; Raza, W.; Rittl, C.; Zengerling, C. (2021). Academic Statement: Proposals on the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement and the Environment, 8 Feb 2021, abrufbar unter: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/law/research/centres/chrp/governance/eumercosuraa
  • C. Zengerling (2020). Stärkung von Klimaschutz und Entwicklung durch internationales Handelsrecht - Eine Untersuchung des Rechts der WTO, regionaler Freihandelsabkommen und Wirtschaftspartnerschaftsabkommen der EU unter besonderer Berücksichtigung nachhaltiger Landnutzung", Expertise im Auftrag des Wissenschaftlichen Beirats der Bundesregierung Globale Umweltveränderung, Mai 2020, abrufbar unter: https://www.wbgu.de/fileadmin/user_upload/wbgu/publikationen/hauptgutachten/hg2020/pdf/Expertise_Zengerling.pdf
  • Zengerling, C.; Buck, M. (2018). Umweltschutz und Freihandel. In H.-J. Koch (Ed), Handbuch des Umweltrechts (pp. 1100-1148). München: Vahlen.

 

Justizia Klimagerechtigkeit

 

Environmental and climate protection in court

Project related and own research

 

Publications

  • Zengerling, C., Aykut, S., Wiener, A., Bähring, J.; d’Amico, E. (2023). Social driver assessment: Climate litigation. In A. Engels, J. Marotzke, E. Gresse, A. López-Rivera, A. Pagnone & J. Wilkens (Eds.), Hamburg Climate Futures Outlook 2023. The plausibility of a 1.5°C limit to global warming: Social drivers and physical processes. Cluster of Excellence Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS). Hamburg, Germany.
  • Verheyen, R., Zengerling, C. (2016). International Dispute Settlement. In C. Carlarne / K.R. Gray / R. Tarasofsky (Eds), Oxford Handbook of International Climate Change Law (pp. 417-440). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Verheyen, R., Zengerling, C. (2013). International Climate Change Cases. In OC Ruppel / C. Roschmann / K. Ruppel-Schlichting (Eds), Climate Change: Legal Responses and Global Responsibility, Volume I (pp. 759-804). Baden-Baden: Nomos Publishers.
  • Zengerling, C. (2013). Greening International Jurisprudence – Environmental NGOs before International Courts, Tribunals and Compliance Committees. Boston, Leiden: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.
  • Zengerling, C. (2008). NGOs versus European Pirates – Fisheries Agreements, IUU Fishing and the ITLOS in West African Seas. In E. Couzen / T. Honkonen (Eds), International Environmental Law-making and Diplomacy Review (pp. 107-132). Joensuu, Finland: UNEP, University of Finland UNEP Course Series.

 

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Dissertations
Information on currently running dissertation projects (under construction):

  • Lisa Harseim - working title:

The role of world cities for accountable multi-scalar phosphorus (P) flow governance in globalized food systems

  • Nikita John - working title:

The role of participation in planning sustainable urban infrastructure, towards reducing consumption emissions in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, India.

  • Lina Irscheid - working title:

Artificial intelligence as a decision-making tool in climate adaptation law

  • Ahmed Tarek AlAhwal - working title:

The forms and impacts of accountability of urban climate action planning in Cairo

  • Marina Klimke - working title:

Landscape features for nature and farmers: An analysis of the legal framework for agroforestry in Germany and a discussion of potential adjustments

 

 


 

Completed Projects

 

https://www.maxpixel.net/Wind-Power-Black-Forest-Wind-Turbine-Pinwheel-1056112

 

French-German Cooperative Project: La transition paysagère à l’heure de la transition énergétique: Participating Researcher. Le cas des éoliennes en France et en Allemagne. Université de Strasbourg.

Seminar series and establishment of a research network

CIERA, 2020-2021

 

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E-Quartier Hamburg - Elektromobiliy in urban residential quarters, legal opinion

The e-Quartier Hamburg project explores how electromobility can be increasingly integrated into urban living quarters. The legal opinion can be downloaded in a short or long version (German).

Project of the model region Hamburg, funded by the BMVBS, 2016-2017.

 

Publications

  • C. Zengerling (2019). Ausbau von Elektromobilitätsangeboten in der Wohnungswirtschaft – Erkenntnisse aus dem Forschungsprojekt e-Quartier Hamburg, Die Wohnungswirtschaft, 5/2019, 28-29.
  • T. Prill, C. Zengerling (2018). Elektromobilität in urbanen Wohnquartieren – Handlungsspielräume und quartiersbezogene Strategien. PLANERIN, 3, 37-41.
  • M. Duncker, C. Zengerling (2017). Elektromobilität in der kommunalen Planung. RaumPlanung 190, 44-49

 

 

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