LIFE is the only programme at EU-level solely dedicated to the environment and climate and the programme for 2021-27 is the most ambitious yet. There will be €3.5 billion for environmental activities and €1.9 billion for climate action. The programme is part of the Green Deal package proposed by the European Commission. Creating a cleaner and more circular […]
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New EU energy labels applicable from 1 March 2021
To help EU consumers cut their energy bills and carbon footprint, a brand new version of the widely-recognised EU energy label will be applicable in all shops and online retailers from Monday, 1 March 2021. The new labels will initially apply to four product categories – fridges and freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, and television sets […]
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In a first, the EU produced more energy from renewables than fossil fuels in 2020
The EU now generates more energy from renewables than from fossil fuels, new report claims. Europe aims to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This very ambitious goal seems closer to becoming a reality now that renewables have overtaken fossil fuels to become the EU’s main source of electricity. According to a newly published […]
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Latest EEA study finds multiple benefits of switch to renewable electricity
The increased use of renewable electricity across the European Union has not only reduced pressures linked to climate change, but also to air and water pollution (particulate matter formation, eutrophication and acidification), according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today. More targeted actions can help minimise the negative environmental effects of boosting renewable […]
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Doubling the renovation rate to cut emissions, boost recovery and reduce energy poverty
The European Commission has published its Renovation Wave Strategy to improve the energy performance of buildings. The Commission aims to at least double renovation rates in the next ten years and make sure renovations lead to higher energy and resource efficiency. This will enhance the quality of life for people living in and using the buildings, reduce […]
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MEPs want to increase emissions reduction target to 60%
All member states must become climate neutral by 2050, says Parliament in a vote on the EU climate law, calling for ambitious 2030 and 2040 emissions reduction targets. The new law aims to transform political promises that the EU will become climate neutral by 2050 into a binding obligation and to give European citizens and […]
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Emissions of most harmful air pollutants dropped in 2018, marking EU progress under UN Convention
The EEA report confirms the overall trend of steady but slow progress by EU Member States (including UK) since 1990 in reducing the emissions of the main air pollutants present in Europe. In all, 26 pollutants are monitored in the report sent by the EU to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Between 2017 […]
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Online tools for SMEs and public sector to better adopt renewable energy sources
An EU-funded initiative has introduced a search engine and a repository to gather data, share information, and match the needs of public procurers and SMEs in embracing renewable energy sources (RESs). Green public procurement (GPP) is a system where public sector organisations use their purchasing power to choose environmentally friendly goods, services and works that […]
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Time to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, says European civil society
As Europe slowly emerges from the coronavirus crisis, the climate emergency is starting to regain the place it deserves, coming back to the top of the EU agenda. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), which brings together civil society organisations from all Member States, developed this Opinion in response to a request by the […]
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