The Council gave the final green light for a revised EU directive on urban wastewater treatment. The revised directive extends the scope to smaller agglomerations, covers more pollutants, including micropollutants, and contributes to energy neutrality. The new rules are one of the key deliverables under the EU’s zero-pollution action plan. More agglomerations and more pollutants […]
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Climate report shows the largest annual drop in EU greenhouse gas emissions for decades
EU greenhouse gas emissions fell by 8.3% in 2023, compared to 2022, reveals the latest climate action progress report by the European Commission. The report states that net greenhouse gas emissions are now 37% below 1990 levels. Over the same period, EU Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 68%. This points to the fact that reducing emissions and economic growth are compatible. […]
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New images from Copernicus on the impact of the Spain´s cold drop
Extensive destruction and the tragic loss of over 200 lives have resulted from severe flash floods which struck the Community of Valencia, Spain, on 29 October 2024. As of 4 November, recovery operations continue in previously inaccessible areas in the region. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) has been activated (EMSR773) to deliver assessments […]
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Growth of renewable energy in Europe leads to a significant drop in greenhouse gas emissions
The European Commission has published today the 2024 Climate Action Progress Report, showing that net EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions fell by 8.3% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This is the largest annual drop in decades, with the exception of 2020 when COVID-19 led to emission cuts of 9.8%. Net GHG emissions are now 37% below 1990 levels, while […]
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What is the EU’s disaster response?
The frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Europe is increasing. Largely due to climate change and urbanisation, Europeans have had to deal with more extreme weather including heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, floods and storms in recent years. Natural disasters in Europe As the European Environmental Agency points out, global temperatures have been increasing, with 2023 being the warmest year […]
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EU imposes duties on unfairly subsidised electric vehicles from China
Today the European Commission concluded its anti-subsidy investigation by imposing definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China for a period of five years. As previously disclosed, the investigation found that the BEV value chain in China benefits from unfair subsidization which is causing threat of economic injury to EU producers of BEVs. As […]
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8 ways life in the EU is becoming greener
Shifting to a greener way of life is crucial to address the climate emergency and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, especially those from Russia. The EU and its 27 countries have adopted new common rules with the so-called ‘Fit for 55 package’ to reduce the EU’s carbon footprint. The objective is to cut net greenhouse gas […]
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Geothermal energy: Potential and benefits
Geothermal energy has significant potential to assist in achieving EU targets for the uptake of renewables and the decarbonisation of the energy sector, particularly for heating and cooling. Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source harnessed from the thermal energy stored in rocks and fluids deep within the earth’s crust. Drilled wells connect the fluid […]
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Why are the caps attached to the bottles?
The changes we are seeing to plastic bottle caps are part of a wide-ranging effort to combat the increasing plastic pollution affecting our seas and oceans and their wildlife. Have you noticed any changes in plastic bottle caps lately? It takes some time to get used to the fact that plastic caps are now attached […]
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