The Commission is proposing for the first time measures to prevent microplastic pollution from the unintentional release of plastic pellets. Currently, between 52 and 184 thousand tonnes of pellets are released in the environment each year due to mishandling throughout the entire supply chain. The proposal aims to ensure that all operators handling pellets in […]
Read MoreEuropean Commission publishes new tools for anticipating and adapting to the sectoral consequences of droughts
In recent years, droughts have significantly affected regions across the EU. However, accurate assessment and quantification of drought risks and their impacts had remained challenging due to the complex nature of these events. Droughts cannot be easily defined or predicted: they develop gradually, can occur outside of seasonal patterns, and may persist over extended periods. […]
Read MoreCouncil adopts new rules on renewable energies
The Council today adopted the new Renewables Energy Directive to raise the share of renewable energy in the EU’s overall energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030 with an additional 2.5% indicative top up to allow the target of 45% to be achieved. Each member state will contribute to this common target. All member states will contribute to achieving […]
Read MoreEuropean Union agrees to phase down fluorinated gases and ozone-depleting substances
The Council and Parliament negotiators today reached a provisional political agreement on phasing down substances that cause global warming and deplete the ozone layer. This provisional agreement finalises negotiations on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and confirms an informal agreement reached in June on ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). While existing EU legislation has already limited the use […]
Read MoreSpanish city Viladecans, winner of the European Green Leaf 2025 Award
The winners of the European Green Cities 2025 Awards were announced in Tallinn, Estonia, this year’s European Green Capital. Vilnius (Lithuania) will be the 2025 European Green Capital, and the title of European Green Leaf 2025 for smaller cities went to Viladecans (Spain) and Treviso (Italy). The jury crowned Vilnius as the 2025 European Green Capital Winner, and especially liked their down […]
Read MoreCommission proposes list of principles to boost cycling across Europe
The proposal for a European Declaration on Cycling, adopted by the European Commission, recognises cycling as a sustainable, accessible and inclusive, affordable and healthy means of transport, with strong added value for the EU economy. It lists principles to boost cycling that will guide future action in the EU. Clear commitments, such as safe and coherent cycling networks […]
Read MoreUp to €1.7bn of EIB finance for new solar power plants in Spain, Italy and Portugal
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved framework financing of up to €1.7 billion for Solaria to support the construction of some 120 photovoltaic power plants. Mostly located in Spain, as well as Italy and Portugal, they will have a total capacity of approximately 5.6 GW and will produce an estimated 9.29 TWh a year. […]
Read MoreEU industry ministers agree new Euro 7 standards
The Council adopted yesterday its position (‘general approach’) on the proposed regulation for the type-approval of motor vehicles and engines, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, with respect to their emissions and battery durability, better known as Euro 7. The new regulation, which for the first time covers cars, […]
Read MoreCan dumping iron in the sea slow climate change?
Scientists and entrepreneurs have proposed geoengineering projects to modify Earth’s environment. Our expert Marion Fourquez weighs in on the value of tipping metal shavings into the sea. “The answer is both yes and no, and it should not be tested again,” says Fourquez, a polar oceanographer at the Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography in France. The […]
Read More