Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari hosted an informal meeting of EU environment ministers in Stockholm on 18–19 April, which was also attended by business leaders from across the EU. The focal points of the meeting included the green transition and the role of business in promoting biodiversity, circularity and competitiveness. The meeting […]
Read MoreElectronic and electrical waste in the European Union
WEEE represents one of the fastest growing waste streams in the EU, and less than 40% of it is recycled. Electronic and electrical devices define modern life: from washing machines and hoovers to smartphones and computers, it is hard to imagine life without them. Yet the waste they generate has become an obstacle to the […]
Read MoreEuropean Parliament approves new law to fight global deforestation
In response to climate change and biodiversity loss, new laws require companies to ensure that their products do not cause deforestation or forest degradation. While no country or raw material would be banned, companies can only sell products in the EU if their suppliers have issued a “due diligence” declaration. It must demonstrate that the […]
Read MoreEuropean Parliament approves 5 key new laws to reach the 2030 climate target
MEPs adopted the reform of the EU’s Emissions Trading System including for aviation and maritime, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and a new Social Climate fund. On Tuesday, Parliament approved the deals reached with EU countries in late 2022 on several key pieces of legislation that are part of the “Fit for 55 in 2030 package”. […]
Read MoreThe European Commission prolongs the block exemption regulation in the motor vehicle sector
The European Commission has prolonged the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (‘MVBER’) for five years, meaning that it will now be applicable until 31 May 2028. It has also updated the Supplementary Guidelines for the sector. The revised Guidelines will help companies in the automotive sector assess the compatibility of their vertical agreements with EU competition rules, while ensuring that aftermarket operators, including […]
Read MoreEU-funded project develops robots capable of detecting damage and repairing themselves
When humans and animals are injured such as from a cut, they are able to heal over time. However, for broken robots, this often means replacement parts are needed. This not only impacts on the environment, but these parts can be costly. The EU-funded SHERO project had a radical vision of developing fully autonomous self […]
Read MoreThe LIFE PortSounds project aims to reduce the impact of underwater noise in the port of Cartagena
In the last decades, the expansion of human activities into the marine environment has caused the introduction of artificial sounds which interfere with the acoustic conditions of the environment. The maritime traffic of the Cartagena Port (Murcia, Spain) has exponentially increased in recent years, and it has become the main source of continuous noise in […]
Read MoreAgroecology: 14 EU-funded projects that are helping to shape the future of agriculture
The EU has set ambitious targets for the agricultural sector. Not only do Europe’s farmers need to ensure a reliable supply of high-quality food – fruit, vegetables, nuts, cereals and animal products – and non-food products at competitive prices, they must also deliver on the environmental commitments of the EU Green Deal and farm to […]
Read MoreEEA says number of deaths due to air pollution continues to fall in the EU
Air quality in Europe continues to improve and fewer people are dying prematurely or becoming ill from air pollution. However, air pollution remains the biggest environmental threat to health in Europe and more ambitious measures are needed to meet World Health Organisation (WHO) health guidelines, according to an analysis by the European Environment Agency (EEA). […]
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