Despite public opinion and EU policies promoting forest management for multiple ecosystem services, income from sources other than timber production remains limited. This imbalance could persist without specific interventions. Forests provide a variety of ecosystem services, generally divided into three categories: Provisioning: providing natural resources such as wood (e.g. for timber or fuel), food (e.g. […]
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EU sets world’s first voluntary standard for permanent carbon removals
Last February 3, the Commission adopted the first set of methodologies under the carbon removals and carbon farming (CRCF) Regulation to certify activities that permanently remove CO2 from the atmosphere. By adopting these first voluntary certification methodologies, the EU is setting clear rules and creating new opportunities for climate innovation, investments in carbon removal technologies and addressing greenwashing. This milestone positions […]
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EU reaffirms commitment to science-based multilateralism on chemicals, waste and pollution
The panel will provide authoritative and policy-relevant scientific assessments on chemicals, waste and pollution. Countries will meet in Geneva from 2 to 6 February for the first plenary session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP), marking a key step in the launch of a new independent scientific body. The EU […]
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The EU invests €650 million in cross-border energy infrastructure
The European Commission will allocate around €650 million in grants from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to help finance fourteen cross-border energy infrastructure projects. These projects will play a key role in strengthening the EU’s energy security, increasing the integration of renewable energies and, consequently, Europe’s competitiveness. As highlighted in the recently adopted European electricity […]
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EU Green Week 2026: Investing in a nature-positive economy
Make a note in your diary for Europe’s most important environmental event, which will take place in Brussels on3 and 4 June. This year’s Green Week will focus on the commercial benefits of nature, demonstrating that a nature-positive economy is essential for Europe’s prosperity, resilience and competitiveness. Organised by DG Environment, the conference will explore […]
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The Commission adopts the Visa Strategy and a new recommendation to attract talent for innovation
The Commission adopted its first EU Visa Strategy, which sets out a framework for a visa policy that promotes the EU’s long-term interests. This strategy makes visa policy more strategic and better equipped to respond to increasing mobility, regional instability and geopolitical competition. The Strategy has the following objectives: strengthenthe security of the Schengen […]
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Europe’s health and competitiveness are being undermined by the slow implementation of anti-pollution laws.
A mid-term review of the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan concluded that faster implementation is needed. Areview of the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Planconcludes that Member States must act swiftly and decisively if the EU is to achieve its pollution reduction targets for 2030. The report highlights the close link between environmental protection and public […]
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The Road to Green 23: How the EU is tackling the challenge of ‘forever chemicals’
Are PFAS the most worrying pollutants of our time, and can we rid ourselves of them? Invisible but ubiquitous, PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are found in everything from non-stick pans to smartphones. While these chemicals are essential to modern industry, their “eternal” nature means that they accumulate in our environment and in our bodies, […]
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Commission approves Spanish state aid for electricity cogeneration
The European Commission has approved, in accordance with EU state aid rules, a €3.1 billion Spanish programme to support electricity production from new or substantially refurbished high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) plants. This measure will contribute to the implementation of Spain’s National Energy and Climate Plan, the Clean Industrial Pactand theEU’senergy efficiencytargets. The Spanish […]
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