The Council of the European Union has adopted conclusions addressing the urgent challenges posed by desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD), underscoring the critical need for a cohesive and integrated approach to environmental management across the EU. These conclusions highlight the increasing frequency and severity of droughts, alongside the exacerbation of desertification and land degradation both globally […]
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Nearly 100 000 certified products and services use the European Ecolabel
The latest figures for products and licences certified by the European Ecolabel published today show a steady upward trend for most product groups. The growing use of the EU Ecolabel is accelerating compared to previous years. Europeans can choose from almost 100,000 EU Ecolabel certified products and services, 10,000 more than last year. Tourist accommodation […]
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The Spanish project “Biogreenfinery” won the 2024 REGIOSTARS Award in the category “Green Europe”.
Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira, together with President of the Committee of the Regions, Vasco Alves Cordeiro, hosted the 2024 REGIOSTARS awards ceremony in Brussels as part of the 22nd European Week of Regions and Cities. The REGIOSTARS awards recognise Cohesion Policy-funded projects across Europe that encapsulate the impact and inclusiveness of regional development and have found solutions to common challenges that European regions […]
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EU brings product liability rules in line with digital age and circular economy
The Council adopted a directive to update the EU’s civil liability law. The new liability rules better take into account that nowadays many products have digital features and that the economy is becoming increasingly circular. Bence Tuzson, Hungarian Minister of Justice stated “The product liability rules that the Council adopted today are good news for […]
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Council adopts conclusions on climate finance
The Council approved conclusions on climate finance ahead of the United Nations framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC) meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November 2024 (COP 29). In its conclusions, the Council underlines that the EU and its member states are committed to the current goal of developed countries to collectively mobilise […]
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Commission proposes an EU Digital Travel application for easier and safer travel
Today, the European Commission adopted two proposals to digitalise passports and identity cards, also called ‘EU Digital Travel application’, for individuals travelling to and from the Schengen area. Both EU citizens and non-EU citizens are subject to systematic checks when crossing the EU’s external borders. Currently, these checks are made physically at the border crossing […]
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Commission proposes 12 months to phase-in EU deforestation regulation
The Commission published last week an additional guidance documents and a stronger international cooperation framework to support global stakeholders, Member States and third countries in their preparations for the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation. Given feedback received from international partners about their state of preparations, the Commission also proposes to give concerned parties additional time to prepare. If approved by […]
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From industrial side stream to clean source for biofuels
A new process looks to turn black liquor, a by-product of the pulp and paper industry, into a low-emission biofuel. Cited by the International Energy Agency as the fifth most important fuel on Earth, black liquor has the potential to become the new black gold. “Black liquor is a common by-product of the pulp mills […]
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Commission protects dolphins and small cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay
The Commission adopted on 30 September a delegated act establishing measures in the Bay of Biscay by 2025 to prevent incidental catches of dolphins and other small cetaceans caused by fisheries. These measures are the subject of a joint recommendation by Belgium, Spain, France and Portugal. Unless the European Parliament or the Council objects within […]
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