Researchers have provided the first-ever projections of coastal erosion across the entire Arctic until the end of the century. According to their findings, more and more land mass is being lost with each degree of warming. Global warming is thawing permafrost in the Arctic and melting sea ice, leaving the coasts – where most human […]
Read More
EU’s need for natural gas imports reduced to 83% by 2021
In 2021, the EU’s natural gas import dependency rate was 83%. This is 1 percentage point (pp) less than 2020 (84%). This small decrease in import dependency was significantly influenced by the fact that most EU Member States used stocks of natural gas that were imported in previous years. In fact, the drop in natural gas stocks in 2021 was […]
Read More
Galileo positions e-bike sharing programme as a game changer in urban mobility
A new electric bike sharing programme in the Barcelona metropolitan area will use Galileo’s highly accurate positioning and timing information. In Barcelona, bike sharing is set to go electric as the metropolitan area prepares to rollout a fleet of state-of-the-art electric bicycles – making it even easier for the public to travel in a sustainable, […]
Read More
Right to repair: MEPs want more durable and more easily repairable products
A new “right to repair” must cover designing long-lasting products that can be fixed, as well as more informative labelling and extended guarantee rights. Parliament adopted on Thursday its demands for an upcoming European Commission proposal on the right to repair planned for later in 2022, with 509 votes in favour, 3 against and 13 […]
Read More
Green Deal: EP backs updated guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure
Parliament approved on Tuesday new rules for selecting which energy projects can receive EU funding and aligning the existing regulation with the EU’s Green Deal. The legislation, agreed upon with Council in December 2021, sets criteria and the methodology for choosing energy projects of common interest (PCIs), such as high-voltage transmission lines, pipelines, energy storage facilities and […]
Read More
Commission carries out unannounced inspection of Gazprom sites in Germany
On 29 March 2022, the European Commission carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of several companies in Germany active in the supply, transmission and storage of natural gas. The Commission has concerns that the inspected companies may have violated EU competition rules that prohibit abuse of a dominant position. The Commission officials were accompanied […]
Read More
Council agrees on 8th environmental action programme
The Council adopted its position on the 8th Environmental Action Programme (EAP). This programme will guide the development and implementation of environmental policy until 2030. The adoption of the Council’s position follows a provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament in December 2021 and is the final step in the adoption procedure. The 8th EAP […]
Read More
EU will import 58% of its energy by 2020
By 2020, 58% of the energy consumed in the EU will be imported, while its own production will cover only 42% of demand. The EU’s energy mix by 2020 will consist of 35% oil and oil derivatives, 24% natural gas, 17% renewables, 13% nuclear energy and 11% solid fossil fuels. Russia is the main supplier […]
Read More
March 22: World Water Day
The latest indicatory assessment published by the European Environment Agency shows water abstraction and economic growth in the EU decoupling over the period 2000–2017. Total water abstraction declined by 17 %, while total gross value added generated from all economic sectors increased by 59 %. However, water scarcity conditions and drought events continue to cause significant risks in southern […]
Read More