The project, with a duration of 4 years, aims to develop analysis and decision-making instruments that justify and favour the implementation of distributed energy microgrids for the self-supply of isolated productive enclaves in Spain, Chile and Mexico. The University of Almeria can help to alleviate the depopulation of rural areas and improve the quality of […]
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Clear opportunities to decouple Europe’s waste generation from economic growth
In most European countries and in the EU as a whole, waste generation is growing but at a slower pace than the economy. However, there are no signs that the overall objective of reducing the total generation of waste is close to being achieved, according to a European Environment Agency report published today. The report’s […]
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CO2 the culprit in southern hemisphere temperature drop millions of years ago
Research into ancient climates suggests that a drop in atmospheric CO2 caused cooling temperatures in south-east Australia 41 to 33 million years ago. Our planet is warming and its atmosphere is changing, but what impact will these changes have on its different ecosystems? To find answers, some scientists have been investigating climates from millions of […]
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European Green Deal: Commission proposes to strengthen the protection of the environment through criminal law
The Commission has adopted a proposal for a new EU Directive to crack down on environmental crime, fulfilling a key commitment of the European Green Deal. The proposal intends to make protection of the environment more effective by obliging Member States to take criminal law measures. It defines new environmental crimes, sets a minimum level […]
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Greenhouses join plants in the energy conversion business
Until recently, there were opaque photovoltaic panels, and there was transparent glass. Innovative nanomaterials bring photovoltaics and transparency together in greenhouse panels that convert the sun’s light into electricity, while augmenting plant photosynthesis. Meeting the world’s growing food and energy demands while mitigating climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Agriculture […]
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Environmental taxes in the EU
In 2020, environmental tax revenue in the EU amounted to €299.9 billion, corresponding to 2.2% of GDP. For the first COVID-19 crisis year of 2020, the majority of the countries reported significant decreases in energy taxes compared with 2019. The typical range of decrease was between 5% and 15%. EU environmental taxes accounted for 5.4% of the revenue […]
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Lend a helping hand with drying river networks
What is happening to our drying river networks? A new app helps scientists find out. An EU-funded project has launched the first open-source smartphone app that helps scientists monitor drying events in Europe’s and South America’s rivers and streams. A new app is giving citizens the power to help scientists understand drying river networks. Developed […]
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How social science can help trace new paths out of the climate crisis
One of the key challenges we face today is how society should tackle climate change and mitigate the impacts of global warming. The EU-funded ENGAGE project has gathered key stakeholders to produce a new generation of global and national decarbonisation pathways. Policymakers, industry and civil society leaders count on solid data to inform and guide […]
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Sustainable supplies of raw materials is crucial for EU industry
MEPs want Europe to be less dependent on the imports of critical raw materials that are crucial for its strategic industries. To become climate neutral, energy-efficient and more competitive in the digital age, the EU will need more critical raw materials such as lithium and cobalt to manufacture batteries and electric engines. These technologies allow for the development of strategic […]
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