We are all familiar with the bolts of lightning that accompany heavy storms. While these flashes originate in storm clouds and strike downwards, a much more elusive type forms higher up in the atmosphere and shoots up towards space. So, what are the chances of somebody taking photographs of these rarely seen, brief ‘transient luminous […]
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Spain wins the Environment category of the LIFE Awards
The three winners of the LIFE 2021 awards, which recognise the most innovative, inspiring and effective projects funded by the European Commission’s LIFE programme, were announced on 2 June. This year, a project from the Balearic Islands was the winner in the Environment category. Slovakia won in the Nature category and France in the Climate […]
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EEA’s latest annual environmental performance report shows lower impacts on environment due to the pandemic
The European Environment Agency’s (EEA) latest environmental performance evaluation, published today, shows that the Agency’s work and operations in 2020 led to considerably lower impacts on the environment due mostly to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation showed substantially lower consumption of electricity, paper and lower CO2 emissions from business travel and meetings, keeping the […]
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World’s glaciers melting faster this century
Scientists used 20 years’ worth of satellite data to estimate the rate at which glaciers across the globe are shrinking. The result is the most accurate and comprehensive assessment of the world’s glaciers to date. The Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets may be the largest bodies of ice in the world, but they aren’t the […]
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Independent national advisory bodies can reinforce the role of science in climate policy
Efforts in tackling climate change at national level across Europe can be made more effective by robust governance frameworks as well as well-functioning, well-resourced advisory bodies. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today analyses the institutional settings for climate policy making at the national level in Europe, the role played by advisory bodies in […]
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How many electric cars are sold in Europe?
In 2020, the European Union (EU) exported close to 5.2 million cars (petrol, diesel, electric and hybrid electric cars), while 3.0 million cars were imported. Petrol cars accounted for the majority of exported cars (64% of extra-EU car exports), followed by diesel cars (22%) and electric & hybrid electric cars (14%). In terms of imports, petrol cars […]
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European environmental liability standards under review
MEPs want to strengthen existing EU rules on companies’ environmental liability to reduce and prevent environment harm. In order to enforce implementation and increase citizens’ trust in EU rules, and to prevent and remedy environmental damage more effectively, Parliament demands that the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD) and the Environmental Crime Directive (ECD) be improved. Recommendations […]
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Operation 30 Days at Sea 3.0 reveals 1,600 marine pollution offences worldwide
Frontex took active part in operation 30 Days at Sea, which was globally coordinated by Interpol. As part of the operation aimed at detecting environmental crime, Frontex planes and vessels monitored nearly 1 000 vessels. The operation’s tactical phase included the detection of 1,600 marine pollution offences, often triggering fines and follow-up investigations around the […]
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The huge impact of air pollution on football
Given that millions of Europeans love football, whether watching matches live or on TV, playing for local teams or simply kicking a ball around in the local park with friends, it is no wonder that people think about how the cleanliness of the air that football players breathe can have a big impact on the […]
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