To prepare for the risk of forest fires during the upcoming summer, the EU is further reinforcing its European fleet of firefighting aircraft under the rescEU system. The EU is financing purchases by the Swedish government of 2 new firefighting airplanes to add to the reserve. This adds up to a total of 13 airplanes […]
Read MoreEU greenhouse gas emissions kept decreasing in 2018, largest reductions in energy sector
The European Union (EU) cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 23.2 % from 1990 to 2018, according to latest official data, published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Over the period, the EU’s contribution to global emissions is estimated to have decreased from 15 % to 8 %. In 2018, the EU’s emissions decreased […]
Read MoreCovid-19: EU recovery plan should prioritise climate investment
The proposed EU recovery package to tackle the profound economic recession caused by Covid-19 aims to create a sustainable future. The Covid-19 health crisis and its economic consequences are priorities for the EU and the recovery package proposed by the European Commission aims to relaunch economies, based on a greener, social and digital approach for […]
Read MoreHow to develop sustainable and cost-efficient air mobility
Partners of an EU-funded initiative say they have laid the groundwork methodology and tools for the design of a near-zero-emission aircraft concept meant for smaller airports. The EU-funded, UNIFIER19, project offers commuters a radically new mobility solution that will be “as simple to use as a bus,” according to a statement. Project coordinator Pipistrel Vertical […]
Read MoreEurope’s resilience: halting biodiversity loss and building a healthy and sustainable food system
The European Commission adopted a comprehensive new Biodiversity Strategy to bring nature back into our lives and a Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system on 20 May. The two strategies are mutually reinforcing, bringing together nature, farmers, business and consumers for jointly working towards a competitively sustainable future. The two […]
Read MoreThird building block to enable safe VTOL operation and new air mobility in Europe
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published proposed methods how to certify hybrid or electric air taxis (VTOL). Therefore, the Agency invites stakeholders and other interested parties to review the plans and provide their comments. This is the latest milestone in EASA’s roadmap to enable safe VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) operations and new […]
Read MoreComplex network of European and global developments impacts sustainability
A wide variety of rapid and long-term societal developments in Europe and globally have important effects on the environment in Europe. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report analyses these ‘drivers of change’, providing insights on their impacts on EU sustainability ambitions. The EEA report ‘Drivers of change of relevance for Europe’s environment and sustainability’ provides […]
Read MoreEUROPEAN AGENDA: tourism and transport
Tourism and transport is one of the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. What is the EU doing to protect businesses, workers and passengers? 13th May, European Commission: how to safely resume travel and restart tourism in Europe The Commission has presented a set of guidelines and recommendations to help Member States gradually […]
Read MoreThanks to COVID-19, it’s time to flatten the curve on climate change
“Whilst COVID-19 has caused severe international health and economic crisis, failure to tackle climate change may threaten human well-being, ecosystems and economies for centuries,” the UN’s World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said in a conference on the occasion of Earth Day. “We need to flatten both the pandemic and climate change curves.” Combat climate change […]
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