To help EU consumers cut their energy bills and carbon footprint, a brand new version of the widely-recognised EU energy label will be applicable in all shops and online retailers from Monday, 1 March 2021. The new labels will initially apply to four product categories – fridges and freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, and television sets […]
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How to stay healthy and safe in the face of climate change?
Climate change threatens to undermine the past 50 years of gains in global public health through extreme heatwaves, threats to food and water systems, and changing patterns of infectious diseases. The briefing ’Responding to the health risks of climate change in Europe’ highlights key health impacts from climate change as well as opportunities to reduce […]
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Building a Climate-Resilient Future – A new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change
The European Commission adopted on 24 February a new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, which sets out the way forward to prepare for the unavoidable effects of climate change. While the EU is doing all it can to mitigate climate change, both nationally and internationally, it must also be prepared to deal with […]
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New approach to prevent chemical pollution
The European Environment Agency (EEA) published a report on how to ensure that chemicals are safe and sustainable while preventing them from affecting people, the environment and climate change. The EEA report “Delivering chemicals and products that are safe and sustainable by design” states that an evaluation of the performance of these products could reduce, […]
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Climate change adaptation: key to the future of EU agricultural imports
Stepping up European Union (EU) support for international adaptation, together with trade diversification are key actions the EU can take to lessen the impacts of climate change on agricultural trade, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing. limate change is projected to affect agriculture in Europe and around the globe, altering growing conditions, production […]
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In a first, the EU produced more energy from renewables than fossil fuels in 2020
The EU now generates more energy from renewables than from fossil fuels, new report claims. Europe aims to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This very ambitious goal seems closer to becoming a reality now that renewables have overtaken fossil fuels to become the EU’s main source of electricity. According to a newly published […]
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Latest EEA study finds multiple benefits of switch to renewable electricity
The increased use of renewable electricity across the European Union has not only reduced pressures linked to climate change, but also to air and water pollution (particulate matter formation, eutrophication and acidification), according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today. More targeted actions can help minimise the negative environmental effects of boosting renewable […]
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Circular economy: definition, importance and benefits
The European Union produces more than 2.5 billion tonnes of waste every year. It is currently updating its legislation on waste management to promote a shift to a more sustainable model known as the circular economy. In March 2020 the European Commission presented, under the European Green Deal and as part of the proposed new industrial strategy, a new circular […]
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Delivery drones and the environment
A technology with uncertain potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from e-commerce and the logistics industry and concerns over increased noise pollution and threats to wildlife. Drones, originally developed and used for military purposes, have found applications in many civil sector areas during the last decade. Although often referred to as ‘remotely piloted aircraft systems’ or […]
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