According to the latest edition of the European State of the Climate Report (ESOTC), 2022 was yet another year of extremes. Not only did Europe see its hottest summer ever recorded, with temperatures reaching 1.4°C above average, much of Europe experienced prolonged and intense heatwaves. Europe’s lakes and seas also saw increasing surface temperatures. While […]
European Parliament approves new law to fight global deforestation
In response to climate change and biodiversity loss, new laws require companies to ensure that their products do not cause deforestation or forest degradation. While no country or raw material would be banned, companies can only sell products in the EU if their suppliers have issued a “due diligence” declaration. It must demonstrate that the […]
Global agreement on protection and sustainable use of resources and biodiversity in high seas
Global negotiations concluded on the landmark Treaty of the High Seas to protect the ocean, tackle environmental degradation, fight climate change, and prevent biodiversity loss. The new treaty will allow to establish large-scale marine protected areas on the high seas, which are also necessary to meet the global commitment of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Agreement concluded last December to […]
What can we expect from science in 2023?
From exciting space missions to the place where nuclear waste goes to die, these will be some of Europe’s most fascinating science stories of 2023. The European Space Agency (ESA) will launch the Euclid space telescope to explore the universe’s evolution. It will create a 3D map of the universe as it orbits the […]
LIFE projects: 47 million euros for 25 new Spanish green projects
The Commission today approved the allocation of more than €380 million in funding for 168 new projects across Europe, including €47 million for 25 new Spanish green projects under the LIFE Environment and Climate Action Program. LIFE projects, which are central elements of the European Green Deal, can help the EU achieve climate neutrality by 2050 […]
Council commits 23.04 billion euros to combat climate change by 2021
In 2021, the European Union and its 27 member states committed €23.04 billion in climate finance from public sources to support developing countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Council approved the figure, in preparation for the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27), which will […]
LIFE: Climate Change Mitigation
Expected Outcome Efficient delivery of the quantified objectives by end of the project. Objective Projects under the Climate Change Mitigation Priority Area should contribute to the socially just and sustainable transition towards a climate neutral economy by 2050 and to reaching the EU emission reduction target for 2030 to at least 55% compared with 1990 […]
Lessons in managing the risk of floods and droughts
Weather extremes are becoming more common. A recent study looks into the reasons why risk management is usually ineffective when dealing with a second more hazardous event, and takes home lessons from two success stories. Risk management has reduced human and economic vulnerability to floods and droughts, but their impact is still increasing in many […]
What is carbon neutrality and how can it be achieved by 2050?
With the European Climate Law, the EU is committing to carbon neutrality by 2050. What does that mean in practice? Climate change is already affecting the entire world, with extreme weather conditions such as drought, heat waves, heavy raind, floods and landslides becoming more frequent, including in Europe. Other consequences of the rapidly changing climate […]