During European Hydrogen Week, stakeholders discussed the achievements of EU-funded flagship projects advancing hydrogen technology in the transport sector. Hydrogen is playing a vital role in the race to create a sustainable European economy. On 23-27 November, the first-ever European Hydrogen Week was held in recognition of this renewable energy source’s important role in Europe’s […]
Horizon 2020: preventing and fighting extreme wildfires with the integration and demonstration of innovative means
The Green Deal explicitly calls to “reduce the incidence and extent of forest fires”. It also calls “to boost the EU’s ability to predict and manage environmental disasters” as an immediate priority. Large-scale and more intense wildfires are becoming an increasing concern. Fire is a natural component in many ecosystems across Europe but more and […]
Blockchain: Enemy or ally in the fight against climate change?
Blockchain, a digital ledger technology, is widely known for its application to cryptocurrencies. Introduced in 2008 to serve as a public transaction ledger for Bitcoin, the technology has given rise to hundreds of cryptocurrencies (e.g. Ethereum, Ripple, NEO, Litecoin), as well as having other emerging applications in diverse fields, including supply chains, digital content, patents, smart contracts, […]
Horizon 2020: restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services
Underpinned by knowledge in the latest IPCC and IPBES reports, large-scale ecosystem restoration is urgent – the window of opportunity is closing rapidly. It needs a systemic approach to deliver tangible benefits on the European Green Deal actions for climate (mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk reduction), biodiversity, zero pollution and sustainable food systems (from farm […]
EEA: Improvement in Europe’s air quality over past decade
Better air quality has led to a significant reduction of premature deaths over the past decade in Europe. However, the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) latest official data show that almost all Europeans still suffer from air pollution, leading to about 400,000 premature deaths across the continent. 2020 Report The EEA’s ‘Air quality in Europe — […]
Impact of COVID-19 measures on the environment
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions imposed to fight the spread of the disease have provided some short-term positive impacts on Europe’s environment, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published. These include temporary improvements in air quality, lower greenhouse gas emissions and lower levels of noise pollution. However, the assessment also stresses that […]
MEPs want to increase emissions reduction target to 60%
All member states must become climate neutral by 2050, says Parliament in a vote on the EU climate law, calling for ambitious 2030 and 2040 emissions reduction targets. The new law aims to transform political promises that the EU will become climate neutral by 2050 into a binding obligation and to give European citizens and […]
H2020: Towards Climate-Neutral and Socially Innovative Cities
The strategic long-term vision published by the Commission for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy calls for a drastic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Specific Challenge The European Commission’s Green Deal proposes a new growth strategy that aims to preserve the planet for future generations. It should serve as the compass to emerge from […]
H2020. Preventing and fighting extreme wildfires with the integration and demonstration of innovative means
Between 2017 and 2020, fires have killed hundreds of persons and ravaged forests and Natura 2000 sites not only in Southern Europe, but increasingly also in Central, Eastern and Northern Europe. Specific Challenge The Green Deal explicitly calls to “reduce the incidence and extent of forest fires”. It also calls “to boost the EU’s ability […]