The EU will need to update its long-term climate goals in 2020. Parliament wants to reach climate neutrality by 2050. Venice over the last weeks. ©123RF/European Union–EP Next week MEPs will vote on a resolution calling on the EU to set climate neutrality by 2050 as its long-term climate goal under the Paris agreement. The plenary vote comes ahead of […]
Priority: Green Pact for Europe
The European Business for Nature Summit brought together companies and entities in Madrid whose actions for biodiversity are an example. There was the Director General of the Environment of the European Commission who stressed the need to achieve a green pact for Europe that involves all citizens, businesses and institutions. A summit with a green […]
EMFF : Ocean-Monitoring
Ocean energy could provide clean, predictable, indigenous and reliable energy and contribute to the EU’s objective of reaching a share of renewables of at least 32% of the EU’s gross final consumption by 2030. Challenge The general objectives of this call for proposals are: To increase the amount of environmental data and improve knowledge on […]
A new labelling for tyres towards a greener and safer transport
The new labelling scheme for car and truck tyres aims to increase consumer awareness and fuel savings, improve safety and decrease noise pollution. he new regulation on the labelling of tyres will repeal and replace the 2009 Tyre Labelling Regulation once it enters into force. New labelling Under the new rules, the labelling will have to […]
EU emissions in 2018 are lower but still far from the 2030 target
The European Union (EU) cut its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2 % in 2018, according to preliminary estimates released by the European Environment Agency. However, rising energy consumption continues to hamper progress on energy efficiency. The EEA report ‘Trends and projections in Europe 2019 — Tracking progress towards Europe’s climate and energy targets’ presents analysis of […]
H2020. Secure, clean and efficient energy : Smart Airports
The aviation transport sector is growing fast and air traffic is expected, at current rates, to double its volume during the next 25-30 years. This would lead to aviation generating in excess of 10% of the global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Challenge Novel concepts and solutions aimed at enhancing the capability of airports communities […]
A simpler solution to stop the death of bees
The EU-funded WarmHive project is using thermotherapy to fight the disease responsible for large losses in honeybee populations. About the mite Honeybee populations around the world are experiencing massive losses. This is primarily the result of varroosis, a disease caused by the varroa mite that, if it doesn’t kill the bee directly, causes other diseases […]
2018 broke the record with the largest number of countries affected by forest fires
The Joint Research Center published the 2018 edition of its Annual Report on Forest Fires in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. According to this report, wildfires destroyed nearly 178,000 hectares (ha) of forests and land in the EU last year. Results The highest numbers of fires of 30 ha or larger were mapped by […]
Keys to tackle Europe’s waste problem and foster a more circular economy
Improved circular and climate-friendly business models and policies to boost reuse and recycling, plus improved consumer awareness will help the European Union tackle the growing problem posed by plastic, battery, electronic and textile waste, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA). Approach European Union Member States face a dilemma on how to deal with the […]