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 […]
EMFF. Maritime Spatial Planning (Outermost Regions)
Objectives The objective of this call for proposals is to support the establishment and implementation of Maritime Spatial Plans in line with the objectives pursued in the framework of the MSP Directive. More specifically, this action intends to support Member States in setting up maritime spatial plans and ensuring that plans are coherent and coordinated across marine regions […]
EU Green Week 2020
EU Green Week 2020 is now scheduled for 19-22 October 2020, on the theme of nature and biodiversity. After the adoption of a new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 in May, Green Week will highlight the contribution biodiversity can make to society and the economy, and the role it can play in supporting and stimulating recovery in a post-pandemic world, […]
EU opens consultation on the future of the Arctic
The European Commission and the European External Action Service jointly launched a public consultation on the way forward for the European Union’s Arctic policy. The consultation will enable a broad reflection on the EU’s Arctic policy in the face of new challenges and opportunities, including the EU’s ambitions under the European Green Deal. The consultation seeks […]
Car emissions: MEPs set end on gap between lab and real driving emission tests
To ensure that cars meet EU limits on NOx emissions, tests under real driving conditions must be more stringent, said the Environment Committee on Tuesday. The Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee adopted on Tuesday an amendment to EU rules on measuring emissions from light passenger and commercial cars (Euro 5 and Euro 6) […]