The share of EU agricultural land under organic farming increased by more than 50% over the period 2012-2020, with an annual increase of 5.7%. In 2020, 9.1% of the EU’s agricultural area was farmed organically. On average, though with substantial variation across Member States, organic farms are bigger than conventional farms and run by younger […]
European Commission presents first progress report on the New European Bauhaus
The Commission is presenting the first New European Bauhaus (NEB) Progress Report taking stock of the achievements in the initiative’s first two years as well as the first assessment tool for NEB project: the NEB Compass. The New European Bauhaus has created a broad community of organisations and citizens all around Europe working around a common vision combining sustainability, inclusion, […]
COP15: historic global deal for nature and people
At the UN Biodiversity conference COP15 in Montréal, Canada, the EU joined 195 countries in the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This framework contains global goals and targets aiming to protect and restore nature for current and future generations, ensure its sustainable use as well as spur investments for a green global economy. Together with […]
CORDIS: A pan-European network to boost agroecology
Agroecology projects are taking root across Europe. The EU-funded AE4EU project aims to spread best practices through improved networking and infrastructure. There is an increasing need to make agricultural practices consider not only production quotas, but also every living and non-living component of the farmland ecosystem. Alternatives such as organic farming may be a step […]
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 […]
European Green Deal: Commission proposes rules for cleaner air and water
The Commission is proposing stronger rules on ambient air, surface and groundwater pollutants, and treatment of urban wastewater. Clean air and water are essential for the health of people and ecosystems. Air pollution alone means nearly 300,000 Europeans die prematurely each year, and the proposed new rules will reduce deaths resulting from levels of the main pollutant […]
LIFE: National Finance Roundtables for sustainable energy investments
Objective Access to private finance for energy efficiency and integrated renewables remains a challenge in view of the climate and energy targets proposed by the European Commission for 2030 and the long-term climate neutral objective by 2050 proposed in the framework of the European Green Deal. Significant investments need to be mobilised to achieve those […]
Experts put forward recommendations on how to harness the power of culture for sustainable development
Ahead of UNESCO’s World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, MONDIACULT 2022, taking place in Mexico from 28 to 30 September 2022, experts have issued a new report entitled “Stormy Times. Nature and humans: Cultural courage for change”, which focuses on the important role of culture as a driver for the achievement of the Sustainable Development […]
8th Environment Action Programme: Green Deal
Yesterday, the Commission presented a list of headline indicators for monitoring progress towards the EU’s environment and climate goals to 2030, as well as the 2050 long-term vision to ‘live well, within planetary boundaries’. Resulting from intense consultations with stakeholders and Member States, the new Monitoring Framework under the 8th Environment Action Programme aims to foster […]