The European Environment Agency is inviting you to reconnect with nature and capture all its wonders on camera. So grab your cameras and go for a hike on a local trail or relax in your garden and observe the tree leaves bending or the fluffy clouds floating in the sky. Be curious and discover the […]
Complex network of European and global developments impacts sustainability
A wide variety of rapid and long-term societal developments in Europe and globally have important effects on the environment in Europe. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report analyses these ‘drivers of change’, providing insights on their impacts on EU sustainability ambitions. The EEA report ‘Drivers of change of relevance for Europe’s environment and sustainability’ provides […]
Renewable energy in Europe
Renewable energy is the collective name for energy, that is produced using the earth’s natural resources, like sunlight, wind, water resources (rivers, tides and waves), heat from the earth’s surface, or biomass. The process, by which these renewable resources are converted into energy, emits no net greenhouse gases, which is why renewable energy is also […]
A New Circular Economy Action Plan for a Cleaner and More Competitive Europe
The new Action Plan announces initiatives for the entire life cycle of products, from design and manufacturing to consumption, repair, reuse, recycling, and bringing resources back into the economy. It introduces legislative and non-legislative measures and targets areas where action at the EU level brings added value. The Action Plan is at the core of […]
Power-to-gas system enables massive storage of renewable energy
Power-to-gas (P2G) is bringing fresh momentum to the renewables field, providing a powerful approach to convert renewable power into ‘green’ hydrogen and methane. An EU-funded project developed flexible P2G technology that offers the renewables sector an array of possible lucrative use cases. Currently, the renewable generation capacity is estimated at around 20 %, but according […]
The construction sector has the largest waste stream in the EU
At present, many of the material streams from demolition and renovation works are not suitable for reuse or high-grade recycling. This is stalling efforts in shifting to a circular economy. The EEA briefing ‘Construction and demolition waste: challenges and opportunities in a circular economy,’ says more must be done in preventing or recycling the large […]
Climate diplomacy: Council renews the EU’s commitment for climate action
Foreign ministers today discussed climate diplomacy and restated the political centrality of climate action for the European Union. Following the discussion, the Council adopted conclusions on climate diplomacy. This is a clear sign that in 2020 climate will be one of the priorities in the EU’s external policy. Conclusions The Council recalls that climate change is an existential threat to humanity and […]
H2020. Cross-cutting activities: Alternative mineral resources for high volume production
Energy intensive industries in Europe depend on the one hand on very large volumes of minerals and other raw materials (e.g. 70% of process manufacturing depends on minerals and metals). On the other hand, they heavily rely on imports from third countries (extraction in Europe covers only 29% of the demand). Specific Challenge The challenge […]
EU Sustainable Energy Week 2020
This year, the EU Sustainable Energy Week 2020 (EUSEW) will be taking place on 23-25 June 2020 in Brussels. It is organised by the European Commission, and it is the biggest event dedicated to renewable energy sources and efficient energy use in Europe. This events brings together public authorities, private companies, NGOs and consumers to promote initiatives to […]