In recent years, droughts have significantly affected regions across the EU. However, accurate assessment and quantification of drought risks and their impacts had remained challenging due to the complex nature of these events. Droughts cannot be easily defined or predicted: they develop gradually, can occur outside of seasonal patterns, and may persist over extended periods. […]
LIFE Programme: Circular Economy, resources from Waste, Air, Water, Soil, Noise, Chemicals, Bauhaus
Objective The aim is to facilitate the transition toward a sustainable, circular, toxic-free, energy-efficient/climate-resilient economy and toward a toxic-free environment as well as to protect, restore and improve the quality of the environment. The specific objective is to cover one or more of the following topics as fully defined in section 2 of the Call document: Circular Economy […]
Europe boosts the production of water from the air from Cordoba
GENAQ, a young company that has developed a technology capable of obtaining pure water from the air, autonomously, economically, without installation and respectful of the environment. Water is a right, not a privilege. However, this is not the reality that lives much of humanity. One in four people worldwide still lacks access to safe drinking […]
Why is ice slippery?
In freezing weather, ice causes many a traveller to come unstuck. But as experimental physicist Robin Ras explains, getting to grips with what makes ice so slippery isn’t easy. Whether you’re gliding serenely across an ice rink, or awkwardly down a footpath, the frictionless surface offered by ice can often be surprising. What makes it […]
Zero pollution: Improved quality and access to drinking water
On 12th January new requirements on the quality of and access to drinking water are becoming the norm across the European Union, with the revised Drinking Water Directive now transposed into national legislation. The new rules will ensure one of the highest standards in the world for drinking water, in line with the zero pollution ambition […]
Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the water infrastructure sector over alleged bid-rigging
The European Commission is conducting unannounced inspections in a Member State at the premises of companies active in the construction of networks and treatment plants for drinking water and wastewater. The Commission has concerns that certain companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on […]
Like a guardian angel to keep water flowing through critical infrastructure
As the water supply system becomes more digitalised, cyberthreats are increasing. It is time for an all-hazard risk management and mitigation system. Water is essential for life, health and economies. Water infrastructure is prone to physical threats, including natural hazards, terrorist attacks and accidents, and increasing cyberthreats that are leveraging expanded digitalisation and automation. The […]
March 22: World Water Day
The latest indicatory assessment published by the European Environment Agency shows water abstraction and economic growth in the EU decoupling over the period 2000–2017. Total water abstraction declined by 17 %, while total gross value added generated from all economic sectors increased by 59 %. However, water scarcity conditions and drought events continue to cause significant risks in southern […]
Petition to activate drought measures in Spain
Luis Planas Puchades, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, transferred to the ministries of the Autonomous Communities the priority issues of Spain in the next Council of Ministers of Agriculture of the European Union (February 21): productions and consumption free of deforestation, reciprocity in trade agreements with third parties and measures to curb and mitigate […]