Europe has set ambitious goals to create a competitive circular economy that can be key in supporting innovation, decarbonisation and security. The transition is also needed to halt biodiversity loss and wasteful use of natural resources. Published this week, two briefings from the European Environment Agency show the status of circular economy and highlight the … Continue reading New briefings from the EEA on the status of the circular economy in Europe and highlighting the need for improving recycling quality
Category: EU policies
Europe’s building sector off track: social, economic and climate targets at risk
The third edition of the EU Buildings Climate Tracker published this week by the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) confirms that the EU is missing opportunities to increase energy security and reduce heating costs. It is definitely not on track to achieve its climate targets. Progress on decarbonisation has stalled, with the gap more than … Continue reading Europe’s building sector off track: social, economic and climate targets at risk
Europe has an opportunity to leverage AI to optimise its energy systems to ensure a more sustainable approach to using its limited resources
Data centres already consume 2% of the world’s electricity demand. It expects this share to grow to 7% by 2030. In an article on the Euractiv website, Christoph Schwaiger discusses how the European Commission is preparing technical specifications for a study to develop a measurement framework for the energy efficiency of general-purpose AI models. Importantly, … Continue reading Europe has an opportunity to leverage AI to optimise its energy systems to ensure a more sustainable approach to using its limited resources
New EEA briefing on first state of play on national surveillance for heat-related health impacts
Collecting timely and reliable data on the number of deaths and illnesses associated with heat are vital to deploy targeted emergency responses during heatwaves. Twenty of the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) 38 member and cooperating countries currently monitor heat impacts on health, according to an EEA briefing published this week. Impacts of heat on … Continue reading New EEA briefing on first state of play on national surveillance for heat-related health impacts
“The EIB has integrated the energy efficiency first principle into its Energy Lending Policy”
In 2023, the European Investment Bank provided more than €21.3 billion for energy-related projects, of which €8.3 billion was for energy efficiency, jumping from €2.1 billion in 2014 – but the energy-efficiency gap remains challenging. Christoph Schwaiger writes on the Euractiv website how the EIB is taking lending in energy efficiency seriously. EIB sees … Continue reading “The EIB has integrated the energy efficiency first principle into its Energy Lending Policy”
New EEA briefing on placement of offshore wind turbines with consideration of impacts on marine ecosystems
Increased use of wind turbines in coastal zones to provide Europe with renewable energy is a crucial element in decarbonising Europe’s economy and in meeting its climate and energy targets. The placement of these turbines should also carefully consider potential impacts on marine ecosystems, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published this week. … Continue reading New EEA briefing on placement of offshore wind turbines with consideration of impacts on marine ecosystems
New EEA report on reducing chronic respiratory disease in Europe
Chronic respiratory disease is one of the leading causes of death in Europe, and more than a third of these deaths are estimated to be caused by environmental factors that are preventable. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report, published this week, key interventions include reducing pollution, energy poverty, and occupational exposures. Tackling … Continue reading New EEA report on reducing chronic respiratory disease in Europe
New IN-PLAN Practice to empower local and regional authorities to revolutionise their sustainable energy, climate, and spatial planning
The IN-PLAN project team this week has launched IN-PLAN Practice, an innovative and long-lasting support structure designed to assist local and regional authorities across Europe in effectively implementing their sustainable energy, climate, and spatial plans. Developed as part of a collaborative effort co-funded by the LIFE programme of the European Union, the IN-PLAN Practice aims … Continue reading New IN-PLAN Practice to empower local and regional authorities to revolutionise their sustainable energy, climate, and spatial planning
EC’s European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition takes shape
Jov Onsat writes on the Rigzone website about the financial institutions that have joined the EEEFC that was launched earlier this year. European Commission Welcomes First Banks in Energy Efficiency Alliance The European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition has signed 49 private and public financial institutions including some of the biggest banks in Europe as … Continue reading EC’s European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition takes shape
New EEA report on ensuring justice in sustainability transitions in Europe
As Europe strives to lower greenhouse gas emissions and decouple economic growth from resource consumption, various social groups and regions face unequal challenges. According to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) published this week, ensuring justice in sustainability transitions requires combining corrective measures to address potentially regressive social consequences of the green transition … Continue reading New EEA report on ensuring justice in sustainability transitions in Europe
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 