New EEA assessments on key air pollutant emissions

Key air pollutant emissions targeted for reductions and monitored under EU legislation continued to decline across most EU Member States according to the latest data assessment published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) this week. However, reducing ammonia emissions remains a problem.   Key air pollutant emissions decline across the EU, reducing ammonia biggest challenge … Continue reading New EEA assessments on key air pollutant emissions

The Modernisation Fund accused of repeatedly allocating public money to waste incineration and fossil gas projects

As global temperatures continue to soar and climate disasters hit the most vulnerable, the EU’s little-known Modernisation Fund is propping up unsustainable energy infrastructure. The CEE Bankwatch Network writes on its website about such financing. What are your views?   EU climate fund bankrolling dirty energy expansion Yesterday, 24 June, in its latest disbursement round, … Continue reading The Modernisation Fund accused of repeatedly allocating public money to waste incineration and fossil gas projects

Two new EEA reports on how Europe can respond to the pressing and complex societal challenges while moving towards long-term sustainability goals

Global pandemic, war, inflation and other shocks and crises have tested the European Green Deal and its ambition of building a climate-neutral and sustainable economy. Published this week, two new European Environment Agency (EEA) reports discuss how Europe can respond to the pressing and complex societal challenges while moving towards long-term sustainability goals.   More … Continue reading Two new EEA reports on how Europe can respond to the pressing and complex societal challenges while moving towards long-term sustainability goals

New discussion paper on opportunities and priorities for climate adaptation in the built environment in the EU

The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) has recently published a new discussion paper on adaptation in the built environment.  A holistic approach to climate-resilience is needed to reduce the risk of maladaptation, ensure Just Resilience and exploit synergies of adaptation and mitigation efforts at all levels of governance. Just Resilience involves addressing the unequal distribution … Continue reading New discussion paper on opportunities and priorities for climate adaptation in the built environment in the EU

New EEA monitoring tool and briefing on plastics circularity

Plastics production and consumption patterns across Europe remain unsustainable and need to be made more circular to reduce waste, pollution, climate change and other negative impacts on the environment according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published this week. The briefing also highlights the introduction of a new monitoring tool where people, policy makers … Continue reading New EEA monitoring tool and briefing on plastics circularity

Energy in Demand News, June 9, 2024

Global investors are turning their backs on sustainability-focused stock funds. The Financial Times (behind a paywall) reports that they cite poor performance, scandals and attacks from US Republicans. “Clients have withdrawn a net $40bn from environmental, social and governance (ESG) equity funds this year, according to research from Barclays, the first year that flows have … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 9, 2024

New EEA analysis on Europe’s air quality

Air quality has improved considerably in Europe over the past decades, but polluted air is still the biggest environmental health hazard in Europe and globally. According to the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) analysis on air quality data for 2022 and 2023, published this week, Europe’s air quality continues improving but, in many areas, especially in … Continue reading New EEA analysis on Europe’s air quality

Energy in Demand, May 26, 2024

With elections for the European Parliament approaching on June 6-9, predictions are for a surge of right wing parties and a consequent erosion of the climate and energy agenda.  According to The Economist election tracker, “the environment, including terms such as “climate change”, is a hot topic on the continent’s fringes: it’s most often searched … Continue reading Energy in Demand, May 26, 2024

New reports paint a troubling picture of Europe’s readiness to handle the effects of climate change over the coming years

Climate-related disasters cost Europe more than €77 billion last year, according to a new report. But costs can be lowered with better data and financing strategies. David Keating discusses warnings from the World Bank about Europe’s preparedness in an article on the Euractiv website.   Europe unprepared for climate disaster, warns World Bank A series … Continue reading New reports paint a troubling picture of Europe’s readiness to handle the effects of climate change over the coming years

New briefing by EEA on current state of textile waste in Europe

Starting next year, EU Member States must put separate collection systems in place for textiles. The European Environment Agency’s briefing, published this week, shows that most textile waste in Europe currently ends up in mixed waste and that sorting and recycling capacity need to be urgently scaled up to ensure better and more circular use … Continue reading New briefing by EEA on current state of textile waste in Europe