European Green Deal: EU agrees stronger rules to boost energy efficiency

The Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament and the Council to reform and strengthen the EU Energy Efficiency Directive. This deal marks a further step in the completion of the ‘Fit for 55′ package to deliver the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU Plan. It shows once again the EU’s determination to become climate neutral …

Read more

Ocean biodiversity: global agreement on protection and sustainable use of resources and biodiversity in high seas

The 3rd of March, global negotiations concluded on the landmark Treaty of the High Seas to protect the ocean, tackle environmental degradation, fight climate change, and prevent biodiversity loss. The new treaty will allow to establish large-scale marine protected areas on the high seas, which are also necessary to meet the global commitment of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Agreement concluded …

Read more

EMODnet for Mission Ocean and Waters

On 17th February 2023, the EMODnet Secretariat and wider representatives attended the first Annual Forum of the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” (Mission Ocean) which brought together stakeholders in Brussels and online to take stock of the first year of implementation of the Mission, showcasing the first portfolio of projects and actions …

Read more

World Energy Efficiency Day – Horizon 2020 projects working on more efficient buildings

The objective of World Energy Efficiency Day, celebrated annually on 5 March, is to raise awareness about the need to reduce energy consumption through reasonable and sustainable energy use. Energy intensive industries will require a radical transformation of their production processes to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. HaDEA-managed projects developed solutions that demonstrated: energy efficiency …

Read more

Citizens at the heart of the energy transition

LIFE LETsGO4Climate aims to accelerate renewable energy production and reduce energy consumption in France’s Centre-Val de Loire region. The energy sector causes over 75% of Europe’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. European and national initiatives are not enough to solve the problem, but united action from territories and citizens could help. There are, however, various financial, legal …

Read more

Plastic Pollution: New study finds at least €6.7 billion investment gap to meet Europe’s plastics recycling targets

Plastic packaging is the biggest contributor to the plastic waste problem 25 companies are responsible for half of the world’s plastic production The profitability of sorting and recycling as well as the market for recycled plastics remain challenging compared to the current situation The solution to reinforcing the circular, sustainable plastics economy lies in the …

Read more

EU launches new cooperation programmes with Morocco worth €624 million green transition, migration and reforms

The 2nd of March, in an official visit in Morocco, Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi announced new cooperation programmes worth €624 million in total to support Morocco’s transition to green energy, enhance cooperation on addressing irregular migration management and support Morocco’s ambitious reform plans in key areas such as social protection, climate policy, reform of the public …

Read more

Bioeconomy community discusses the next steps in EU conference

The conference offered a platform for bioeconomy stakeholders to discuss the findings of the European Commission’s EU Bioeconomy Strategy Progress Report, adopted in June 2022, and highlighted the role of EU bioeconomy policy to enhance policy coherence and system thinking. Speakers and participants supported the findings of the Bioeconomy Progress Report, particularly the need to close …

Read more

Fisheries, aquaculture and marine ecosystems: transition to clean energy and ecosystem protection for more sustainability and resilience

The Commission presented a package of measures to improve the sustainability and resilience of the EU’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. It includes four elements: A  Communication on the Energy Transition of the EU Fisheries and Aquaculture sector; an Action Plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries; a Communication on the common fisheries policy …

Read more