The Commission remains committed to addressing the critical issues of desertification, land degradation, and drought, recognising the pivotal role of nature-based solutions in doing so. On Desertification and Drought Day, the Commission has announced two new initiatives to strengthen global resilience against drought and enhance gender equality in land restoration efforts. Boosting global drought resilience …
The ocean shapes our economies, our food systems, even the air we breathe. To better protect our ocean, the Commission has adopted a European Ocean Pact, which will help to promote a thriving blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas. This Ocean Pact brings together EU ocean policies under one single …
EU environmental and sustainable policies require effective data and analyses. Eurostat plays an essential role by providing official statistics, some of which pertain to waste and circular economy. For example, Eurostat data on food waste, packaging, and municipal waste show the course of our society and help see the best way ahead. In 2022, each person in the EU …
The Commission adopted the European Water Resilience Strategy aiming at restoring and protecting the water cycle, securing clean and affordable water for all and creating a sustainable, resilient, smart and competitive water-economy in Europe. This comprehensive strategy will support Member States in managing water more efficiently, both through implementation of current EU water legislation and through over …
EU Member States have significantly closed the gap to achieving the 2030 energy and climate targets, according to the European Commission’s assessment of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). EU countries have substantially improved their plans following Commission recommendations in December 2023. As a result, the EU is closing in collectively on a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as committed …
As the European Union approaches the midpoint of its Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the latest assessment shows key actions have been taken, but the pace of progress needs to accelerate. The EU Biodiversity Strategy aims to put Europe’s biodiversity on the path to recovery by 2030, for the benefit of people, climate and the planet. Biodiversity …
The European Commission adopted recommendations to Member States how to address the complex challenges of transport poverty across the EU notably in the context of the upcoming Social Climate Plans. The Social Climate Fund is expected to mobilise at least €86.7 billion as from 2026. It will provide significant financial support to help Member States implement structural …
The European Commission has taken further steps to support the EU’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Four new pieces of secondary legislation and a communication relating to the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) will help the EU’s industry to become more resilient, competitive and reduce their carbon footprint. These rules clarify which manufacturing projects can benefit …
The two Innovation Fund 2024 calls officially closed on 24 April and received a remarkable total of 373 project proposals, signalling European industry’s unwavering commitment to the EU’s journey toward climate neutrality while boosting competitiveness. Under the calls, the Commission will allocate up to €3.4 billion in funding from the revenues of the EU Emissions Trading …
The EU will end its dependency on Russian energy by stopping the import of Russian gas and oil and phasing out Russian nuclear energy, while ensuring stable energy supplies and prices across the Union. The REPowerEU Roadmap, presented today by the European Commission, paves the way to ensure the EU’s full energy independence from Russia. Despite the …