Bio-waste is one of the key waste streams in Europe and holds great potential for the circular economy, delivering valuable soil-improving material and fertiliser as well as biogas, a source of renewable energy. According to the European Environment Agency’s report Bio-waste in Europe — turning challenges into opportunities’, reducing and using bio-waste could cut emissions, improve… [Read more]
EU environmental legislation pays off: high quality of Europe’s bathing water
According to the 2019 European bathing water quality assessment, the quality of Europe’s bathing water remains high. Just under 85 % of swimming sites across Europe monitored in 2019 met the European Union’s highest and most stringent ‘excellent’ quality standards. The results published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission give a good… [Read more]
EEA: EU greenhouse gas emissions kept decreasing in 2018, largest reductions in energy sector
The European Union (EU) cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 23.2 % from 1990 to 2018, according to latest official data, published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Over this period, the EU’s contribution to global emissions is estimated to have decreased from 15 % to 8 %. The official data submitted to the United Nations Framework… [Read more]
Zero Waste Scotland: Doing business differently is key to recovering from coronavirus and ending the climate crisis
Research by not-for-profit environmental organisation Zero Waste Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government and European Regional Development Fund, has suggested that continuing with homeworking after lockdown would cut its carbon footprint by nearly 75 per cent because most of its emissions are caused by staff travel. The circular economy expert revealed its findings in a press… [Read more]
EEA: Complex network of European and global developments impacts sustainability
A wide variety of rapid and long-term societal developments in Europe and globally have important effects on the environment in Europe. The EEA (European Environment Agency) report ‘Drivers of change of relevance for Europe’s environment and sustainability’ provides an in-depth characterisation of developments that range from demographic shifts to leaps in technological innovation and from… [Read more]
European Commission: Biodiversity Strategy to bring back nature into our lives
The European Commission adopted a comprehensive new Biodiversity Strategy to bring nature back into our lives and a Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system. The two strategies are mutually reinforcing, bringing together nature, farmers, business and consumers for jointly working towards a competitively sustainable future. In line with the European Green… [Read more]
ECHA: Grouping of chemicals speeds up regulatory action
To speed up identifying and managing the risks of hazardous chemicals, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is screening structurally similar substances in groups. Last year, the Agency together with national authorities reviewed around 220 high-volume substances of which 56 % needed more hazard data. ECHA’s second report on the Integrated Regulatory Strategy gives an overview… [Read more]
SWEAP reports increase in waste detection rate – results of waste inspections
The overall purpose of SWEAP (Shipment of Waste Enforcement Actions Project) is to support the circular economy by disrupting the illegal waste trade at the EU level, among others by increasing skill set amongst inspectors and law enforcement agencies. The inspections are considered the core of this project. They are performed at waste management sites… [Read more]
Wildlife trade and zoonotic diseases: implications for trade policy
Wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC published a paper indicating what is known of links between wildlife trade and zoonotic diseases and, on this basis, to consider implications for future wildlife trade policy and longer-term remedial measures. A wide range of organisations and public voices are calling for strong permanent prohibitions on wild animal trade to… [Read more]
Meteorological and hydrological droughts in Europe
The European Environmental Agency (EEA) recently published an assessment of indicators on meteorological and hydrological droughts in Europe. The key findings are that: Drought is a recurrent feature of the European climate that affects considerable fractions of the European population each year. The frequency and severity of meteorological and hydrological droughts have increased in most… [Read more]
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