EU Environment and Climate

📢 The EU #NatureRestoration Law entered into force! The law requires to put in place restoration measures to achieve good condition of habitats on land and at sea. Now EU Countries will have to: 🏞 restore at least 20% of EU land and sea areas by 2030, and all areas in need of restoration by 2050 📜 develop national restoration plans 🇪🇺 submit a draft plan to the Commission within 2 years, setting out milestones for 2030, 2040 and 2050 This is a key instrument to #RestoreNature, reach climate neutrality by 2050 & guarantee food security for all. Learn more 👉 https://europa.eu/!nXwqD3 #NRL

Birds are sensitive to environmental pressures and are key indicators of environmental health, but their populations are declining across the 🇪🇺 Between 1990 and 2022 the index of 🐦 168 common birds decreased by 14% 🐦 common farmland birds decreased by 40% 🐦 common forest birds decreased only by 3% due to a recent recovery At the moment, reversing the decline of common birds by 2030 seems unlikely except for forest birds. That's why we need urgent action #ForOurPlanet, significantly increase the implementation of the Birds Directive and put conservation and restoration measures in place to ensure their recovery, in line with the #NatureRestoration Law. Learn more 👉 https://europa.eu/!6P3F3d

It's time to go from doing better - to doing what nature needs! The European Business & Biodiversity Forum, organized by the WWF European Policy Office, will take place in 🇧🇪 Brussels and online on September 19-20. An opportunity to connect with experts, pioneering companies, and peers who are shaping the future of biodiversity action. Be part of the growing conversation for transformative action, and explore key themes in business and biodiversity such as: 🔎 the role of businesses in the international context and at #CoP16 🔎 the role of financial institutions in driving corporate action 🔎 the importance of building robust transition plans #ForNature On-site places are almost sold out, but you can still register to follow it 💻 online here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eJPHGadu #ForOurPlanet

Introducing the EU Climate Action Academy 🌍     Brought to you by the #EUClimatePact, this knowledge hub is on a mission to offer everyone courses and resources on climate change and the best ways to take action.     If you're looking to inspire change in your community, join our first webinar! Deep-dive into behavioural change science and how it can be harnessed to promote sustainable living.    📅 1 October  🕧12.30-14.00 CEST    Register now 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dhEvCqJa    #MyWorldOurPlanet 

We stand with the victims and those affected by #StormBoris The heavy rain caused floods in Central Europe, resulting in at least 16 casualties. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes across 🇦🇹 🇨🇿 🇭🇺 🇸🇮 🇸🇰 In 🇵🇱 Poland, towns near the Czech border have been partially evacuated and communication networks are down. In Austria, one firefighter lost his life while battling floods in Lower Austria, which has now been declared a disaster area. The flooded areas along the Polish-Czech border are visible in this image acquired by the Copernicus EEA Sentinel-1A radar satellite on 15 September 2024. We need to prevent and prepare for extreme weather events, mitigating the effects of #ClimateChange and working with nature to help protect our communities, homes, and cities from floods. We need water resilience now 👉 https://europa.eu/!p6hkwy #WaterWiseEU

⏰ Starting now: The Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) Capacity Building Workshop livestream! Covering the recently updated CCS Directive Guidance Documents 1-3, this event will cover⤵️   🏗️ CO2 storage site selection   🎚️ CO2 stream composition, monitoring & corrective measures  🦺 responsibility & risk management  + more! As a key pathway to reaching climate neutrality, the CCS Directive Guidance Documents describe a comprehensive approach for implementing the CCS Directive and help ensure the environmental safety of geological storage of CO2 across the 🇪🇺. Get informed and watch here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g3fYb6nJ

Industrial emissions mainly come from: 🐄 Animal rearing & food processing 🏭 Heavy industry and manufacturing 🗑️ Waste industries 💡 Energy With our Industrial Emissions Directive, we are protecting our health and our environment from polluting emissions, for a healthier and #CleanAirEU 👉 https://europa.eu/!pwwpb8 #BeatAirPollution

Mrs. Retno L.P. Marsudi of the Republic of 🇮🇩 Indonesia has been appointed the 1st 🇺🇳 Special Envoy for Water by the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres. A milestone that reaffirms the international commitment to addressing the 🌍 global water challenges. As we are embarking on a journey to become a #WaterWiseEU, we look forward to cooperating with her on 💧 water issues affecting Europe, and the whole world 👉 https://europa.eu/!pgKCPv #WaterAction

Today is #WorldOzoneDay🌍 An #EUGreenDeal priority is to continue saving the ozone layer, which is why, this year, the EU strengthened rules to limit harmful fluorinated gases and ozone depleting substances, in line with the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The strengthened rules will help the EU meet both its 2030 climate goals and climate neutrality by 2050, and it will eliminate an additional 500 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions by 2050, which is comparable to the combined annual emissions of France and Belgium. Read: https://lnkd.in/eWhRhUBG

Dear colleagues and friends, As the European Commission increases its focus on making the EU more competitive, some fear that climate action risks being forgotten. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as shown in the much-awaited report on the future of European competitiveness, penned by Mario Draghi. I’ve linked to it in the comments. President Ursula von der Leyen said that she and Mr Draghi agree on the fundamental principle that “the only way to ensure our long-term competitiveness is to shift away from fossil fuels and towards a clean, competitive, and circular economy”. Couldn’t be clearer! And we very much agree with Mr Draghi when he says that decarbonisation can be the source of the EU’s competitiveness and growth if policies are well coordinated. We have our work cut out for us in the next Commission. We’re going in the right direction: the 2024 State of the Energy Union Report, published this Wednesday, shows that in the first half of 2024 renewables have overtaken fossil fuels in the EU's electricity mix for the first time. Published the same day, the EU Governance Regulation report finds that the EU has a comprehensive integrated legal framework and tools in place to meet our decarbonisation goals. The Regulation is improving coherence between EU energy and climate legislation and other related pieces of EU law, as well as with international agreements. At the same time, the report identifies areas for improving the governance’s efficiency and effectiveness as part of our journey to climate neutrality and resilience, including the potential to simplify and streamline reporting obligations. For further reading, find both reports below. This Wednesday, we welcomed stakeholders from across the continent for a first ever European Roundtable on Climate Risk Management, at a critical juncture for the Commission and for climate action. As also stressed by Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, it would be irresponsible to consider climate adaptation an add-on to mitigation, both are integral to EU climate action. The roundtable harvested ideas on how to close gaps in awareness, data and tools, insurance, finance and governance to better prepare Europe for the effects of climate change that are increasingly evident. I was struck by participants’ calls for joining forces for transformative resilience that enables a safe, prosperous and cohesive future. Finally, if you haven’t seen them yet, check out the winners of the 2024 European Climate Pact photo competition, showcasing the rich variety of climate action in Europe. Over 300 people entered, and a five-person jury representing both the European Union and the #EUClimatePact selected nine winners and runners up. A final winner was chosen by over 4000 people in a public vote. Enjoy the weekend, Kurt