No. 1 March 2024
The economic benefits of a food system transition
Restoring ecosystems and limiting emissions from farming could curb hidden costs from the food system by around 500 billion US dollars a year. Combined with healthy diets and tackling poverty, the benefits are many times greater.
Editorial: In the debris of Farm to Fork
Last autumn, a cold shower came from the EU Commission. Nothing would be done to fulfil a range of remaining commitments from Farm to Fork.
Proper accounting in agriculture
As concerns about the impact of industrial farming grow, a visionary company in southern Germany has developed a tool to recognise and incentivise sustainable practices.
Solutions for upgrading electricity grids in Central Eastern Europe
The integration of renewable sources into electricity grids is reshaping the way many nations approach sustainability. But Central Eastern European (CEE) countries are grappling with regulatory obstacles, technical challenges, and a lingering reliance on fossil fuels. A new report by CAN Europe presents a roadmap to overcome these barriers.
Ten measures to improve electricity grids in Central Eastern Europe
Action needs to go beyond the usual technological solutions, countries must consider not just kilowatts and power lines, but also include the social dimensions of energy transition.
US EPA unveils stricter standards for air quality
The US air quality standard for fine particlulate matter is reduced from 12 to 9 μg/m3. This is projected to yield substantial net health benefits, amounting to up to $46 billion by 2032.
Evaluating India's billion dollar battle against air pollution
More than $1 billion in government funding has been allocated to cities, but just 60% has been spent. Only 16 cities have achieved the targeted pollution cuts. What can be done?
Gothenburg Protocol ready for an update
The Air Convention Parties have committed to a revision of the Gothenburg Protocol. A recent review report pointed out that despite reductions in emissions, existing measures fall short in safeguarding human health, ecosystems, crop yields, and the climate.
Clean air for all or will the poor have to wait?
A group of health scientists has recently published a scientific commentary which shows the significant consequences that postponing deadlines to achieve new EU air quality objectives would have for Europeans’ health.
Renewable heating in rental housing
High upfront costs, limited financing options, and a lack of awareness among landlords and tenants are some of the barriers for renewable heating adoption in the rental sector. In a recent briefing CAN Europe proposes solutions to facilitate the transition.
The Kyoto Protocol was not a failure
Overall, the countries that participated in the Second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol have overachieved their collective target and achieved an overall emission reduction of 28% in 2020 (compared to 1990 emissions).
Lessons learned from Europe’s fossil fuel energy crisis
Europe is at a pivotal moment to transition to a fossil-free energy future, and decisive actions, including policy-level commitments, are crucial to achieving this goal.
Forests – still a neglected issue in climate negotiations
The protection of forests did not figure high on the UN climate convention’s COP28 agenda last December and it really seems negotiators are waiting for Brazil’s COP30 in 2025.
A turning point for oceans in climate action
The COP28 not only stressed the crucial role of oceans in combating climate change but also laid the ground for enhanced integration of ocean action in UNFCCC processes.
Nuclear power is proven uneconomic in the real world
At COP in Dubai some countries imagined nuclear power to be part of the solution. Real world experience shows it is too expensive to contribute
Danish court declares Europe's largest pork producer guilty of greenwashing
Denmark’s high court has ruled against Danish Crown, Europe’s largest pork producer, in the country’s first climate lawsuit ...
Danish proposal for a tax on farm emissions
On 21 February, an expert group appointed by the Danish government unveiled its conclusive report, presenting three proposed models for a CO2e tax on agriculture.
Replacing old boilers is a key to cleaner air in Poland
A new report by the Clean Air Centre shows that Poland has the potential to reach the AAQD thresholds proposed by the European Commission by 2030.
First air pollution meeting in Ethiopia
At the end of December, AirClim and a group of universities in the US, Sweden and Ethiopia organised the first air pollution meeting in Addis Ababa
Cars are getting bigger
Are parking spaces getting smaller? No, it’s the cars that are getting wider. Half a centimetre per year might not sound much but it has been adding up for decades now.
UN warns: World nears 'hellish' 3°C heating
The world is on track for a “hellish” 3°C of global heating, a new UN report has warned.
Halving corporate air travel by 2030 would reduce emissions equal to 16 million cars
Between 2005 and 2019, aviation traffic in Europe grew by 67%, resulting in an increase in emissions at a time when reductions are crucial.
11 out of 322 businesses score high on travel emissions ranking
The “Travel Smart” initiative, led by Transport & Environment (T&E), is an effort involving a coalition of partners in Europe ...
Kenya promotes a shift to electric "Boda-bodas"
Motorbike taxis, locally known as "Boda-Bodas", are everywhere in Kenya, as in many African countries ...
Climate-heating gases reach record highs
The abundance of climate-heating gases in the atmosphere reached record highs in 2022, the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported.
Southern Ocean acidity might double by the end of the century
Almost 30 per cent of CO2 released to the atmosphere is taken up by the oceans. As a consequence, the oceans become more acidic – in a process called ocean acidification.
International Ocean Acidification Action Week
Ocean Acidification (OA) caused by CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels puts our seas at danger.