A major step toward cleaner air in the EU By tightening limits on harmful pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2 the revised Air Qulaity Directive will significantly improve public health and align closer with WHO guidelines. Read more
Editorial: Fighting for the right to clean air “The dose makes the poison” is a basic principle in toxicology. Even drinking water can be lethal if consumed in excessive amounts. For air pollution, the levels considered harmful are often relatively small, measured in micrograms per cubic meter of air. However, exposure is constant as we continuously breathe, and these small ammounts accumulate, leading to diseases and ultimately deaths. Read more
How many arguments will it take? There are many reasons to reduce car use in cities, and yet traffic reduction policies seem to remain controversial and unpopular. Systems thinking and understanding how to communicate the multiple and complex set of impacts will help push forward urban transformations that reduce car dependency. Read more
Global resilience by empowering communties: the “Early Warnings for All” intiative at COP28 The urgency of addressing climate change and its impacts has never been more apparent, and the “Early Warnings for All” initiative stands at the forefront of global efforts to enhance resilience against meteorological risks. At COP28, the initiative received significant attention. Read more
Opportunity to address gaps in the NEC directive The EU NEC Directive sets national targets to reduce emissions of five key pollutants. Article 13 of the directive mandates a review before the end of 2025. Read more
European Parliament approves watered-down Euro 7 rules The European Parliament approved a deal on the revised Euro 7 emissions rules for cars, trucks, and buses in March. However, the decision remains controversial, with stakeholders divided on whether it goes too far or not far enough in combating emissions. Read more
Hit or miss: Ammonia as a climate-friendly fuel In the quest for a clean shipping fuel, ammonia is emerging as an unexpected hero. Made from air and water using renewable electricity, it promises near-zero emissions. According to the IMO and IEA, ammonia's future potential is significant—but there are some caveats. Read more
A walk in the woods: summarising the state of Swedish forests Almost 70 percent of Sweden's land area is covered by forests. In this article, the writer explores the significance of these forests for people, communities, and biodiversity as well as highlighting how they are utilised and managed today. Read more
Bulgarian forests – biodiversity under threat Forests cover more than a third of Bulgaria’s territory. However, they face numerous challenges, such as poor management, illegal logging and the effects of climate change. Read more
Carbon measurements in old-growth forests The environmental movement often hails old-growth forests as saviours of the climate, whereas the forestry industry argues that it is young, growing forests that soak up carbon dioxide. We followed along as the exhalations of an old forest were measured – using steel cages and gas masks. Read more
Denmark introduces tax on farm emissions The Danish government is proposing a climate tax on livestock emissions. Farmers will pay 16 euros per ton of CO2e in 2030, with the rate increasing to 40 euros by 2035. Read more
Boosting climate policy with aquatic research Ocean acidification and environmental change in lakes were the most frequently cited topics by the IPCC and IPBES, according to a recent impact assessment of AQUACOSM-plus, an EU-funded project focused on experimental research in aquatic environments. Read more
EU needs to align power grids with climate goals Scenario calls for a 131% increase in European power grid transmission capacity by 2035 to accomodate full phase-out of coal and fossil gas. Read more
Plan to fast-track renewable energy deployment in the EU To boost renewable energy adoption, the European Commission has introduced new guidelines for Renewables Acceleration Areas (RAAs). However, a recent report shows many countries are unprepared for RAA designation and sensitivity mapping. Read more
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