EU Environment and Climate

For the first time on record, last year’s average temperatures crossed an annual anomaly of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 🌡    But the trend is not new. Each of the past 10 years (2015–2024) was one of the 10 warmest years on record.    While this does not mean we have breached the limit set by the Paris Agreement — which refers to an average over at least 20 years — it shows that global temperatures are rising beyond what we have ever experienced.     These figures are a wake-up call. The need for bold, urgent climate action has never been clearer. Read the full Copernicus ECMWF report: https://lnkd.in/djDXHDez

This year, #COP30 will take place in Belém 🇧🇷. But what lessons can we carry forward from the last COP in Baku 🇦🇿?    Our #EUClimatePact community on the ground in Baku are sharing their key takeaways. Here’s why we should listen:  🔹Challenges are big, but the power of collective action is bigger  🔹 Decisions made at COP29 will shape policies that impact our daily lives, from energy systems to cleaner air.  🔹 Everyone has a role to play – your actions, voices, and choices can drive change.    Wondering how you can help? Read the article and find out 🔗  https://lnkd.in/d4mzvk3f     #MyWorldOurPlanet 

🆕 We just opened a new public consultation on the uniform format for EU countries' restoration plans under the #NatureRestoration Regulation. It will ensure legal certainty while significantly reducing administrative workload. It will also make it easy for stakeholders, governments and citizens to compare and assess the national plans, keeping track of progress over time. #EUHaveYourSay by 7 February 👉 https://europa.eu/!KmmwPw #RestoreNature

Environmental reporting plays a key role in policy making. But how to make it simple for national administrations and businesses? Join the workshop on Environmental Reporting and Simplification on 13 February 2025 to find out! It will also be an opportunity to: ✅ Present and validate the initial findings of the study regarding business reporting obligations, ensuring the database is comprehensive. ✅ Review available information on costs and benefits, both qualitative and quantitative, and identify further resources. ✅ Discuss and exchange perspectives on other administrative obligations. Learn more and register by 17 January 👉 https://europa.eu/!HNWf3D #ForOurPlanet

📢 Last call to register for the Public funding for permanent carbon removal conference on 28 January 2025. Join us for a series of presentations and discussions to gain insights into existing European financing instruments, such as the Innovation Fund, the European Innovation Council and Horizon Europe, and debate ideas to boost public and private funding mechanisms for permanent carbon removal. Register by 17 January 2025: https://lnkd.in/duMuHf-E More information and programme details: https://lnkd.in/dyzJ7Whb #EUCarbonRemovals

🚨 2024 is confirmed as the hottest year on record and the first calendar year to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.    While this does not mean we have breached the limit set by the Paris Agreement — which refers to an average over at least 20 years — it shows that global temperatures are rising beyond what we have ever experienced, and the Copernicus ECMWF report is clear: human-driven climate change remains the primary cause of this warming.    Carlo Buontempo, Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, urges: "Humanity is in charge of its own destiny, but we must base our actions on evidence. The future is in our hands — swift, decisive action can still change our trajectory."    Read the full Global Climate Highlights 2024 🔽  https://lnkd.in/d-QS3mTU

Invasive Alien Species #IAS pose a major threat to native plants and animals in Europe as they: ⚠️ are one of the five major causes of biodiversity loss 📉 cause significant adverse impacts on the economy 🩺 affect the human health by spreading disease The EU is taking action to: 🟢 prevent unintentional introduction  🟢 ensure measures for the early detection 🟢 manage species that are already widely spread Learn more about it 👉 https://europa.eu/!xTxvYv

Invasive alien species are animals and plants that are accidentally or deliberately introduced into new natural environments, causing damages and posing a growing threat in Europe ⚠️ Currently, 41 plants and 47 animals are listed as #IAS of EU concern. From raccoons and common kingsnakes to Asian hornets and some types of algae, Invasive Alien Species are disrupting 🇪🇺 biodiversity and ecosystems - but how to stop this? In 2015, the EU introduced a regulation with actions to prevent their introduction, contain their spread through early detection and rapid eradication, and impose trade bans. Learn more in our latest #TheRoadToGreen episode 👉 https://europa.eu/!8vhtHM

No. We are not planning on banning cotton. Such information is not correct. There is no existing EU-legislation that bans cotton, nor are there any plans to ban cotton in the future. Like other production processes, cotton production might have negative environmental or social impacts, for instance because of excessive volumes of water used or concerns over breaches of worker rights in third countries. This means that present and future EU legislation aiming to increase circularity and sustainability in the textile sector might apply to textile products made of cotton, as well as any other textile products placed on the EU market. Learn more about the EU strategy for sustainable textiles 👉 https://europa.eu/!HXRV6y #CircularEconomy

Urban wastewater is one of the main sources of water pollution.   New EU rules on urban wastewater management entered into force on 1 January 2025.   The revised Directive will bring financial benefits of approximately EUR 6.6 billion per year by 2040, far outweighing the estimated implementation costs, whilst simplifying reporting obligations for Member States.    It now applies to a broader number of areas as it will also cover smaller agglomerations starting at 1,000 inhabitants.   More: https://europa.eu/!Ny4Y6P   #ZeroPollution #WaterWiseEU