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Key reports and studies

Eu - Cities

28/07/2011
Significant emission reductions possible at a low cost
A report from the European Commission Joint Research Centre indicates that environmental improvements in residential buildings could result in overall greenhouse gas emission reductions of 7%. The JRC IMPRO-Building report suggests that such reductions could be achieved without incurring...
Eu
Cities setting standards in eco-innovation
02/05/2011
Cities setting standards in eco-innovation
Curitiba is Brazil’s seventh largest city and ‘green capital’. One of the best examples of green urban planning, it shows a city can minimise its environmental impact and be attractive. Eco-innovation is usually applied to products, not cities. Yet the planning achievements of Curitiba and...
Eu
Nanotechnology and environmental performance: what lies beyond the shiny promises?
07/02/2011
Nanotechnology and environmental performance: what lies beyond the shiny promises?
The nanotechnology industry has over-promised and under-delivered according to Friends of the Earth, which proposes taking a precautionary approach to nanotechnology products. Nanotechnology has the potential to deliver novel approaches and transform the economy, although at a significant...
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Reducing the environmental impact of agriculture through biotechnology
24/01/2011
Reducing the environmental impact of agriculture through biotechnology
Biotechnology can play a major role in helping farmers overcome challenges such as protecting crops against insects, weeds and disease, as well as battling vagaries of the weather. Much can be achieved without resorting to environmentally-harmful products and processes or over-reliance on...
Eu
Waste is food: going all the way on sustainability
27/10/2010
Waste is food: going all the way on sustainability
Ten European regions have created a network to share best practice in waste prevention and management by applying the cradle-to-cradle concept for sustainable development. The idea that there is no such thing as waste, only raw materials yet to be put to good use, underpins the cradle-to-cradle...
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EU strategy on track for clean vehicles
21/10/2010
EU strategy on track for clean vehicles
The European Commission has proposed a new strategy to address the EU’s fossil-fuel dependency, accelerate development of clean automotive technologies and promote mass-market uptake. Announced in April 2010, the strategy builds on the European Green Cars Initiative – one of three private-...
Eu
Laying the foundations for sustainable construction
28/04/2010
Laying the foundations for sustainable construction
Reclaimed and sustainable construction materials could lead to a more eco-friendly building sector. By using such materials developers can reduce emissions and save energy. If Europe is to meet its goal of reducing emissions and energy consumption by at least 20% by 2020, the sustainability of...
Eu
Cultivating crops on city rooftops
09/03/2010
Cultivating crops on city rooftops
Climate change and population growth mean walls, balconies and roofs across Europe's cities could take on a greener complexion as food production becomes part of the urban landscape. To meet the challenges of producing food in a more environmentally-friendly way, the European Environment Agency...
Eu
Accelerating sustainable industrial production
14/02/2010
Accelerating sustainable industrial production
Eco-innovation will be a key driver of industry efforts to tackle climate change in the post-Kyoto era according to new book on green growth published by the OECD in January 2010. The new book entitled Eco-Innovation in Industry is based on the first phase of the Organisation for Economic Co-...
Eu
Pursuit of sustainability drives innovation in the chemical industry
26/01/2010
Pursuit of sustainability drives innovation in the chemical industry
The European chemical industry is embracing innovation to ensure sustainability. Moreover, through innovation the industry is providing measures to facilitate a sustainable society. The chemical sector plays a significant role in the European economy, contributing 30% of the world’s total...
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