On 24 and 25 January 2024, the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform will host a workshop to discuss the lessons learned from the first and the preparations for the second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook. Registrations for in-person participation have closed, but you can read more about the workshop and still register for online participation via the links below.
On 7 November 2023, the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform will host the third in its series of Zero Pollution Talks: "Zero Pollution and the Soil Monitoring Law”, focusing on the key role of local and regional authorities and stakeholders. Click below for additional information and registration details.
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is issuing an Opinion on the new EU soil legislation, with a focus on local and regional actions. Frida Nilsson, CoR member for Lidköping Municipality, Sweden, who serves as the rapporteur for this Opinion, invites stakeholders to a consultation on 24 October from 11:00 to 13:00 CEST to gather information for the preparation of the draft. Click below for more information and registration.
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is delivering an Opinion on the new EU soil legislation, focusing on local and regional actions. Here we interview the rapporteur for this Opinion, Frida Nilsson, CoR member for Lidköping Municipality, Sweden.
Two forthcoming Horizon Europe calls for proposals supporting Zero Pollution will open on 17 October 2023, with the deadline for submission on 21 February 2024. Projects responding to the calls should contribute to outcomes aligned with the European Green Deal and the Zero Pollution Action Plan.
A recent study revealed that in 2019, exposure to PM2.5 air pollution was responsible for one-fifth of global neonatal health disorders. The study highlights the urgent need for air pollution control strategies, emphasising the significance of initiatives such as the Zero Pollution Action Plan.
The Commission has adopted measures restricting the use of microplastics under the EU chemical legislation REACH. These measures support the Zero Pollution Action Plan 2030 target to reduce microplastics released into the environment by 30%.
test
As the spring has fully sprung in Brussels, we are delighted to share with you some upcoming news from the renewed Environmental Technology Verification programme. Our latest picks include the upcoming 5th ETV Stakeholder Forum, the ongoing EIT call for funding, new recently verified technologies and other project updates.
Provisional agreement was reached on 1 December 2021 between the European Parliament and the Council on the 8th Environment Action Programme (EAP). The 8th EAP anchors the Member States’ and Parliament’s commitment to environmental and climate action until 2030, guided by a long-term vision to 2050 of wellbeing for all, while staying within the planetary boundaries. The provisional agreement is now tabled for confirmation by the Parliament and the Council.
The European Commission adopted its revised Guidance on the EU regime governing ivory trade on 16 December, as part of its commitment under the EU Biodiversity Strategy to take additional action against elephant poaching and ivory trafficking globally.
The Strategy sets out concrete measures for the protection, restoration and sustainable use of soils.
The Commission delivers on circular economy and zero pollution ambitions by proposing stronger rules on waste exports to protect the environment and people’s health.
The proposed new rules intend to ensure that the products that EU citizens buy, use and consume on the EU market do not contribute to global deforestation and forest degradation.
On 1 October 2021, the Commission adopted the Implementing Decision laying down rules for the application of Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the calculation, verification and reporting of data on the separate collection of waste single-use plastic beverage bottles.
The regulation will address the negative consequences of POPs in waste and in material that could be recovered from it.
September 2021 GPP News Alert
Corrected Link: Green Public Procurement (GPP) News Alert - July 2021 issue
The EU is determined to intensify measures to tackle the global problem of deforestation and forest degradation and relevant commitments are included in the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Acting on these commitments, the Commission is now working on the new legislation to reduce the impact of EU consumption on deforestation and forest degradation. The proposal is expected in autumn with the two-fold objective: boost the consumption of sustainably produced commodities by promoting transparent and deforestation-free global supply chains and prevent the placement of products and commodities that may be associated with deforestation on the EU market.
The key deliverable of the EU-Japan Summit was the Green Alliance – the first of its kind. The Alliance has a very strong environmental dimension reflecting the overall spirit of the European Green Deal and DG ENV top priorities. As such, it includes a joint commitment to the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, circular economy, sustainable supply chains and the global plastics agreement. The intention is to deepen green cooperation with Japan, to make it more visible and promote the green agenda together at a global level.
