EU Environment and Climate

What if we saw 💧 water differently? Less than 1% of Earth’s freshwater is available to sustain its 8 billion people. With the water cycle out of balance, Europe’s water systems are under increasing stress. We are experiencing more floods and droughts, and life is disappearing from our rivers and seas. Let's join forces and transform the way water is managed, used and valued. Let’s become #WaterWiseEU Discover how 👉 https://europa.eu/!p6hkwy #WorldWaterDay

Dear colleagues and friends, The #G7 climate, energy and environment ministers met in Turin, Italy, earlier this week. After days of discussions, they adopted a Joint Declaration that included commitments to phase out fossil fuels (with the first step being to phase out coal); reduce methane emissions; eliminate non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions; and create an Adaptation Accelerator Hub to support climate adaptation in vulnerable developing countries. In parallel to the G7 ministerial meeting, I had the honour of chairing an EU-Japan high-level dialogue, a country with whom we share a Green Alliance. We agreed to deepen cooperation on climate modelling; on carbon markets and pricing as well as carbon border adjustment measures; carbon capture use and storage; climate adaptation policies; and sustainable finance as well as climate action at sub-national level. This week, the European Commission announced it was awarding nearly €720 million to seven renewable hydrogen projects. The money will come from the #InnovationFund, following the first ever auction of the European Hydrogen Bank. Altogether, the selected projects will cover 1.5 Gigawatts electric of electrolyser capacity and produce a total volume of 1.58 million tonnes of RFNBO (renewable fuel on non-biological origin) hydrogen over ten years. We had set a ceiling on the EU financial support of €4.5 per kg; the requested support for the most competitive bids was 10 times lower. We are on track to make green hydrogen much more competitive than many expect. Some of you may have seen the Maastricht debate on Monday: the first debate gathering all Spitzenkandidaten ahead of the EU elections. I was happy to see that climate action was the very first topic to be debated – a sign that it remains a priority for a sizable share of the European electorate. On Wednesday we marked Labour Day, but also 20 years since ten countries joined the EU. Allow me to use this opportunity to share my appreciation for our brilliant colleagues, present and past, who come from Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Lastly, will you be in Brussels tomorrow, Saturday 4 May? Then join us for #EuropeDay at the European Commission. There’s free fun for all the family – and at our #EUGreenDeal village, you’ll be able to learn all about how the EU is helping protect the planet and build a more sustainable future for everyone. You can find all links in the comments! Enjoy the weekend,  Kurt

Are you in 🇧🇪 Brussels on Saturday 4️⃣ May? If yes, don't miss the #EUOpenDay - your chance to look behind the scenes and find out how the EU works for YOU! We can’t wait to tell you about all the things we are doing #ForOurPlanet and how you can contribute, and to welcome you to our #EUGreenDeal village to learn about how the 🇪🇺 is helping protect the 🌍 and build a more sustainable future for everyone Entrance is free! More info 👉 https://europa.eu/!3yR6hX #EuropeDay

Now more than ever, people are taking action #ForOurPlanet How can you also contribute to a greener 🌍 world? Watch our #TheRoadToGreen episode with Euronews, and get inspired by what citizens are doing to help protect the environment in 🇦🇹 Austria and 🇩🇪 Germany, from clean-up challenges to helping animals thrive in their natural habitats 👉 https://europa.eu/!jvywxG

How to build a climate-resilient future?    The #EUClimatePact community is exploring several strategic approaches to managing risks.    From climate-smart #agriculture to urban water management, we can all learn how to protect our communities and infrastructure from extreme weather 💨🌳     Read more ⬇️  https://europa.eu/!BGg7TC     #MyWorldOurPlanet  

20 years ago today, millions of Europeans became new EU citizens! Since then, pollution levels have declined across the 🇪🇺 And for these 🇨🇾 🇨🇿 🇪🇪 🇭🇺 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 🇲🇹 🇵🇱 🇸🇰 🇸🇮 Member States that joined in 2004, air particulates have decreased on average by 15% Learn more about these #20YearsTogether here 👉 https://europa.eu/!kMvJKG #CleanAirEU

The results of the first EU-wide renewable #hydrogen auction are in! 7️⃣ projects will receive close to €720 million in support through the #InnovationFund. Together, these projects will produce a total of 1.58 million tonnes of hydrogen over 10 years, avoiding more than 10 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.   This hydrogen will be used in sectors such as steel 🔩, chemicals 🧪, maritime transport 🚢, fertiliser production 🌱 + more! Learn more about the selected projects, bids, and next steps ⤵ https://europa.eu/!NtPRYD #IF23Auction

Delivering the #EUGreenDeal ambitions, #ForOurPlanet and for people! By taking better care of nature, we are also taking better care of our health, our economy and of our future. Discover how, since 2019, we tackled the 3⃣ interrelated crisis of: 🌲 Biodiversity loss 🌍 #ClimateChange 🗑️ Pollution for a healthier natural world! And find out how the #EUDelivers 👇

A picture can show a thousand actions! 📷    The #EUClimatePact photo competition is an opportunity for you and your network to get recognition as climate change champions.     Capture your efforts or actions around you that make your life, home or city more climate positive. Your snapshot will inspire others, and give you the chance to win prizes! 🌍    Take part ➡️ https://europa.eu/!J7KyH6    #MyWorldOurPlanet  

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