EU Environment and Climate

💶 Europe’s climate resilience needs long-term local investment.    This was one of the key messages from this afternoon’s Mayors Dialogue at the EU Covenant of Mayors Ceremony in Brussels. Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra met with mayors from Portugal, Romania and Germany to discuss how Europe can strengthen its climate resilience. As the EU prepares its new climate resilience framework, negotiates its next long-term budget and redesigns its climate governance, cities are calling for the resources and long-term certainty they need to adapt to a changing climate. On the frontline of floods, heatwaves and droughts, local authorities play a vital role in protecting communities and preparing for future climate impacts.    Here’s what we heard 👇   💬 “Today was the hottest year on record, but the coolest year for the next 10 years. We need to prepare our schools, help people cool their houses and address the housing problem in Europe. All these things require strong political dialogue between Europe and local authorities through the Covenant of Mayors.” - Luísa Salgueiro, Mayor of Matosinhos, Portugal.  💬 “To face these challenges, we need to invest at the local level. Otherwise, things will only get worse.” Martin Horn, Mayor of Freiburg, Germany.   The EU recognises that cities are essential partners in delivering Europe’s climate ambitions.   📣 “Last year showed that every place is vulnerable, that everywhere, we can have atypical weather, droughts, wildfires... It’s important that we address this not in an isolated way but work together across continent and across political parties.” - Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth   One thing is clear: strengthening Europe’s climate resilience means giving cities the means to prepare for growing climate risks and protect the people and places that make up our communities.    #CoMCeremony2026

What does a European Climate Pact Ambassador look like? 🌍 Someone with an idea. Someone who brings people together. Someone who’s ready to turn their commitment into action and inspire others to do the same. If that sounds like you, don’t delay! Apply to become a #EUClimatePact Ambassador. Be part of a European community of people helping others understand, engage with and act on climate issues. Bring your ideas. Become an Ambassador. 📅 Apply by 31 October https://lnkd.in/e_x-urWu #MyWorldOurPlanet

How should Europe shape its climate resilience? That’s the question at the heart of today’s Mayors Dialogue at the EU Covenant of Mayors Ceremony 2026 in Brussels. Tune in at 14:30 CEST to hear Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra and European Mayors - including Luísa Salgueiro, Mayor of Matosinhos (Portugal), Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca (Romania) and Martin Horn, Mayor of Freiburg (Germany) - to discuss how cities can help make Europe more resilient to climate risks. 👉 Watch the ceremony live, starting at 10:00 CEST: https://lnkd.in/ejExMs9N 📋 Find the full programme and event details: https://lnkd.in/dtTQ52-z

💧 Water is essential for every form of life on this planet. It is not only vital for people and nature, but also to agriculture, energy production and the economy. Investing in sustainable water management and innovation will strengthen European businesses, boost competitiveness and make our society more resilient to water-related shocks, such as prolonged droughts and floods. But a major investment gap still remains, with an estimated €23 billion per year - 0.1% of EU GDP - to implement existing water legislation. This is where the EU Water Resilience Investment Accelerator by #GreenAssist comes in. The Accelerator will support 20 innovative pilot projects on natural water retention and water efficiency, bringing together local water investors, solution providers and those facing water-related challenges to inspire similar action across the EU. If you are an EU-based start-up, SME or European water stakeholders and have a pilot project focusing on: 💧 clean water solutions 💧 nature-based solutions for water resilience 💧 water efficiency and smart water solutions ...this is your chance to apply! Learn more and discover how to apply here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eqviBrSJ #WaterWiseEU

📢 New discussion paper: Design and Implementation of the Investment Booster How can we accelerate industrial decarbonisation in the EU? We have published a discussion paper on the Investment Booster, the first stage of the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank. The paper provides further details on this new EU instrument to support industrial decarbonisation. Join our stakeholder consultation on 20 October, where we will discuss the paper in depth and you can share your views! 📅 When? 20 October 2026, 09:30–16:00 📍 Where? Albert Borschette Conference Centre, Brussels & online 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eftk5rvZ   💻 Please note that in-person places are fully booked, but online registration is still open. We hope to see you there!

In 2024, 12.3 kg of electrical and electronic equipment waste (WEEE or e-waste) per person was collected in the EU.📱🗑️ Which EU countries collect most e-waste? 🇧🇬 Bulgaria (18.9 kg per person) 🇨🇿 Czechia (17.8 kg) 🇫🇷 France (17.7 kg) Lowest amounts: 🇨🇾 Cyprus (4.7 kg per person) 🇵🇹 Portugal (6.0 kg) 🇲🇹 Malta (6.4 kg) 🔹The country which placed the most new electrical and electronic equipment on the market was 🇦🇹 Austria (38.2 kg per person). Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/emXEkEjM

🛠️📱 Don't bin it — repair it! A small fix can give your broken electronic item a second life and help reduce e-waste. Old phones, tangled cables, that broken Christmas LED decoration… sometimes, all they need is a little care to keep going. ♻️ And when repair is no longer an option, recycle responsibly. Every small device with a plug, cable or a battery, no matter how little or inexpensive, requires proper treatment at the end of its life. They may look like clutter, but they’re rich in valuable materials that could be used in the production of new products: 🔋 Cobalt, lithium and graphite (for batteries) 🧲 Rare earth elements (for magnets) 📱 Indium (for touchscreens) ⚡ Gallium and germanium (for semiconductors) 🔌 Tantalum (for capacitors) When these (sometimes toxic) materials aren’t disposed of properly, they can harm both the environment and our health. Do not chuck them in the general bin. On International #EWasteDay, remember: give your electronics a second life through repair, and when that’s no longer possible, make sure their materials get a second life through recycling.

Did your September feel like it was still summer? 🌡️ You wouldn't be alone. According to Copernicus Climate, September 2026 was the 3rd warmest September on record for Europe, and the warmest ever in western Europe. ☀️ Southern France, Portugal, Spain and parts of Italy were 4-6°C above average 🌊 Record-high sea temperatures along the Atlantic coast and in the Mediterranean fuelled strong marine heatwaves Globally, it was the second-warmest September, and the second month in a row above 1.5°C of warming, as a very strong El Niño continues to build. 🌍 🔗 Read the bulletin: https://lnkd.in/ew6aYpUj

Why invest in nature? Because every euro invested in nature restoration typically generates a return of €8 to €38 in economic and societal benefits. And investing in nature is one of the most cost-effective and inclusive ways to protect people, infrastructure and economies from climate change, according to a new report from the Global Center on Adaptation. Need proof? The new European Environment Agency report explores key factors likely to shape Europe’s future to 2040 and shows how investing in sustainability can help Europe strengthen its long-term competitiveness. Here are 6 "no-regret" options that could strengthen Europe's competitiveness across a range of possible futures:   ♻️ scaling up the circular economy and resource efficiency 🌳 investing in climate adaptation, nature-based solutions and resilient infrastructure 💻 strengthening European capabilities in computing, AI and next-generation biotechnology 🎓 investing in skills and lifelong learning 🤝 supporting social cohesion, public trust and effective regulation 🌍 keeping the EU active in global standard-setting on sustainability Learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eRTCh7PP © 🖼️ Gatis Šļūka

Biodiversity and healthy ecosystems are crucial for our economies, climate change mitigation and resilience, security and health. They are crucial for our lives. At #COP17 in 🇦🇲 Yerevan, we want to reaffirm our commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and send a strong signal to accelerate actions within and across all policies and sectors to fulfill its 23 targets aimed at halting biodiversity loss. The EU will also support: ✅ Full and effective implementation. ✅ Mobilisation of at least $200 billion per year from public and private sources by 2030. ✅ Participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. We have all it takes - now we need to deliver #ForNature Learn more from the conclusions of the Environment Council 👉 https://lnkd.in/eyjU9Ph8 #COP17Armenia #ForOurPlanet