Environment & Climate
The European Green Deal, energy transition, oceans and the climate policy behind the headlines.
EU Parliament honors fallen firefighter as von der Leyen pledges wildfire action
The European Parliament paid tribute to a firefighter who lost his life battling blazes in Greece. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Greek seas littered with thousands of concrete blocks from illegal fishing practice
Since 2019, the Fishing For Litter programme has recovered over 6,000 concrete blocks and nearly 11,700 ropes from Greek seas. The waste com
North American lobster gear drifts 3,000 km to Azores beaches
Researchers found over 1,500 lobster-fishing items on Faial and Pico beaches, traced to US and Canadian fisheries. Some tags date back to 19
Azerbaijan invests €540m in climate-smart farming two years after COP29
Azerbaijan has earmarked €540 million for climate-resilient irrigation under its 2026-2030 state programme. The country also launched an AI-
Europe's heavy industry can go green without losing jobs, study finds
A new study models how Europe can decarbonise steel, cement and chemicals without sacrificing jobs. Importing energy-intensive materials cou
Counterfeit pesticides flood EU fields as €20bn black market thrives
Up to 14% of Europe's pesticide market may be counterfeit or illegal, with shares reaching 25% in parts of Greece. Farmers in Serres buy smu
Europe's FLEX and Sentinel-3C satellites launch to monitor vegetation and climate
Europe's Vega-C rocket launched FLEX and Sentinel-3C from French Guiana. FLEX will study plant photosynthesis and stress responses, while Se
Italy's wolf comeback: living alongside a growing predator
Italy's wolf population has grown to around 3,500, with sightings near cities fueling alarm. Experts stress attacks are extremely rare, but
Wind turbines and deformed reindeer: debunking the viral claim
A viral claim says wind turbines cause deformed reindeer in Norway. The Supreme Court ruling was about Sámi cultural rights, not animal heal
Storing wind and solar power in porous rock: Europe's underground battery
A Portuguese study finds that compressed air stored in porous rock at depths up to 3,000 metres could deliver up to 1 TWh of energy, enough
Swedish firm turns old wind turbines into tiny homes and skis
Europe added 8.8 GW of wind capacity in the first half of 2026, but decommissioned turbines pose a recycling challenge. Swedish energy giant
Anaconda found on Danube bank in Bavaria, far from home
A 66-year-old woman found a two-metre anaconda sunbathing on the Danube near Kirchroth. Police and a reptile specialist captured the non-nat