Detailed instructions for national and local governments to implement the revised Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR). The aim of the regulation, which has (more…)

A detailed analysis by an international team shows that recent global increases in terrestrial carbon stocks are largely stored in non-living parts of ecosystems, rather than in living biomass, as previously thought. (more…)

The term greenhouse gas often brings to mind carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ), and rightly so, as it is a key contributor to global warming. However, a more potent pollutant and greenhouse gas (more…)

Rising temperatures due to climate change are increasing the risk of people being exposed to so-called mycotoxins, naturally occurring toxins produced by fungi found in certain foods, feed and crops, according to a briefing published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). These toxins can harm health and preventing the increase in contamination requires joint action at European and national level, in research, policies and practice, to effectively reduce the risks. (More on (eea.europa.eu)

The study provides a detailed overview of the impacts of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations on food security, focusing on nutrient assimilation, plant growth and crop quality. (more…)

Study deals with the impacts of heatwaves and droughts on European forests between 2018 and 2022It highlights that these events are becoming more frequent due to human-induced climate change. (more…)

With a fast and intuitive interface, the app allows us to explore 85 years of data providing global climatological averages by simply clicking on any point on the map or using the search bar. It complements the ERA5 temperature data offered by the Climate Pulse app, the C3S 1.5ºC app, or the various datasets included in the more comprehensive C3S Climate Atlas. More at climate.copernicus.eu

Document provides a framework of recommendations for businesses and business representative organisations to promote inclusiveness and Green Deal policies within their workforce with the aim of (more…)

Document entitled "Global warming increases the risk of dehydration and respiratory inflammation in humans" is a study that examines the impact of dry air caused by increased (more…)

Document deals with critical issues climate change trauma and collective dissociation as significant obstacles to effective action against the climate crisis. The authors emphasize that (more…)

A new NASA report from 2024 brings alarming news - global sea levels are rising faster than previously expected. Scientists from the agency and international research teams warn that this trend poses a serious threat to coastal areas, island nations and millions of people living in low-lying and shallow regions.

According to a new NASA study, sea levels have risen by an average of 3.3 mm per year over the past few decades, significantly faster than previous estimates. Scientists attribute this accelerated rise mainly to the massive melting of glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica, as well as the thermal expansion of ocean water due to global warming.

"Our measurements clearly show that sea levels are rising faster than we thought," said Dr. Elena Martinez, NASA's chief climate scientist. "If this trend continues, we could face more than a meter of sea level rise by the end of this century, with catastrophic consequences for low-lying areas."

Sea level rise will have a wide-ranging impact. It is expected to cause more frequent and intense floods, which could damage critical infrastructure – from roads and railways to electricity and communications networks. It will also threaten freshwater supplies, as salinization of soil and groundwater becomes an increasingly significant problem in coastal areas.

The NASA report also highlights the need for immediate adaptation and mitigation. Scientists are calling on governments and international organizations to accelerate the implementation of measures that would help slow global warming. Key recommendations include reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy, transport and industry, as well as increasing investment in renewable energy sources.

“Reducing emissions and transitioning to cleaner technologies are essential to limiting further sea level rise,” added Dr. Martinez. “This is not only a matter of protecting the environment, but also of the security and prosperity of our global community.”

In addition to emission reduction measures, adaptation is also important. Many coastal cities are already working on plans to protect their coastlines, including building defensive barriers, improving drainage systems and introducing innovative technologies for monitoring and predicting flood events. However, adaptive strategies must also be supported by international cooperation and funding, as the costs of coastal protection can be enormous.

International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, have already set ambitious targets for reducing emissions, but the results show that the pace of emissions reductions cannot fully compensate for the accelerating rise in sea levels. Therefore, there is an urgent need to review and strengthen climate policies to prevent irreversible changes to our environment.

In conclusion, NASA's new report is a call to action for everyone, from governments and industry leaders to individuals. If we want to secure a sustainable future and protect the most vulnerable areas of our planet, we must act quickly and effectively. Implementing the recommended measures and international cooperation may be the key to getting the brakes off sea level rise and mitigating the consequences of climate change. Spring

The Covenant of Mayors (CoM) initiative was originally aimed at supporting EU cities in developing sustainable energy measures and today brings together more than 13,000 signatories from around the world. (more…)

Document, "Reconciling Earth's growing energy imbalance with ocean warming" by Richard P. Allan and Christopher J. Merchant, published in Environmental Research Letters in 2025, looks at Earth's growing energy imbalance and its link to ocean warming over the period 1985 to 2024. The authors combine satellite observations of Earth's energy balance and ocean surface temperature with the ERA5 atmospheric reanalysis to improve the physical understanding of changes in Earth's net energy imbalance and subsequent ocean surface warming.

Main findings and conclusions of the study:

• Earth's growing energy imbalance: The study found that Earth's net energy imbalance (N) doubled from 0.6 ± 0.2 Wm⁻² in 2001–2014 to 1.2 ± 0.2 Wm⁻² in 2015–2023This increase is primarily explained by an increase in absorbed solar radiation related to the radiative effects of clouds over the oceans.
• Differences between observations and reanalysis: The observed increase in absorbed solar radiation is not fully captured by the ERA5 reanalysis. Differences between the CERES and ERA5 satellite observations suggest that The main cause of the divergence in the net radiation balance is the coverage and brightness of clouds over the oceans.ERA5 underestimates the reduction in reflected solar radiation by marine clouds, particularly in stratocumulus regions off the coast of California and Namibia, as well as due to the loss of Antarctic sea ice in the Weddell and Ross Seas.
• Impact of aerosols: While ERA5 can accurately represent changes in absorbed solar radiation under clear skies over most oceans, this is not the case for eastern China, where aerosol emissions are likely to have decreased more than predicted in ERA5. The study suggests that Aerosol interactions with clouds over the oceans play a significant role in increasing absorbed solar radiationThe decline in global aerosol emissions since 2000 is considered an important factor in the growth of the Earth's energy imbalance.
• Link to ocean warming: The study identified increase in annual warming of the near-global ocean by 0.1 °C per year for every 1 Wm⁻² increase in the Earth's energy imbalance on an interannual timescale (2000–2023). This finding is consistent with a simple ocean mixed layer energy budget assuming no simultaneous change in heat flux beneath the mixed layer.
• Rapid warming in 2022-2023: Extraordinary rapid warming of ocean surface by 0.27°C from 2022 to 2023 is physically consistent with a large energy imbalance of 1.85 ± 0.2 Wm⁻² from August 2022 to July 2023, but only if (1) the reduced mixed layer depth (approximately 50 m) is warming or (2) there is reversal in the direction of heat flow under the mixed layer in connection with the transition from La Niña to El Niño conditions. The second explanation seems more likely given the transition to El Niño, which is associated with the outflow of warm water from the subsurface layers of the eastern Pacific.
• A simple energy balance model: The study uses a simple energy balance framework to illustrate the link between the Earth's energy imbalance and ocean warming. The model suggests that a short-term (interannual) increase in energy imbalance of 1 Wm⁻² leads to an additional warming of the ocean surface of about 0.1°C per year, with the impact being distributed to deeper ocean layers on longer time scales.
• The importance of continuous monitoring: The authors emphasize the critical importance of the continuity of global Earth observation systems, including radiation balance records, to maintain the ability to monitor and accurately predict short-term climate change.

Overall, this study provides new insights into the causes of Earth's growing energy imbalance, highlighting the key role of cloud cover over the oceans and the potential impact of declining aerosol emissions. It also clarifies the link between this imbalance and ocean warming, particularly in the context of record-breaking warming in 2023, and highlights the complex interactions between the surface and deep ocean layers in absorbing Earth's excess energy. Spring

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Glossary of key terms

• Energy imbalance of the Earth (Net Energy Imbalance – N): The difference between the solar radiation absorbed by the Earth and the infrared radiation radiated back into space. A positive imbalance means that energy is accumulating in the climate system, leading to warming.
• Top of Atmosphere Radiation Budget: The sum of incoming and outgoing radiation at the top of the Earth's atmosphere, which determines the Earth's energy imbalance.
• CERES (Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System): A suite of NASA satellite instruments to measure the Earth's radiation balance, including reflected solar radiation and emitted infrared radiation.
• ERA5: The fifth generation of the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) global atmospheric reanalysis, which combines extensive observations with an atmospheric model to create a comprehensive record of the state of the atmosphere over time.
• Absorbed Shortwave Radiation (ASR): The amount of solar radiation that the Earth absorbs after some is reflected from the surface and atmosphere (including clouds and aerosols).
• Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR): Infrared radiation that the Earth and its atmosphere emit into space.
• Stratocumulus: Low-altitude stratiform clouds that cover large areas of ocean, especially in subtropical regions off the western coasts of continents. They have a significant effect on the reflection of solar radiation.
• Antarctic sea ice: Ice that forms on the surface of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. Its extent and thickness affect the Earth's albedo and the exchange of heat between the ocean and the atmosphere.
• Ocean Mixed Layer: The upper layer of the ocean where water is well mixed by wind and surface heat, resulting in a relatively homogeneous temperature and salinity. Its depth can vary depending on the season and location.
• Heat Flux: The transfer of thermal energy between different components of the climate system (e.g. between the atmosphere and the ocean, between the ocean surface and deeper layers).
• La Niña and El Niño: Phases of the large-scale Equatorial Pacific Ocean Surface Temperature Oscillation (ENSO). La Niña is characterized by cooler than average temperatures, while El Niño is characterized by warmer than average temperatures. These phenomena have global impacts on weather and climate.
• Aerosols: Tiny particles suspended in the atmosphere that can affect climate by directly reflecting and absorbing solar radiation (direct effect) and indirectly by influencing cloud formation and properties (indirect effect).
• Albedo: The degree of reflectivity of a surface. High albedo (e.g., snow and ice) reflects more sunlight, while low albedo (e.g., dark ocean) absorbs more.

This document, entitled "DELIVERING THE EU GREEN DEAL – Progress towards targets – Annexes" is a publication of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the scientific and knowledge service of the European Commission. (more…)

This document, entitled "DELIVERING THE EU GREEN DEAL Progress towards targets” (Achieving the EU Green Deal targets – Progress towards targets), published in 2025 by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the scientific and knowledge service of the European Commission, provides evidence-based scientific support for EU policymakingThe aim of the report is to integrate all EU Green Deal (EGD) measures and related policies and offer assessment of the EU's green transition based on reliable data and scientific knowledge. Serves as benchmarking tool and provides science-based guidance for future EU policies and programmes.

The report evaluates progress towards achieving EGD goals in various thematic areas. It analyzes 154 goals from 44 key policy documents with a timeframe from December 2019 to mid-2024. Some of these targets are legally binding, while others are not. The inclusion of non-binding targets, such as those in the Biodiversity Strategy, allows for comprehensive reporting on all EGD ambitions, especially in areas with limited legislation.

Methodology progress assessment is based on screening of EGD political initiatives, extracted and organized them basic political goals by thematic area into the database. These objectives were further grouped by topic, which formed the basis for various thematic overviews that were distributed to experts at the JRC. The experts validated the selection of objectives and helped to identify relevant indicators for assessing the current status given the ambitions of EGD based on the latest available data from internal and reputable scientific research. The report uses, where possible, existing sectoral modelling exercises or assumes in certain cases linear trajectory based on the most current trends. It is used traffic light system to assess progress towards goals.

A message does not judge the policies themselves and is framed by certain limitations. The number of targets per thematic area may not reflect their relative importance. The progress assessment provides an overview of the current state of play but does not assess the relative impact of these targets in terms of environmental, social or economic aspects, nor the timing of the policies. The impacts of some recently adopted policies will only be felt in the coming years and indicators for the new targets are not always agreed upon. The report focuses on quantifiable targets with thresholdswhich are to be achieved by a specific date.

Key findings indicate that progress was made on 96 objectives (62 % out of the total)Of them 32 targets (21 %) is well on its way to achieving, while at 64 goals (41 %) it will be necessary speed up the paceto meet ambitions. When 15 goals (10 %) is the trend either opposite, or stagnant, indicating the need to intensify efforts. For 43 goals (28 %) no data available yet, but many of them are the result of recent policies, the effects of which will be felt in the coming years. These trends are also confirmed when looking exclusively at 87 legally binding targets identified (56 % out of the total number of targets), of which 42 shows some progress, but only 13 (15 %) is progressing at a sufficient pace.

The report is structured into the following main sections:

• Introduction
• Methodology
• The European Green Deal. Facts and figures
• Thematic areas with progress assessment, implementation challenges and key messages for each:
  • 01. Climate ambitions
  • 04. Sustainable and smart mobility
  • 05. Greening the Common Agricultural Policy / Farm to Fork Strategy
  • 06. Conservation and protection of biodiversity
  • 03. Mobilizing industry for a clean and circular economy (note: the numbering in the table of contents indicates that the chapter on circular economy comes before biodiversity)
  • 07. Towards a zero-pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment
• Conclusions
• References
• List of abbreviations and definitions
• List of images

The report highlights that achieving the ambitions of the EGD requires sustained, collective effort and represents a societal, economic and governmental shift towards alternative and more sustainable ways of producing, consuming and behaving. Despite structural challenges and the relatively recent introduction of some policies, progress is being made in many areas. Building on this ‘preliminary assessment’, the JRC will continue to explore opportunities, address existing and emerging gaps and consider the challenges the EU faces in achieving this transformation, with a view to informing future EU policies and initiatives.

Between main authors The report includes Luisa Marelli, Matteo Trane, Giulia Barbero Vignola and other experts from the JRC and the European Commission. The report also acknowledges the contributions of many experts from the JRC and feedback from various Directorates-General of the European Commission. Bernard Magenhann, acting Director-General of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), wrote the introduction to the report. Spring

Rising temperatures due to climate change are increasing the risk of human exposure to so-called mycotoxins, naturally occurring toxins produced by fungi found in certain foods, feed and crops, according to a briefing published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). These toxins can harm health and preventing the increase in contamination requires joint action at European and national level, in research, policies and practice, to effectively reduce the risks. ( More on eea.europa.eu)

This document deals with significant impact of agricultural nitrogen (N) fertilization on increasing the seasonal amplitude of CO2 exchange between land and atmosphere, especially in northern latitudes. (more…)

Scientists around the world are increasingly pointing out that the plastics industry is an integral part of the climate crisis. New research suggests that the life cycle of plastics – from their production through use – (more…)

The document deals with the potential of Central European forests for carbon storage in a global context and highlights their important, but often underestimated, role in mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change. (more…)

February 2025 went down in climate history as the third warmest February on record, with the average surface air temperature reaching 13.36°C, 0.63°C higher than the average February for the period. (more…)