It has been announced that the European Central Bank will fine up to four lenders for "failing to meet deadlines set by the ECB to assess their exposure to climate risks". The ECB regulations specifically require that “banks assess whether they are or will be exposed to significant risks and reflect this in their capital buffers” and “[t]he ECB has . . . [included] climate and environmental risks' in this assessment. Banks subject to these fines have not yet met these requirements.

However, it seems that the ECB - despite the planned imposition of these fines - is taking a relatively gentle approach to enforcement. The ECB said it initially threatened to punish eighteen banks, but now only four face punishment. This suggests that the vast majority of banks with which the ECB cooperated – more than 75 % – adapted their behavior to ECB pressure and avoided sanctions. Furthermore, until the amount of the fines is announced, it is not clear whether the penalties will be assessed at a significant amount to promote deterrence, or will be symbolic rather than punitive. (More on lexology.com)

At the World Health Assembly in Geneva last week, member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a resolution on climate change and health. The resolution clearly identifies climate change as a major threat to public health and sets out a framework for building sustainable, climate-resilient health systems. Among the various proposed measures were cross-sector cooperation, raising awareness of the interdependence between climate change and health, and decarbonization to address the root cause of climate change. The adoption demonstrates the political commitment of governments and WHO to scale up climate action as a public health priority to protect people from the increasing health impacts of climate change. (More on climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

Geothermal energy stands out in the current energy environment as a promising solution to climate change. This renewable energy source harnesses the Earth's internal heat and offers stable, low-carbon production that is key to a sustainable energy transition. However, significant technical, economic and environmental challenges prevent its implementation. This article examines the possibilities that geothermal energy offers and analyzes the obstacles that must be overcome to effectively integrate it into the fight against global warming. Through detailed analysis, we try to understand how to optimize this resource and what strategies to adopt to mitigate its problems, thereby contributing to a cleaner energy model. (LEANDRA FONTANA, more at meteogiornale.it)

By 2023, Antarctic sea ice had shrunk to an all-time low, with winter ice coverage falling more than 2 million square kilometers below normal, roughly ten times the size of the UK. This significant drop was particularly notable given the steady increase in sea ice observed until 2015, making the sudden drop even more unexpected.

Using a large climate data set called CMIP6, British Antarctic Survey researchers examined this unprecedented loss of sea ice. They analyzed data from 18 different climate models to understand the likelihood of such a significant reduction in sea ice and its link to climate change. (BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY, more at scitechdaily.com)

A new fact sheet from the World Health Organization highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves, their health impacts on the general population and specific vulnerable groups, and health interventions and policies that can prevent and reduce risks and impacts. (More on climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

In a new report, scientists from Climate Central, World Weather Attribution and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center identify human-caused climate change as a key driver of record global temperatures and dangerous heat extremes over the past 12 months. High temperatures during heat waves in southern Europe in the summer of 2023 would never have occurred without human-induced climate change. (More on climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

The Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic for potential applicants for the provision of NFP and future recipients implements the Partnership Map initiative, the aim of which is to publish a summary of information on the challenges of the Slovakia Program (PSK) and the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RPP) in a clear form and enable potential applicants to better navigate the current possibilities of obtaining a non-returnable contribution from sources PSK a P.O.O. (More on eurofondy.gov.sk)

A report published on May 29 by InfluenceMap, a think tank that analyzes the impact of business and finance on climate change, found that the livestock industry has "largely succeeded" in undermining EU policies designed to reduce the impact of meat and dairy sector.

The six policies targeted by the industry include the EU's Farm-to-Fork Strategy, the revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive - which aimed to reduce climate pollution such as methane released from farms - and the Sustainable Food Systems Framework, which aims to promote transition to a more sustainable diet.

The report found that three other policies - the review of the EU's agricultural and food support policy, the review of the EU's fruit, vegetables and milk school program and the methane strategy - were also the target of heavy lobbying by meat and dairy interest groups. (Michaela Herrmannová, more at desmog.com)

Despite compelling evidence of education's impact on other development outcomes and the role it plays in developing professional capacity for sustainable development transitions, education is often absent from the strategic, political, planning and financial considerations of other sectors. The Global Education Monitoring Report is a new series of strategic documents to promote dialogue on the interrelationship of education with the other Sustainable Development Goals.

The first article in the series focuses on climate change. It begins by examining the growing impact of climate change on educational development before turning to the role of education. Education has a somewhat underappreciated contribution to the development of professional capacities for the transition to a green, circular and regenerative economy. Formal, non-formal and informal education is also generally believed to play a key role in motivating climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. (More on  unesco.org )

The World Health Organization (WHO) prioritizes climate change and health in its General Program of Work 2025-2028, underscoring the critical need to respond to the escalating threat to health posed by climate change. WHO focuses on protecting health in the midst of climate challenges by strengthening climate-resilient health systems, promoting synergies between climate resilience and mitigation efforts, and prioritizing vulnerable populations. (More on climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

The European Commission is a leader in creating positive change through grants for NGOs and companies. These grants support projects that benefit the environment, promote fair treatment of people and strengthen communities in Europe and around the world. Join us and explore these opportunities to make a difference! (More on fundsforngos.org)

According to a new Eurobarometer survey on "Attitudes of Europeans towards the environment" published today, Europeans continue to express great concern about the environment, which they see as a problem that affects them personally.

More than three quarters of Europeans (78 %) state that environmental problems have a direct impact on their daily life and health. And more than four out of five respondents (84 %) agree that EU environmental legislation is needed to protect the environment in their country. These results are almost identical to the results of the last survey conducted in 2019, which points to the continued importance of the EU's environmental policy.

Citizens are also concerned about the costs of pollution. 92 % of Europeans say that companies should pay the costs of removing pollution, while 74 % agree that the costs should be covered by public authorities. (More on environment.ec.europa.eu)

To talk about climate justice, we must realize that there are countries in the world that are more responsible for the climate crisis and countries that suffer more from these changes, for example Africa, which is responsible for only 4 % of global emissions.

Within the climate negotiations (COP), gatherings where almost all countries of the world discuss the solution to the climate crisis, it is necessary to find a way to economically compensate not only the most damaged countries, but also the recognition of the historical responsibility of the countries involved.

Three pillars have been identified to address this issue: climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation and climate change losses and damages. (Elle Active Getting Greener, more at elle.com)

The CLIMADEMIC Summer School is aimed at international PhD students or PostDocs with an academic background in climate research and modeling, epidemiology, public health, machine learning and data science. The primary goal is to equip a new generation of researchers with a sound understanding of the linkages between climate change and human health to address global public health challenges. The lectures will provide a broad overview of cutting-edge methods in climate research and epidemiology, and explore how artificial intelligence can be used to answer cross-disciplinary research questions. Participants will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge base, acquire new skills and become part of a growing global network. (More on fona.de)

The United Nations has called on the sports industry to take action against the global climate crisis, as the organization of sporting events - big or small - has a direct impact on the environment. For example, emissions from the transport of athletes, coaches, officials and spectators, the procurement of products and services and, of course, the direct purchase of energy. FISU has been a committed signatory since 2022 of the United Nations Climate Action Framework, established by the United Nations Climate Change Organization and intended for sports organizations and stakeholders in the sports sector to support the achievement of global climate change goals. Using this framework, FISU hopes that its members can commit to taking action to help reduce the global threats posed by climate change. (More on fisu.net)

The first European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) is a comprehensive assessment of the main climate risks facing Europe today and in the future. It identifies 36 climate risks that threaten our energy and food security, ecosystems, infrastructure, water resources, financial systems and human health. Many of these risks have already reached critical levels and may become catastrophic without urgent and decisive action. (More on climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges of our time, and each generation bears the responsibility for solving it. As educators, teachers have a unique and crucial role in shaping the future by equipping young minds with the knowledge and values needed to combat climate change. The course is designed to empower educators to take action and lead meaningful change. (More on school-education.ec.europa.eu)

Despite dire warnings and urgency about climate change, a lack of political leadership could allow us to slip into man-made hell in our sleep. To date, national emission reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement represent only a third of what is needed to stabilize a global temperature increase of 2 °C, a a fifth of what is needed for 1.5 °C. We are currently on track for a catastrophic warming of 3°C – unless emissions are rapidly reduced by 2030, we will not avoid warming of 1.5°C and possibly even 2°C, regardless of follow-up measures. The next ten years are therefore critical to accelerate action wherever possible. (More on eia-international.org)

Turbulence while flying has increased in recent weeks. Scientists predicted a few years ago that their number on long-haul flights will double by 2050. The reason is the changing currents in the upper atmosphere caused by climate change. If you've ever flown through a cloud, you've probably noticed that the plane is a little more wobbly and restless. The reason for this turbulence is the rapid rise and fall of air masses within the cloud. The feeling that arises in the stomach when the current suddenly drops is particularly unpleasant.

Even in cloudless skies, so-called "clear air turbulence" (CAT) can occur from time to time, but in some cases it can be detected using special radar so that the seat belt signs can be properly turned on in the aircraft. time. For safety, as announced before each flight, passengers should remain in their seat belts for the duration of the flight. (Norbert Lossau, more at welt.de)