The European Commission adopted the Temporary Crisis Framework and subsequently the Temporary Crisis and Transitional Framework ( TCTF ) to mitigate the economic consequences caused by the Russian invasion and the ongoing war with Ukraine. To this end, the TCTF creates a framework for several state aid mechanisms that allow EU Member States to help companies deal with the consequences of the energy crisis. But that is not all. The TCTF goes one step further and introduces state aid mechanisms to support the green transition. The aim of this article is to present the state aid scheme that is about to be implemented in Slovakia. (Juraj Fuska, Demian Boška, more at lexology.com)

an opportunity to reflect on the importance of forests to our planet. Forests play a key role in maintaining the health of our planet. They provide habitat for biodiversity, regulate the climate and support local economies. However, forests are threatened by various issues, including deforestation, climate change and biodiversity loss. In this context, innovation and technology are significantly improving the way we protect and use forests. For example, the use of drones and satellite technology is rapidly developing, helping to monitor and manage forests, detect and fight fires and protect ecosystems. In addition, sustainable solutions for plastics, building materials, textiles, medicines and other everyday items are emerging, developed from materials obtained from forests and trees. These innovations not only help reduce environmental impacts, but also create new economic opportunities. International Day of Forests 2024 will be an opportunity to explore these innovations and discuss how they can contribute to protecting forests and combating climate change. (More on www.quotidiano.net)

In 2030, the transport sector will be responsible for almost half of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. This follows from the analysis of the independent European environmental organization Transport & Environment (T&E). Emissions from European transport have increased by more than a quarter since 1990 and continue to rise, the study says.

The decarbonisation of transport is too slow

According to climate policies, the share of European transport emissions could reach 44 % of all greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to the current 29 %. Emissions from transport in the EU currently exceed 1,000 Mt CO2e, which is equal to the total emissions of Germany and the Netherlands combined. They are unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, but Europe will not be able to meet its 2050 targets unless additional measures are taken. Andrea Boraschi, director of T&E Italia, said: "The good news is that transport emissions in Europe they have reached their maximum and it does not seem realistic that they can grow. The bad news is that they are decreasing at an insufficient rate. At this rate, in 2030, almost half of the continent's emissions will come from mobility." (More on www.avvenire.it)

The Greenland ice sheet lost 5,091 square km (1,930 square miles) of area between 1985 and 2022, according to a study in the journal Nature published Wednesday, the first full estimate of area loss across the entire ice sheet. scale.

This shrinkage reflected the 1,034 gigatons (1.034 trillion kg) of ice lost as the glaciers retreated, with the ice flaking off by "calving" – when chunks of ice break away from the glacier – at their termini. (GLORIA DICKIE, more at www.aol.com)

We are facing the same problems everywhere in Europe. Climate change affects us all. Lack of resources affects us all. Inequalities in treatment affect us all - with rare diseases still unable to find a cure.

Biotechnology provides solutions to many of these problems. These days we are witnessing nothing less than a small revolution in biotechnology.

Let me give some examples.

• In healthcare, biotechnology is what could bring cures to diseases we thought were incurable. I recently had the pleasure of visiting a company in Ghent called Argenx. It uses antibody cells from llamas to treat autoimmune diseases that have not yet had a solution.
• Top innovators are working on new materials that look and function like plastic, except they're made from organic byproducts. And fully biodegradable. Imagine what the full deployment of such technology could mean – potentially solving the plastic pollution crisis we have.
• Across Europe, biotech companies are also using natural processes to produce color pigments that replace chemical dyes. It would help reduce the colossal water use of the textile sector. And avoid toxic residues ending up in our waterways.

(More on ec.europa.eu)

Today the Commission adopted the second strategic plan for Horizon Europe. The plan, announced at the flagship Research and Innovation Days, sets out three key strategic directions for EU research and innovation funding for the last three years of the program (2025-2027):

• Green transition;
• Digital transition;
• A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe.

These orientations are aimed at addressing key global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, digital transition and population aging.

Open strategic autonomy and ensuring Europe's leading role in the development and deployment of critical technologies are overarching principles that apply in all three key strategic directions.

The Strategic Plan increases Horizon Europe's biodiversity ambitions and commits to the goal that 10 % of Horizon Europe's total budget for 2025-2027 will be dedicated to biodiversity-related topics. This new commitment complements existing targets for climate spending (35 % over the lifetime of Horizon Europe) and major digital activities (€13 billion over the same period). (More on ec.europa.eu)

Global warming poses a significant threat to ecosystems, societies and economies worldwide. In recent decades, the goal of international climate policy has been to limit global warming to 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels. This was to prevent serious and irreversible impacts on the environment. International agreements such as the Paris Agreement and policy frameworks, including carbon pricing mechanisms, play a key role in achieving this goal. Climate decisions are often driven by information and data obtained from simulation and modeling frameworks, as they allow policymakers to assess the potential impacts of different policy options, understand the dynamics of the climate system, and evaluate the effectiveness of different mitigation and adaptation strategies. (National University of Singapore, more at phys.org)

Ahead of the International Day of Forests, the European Commission is organizing a conference "Rooting 3 billion trees" in Brussels today, which is also available live . Tree-planting organisations, NGOs and authorities from across the EU are invited to share best practices and provide recommendations on how to reach the 3 billion additional trees planted target of the EU's Biodiversity and Forestry Strategy by 2030.

Virginius Sinkevičius , Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, said:

In 2021, we committed to planting at least 3 billion additional trees by 2030, while fully respecting ecological principles. Today, 44 organizations from all 27 Member States have reported trees to our system, sometimes even several million trees at once. This level of reporting shows that we are serious about our commitment. We are not satisfied with just words, we want results on the spot. This approach differentiates our commitment from many other similar initiatives. (More on environment.ec.europa.eu)

New ocean research provides clear evidence of a human "fingerprint" on climate change, showing that specific signals from human activities have altered the amplitude of the seasonal cycle of sea surface temperatures (SSTs). "This is groundbreaking evidence that there is a signal of human-caused climate change in increasing ocean temperatures," says co-author Benjamin Santer, associate scientist and distinguished scientist in the Department of Physical Oceanography at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. ₍ WHOI).

"We show that the human-induced signal in the seasonal cycle of sea surface temperature (SST) emerged from the noise of natural variability. Geographical patterns of changes in the amplitude of the SST seasonal cycle (SSTAC) reveal two distinctive features: an increase in the northern midlatitudes of the hemisphere is related to changes in mixed layer depth and a robust dipole pattern between 40˚S and 55˚S, which is mainly driven by surface wind changes, " states the magazine published in Nature Climate Change. (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, more at phys.org)

In recent years, Antarctica has experienced a series of unprecedented heat waves. Temperatures were recorded on February 6, 2020 18.3 °C, which is the highest temperature ever seen on the continent, beating the previous record of 17.5°C set just a few years ago.

Around February 2022, another strong heat wave in Antarctica led to a record melting of the surface ice. In March of the same year, East Antarctica experienced its strongest heat wave, when temperatures in some areas rose by 30 to 40 °C above average.

Over the past year, we have seen the lowest levels of Antarctic sea ice coverage on record. ( Sergi González Herrero, Universitat de Barcelona, more at theconversation.com)

On 11 March 2024, the European Environment Agency (EEA) released its first ever European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA). Building on previous reports by the IPCC, the European Copernicus Climate Change Service and the European Commission's Joint Research Center (JRC), as well as national assessments and EU-funded projects, it aims to support policy-making by improving the existing knowledge base on climate change risks. The day after, on 12 March, the European Commission also published its Communication on Managing Climate Risks in Europe: a call to action that aligns with the EEA and details how to prevent risks and build greater resilience to climate change. (More on eera-set.eu)

The health of people, animals and our environment – all linked together in an inextricable bond – is at risk. If our planet were a patient, it would be admitted to intensive care. His vital signs are alarming. It's at a fever pitch, with each of the past nine months being the warmest on record as we approach the 1.5 degree mark.

His lung capacity is threatened due to the destruction of forests that absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.

And many of the Earth's water resources—its lifeblood—are contaminated. (TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, more at telegraph.co.uk)

In its conclusions, the Council reiterates the seriousness of the accelerating triple planetary crisis climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, which poses a global and existential threat and exacerbates existing security concerns. The Council also expresses serious concern about climate and environmental damage, in addition to the enormous human suffering caused by ongoing armed conflicts around the world . Russia's illegal, unprovoked, and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine has caused massive environmental damage, nuclear security risks, and fueled global energy and food insecurity, and Russia must be held accountable. (More on consilium.europa.eu )

On Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 8:30 p.m., on the occasion of Earth Hour promoted by WWF, the most popular landmarks in more than 200 countries will remain without lighting for 60 minutes. An hour of darkness to save planet Earth . On Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 8:30 p.m., on the occasion of Earth Hour promoted by WWF, the most popular landmarks in more than 200 countries will remain without lighting for 60 minutes. Yes, 60 minutes, that's 3,600 long seconds, to ask institutions for a concrete commitment against climate change, environmental pollution and the loss of nature. And so, from London to Paris, from New York to Sydney, the symbols of the world's most iconic cities will go dark. Black as the future that awaits us if we do not reverse course towards a more sustainable planet Earth. (Fausto Piu, more at teleambiente.it)

Climate talks often revolve around reducing the most dangerous greenhouse gas, CO ₂ But more robust emissions of heat-trapping methane will be on the agenda at a global forum in Geneva this week. Methane — which is potent but relatively short-lived — is a key target for countries looking to quickly reduce emissions and slow climate change.

This is mainly because large amounts of methane simply leak into the atmosphere from oil and gas projects.

Methane emissions from the fossil fuel industry have been increasing for three consecutive years, reaching near-record levels in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). (Julien MIVIELLE, more at phys.org)

Severe and prolonged droughts have affected Europe for more than two years and North Africa for six years, causing water shortages and hampering vegetation growth. The Commission's Joint Research Center (JRC) today publishes its Mediterranean Drought - January 2024 report on persistent droughts and their impact in the wider region.

Prolonged, above-average temperatures, warm spells and low rainfall have led to severe droughts in the Mediterranean region, affecting many areas in southern Italy, southern Spain, Malta, Morocco , Algeria and Tunisia. According to a report compiled by the European Drought Observatory (EDO), run by the JRC, the ongoing mid-winter drought has critical consequences.

It also points to a seasonal forecast predicting a warmer spring in southern Italy, Greece, the Mediterranean islands and North Africa. As the severity of the drought is expected to persist, concerns are growing about its impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, drinking water availability and energy production. (Joint Research Center, more at centre.ec.europa.eu)

From floods in New Zealand and wildfires in Canada to drought in the Middle East and extreme heat in the Northern Hemisphere, last year provided a powerful demonstration of the impacts of climate change.

With global temperatures over the past decade approximately 1.2°C higher than pre-industrial levels , the impacts now urgently require investment in adaptation to avoid mounting losses.

However, research suggests that overcoming existing limits and barriers to adaptation may take decades, especially in vulnerable countries. And although adaptation measures are gradually being implemented, how can they be further affected by continued warming?

In our new study published in One Earth, we examine how the effectiveness of well-established water adaptation options changes as the world warms. (More carbonbrief.org)

In the changing landscape of global challenges, climate change stands out as a dominant force. As glaciers melt, sea levels rise and weather becomes more unpredictable, the ripple effects touch all aspects of society, economy and lifestyle. It is noteworthy that the consequences of climate change also extend into the digital marketing space. Recently, while at Columbia Business School's Chief Marketing Officer program in New York, I attended a session on climate change and its role in business. This got me thinking about the implications for digital marketing specifically. Let's dive into the ways in which digital marketing strategies, consumer behavior and brand image are affected by the evolving climate crisis. (ELYSE FLYNN MEYER , more at prismglobalmarketing.com)

More than 50 development and implementing organizations met in person and virtually in Bonn this month to discuss approaches to supporting countries in formulating the next round of national climate action plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

NDCs are submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat every five years, and this is the third round, due in early 2025. The second round of NDCs as a whole has shown that current efforts and plans are not sufficient to put the world on track to meet temperature targets.

The 2025 NDC (NDC 3.0) will largely determine whether the world can get on an emissions trajectory that is consistent with the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement and whether countries will be able to build adequate climate resilience. (More on hunfccc.int)