This UNITED project business brief examines the legal and environmental aspects of a Belgian project using offshore wind farms in the North Sea for the cultivation of flat oysters and seaweed. Particular attention is paid to environmental benefits, such as improved water quality and biodiversity, as well as potential challenges, including permitting procedures.

Securing agricultural land is a relevant challenge. The authors of the policy brief see a number of different approaches to safeguarding agricultural areas against other land use claims and are primarily addressing the state and municipal levels. The authors argue that the topics of agriculture, food, sustainability and rural development should be more closely integrated. They also recommend using spatial planning instruments to curb the current consumption of agricultural land and thus protect it from conversion.

This report discusses on the implications of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for imports of PtX products to the EU. PtX means essentially hydrogen based on electrolysis and its derivates. After providing an overview of the CBAM mechanism, its implementation phases and the roles and responsibilities of producers within CBAM, the report provides insights into the calculation of embedded emissions for PtX products, including examples for imported ammonia and crude steel.

The Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) proposal of the European Commission and the proposed amendments by Council and European Parliament include minimum sustainability criteria for carbon removals. These criteria are vague and require specification. A new paper by Oeko-Institut and Ecologic Institute examines the sustainability criteria in detail. The German Environment Agency published the paper.

This report presents a stock-taking analysis of drought policies, planning and management in EU Member States and an outlook of planned work within the Member States and at EU level. It has been developed based on individual Member State assessments of the corresponding legislation, planning and management, including the latest available versions of (draft) River Basin Management Plans in spring 2022, using a common questionnaire, as well as more than 70 interviews with Member State administrations and stakeholders and a wide review process.

During a parliamentary evening, Aaron Scheid presented an analysis of the environmental economic impacts of animal-based food production on 12 December 2023. Focusing on external environmental costs, particularly greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, and with quantitative evidence of costs in the billions, Scheid proposed tax incentives to internalize these costs. His presentation emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy that considers political, social, and economic aspects, and provided policy options for a sustainable food policy.

This study aims to provide actionable recommendations to the European Commission for how to make progress on selected international climate finance instruments.

The 4i-TRACTION research has identified additional instruments with untapped potential and possible game changer qualities, that can help tackle challenges of transformative change other policies struggle to address. In this side event, the 4i-TRACTION project presented three policy instruments that can support transformative change: transition plans for banks, public procurement for climate neutrality and integrated infrastructure planning.

The status conference "Biodiversity and Climate Change – Exploring Synergies" offers the opportunity to exchange on current research questions at the interface of biodiversity and climate change. Knowledge gaps and further research requirements shall be identified.

How can companies and societies effectively design the shift towards greater sustainability? This policy brief highlights the importance of sustainable production methods, investments, and nature-positive supply chains for the restoration of ecosystems and outlines action approaches for a sustainable future.

In a three-day series of events in Brussels from 5 to 7 December 2023, partners from the Kopernikus project Ariadne present important findings from their work that are relevant for the further development of EU climate and energy policy. They discuss these with representatives from political institutions, science, civil society and business. Participants can look forward to a varied program with workshops on current topics such as the future electricity market design, challenges of the energy transition, improvement of the EU governance mechanism, the role of household surveys in climate policy or the integration of negative emissions into the ETS.

This policy paper addresses the restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems. It advocates for synergies among UN decades and underscores the need to integrate various approaches to restoring marine and coastal ecosystems.

The improper disposal of (used) pharmaceuticals via the toilet and sink is still one of the largest avoidable ways in which pharmaceuticals enter the environment. This infographic therefore provides information on the correct disposal of leftover pharmaceuticals in Germany.

By using pharmaceuticals in an environmentally conscious manner, patients can help to minimize their release of pharmaceuticals into the environment. The core elements have been compiled in a checklist to provide quick and effective information on environmentally friendly patient behavior.