EU Environment and Climate

Dear friends, colleagues, Against the backdrop of media reports of mosquitos being found in Iceland for the first time, EU leaders met yesterday to tackle defence and security, competitiveness and autonomy, and the green and digital transition. The European Council conclusions pave the way for Environment Ministers on 4 November to agree the EU’s intermediate 2040 climate target. It was fitting that climate ambition was discussed alongside competitiveness and security; they belong together and should reinforce each other. Welcoming Monday’s letter from the Commission President on climate and competitiveness, leaders call on the Commission to develop the enabling conditions that help industry and citizens achieve our climate goals. From now on, climate policy is industry policy. And social policy. The 2026 Commission work programme, “Europe's independence moment”, sets the tone for the year ahead. Those expecting a scaling-down of climate action should think again. Seeing, also there, how climate action is tightly linked to competitiveness and security, we’ll be in high demand. We will continue working closely with Parliament and Council to reach agreement as soon as possible. Next steps involve preparations for the 4 November Environment Council and subsequent Parliament votes. On Tuesday, Council adopted conclusions on EU preparations for COP30, stressing urgent global action: strengthening global mitigation ambition, progress on adaptation goals, enhanced climate finance mobilisation, and boosting the energy transition. Also, the European Parliament adopted its resolution setting out its position and priorities for the COP this week. The European stars are aligning for the EU to go well equipped to Belem. At Tuesday’s Environment Council, Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra explained how we will ensure a stable start for Europe’s new emission trading system for buildings and road transport. We will soon table a package of proposals to avoid future carbon-price spikes and volatility, and to help accelerate investments ahead of the launch of the ETS2 market in 2027. ESMA’s 2025 Market Report finds the EU carbon market functioning smoothly, with no significant integrity or transparency issues. Emission allowance auctions and secondary markets trading dynamics remain largely unchanged, with the market organised in a way that facilitates the flow of allowances from financial intermediaries to non-financial firms with compliance obligations. EU policy driving investment and innovation is evident from the 2025 annual knowledge sharing report of the Innovation Fund. The report offers valuable lessons from real projects shaping Europe’s clean transition and offers practical insights for advancing low-carbon innovation. By end-2024, the Fund supported 120 projects for a total of €7.1 billion euro support. Seeing the high oversubscription with excellent proposals, we only wish the Innovation Fund had more firepower. Enjoy the weekend, Kurt

On this International Day of Climate Action, move from intention to impact. 🍀    Awareness is the first step, but *doing* is what creates real change.     Start small, stay focused, and team up with others - every step counts, and your choices make a difference.     Level up your climate action with some practical tips for success from the #EUClimatePact ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dJzjjsFU    #MyWorldOurPlanet   

During Global Media and Information Literacy Week, let’s not forget: climate action isn’t just about what we do, it’s also about what we know. 🌍 💡 According to the latest Eurobarometer, support for climate action across the EU remains strong and stable: 85% of citizens see climate change as a serious problem for the world. But challenges remain: 📱 49% of Europeans encounter climate disinformation on social media. 🗞️ 52% believe traditional media doesn’t provide clear information about climate change. When it’s hard to trust what we read - online or offline - understanding the realities of climate change becomes more difficult. And without reliable information, meaningful action is harder to take. The EU works to ensure that accurate, evidence-based information on climate change is accessible to everyone. From publishing key reports and updates to tackling climate disinformation, we aim to empower citizens to make informed choices for our shared future. 👉 Find out more about how we tackle climate disinformation: https://lnkd.in/ew_Ni-je Read the 2025 Eurobarometer on climate change here: https://lnkd.in/eG7fxKzK   Let’s stay curious, critical and informed - because knowledge drives climate action. 🌍✅ 

GOOD NEWS: EU Soil Monitoring Law was adopted today by the European Parliament! This means the last step towards the first ever EU law on soil has been taken. 🌱 The Soil Monitoring Law is urgently needed to combat all kinds of soil degradation in Europe, from erosion and compaction, over loss of soil organic carbon and soil biodiversity, to contamination and soil sealing. 🌱 It is estimated that 60 to 70% of soils in the EU are currently in an unhealthy state, costing our economy and society over 50 billion euro every year. Healthy soils are essential for fertility, productivity, pest resistance, and nutritional food quality and safety. 🌱 The new directive will enhance knowledge about soil health and improve soil resilience, contributing to EU’s climate and biodiversity goals, as well as competitiveness and food security. More: https://lnkd.in/enezhHRf #EUSoils

If Earth could send a LinkedIn notification, it would read: “🔔 Final call. Deadline extended: 31 Oct.”     Your chance to become an #EUClimatePact Ambassador or Partner and shape Europe’s climate future ends soon.    Step up, lead change, and connect with 1,000+ people shaping Europe’s green future.  Apply now ⤵️  https://lnkd.in/dubdk4MD     In the photo: Mark Skljarov, European Climate Pact Ambassador from Estonia  #MyWorldOurPlanet

Carbon pricing and carbon markets are among the most effective tools to reduce emissions — a lesson the EU has learned through 20 years of experience. Since launching the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) in 2005, the EU has cut greenhouse gas emissions in covered sectors by 50% and generated more than €200 billion in revenue to finance the transition. Through our international cooperation, the European Commission works with interested partner countries to develop carbon pricing instruments tailored to their national contexts — supporting emission reductions, clean economic transitions, and investments in renewable energy, energy resilience, and climate adaptation.    🎥 In this video, participants from Colombia, Brazil, Japan and Chile share their views on how carbon pricing can benefit their countries — and the value of working together with the EU to develop strong, effective carbon markets.    We also hear from members of DG CLIMA’s Task Force on International Carbon Pricing and Markets Diplomacy, who reflect on:    🌍 What the EU is doing to help other countries fight climate change  🤝 How cooperation on carbon pricing benefits EU citizens and businesses  🎯 Why carbon pricing is a cornerstone of EU climate policy    ... And more! Find out more in the video below. 👇 

Bioeconomy is much more than you think. We can use renewable biological resources – such as plants, animals, and microbes – to generate materials to: ♻️ increase the resource-efficient & circular use of biological resources 🌱 combat biodiversity loss and pollution 📈 make our economy more resilient to global disruptions 🌎 reach the European climate and energy goals by 2030 You may have eaten with a fork made from corn, but did you know that nail polish can be produced from algae? The EU's upcoming Bioeconomy Strategy is a strategy for economy growth without damaging nature. More: https://lnkd.in/eaRfkArd #bioeconomy #circulareconomy

Today, the EU launches the Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture to help young farmers start, stay and grow. A thriving rural Europe starts with its people - across generations. For a fairer, more resilient future for Europe’s farms. Generational renewal and sustainability go hand in hand: young farmers bring innovation, digital skills and new ideas, while older generations pass on knowledge and stewardship of the land. Together, they are shaping a resilient, green, and competitive future for European agriculture. This means investing in food security, vibrant rural communities, and the sustainability of our agriculture. 🔗 More: https://lnkd.in/e7bSw2PG

September 2025 sends a clear message: warming is persisting, and the poles are signaling that our climate system is under strain. 🌍 🌡️ According to the latest update from Copernicus ECMWF, the global average temperatures reached approximately 16.11 °C in September, about 0.66 °C above the 1991-2020 average. Meanwhile, in the Arctic, sea-ice extent on 10 September was around 4.6 million km², placing it among the ten lowest values on record, while Antarctic sea-ice was near lower historic bounds too. What happens at the poles doesn't stay at the poles: less ice means more heat absorption, shifting weather, rising seas. It’s a reminder that climate change is global — from the highest latitudes to local streets and homes. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/dt7t9WKN

📊 Today is World Statistics Day — a reminder that behind every number lies a story. And one statistic sums up the challenge we face: 100% of people are affected by climate change. No region, no country, no community is untouched. The impacts are already visible — in our ecosystems, our health, our economies and our daily lives. That’s why tackling climate change isn’t just an environmental priority, but a shared human one. The data is clear — and so is the direction forward: stronger action, together. 🌍💚