Ecology

At COP30, Europe’s climate leadership is at risk. Recent steps back on the European Green Deal and new offset rules make it harder for the EU to convince others to be more ambitious.

For citizens, the energy transition brings many opportunities to cut their bills. They can benefit from cheap renewables, for instance by using solar power from their rooftop. They can reduce their energy consumption, for instance through energy efficient appliances or building renovation. They can also use renewable electricity to move from one place to another. But not every household can afford the new technologies such as solar photovoltaic panels, electric vehicles or heat pumps. The EU offers several rights and regulations that facilitate citizens’ fair participation in the energy transition. Explore our infographic to see which tools make it easier to benefit from the different technologies. This will empower households to escape from rising fossil fuel prices.

Talustusan, a community in the Philippines once known for its abundant water resources, found itself scrambling for water during the 2024 El Niño. While residents managed a temporary fix in 2025, local officials acknowledge it is not sustainable. With rising demand and the climate crisis, the community understands the need for a long-term solution. This photo essay highlights how Talustusan is innovating amidst the crisis but also emphasizes the need for support rooted in informed policies rather than patronage politics. 

The annual COP (Conference of the Parties) is the highest decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the primary multilateral forum for international climate policy. Here, the 198 signatory states negotiate agreements and assess progress in addressing the climate crisis. We provide an overview of past conferences and the current COP.

While much of the AI debate focuses on its economic potential, its expanding physical footprint tells a different story. The machines driving this revolution depend on a resource far older – and far more contested – than data or electricity.

New policy briefs by a broad range of stakeholders in energy and social policy outline key levers for the EU to improve citizen participation and inclusion in the energy transition. 

Green Tech has emerged as one of the defining factors in the relationship between the European Union (EU) and China, intertwining their economic ambitions and security considerations with their climate commitments.

Water is the basis of all life. It covers more than two-thirds of our planet, comprises most of our bodies, and binds us humans with nature in a unique way. Without water, there would be no plants, no animals, and no people. Water shaped us and the world we live in long before we began to manage and control it. No wonder that it has left its mark on the religions, art, and culture of every civilisation. But today water, that indispensable resource, is threatened more than ever by overuse, by the effects of the climate crisis, and by pollution. The water cycle of our planet is tipping out of balance, and we have already exceeded the limits of sustainable water use. A change of course is urgently needed. Fortunately, such a change is still possible.

Water is the basis of life. It covers more than two-thirds of our planet and shapes ecosystems and cultures. Industrialisation, overexploitation, and population growth are driving water scarcity, water pollution and conflicts.

Returning the land to nature and agriculture that restores the soil can create so-called climate landscapes that are able to soak up carbon and water. That helps against droughts and floods, promotes biodiversity, and cools the climate. It also maintains the local and regional water cycles that sustain life on Earth.