President Trump’s executive order accelerates U.S. deep-sea mining, targeting critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements. The move bypasses the UN’s International Seabed Authority, challenging international norms. Critics raise environmental concerns and question the legality of unilateral seabed exploitation.
On behalf of the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Norwegian Maritime Authority has enacted requirements for zero-emission from tourist ships and ferries in the World Heritage Fjords.
The EU Commission invests €86 million in new Strategic Integrated Projects focusing on improving water quality and availability, cleaning up polluted rivers, improving fire and flood protection, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This EEA briefing describes how the value of nature can be viewed differently by different societal groups. It highlights the need for more collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society to strengthen and scale up efforts to encourage greater engagement with nature.
The EU Council and the European Parliament provisionally agreed on a regulation on preventing the loss of plastic pellets – the industrial raw materials used to make plastic products – into the environment. The new rules will help improve the handling of plastic pellets at all stages of the supply chain, both on land and sea.
While the ocean economy doubled in real terms, from USD 1.3 trillion in 1995 to USD 2.6 trillion in 2020, co-ordinated policy action is essential to safeguard its long-term prosperity and sustainability, a new OECD report finds. The OECD Ocean Economy to 2050 identifies key priorities for policymakers to secure a resilient and sustainable future ocean economy.
“We have the largest exclusive economic zone in the world, including overseas territories and the outermost regions, which are home to 80% of Europe’s marine biodiversity. The EU’s economic, energy and food security all depend on the oceans” – European Council President António Costa.
The EU Council held a policy debate on the European Commission’s vision for agriculture and food. Over the course of an informal lunch, fisheries ministers discussed the future of the common fisheries policy. The Council also dealt with a number of ‘other business’ points.
“The world is undoubtedly facing uncertain times. But let us remember that UNEP and its Member States have, since 1972, carved out a long history of environmental action that saves lives and strengthens economies. I have no doubt that, together, we will weather this moment and emerge even stronger” – Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
“The new Water Resilience Strategy will mark an important step forward. But it will only be the beginning of our journey. We will need to turn our ambitions to reality. And for that we need initiatives like this one, which brings together policymaking, businesses, and thought leaders” – EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall.
On 20 March, the European Council adopted conclusions on the Middle East, oceans and multilateralism. Delve into the details.
“Fresh water is fundamental to life on this planet and the website is enabling access to what is vital information,” said Sinikinesh Jimma, head of UNEP’s Marine and Freshwater Branch. “The more people know about the state of their local freshwater bodies, the more they can do to protect and restore them.”
“Our priority is the New Pact for the Mediterranean. The aim is to boost the cooperation between the European Union and our partner countries. We want to build on shared aspirations and explore opportunities for mutual gains – together and in consultation with our southern partners and stakeholders” – EU Commissioner Dubravka Šuica.
The Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the EU High Representative, reaffirm the G7’s “steadfast commitment to contribute towards a free, open, and secure maritime domain based on the rule of law that strengthens international security, fosters economic prosperity, and ensures the sustainable use of marine resources”.
The five days were packed with many EU-funded initiatives managed by CINEA, such as EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” Forum, the BlueInvest Day, the European Blue Forum, which organised the Fisheries and Ocean Dialogue, and the active participation of the EU4Ocean coalition.
A report published today by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) sounds the alarm: ships and vessels continue to pollute EU maritime waters. Even though EU legislation is improving and is sometimes even tougher than international rules, implementation by the 22 coastal EU member states is far from satisfactory.
“With this pact, we want to ensure coherence across all EU policy areas linked to the ocean, with clear objectives: developing a competitive and sustainable European blue economy; protecting and restoring ocean health, productivity and resilience; building a robust marine knowledge framework; establishing a global ocean governance and diplomacy; enhancing the resilience of coastal communities and cities; and putting in place a governance model that will ensure implementation” – EU
With the right measures in place, the concentration of macroplastics on EU coasts could be reduced by 42% in the next five years. European soils contain an alarming amount of harmful metal residues, but dedicated policies are expected to reduce them, a recent report of the EU Joint Research Centre says.
“Exposure to some chemicals has decreased, which is, of course, positive. However, sometimes those substances are replaced by alternatives that are equally toxic. Our work on REACH and on PFAS will be key to better protect human health and the environment from new risks, while at the same time simplifying the frameworks” – EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall.
The European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) have released the second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook reports. The findings highlight progress driven by EU policies, including reductions in air pollution, pesticide use, and plastic litter in the sea. However, pollution levels remain too high—especially concerning harmful noise, microplastics, nutrient pollution, and waste generation. Explore the latest insights on pollution levels and the path toward a zero-pollution future.
Starting this week, delegates at the COP16 Global Biodiversity Conference will convene in Rome to resume critical negotiations aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. Discover the key priorities the EU Commission will bring to the table and the financing solutions Europe is offering to support global biodiversity efforts.