The energy crisis has highlighted the importance of greater heating efficiency. The EU-funded RELaTED project showed how lower temperatures in district heating systems combined with heat pumps can reduce costs while still keeping homes and commercial premises warm. The findings can boost sustainable energy production, reduce energy waste, and provide cost-effective heating to consumers.
Bee populations face a number of threats, including pesticide use. With a third of global crop production dependent on pollinators, it is a troubling situation. The EU-funded PoshBee project provides evidence, tools and policy proposals to enhance bee health. The work supports more sustainable beekeeping and the continued competitiveness of European agriculture.
Catalytic reactions are crucial for energy conversion and the production of chemicals, but their operation is limited by slow heat transfer. The EU-funded INTENT project developed new reactor designs with improved potential for heat transfer. The research and results will help in the transition of Europe’s energy sector away from fossil fuels.
Many cities across Europe are aiming to become truly circular not only by recycling 100 % of the resources available from waste materials, but also by changing their production modes and optimising materials’ flows. The EU-funded REFLOW project developed innovative tools and guidelines to help them achieve this goal. The work will support greener cities for citizens.
Interventions like green roofs and waterway restoration can tackle key environmental issues. The EU-funded ReNature project developed a toolkit that helps researchers, planners and other stakeholders identify the best nature-based solutions for them. The work will deliver on the EU’s climate goals and allow citizens across the EU to enjoy greener cities.
The bio-based economy will bring new sustainable job opportunities for citizens across Europe. However, some regions have little experience or knowledge of how to transition away from fossil fuels. The EU-funded POWER4BIO project is helping to share best practices and provide guidance, to ensure no region in Europe is left behind.
When it comes to converting light into energy, nobody does it better than nature. By studying how this natural process works, a group of EU-funded researchers hope to create new methods and tools for replicating it in the lab. If they succeed, their work could open the door to building more energy-efficient electronic and photovoltaic devices.
The capacity of lightweight materials to reduce the transportation sector’s carbon footprint could be erased if their production isn’t efficient too. That’s why the EU-funded RECOTRANS project has developed a state-of-the-art process to manufacture composite components for cars, trains and trucks. Innovations such as these will help the EU reach its climate goals, securing a healthy environment for all citizens.
The huge amount of environmental information available to decision makers can be overwhelming. The EU-funded LANDSUPPORT project developed an easy-to-use web platform that combines satellite, drone and remote sensing data with cutting-edge models. Using this, farmers, policymakers and even citizens can easily find relevant information and make informed environmental choices.
Projects that successfully connect food producers to nearby consumers can struggle to be seen. The EU-funded SKIN project brought together partners from across Europe to share their knowledge. Reconnecting the two ends of the food supply chain benefits farmers and citizens alike, improving access to local resources while protecting the environment.
