Environment

Centuries of drainage have turned many of Europe’s wetlands from carbon stores into sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Now EU-funded researchers are exploring how restoring wetlands could benefit both climate and local economies.

European researchers are developing new ways to preserve microscopic communities from soils, oceans and bodies, paving the way for sustainable farming, healthier ecosystems and personalised medicine.

Farmland birds have declined dramatically across Europe, signalling wider ecological problems. Researchers are using satellite data and AI to identify where conservation efforts could have the greatest impact.

Aviation has an emissions problem. Researchers in four EU-funded projects are betting that hybrid-electric engines could solve it, and aim to demonstrate it by 2030.

Thousands of teenagers across Europe have tracked plastic pollution in rivers, and the data they collected is starting to make waves.

Forests across Europe are struggling with drought, fire and disease. Researchers working to future-proof them say one of the answers lies in their diversity.

AI systems are learning to listen to and decode the sounds of nature, helping scientists to track species and spot ecosystem changes much faster than traditional field surveys.

EU-funded researchers are helping schools and universities put sustainability into practice by giving students and communities the tools to make real environmental change.

More than half of Europe’s soils are degraded. Researchers are showing that restoring soil through better farming makes both ecological and financial sense.

Across Africa, efficient use of water is increasingly crucial. Researchers and local communities have joined forces in six countries to restore land, water and livelihoods through nature-based solutions.