Science for Environment Policy. A service from the European Commission

Updates to climate change knowledge since IPCC 2007 report
A research update on climate change has indicated that many global risks are now assessed as stronger than predicted by the 2007 IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). The risk of large sea-level rise, extreme weather events and ocean acidification are all thought to be underestimated by the AR4.(more...)

Less agricultural phosphorus could be key to cleaner Baltic Sea
Reducing the amount of phosphorus used in agriculture could go a long way in meeting the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) targets. A Swedish evaluation of measures for reducing agricultural phosphorus suggest phosphorus inputs to the sea could be cut by 180 tonnes per year, or about two-thirds of Sweden's target.(more...)

Making energy systems more resilient to climate change
A set of indicators has been devised to assess the vulnerability of energy systems to climate change and suggest possible adaptation measures that could be taken in response.(more...)

How well do wastewater treatment plants remove pharmaceuticals?
A comprehensive analysis of pharmaceuticals in Spanish wastewater has indicated that they are widespread pollutants. The majority of pharmaceuticals present in incoming wastewater were still present in both treated water and in the river waters receiving the treated water. (more...)

EU Allergy and Asthma Network marks its achievements
The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA²LEN), established in 2005 to facilitate excellence in allergy research across clinical and research institutions in Europe, has recently published a report on its major achievements. (more...)

Planting forests at high latitudes can have a cooling effect
A new study based on high-resolution satellite observations of forests suggests the 'albedo', or reflectivity, of a forest needs to be carefully considered in afforestation schemes designed to mitigate climate change, i.e. carbon balance alone is not a good indicator of mitigation value. The authors argue that the Kyoto Protocol carbon accounting rules grossly overestimate the cooling caused by afforestation, because they do not consider albedo effects. .(more...)

Levels of several air pollutants are higher indoors than outdoors
New European research finds that the levels of several harmful air pollutants are greater indoors than outdoors, and even greater when measured on the person themselves. The measured levels of benzene are especially concerning and often indicate higher exposure than what is normally associated with the annual EU limit value set for ambient air quality.(more...)