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At a wastewater plant in northern Spain, researchers are testing a ceramic membrane technology that converts biogas into low-carbon hydrogen – offering a glimpse of how Europe could decarbonise hard-to-electrify industries while extracting greater value from waste streams. Yet turning that potential into reality will require substantial investment and the development of real market demand, experts warn.

Paradox of the soil: from carbon sink to carbon emitter For a long time, the significance of healthy soils remained largely absent from political discourse. Only in recent years has increased attention been directed toward them, particularly as a mechanism for achieving climate targets.

From ageing populations to multicultural neighbourhoods, a just transition demands more than algorithms. It requires inclusive mentoring and a clear understanding of those most at risk of being left behind. Otherwise, experts warn, we risk designing technology for a population that no longer exists. “In summer it gets very hot here, and in winter it’s very cold.

During the latest war in Gaza, between October 2023 and November 2025, around 900,000 tonnes of waste accumulated, with only half of it collected. Beyond the loss of approximately 70,000 lives, the conflict also devastated the environment: the waste management system collapsed, landfills became unusable and garbage piled up everywhere.

Bioplastics account for just 0.5% of the nearly 414 million tonnes of plastic produced annually, but the sector is expanding rapidly, driven by rising demand and advancing technologies. Global bioplastics production capacity is expected to double, from around 2.47 million tonnes in 2024 to approximately 5.73 million tonnes in 2029. Some regions have already taken the lead: in 2025 Asia continued to dominate global bioplastics production capacities, holding about 55 %.

If you live in a European city today, chances are that your most pressing concern is not the melting glaciers, but your next rent cheque.

With 85% of Europe’s buildings built before 2000 and accounting for around 40% of EU energy use, smart technologies are central to boosting efficiency and cutting emissions. But is there a disconnect between the drive towards new, state-of-the-art tools and systems, and the people they are designed for? It was voted the “happiest” Polish city to live in, according to one government study into the quality of life.

Beyond technical fixes: from bridging the democratic deficit to the 'social fix', how community trust, inclusive mentoring and the protection of domestic rituals are turning passive consumers into active energy citizens. “Official complaints against co-operative energy projects are ten times lower than those against commercial ones. That’s huge.

Europe is electrifying its vehicles while the roads beneath them remain almost entirely fossil-dependent. A pilot scheme in northern Spain shows that bio-based binders can cut bitumen's carbon footprint by up to 75%. But can Europe source these materials without depleting the ecosystems that supply them? "In the bioeconomy, the limit is the forest," warns Martin Pigeon of Fern. On the N-623 in Revilla de Camargo, northern Spain, traffic flows as it always has.

Small family farms sustain rural communities, protect landscapes and carry centuries of knowledge. Yet most digital innovation bypasses them, deepening the gap with industrial producers. Across Europe, new tools — from blockchain traceability to cooperative platforms — are helping small farms prove their value and tell their story. Because when they disappear, so does the identity of entire communities.