The law is designed to restore ecosystems across the EU, improve food security, and help meet global biodiversity commitments under the Kunming-Montreal framework.

The law mandates that EU member states introduce restoration measures on at least 20% of the EU’s land and marine areas by 2030, with a target to extend these efforts to all degraded ecosystems by 2050. Key measures include enhancing urban green spaces, restoring pollinator populations, and improving biodiversity in agricultural and forested areas.

Member states are required to develop national restoration plans, detailing specific restoration actions, timelines, and funding sources. These plans must be submitted to the European Commission within two years, with final versions due six months after receiving any feedback. The European Environment Agency will monitor progress, while the Commission will support member states in achieving their goals.

The law also allows for the mobilization of necessary financial resources from both public and private sectors, including EU funds, to ensure successful implementation and long-term sustainability of these restoration efforts.

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The Serbian teams will assist in extinguishing fires that have spread across the Sutjeska National Park – Tjentište area and the broader Bileća municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as tackling large-scale forest fires near Athens, Greece.

Ivica Dačić, Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, announced that, as part of the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism, a Kamov Ka-32 helicopter, of Russian origin and capable of carrying up to five tons of water, has been sent to Greece to aid in the firefighting efforts.

In addition, in response to Greece’s request for ground support, Serbia has dispatched 35 firefighters-rescuers and 12 vehicles to assist with the operations on the ground.

For the wildfire response in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia has provided an Airbus H215 Super Puma helicopter, with a water-carrying capacity of around four tons, and an Augusta Bell 212 helicopter, alongside 11 crew members and a liaison officer from the Emergency Situations Sector.

This swift response highlights Serbia’s dedication to regional cooperation and its readiness to support neighboring countries in managing and mitigating natural disasters.

Photo: mup.gov.rs

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The analysis indicates that the European Union’s decarbonization by 2040 will require only half of the land deemed suitable for renewable energy, excluding natural reserves and high-value agricultural zones. The EEB study elaborates on the requirements to achieve 100 percent renewable energy in Europe sustainably, estimating that merely 2.2 percent of the EU’s total land area will be needed for current and future solar and wind power installations to phase out fossil fuels and nuclear energy, aiming for climate neutrality by 2040.

According to the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, 5.2 percent of EU land is considered suitable for solar and wind energy development, based on stringent agricultural, environmental, and technical criteria. The majority of this land is located in rural areas, with 78 percent suitable for ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems and 83 percent for onshore wind farms.

This study underscores Europe’s robust potential to transition to renewable energy, highlighting the vast opportunities for sustainable development across the continent.

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In a study conducted by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 13 sharks were examined, revealing alarmingly high levels of cocaine in their muscles and livers—up to 100 times higher than previously reported in other marine creatures.

Researchers believe the drug reaches these marine animals through various sources. One theory suggests the contamination originates from illegal drug labs or from the excrement of drug users. While discarded or lost cocaine packages thrown overboard by traffickers are considered a possible source, it is deemed less likely.

Notably, all the female sharks tested were pregnant, raising concerns about the potential impact of cocaine exposure on their fetuses. Experts emphasize the need for further research to determine if and how cocaine affects shark behavior and development. This groundbreaking study marks the first time cocaine has been detected in sharks, highlighting an urgent environmental and public health issue.

The post Sharks in Brazil Test Positive for Cocaine appeared first on CorD Magazine.

Swimming in the Seine was banned for over 100 years due to pollution concerns. However, Hidalgo’s swim aims to reassure both Parisians and international visitors of the river’s improved water quality. “The water is very good. A bit cold, but not too bad,” Hidalgo commented after her swim.

This public display comes after water quality tests in early June indicated unsafe levels of certain bacteria in the Seine, where several Olympic events are scheduled to take place. Since then, rigorous efforts have been made to enhance the water quality, resulting in significant improvements.

Hidalgo’s swim is a symbolic gesture of Paris’s commitment to environmental health and readiness to host a safe and successful Olympic Games.

Photo: facebook/HidalgoAnne

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The uranium extracted by Terrafame will be transported abroad for further processing and use in nuclear energy production. The plant is expected to reach full capacity by 2026, with an annual production of approximately 200 metric tons of uranium.

This development marks a significant milestone in the EU’s nuclear energy sector, positioning Finland at the forefront of uranium extraction and processing.

The post Finland Leads EU in Uranium Extraction appeared first on CorD Magazine.

This collaboration aims to significantly improve wastewater management in the city.

In addition, the French government has approved financial support for Serbia to implement comprehensive automation of its electrical distribution network. This project will be carried out in partnership with Elektrodistribucija Srbije, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the country’s power infrastructure.

The memorandum of understanding was signed during a meeting at the Palace of Serbia, attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and a French business delegation from MEDEF, along with the French Ambassador to Serbia, Pierre Cochard. The discussions underscored the successful cooperation on several key projects, including the Belgrade metro construction, the waste processing facility in Vinča, and developments at Nikola Tesla Airport.

President Vučić highlighted the satisfaction with the current partnerships and the eagerness to explore new opportunities. The involvement of French companies in these projects not only demonstrates their commitment but also promises advancements in technology and infrastructure for Serbia.

Photo: mfin.gov.rs/Tanjug/ Vladimir Šporčić

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After several days of battling the flames in the mountainous region of Anze County, firefighters faced insurmountable challenges due to the steep terrain, soaring temperatures, and persistent winds. Traditional firefighting methods proved ineffective, prompting officials to turn to the advanced technique of cloud seeding.

The result was a man-made downpour that successfully quelled the blaze, demonstrating the power of combining technology with environmental management. Over 2,200 firefighters had been deployed to combat the fire, but it was the artificial rain that ultimately brought the situation under control.

Local media praised the use of cloud seeding, noting its potential to revolutionize responses to natural disasters. This successful operation not only highlights the innovative spirit of Chinese authorities but also points to the broader applications of weather modification in managing and mitigating environmental crises.

The post Chinese Authorities Use Artificial Rain to Quell Major Forest Fire appeared first on CorD Magazine.

The revitalization of Vinča and its surrounding environment did not occur overnight. It took courage and action by public authorities to apply a public-private partnership and follow through on its ambitious scope and complex implementation as a way to confront this environmental challenge.

Serbia’s drive toward deepening environmental sustainability and tackling high levels of pollution is a clear priority, especially now as it works toward joining the European Union. It is a drive that contributes to the significant progress Serbia has made since 2015 on building a stable macroeconomic framework, reducing its public debt, and deepening regional integration. This commitment to sustainable development – built on the pillars of economic growth, environmental protection, and social inclusion – is improving the quality of life and living conditions of Serbian families and communities.

I saw this for myself firsthand when I visited Belgrade earlier this week. The planned waste-to-energy facility at the Vinča landfill can convert 340,000 tons of waste into renewable heat and electricity, generating up to 30 megawatts of electricity — enough to power 30,000 Belgrade households. It also will generate up to 56 megawatts of thermal energy, providing heat to 60,000 households in the winter.

Meanwhile, a recycling plant at the site can process about 200,000 tons of construction and demolition waste per year. The newly established landfill can purify up to 90,000 m³ of leachate per year to prevent further contamination of the surrounding areas. Together, these components are expected to reduce Belgrade’s greenhouse gas emissions by 210,000 tons of CO2 equivalent per year.

An infrastructure project of this scale and scope with tangible impact for the Serbian people benefited from private sector participation alongside government leadership and accountability. This is where IFC excels as a trusted advisor. With proven technical skills and global expertise, IFC helps governments efficiently structure public-private partnerships and run open, competitive, and transparent processes to attract private sector funding for high-quality physical and social infrastructure projects. We work with high-caliber project operators, and in this case, Beo Čista Energija, a joint venture between the global utility company Veolia, the Japanese conglomerate ITOCHU, and Marguerite Fund II, a pan-European equity fund, to bring in technical expertise and private sector innovation. Our financing of 127.3 million euros and additional investments of 163.3 million euros from our partners are making the transformation of Vinča possible.

Such public-private partnerships can help Serbia in even more ways – and now is the time to explore and implement those ways. For example, about two-thirds of Serbians were connected to the sewerage system in 2021, but only about 16 percent were covered by wastewater treatment services. There’s a compelling need to build wastewater treatment facilities alongside sewerage networks.

An investment of more than 4 billion euros is needed for Serbia to meet the requirements of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which mandates that EU member states collect and treat wastewater that would otherwise pollute rivers, lakes, and seas. This sum includes 2.5 billion euros for upgrading and constructing sewerage networks and more than 1.5 billion euros for building around 350 wastewater treatment facilities. Most of the investment needs will be in major cities, such as Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis, and Kragujevac.

Upgrading critical infrastructure while simultaneously safeguarding the environment will take both the public and private sectors to do their parts. At IFC, we are ready to deepen our collaboration with Serbia to unlock creative public-private partnerships and solutions to advance the resilient and green future Serbians seek.  

The post Public-Private Partnerships Key to Serbia’s Green Future appeared first on CorD Magazine.

Key topics at the conference included aligning EU candidate countries with the European Green Agenda, Serbia’s initiatives, the supportive role of the Growth Plan, sustainable practices, energy-efficient technologies, innovations by individual companies, waste management, and sustainability. Notable speakers included H.E. Annika Ben David, Swedish Ambassador to Serbia; Nicola Bertolini, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Serbia; Sandra Dokić from the Ministry of Environmental Protection; Alessandro Bragonzi, Head of the EIB Regional Representation for the Western Balkans, and Yakup Beris, UNDP Resident Representative in Serbia. The discussions were moderated by Ljubica Gojgić.

H.E. Annika Ben David highlighted Sweden’s experiences with the green transition, emphasising the importance of education from an early age about environmental preservation. She noted that citizens are encouraged to make informed choices and view green projects as sources of economic growth. “We have come a long way, learning much along the way, and we see the green transition as an opportunity. Today in Sweden, buses run on biogas; 98% of our electricity comes from renewable sources, and our goal is to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. While the shift away from traditional energy sources initially led to job losses, it also created new professions, jobs, increased exports, and stable GDP growth,” she said.

Nicola Bertolini remarked that as an EU candidate, Serbia has a long road ahead but has shown progress. When asked about the potential opening of lithium mines in Serbia, he stated that the Serbian citizens should make the decision. “President Vučić has said that Serbia’s potential lithium mines could meet up to 20% of Europe’s lithium needs and supply up to one million electric vehicles annually. However, environmental protection and concerns must also be addressed, ensuring full implementation of better ecological laws for local residents,” he emphasised.

Sandra Dokić from the Ministry of Environmental Protection stressed the crucial support of the European Union in helping Serbia achieve standards set out in negotiation chapter 27 and in developing infrastructure projects to protect the environment. “Serbia has seriously tackled environmental protection only in recent years, making significant legislative advancements and securing investments for concrete projects in waste management, and reducing water and air pollution,” she said, highlighting the importance of collaboration between various ministries.

Alessandro Bragonzi, EIB Head of Regional Representation for Western Balkans, thinks the struggle the world is facing to reach the target of reducing emissions shows that the formula does not really exist; there are ambitions, actions to be undertaken.

„According to the International Energy Agency, only 30% of investments can come from the public sector. 70% has to come from the private sector. Now, not as a formula, but a sensible approach to this, and I think this is what is adopted by the Western Balkan countries with the Sofia Declaration and the alignment to the Green Agenda, is that, first of all, you tackle it at the level of the policy, through the Ministry and the implementation of the adequate laws, regulations, by-laws. That creates, as the second step, an enabling environment which allows not only for public investments to be undertaken in efficient way, but also creates competitiveness in the market for private sector investments and, for example, we can talk about the advancement Serbia made with the auctions for renewable energy. “, he remarked.

 On top of that, he underlined the importance of setting up clear decarbonisation targets when it comes to Serbia, specifically in the energy, manufacturing and transportation sectors.

Yakup Beris from UNDP emphasised Serbia’s significant potential and the need for collective effort in the green transition. “Everyone should contribute as they can. For example, the ‘Mihailo Pupin’ Institute created an installation at the Ušće Shopping Center that uses the kinetic energy produced by cars to power air purification installations. This is their contribution, and it’s up to us to understand the concept of green energy and the Green Agenda and feel the need to contribute in our own way,” he said.

Dr. Jelena Puzović from “Srbijavode” discussed climate change impacts, risks, and responses, marking the tenth anniversary of the major floods in Serbia. “Our company undertakes numerous activities to address the challenges posed by climate change, including irrigation projects and flood and torrent protection works. In the past decade, systemic changes have been made better to prepare Serbia for the consequences of climate change,” she noted, stressing that progress means moving toward a safer future.

Till Barmeier, project leader for “Promotion of Sustainable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency in Serbia,” introduced GIZ’s support for households and companies transitioning to solar energy. “The solar panel introduction project we supported isn’t a new idea, but it is new that in 2021, the Serbian government legally enabled citizens to produce green energy for their consumption and become prosumers (producer-consumers). Although these investments are significant, they are worthwhile, which every prosumer can immediately see in their electricity bill,” he said.

Jelena Petljanski Kiš from Ball Packaging Belgrade, a pioneer in recycling in Serbia, spoke about the importance of a circular economy, recycling, and eco-friendly packaging. Although our company can boast excellent results, we need to introduce a deposit system, which has raised recycling rates to 90% in European countries. This is crucial for Serbia because there is also an economic aspect besides the primary ecological aspect,” she explained.

Srđan Tomić from ACO Building Elements discussed efficient water resource use, highlighting the need for a shift in mindset. “For Serbia to make significant progress in water purification and reuse, we must understand that water is not an unlimited resource. Unlike developed European countries, we spend enormous resources and energy on water purification only to release it back into rivers instead of reusing it,” he said.

At the conference, visitors had the opportunity to view an exhibition of Green Innovations, which, as part of the EU’s Green Agenda initiative, received funding to put their ideas into action.

Numerous diplomats, business community members, environmental experts, and government officials attended the conference, all coming together to discuss and promote sustainable practices and the green transition in Serbia. The conference was also watched via live stream.

The post Conference “Thinking Green & Living Clean” Held appeared first on CorD Magazine.

By the onset of 2025, renewable energy sources are expected to surpass coal, marking a pivotal moment in the transition towards greener energy. The IEA’s report further anticipates that renewables, together with nuclear power, will account for nearly half of the world’s electricity generation by 2026. 

This transition is underpinned by an expected annual decrease in coal-powered electricity production by 1.7% between 2024 and 2026, assuming a recovery in hydroelectric power production, which hit a three-decade low average capacity of below 40% in 2023.

The post Renewables Set to Eclipse Coal in Global Power Generation by 2025, IEA Forecasts appeared first on CorD Magazine.

EIB Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris emphasized the strategic alignment of these investments with the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan and the Global Gateway initiative, aiming to address infrastructural deficits and elevate living standards. A significant portion of the funds, 58% or €693 million, is allocated to enhancing transportation, including major railway upgrades in Serbia and North Macedonia, alongside urban transport modernization in Sarajevo and road safety projects in Serbia. Additionally, 23% of the total funding, amounting to €275 million, is earmarked to support SMEs, with the remainder targeting critical sectors like energy, water, healthcare, and education.

The EIB’s commitment extends beyond financing to include technical advisory support, notably for a water project in Tirana and a climate action initiative for SMEs in North Macedonia. In line with its climate goals, over 61% of the EIB’s 2023 projects in the region contribute to climate action and environmental sustainability, with new initiatives in renewable energy and clean infrastructure.

Furthermore, in partnership with local and international financial institutions, EIB Global has facilitated affordable credit for SMEs to foster growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability. The European Investment Fund, part of the EIB Group, is also implementing a guarantee facility expected to unlock €700 million for SMEs, reinforcing the EIB Group’s significant role in the region’s developmental trajectory.

The post EIB Global Channels Record €1.2 Billion into Western Balkans appeared first on CorD Magazine.

Valencia received the title in recognition of its past and ongoing achievements in the areas of sustainable tourism, climate neutrality, and a fair and inclusive green transition, as announced by the European Commission.

European Commissioner for the Environment, Virginijus Sinkevicius, stated that Valencia deserved the title due to its ambitious sustainability strategy, adding that the city’s strength lies in its people.

As the European Green Capital, Valencia has planned more than 400 activities and events for the current year, aiming to reach all sectors of the city.

The post Valencia Crowned European Green Capital 2024 appeared first on CorD Magazine.

This landmark decision opens up approximately 108,000 square miles of the Arctic seabed for exploration, an area larger than the United Kingdom, located between Norway and Greenland.

The exploration process will mirror Norway’s approach to oil and gas, with specifics like taxation to be discussed at a later stage. This initiative marks a significant move towards commercial deep-sea excavation.

The deep seabed, one of the last untouched habitats on Earth, is rich in resources vital for the green economy. These include copper, cobalt, zinc, and gold, essential for everything from wind turbines to batteries for electric vehicles.

Norway’s decision to explore these resources could be a game-changer for the global economy, especially in the push towards sustainable and renewable energy sources. However, it also brings forth debates on environmental impact and the preservation of these pristine marine ecosystems.

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