ECO Friendly Living USA

Subscribe to our newsletter
FOLLOW US
SHANGHAI — For decades, Laogang Town on the outskirts of Shanghai was infamous as one of the city’s most inhospitable areas. Since the late 1980s, it was Asia’s largest landfill, with a pervasive stench that the humid summer air and southeast winds only exacerbated. And more pressing was the contamination of groundwater, which could have posed serious health threats.
Fast-forward to today, and the Shanghai Laogang Waste Disposal Base has now been transformed from a source of discomfort into a pioneering eco-park. Repurposed by the National Enterprise Shanghai Chengtou Group, it now spans 15.3 square kilometers and has grown to become the world’s largest single incineration plant, capable of incinerating 11,000 tons of garbage daily.
According to Wu Yuefeng, Deputy General Manager of Chengtou Laogang, since Phase 2 of the plant was launched in 2019, the facility has managed one-third of Shanghai’s municipal solid waste.

Simultaneously, it also generates 1.6 billion kWh of electricity annually. This is equivalent to replacing over 500,000 tons of standard coal, meaning cleaner energy production and a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, emissions from Laogang remain well below not only national standards but even the stringent EU 2000 standards.
The facility employs advanced anaerobic fermentation and aerobic composting to manage Shanghai’s wet waste. This not only expands disposal capacity but produces energy-rich organic residuals that are ripe for bioconversion.
According to Zhang Weitao, manager of the Bioenergy Reutilization Division, Laogang has incorporated 500 million black soldier flies into its waste management process using fully automated breeding methods to enhance bioconversion.
Zhang stated that black soldier flies, with their short life cycles, play a crucial role in waste management at Laogang. As larvae, they consume waste prolifically — up to 200 times their body weight — and grow rapidly. The adult flies are then processed; their waste is turned into organic fertilizer to enrich agricultural soil, and their bodies, high in protein, become feed for fish and poultry.
“After Phase 3 in May 2025, we will process 4,500 tons of wet waste daily, converting it into energy, animal feed, and fertilizers. This will position Laogang as the world’s leading facility for comprehensive wet waste resource utilization,” said Zhang.

FOLLOW US
Subscribe to our newsletter

source

Amazon is on a mission to seek out and support the best up and coming businesses driving sustainability innovation. 
Back for its third year, The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a four-week programme designed for start-ups across Europe. In 2022, the focus was on consumer products and in 2023 a second cohort – recycling tech – joined the initiative. 
In 2024, a new initiative is being trialled alongside the consumer products cohort – The ClimateTech Pilot Challenge.
“We love finding the ways major companies can work with leading start-ups creating the future,” says Ezra Konvitz, Director & Head of Accelerators, Founders Intelligence. 
“The incredible start-ups and technologies that are part of the Pilot Challenge cohort give cause for hope – if we can help them find the best ways to work with Amazon’s scale we’ll achieve a game-changing impact.”
Start-ups chosen from the hundreds of applications can expect to engage with Amazon’s Sustainability, Climate Pledge Fund and Climate Pledge Friendly teams, attend workshops, receive mentorship and £10,000 worth of AWS Activate Credits.
This year’s expanded Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a partnership with EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s leading climate innovation agency, and innovation strategy consultants Founders Intelligence, part of Accenture.
The 15 selected start-ups engaging in the new climate technology specific start-up programme will gain access to expert-led workshops, specialised mentorship, a tailored curriculum and access to a network of entrepreneurs in the sustainability sector.
New to the programme is also the opportunity to pitch to Amazon themselves, with the goal to trial in Amazon’s European operations. Three of the start-ups will be selected for the additional programme with the intention to launch, with potential investment of between £50,000 to £2m (US$63,560 to US$2.5m).
“I’m so excited to welcome 15 ambitious start-ups to join the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator this year, including our first ever Climate Tech Pilot,” said Zak Watts, Amazon’s International Director of Sustainability.
“The scope of businesses involved means we can support even more entrepreneurs to reach their potential. Not to mention the one-of-a-kind opportunity to test their technology directly with parts of Amazon’s business. It is our mission for the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator to be the best programme of its kind in the world for entrepreneurs to pioneer and scale cutting-edge sustainable solutions.”
Circular Economy – for start-ups creating solutions that extend the lifetime of products:
Energy in Buildings – for start-ups helping buildings decarbonise through cutting-edge technology and materials:
Packaging – for start-ups developing innovative packaging materials:
******
Make sure you check out the latest edition of Sustainability Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series – Sustainability LIVE 2024
******
Sustainability Magazine is a BizClik brand
******
Sustainability LIVE will be returning with more events in 2024 with New York, London, The Global Sustainability & ESG Awards, and Diversity & Inclusion…
Discover the lineup for Sustainability LIVE New York. Don’t miss out on your chance to attend the two-day virtual event on 3 and 4 June 2024…
Just one more week to go until submissions close for The Sustainability & ESG Awards launching at Sustainability LIVE London Global Summit…
Sustainability Magazine connects the leading sustainability and ESG executives of the world's largest brands. Our platform serves as a digital hub for connecting industry leaders, covering a wide range of services including media and advertising, events, research reports, demand generation, information, and data services. With our comprehensive approach, we strive to provide timely and valuable insights into sustainable practices, fostering innovation and collaboration within the sustainability community. Join us today and shape a sustainable future for generations to come.

source

Have you registered? Join executives from around the world, with more than 40 countries already represented.
by Staff Writer | May 31, 2024
This article is included in these additional categories:
The upcoming Solutions Summit, happening June 4-5, 2024, promises to be a transformative event for industry leaders, innovators, and sustainability experts. This year’s theme, Sustainability Synergy, highlights the collaborative landscape of sustainable leadership, focusing on the integration and alignment of sustainable practices across various sectors.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into the latest technologies, strategies, and regulatory developments shaping the future of corporate environmental and energy leadership.
_____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Paul Garcia/Air Force OEA, Everything Everywhere All at Once: The Future of Air Force Installation Energy
• Discussing the Air Force’s strategy for achieving the world’s most resilient energy and water infrastructure through innovative, cost-effective, and climate-informed solutions.
• Defining resilience, current gap analyses, and the holistic approach to industry participation that is crucial for future success.
Letchumi Achanah/Asia Pulp & Paper, APP’s Sustainability Roadmap, A Conversation on Community Involvement
• Presenting APP’s Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2030, focusing on the company’s comprehensive approach to sustainability.
• Discussing community involvement initiatives, the impact of the Desa Makmur Peduli Api (DMPA) program, and women’s empowerment efforts aimed at reducing fire risks and promoting environmentally friendly practices.
Satpal Kaur/SATPAL, An Integrative Approach to High-Performance Building Design and Racial Justice
• Sharing insights on integrating technical excellence with social equity in high-performance building design.
• Covering the fusion of design and advocacy, innovative problem-solving, and community engagement strategies.
• Showcasing real-world applications and practical solutions for addressing injustices in the built environment.
Montrose Environmental Expert Panel, Shaping the Future: The shift to real-time, connected, and insightful environmental data
• Delving into best practices for leveraging environmental data in business decisions.
• Educating on data acquisition, management, and analytics to achieve operational excellence and ensure compliance with regulatory mandates using real-time measurements and automated processes.
David Staples/Velocity EHS, SEC Final Rule: What is “Climate Risk” and How do You Track It?
• Addressing the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) new rule on the Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors.
• Clarifying what constitutes “climate risk” and outlining the requirements for companies to disclose their climate impacts, including Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Brett Stevens/Reworld, Creating Value from Waste
• Exploring the transition from linear supply chains to circular models, emphasizing the pivotal role of sustainable waste management.
• Sharing effective technologies and practices for resource optimization and sustainability strategies that offer both short- and long-term benefits.
Joe Hayden/GridBeyond, What’s in Store for a Grid Near You, and How Does Demand Response Play a Role?
• Discussing the significance of energy value in terms of price, quantity, and timing.
• Highlighting how participating in demand response programs can lead to substantial savings and support the transition to a greener future through investments in energy efficiency, renewables, or battery storage technologies.
Nikos Avlonas/Center for Sustainability & Excellence, How the New ESRS and Related EU legislation Impact U.S. Business
• Providing an overview of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and their impact on US businesses.
• Explaining the objectives and components of ESRS, their integration with EU legislation, and strategies for aligning with these standards to enhance corporate sustainability practices.
The Solutions Summit 2024 offers a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders, explore innovative solutions, and gain critical insights into the future of sustainability.
Don’t miss out on this free event—register now to be part of the conversation and drive progress in environmental and energy leadership.

Get E+E Leader Articles delivered via Newsletter right to your inbox!
Energy Management
Environmental Management
Air & Emissions
Buildings
Cities
Compliance
Supply Chain
Transportation
Global Regions
3BL News

source

For islanders, India election is about climate change and survival  Reuters
source

As China surges forward as the world’s second largest economy, it comes as little surprise that it is the world’s largest solid waste generator, surpassing the U.S. in 2004. The World Bank predicts China will produce twice as much municipal solid waste as the United States by 2030. With the last official number tipping the scales at almost 3.3 billion tonnes in 2016, China is producing solid waste at an unprecedented rate.
To better grasp the larger picture, we looked at 31 major cities (27 provincial capital cities and 4 direct-governed municipalities) and explored the data for patterns and credible indicators in cities tackling China’s garbage overflow.
Organized in descending order by total waste volumes on Chart 1 (household and industrial waste combined), we see the cities producing the most waste are Chongqing, Taiyuan, Shanghai, Kunming, and Nanjing. To better understand the rankings, we can further segregate the numbers.

For analysis purposes, solid waste is commonly split into two streams depending on the mode of production – household (in red) and industrial (in green). From Chart 1, we see that industrial waste volumes dwarf household waste in almost all cities. The five exceptions are Beijing, Chengdu, Xi’an, Changsha, and Haikou, which have a higher percentage of household than industrial waste.
Household solid waste volumes often reflect the size of the residential population. Looking at Chart 2 below, many of the cities were repeated in the top 10 lists for both household solid waste volumes and residential population in 2016 – likewise for the bottom 10 ranked cities. For example, seven out of the top 10 cities for household solid waste production also landed a spot within the top 10 for residential population. Along the same lines, seven out of the bottom 10 cities for household solid waste also scored a spot within the bottom 10 for residential population.

While most cities follow this pattern, there are a few outliers suggesting other factors are at play in their jurisdictions. The most compelling example is Shijiazhuang. As the capital and largest city of northern China’s Hebei province, it has a low amount of household solid waste, despite its high residential population.
It is interesting to observe that from 2013 to 2016, despite zero or slight population growth in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Lanzhou, household solid waste volumes in those cities actually decreased over the same period. It is also worthwhile to point out that Shanghai and Nanjing are actively educating citizens on recycling, and enforcing residential recycling programs. In 2015, Shanghai even vowed to become a zero landfill city by 2018 by curbing household waste and diverting it to waste energy facilities. Government policies and initiatives play a large role in greening cities, and with the 2015 revision of the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste policy now in place, more cities may follow the lead of Lanzhou, Nanjing, and Shanghai. 
Despite its enormous volumes of household solid waste, China fares quite well in terms of treatment. Twenty of 31 major cities treated all their solid waste in 2016, an addition of five cities since 2013. The remaining 11 cities are also treating more than 90 per cent of their solid waste.
However, it is misleading to take these numbers at face value without further analyzing the quality and level of treatment. Treatment processes may vary from city to city and some may need to improve in order to meet sustainability thresholds. This is where clean technologies from Canada could come into play.  
Industrial waste is generally accepted as a reflection of economic development. Economic growth, especially in countries with a growing secondary manufacturing sector, might be expected to create a more noticeable trail of industrial waste. However, the data tells a different story.
In 2016, cities with the largest volume of industrial solid waste were Taiyuan, Chongqing, Kunming, Nanjing, and Shanghai with just over 258, 234, 206, 201, and 168 million tonnes, respectively. Since 2013, industrial waste volumes in most cities have generally decreased, as shown by the green bars reaching below zero (Chart 3). The cities lagging, as represented by green bars on the left of Chart 3, include Changsha, Yinchuan, Guiyang, Nanjing, and Zhengzhou. On the flip side, the superstar trendsetters include Nanning, Lanzhou, Chengdu, Haikou, and Beijing. These five cities have had the greatest success in curbing industrial solid waste, decreasing volumes by 56, 53, 35, 42, and 40 per cent, respectively, since 2013.
Over the same period, all the cities except Shenyang, Urumuqi and Lanzhou also achieved positive GDP growth. More impressively, industrial waste volume reductions were achieved despite soaring increases in secondary industry, depicted by the red bars above zero (Chart 3). This shows most major cities in China have been able to achieve a more sustainable, green growth in the past several years.

One reason for this could be China’s new found environmental protection policies. Over the past three years, China has mounted an unprecedented crackdown on polluting factories to meet environmental targets. Estimates suggest as many as 40 per cent of China’s factories have been temporarily closed for environmental reasons and officials in more than 80,000 factories have been charged with criminal offenses related to infringing on public and environmental health. This revolution may have, over the last few years, helped reduce industrial waste volumes as well as other types of pollution, including air and water.
Despite all its efforts, China overall has only realized a mere six per cent decline in industrial solid wastes between 2013 and 2016. A sobering indication of the ongoing challenges is the realization that industrial sources make up an overwhelming 94 per cent of all solid waste in China.  
From initial movements to curb solid waste by setting industrial solid waste targets in the 11^th Five Year Plan to the most recent initiative of defining accountable parties under the Law on Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste (2015 revision), China has come a long way – but the work has only just begun. Not only is this problem mounting domestically, on the international stage China has also traditionally been a depository for waste from other countries. The bold move to ban many types of recyclables at the beginning of this year sends a message to the world: the health of China’s environment, people and economy will be prioritized.
To gain a better understanding of the environmental protection performance of China’s 31 ‘Tier 2’ cities, visit our China Eco-City Tracker interactive data visualizer.

Also in APF Canada’s new China Eco-City Tracker web series:
Click here to download a digital chapbook of the entire series, or read our blogs online, below . .

• China Eco-City Tracker: Web Series Introduction
• China Eco-City Tracker: A Clearing in the ‘Airpocalypse’ for China
• China Eco-City Tracker: The Upstream Battle for Drinkable Water
• China Eco-City Tracker: Tackling Trash Troubles with New Policies, Penalties
• China Eco-City Tracker: Lessons From the Danes and the Finns
• China Eco-City Tracker: Navigating the ‘Valley of Death’: Financing and Commercializing Canada’s Cleantech Industry
• China Eco-City Tracker: China’s Clean Tech Commitment
• China Eco-City Tracker: China’s Clean Tech Decision-making
Dr. Iris Jin is the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Program Manager, Trade, Investment, Innovation and Canada-China Relations, and a former Deputy Director with the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS).

source

source

As climate change makes disasters such as cyclones, floods and droughts more intense, more frequent and striking more places, fewer people are dying from those catastrophes globally because of better warning, planning and resilience, a top United Nations official said.
The world hasn’t really noticed how the type of storms that once killed tens or hundreds of thousands of people now only claim handfuls of lives, new United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Kamal Kishore, who heads the U.N.’s office for disaster risk reduction, told the Associated Press. But he said much more needs to be done to keep these disasters from pushing people into abject poverty.
“Fewer people are dying of disasters and if you look at that as a proportion of total population, it’s even fewer,” Kishore said in his first interview since taking office in mid-May. “We often take for granted the progress that we’ve made.”
“Twenty years ago there was no tsunami early warning system except for one small part of the world. Now the whole world is covered by a tsunami warning system” after the 2004 tsunami that killed about 230,000 people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand, Kishore said.
People are getting better warnings about tropical cyclones — also called hurricanes and typhoons — so now the chances of dying in a tropical cyclone in a place like the Philippines are about one-third of what they were 20 years ago, Kishore said.
As the former disaster chief for India, Kishore points to how his country has cut deaths thanks to better warnings and community preparedness such as hospitals being ready for a surge in births during a cyclone. In 1999, a supercyclone hit eastern India, killing almost 10,000 people. Then a nearly similar sized storm hit in 2013, but killed only a few dozen people. Last year, on Kishore’s watch, Cyclone Biparjoy killed fewer than 10 people.
Toward a more sustainable California
Get Boiling Point, our newsletter exploring climate change, energy and the environment, and become part of the conversation — and the solution.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
The same goes for flood deaths, Kishore said.
The data back up Kishore, said disaster epidemiologist Debarati Guha-Sapir of the Catholic University of Louvain in Brussels, who created a global disaster database. Her database — which she acknowledges has missing pieces — shows that global deaths per storm event has dropped from a 10-year average of about 24 in 2008 to a 10-year average of about eight in 2021. Flood deaths per event have gone from 10-year averages of nearly 72 to about 31, her data indicate.
Although there are fewer deaths globally from disasters, there are still pockets in the poorest of countries, especially in Africa, where deaths are worsening or at least staying the same, Guha-Sapir said. It’s much like public health’s efforts to eradicate measles, success in most places, but areas that can least cope are not improving, she said.
India and Bangladesh are poster nations for better dealing with disasters and preventing deaths, especially in cyclones, Guha-Sapir said. In 1970, a cyclone killed more than 300,000 people in Bangladesh in one of the 20th century’s greatest natural disasters and now “Bangladesh has done fantastic work in disaster risk reduction for years and years and years,” she said.
Pointing out wins is important, Guha-Sapir said: “Gloom and doom will never get us anywhere.”
While countries such as India and Bangladesh have created warning systems, strengthened buildings such as hospitals and know what to do to prepare for and then react to disasters, a lot of it is also just because these countries are getting richer and better educated and so they can handle disasters better and protect themselves, Guha-Sapir said. Poorer countries and people can’t.
“Fewer people are dying, but that’s not because climate change is not happening,’’ Kishore said ”That is despite the climate change. And that is because we have invested in resilience, invested in early warning systems.”
Kishore said climate change is making his job tougher, yet he said doesn’t feel like Sisyphus, pushing a giant boulder up a hill over and over.
World & Nation
Temperatures hit 122 degrees and at least 14 people, including 10 election officials, are dead as heat wave scorches India on eve of final vote.
May 31, 2024
“You are getting more intense hazards, more frequently and [in] new geographies,” Kishore said, saying places like Brazil that used to not worry too much about floods now are getting devastated. The same goes for extreme heat, which he said used to be an issue for only certain countries, but now has gone global, pointing to nearly 60,000 heat wave deaths in Europe in 2022.
India, where temperatures have been flirting with 122 degrees, has reduced heat deaths with specific regional plans, Kishore said.
“However with the new extreme temperatures we are seeing, every country needs to double its efforts to save lives,” he said. And that means looking at the built environment of cities, he added.
Cutting deaths is only part of the battle to reduce risk, Kishore said.
“We are doing a better job of saving lives but not of livelihoods,” Kishore said.
While fewer people are dying, “you look at people who are losing their houses, people who are losing their businesses, a small farmer that is running a poultry farm,” Kishore said. When they get flooded or hit by a storm, they may survive but they’ve got nothing, no seeds, no fishing boats.
“On that we’re not doing as well as we should,” Kishore said. “We cannot accept that losses will occur. Of course they will occur, but they could be minimized by an order of magnitude.”
Borenstein writes for the Associated Press.
May 10, 2024
April 26, 2024
April 25, 2024
May 10, 2024
April 26, 2024
April 25, 2024
World & Nation
May 10, 2024
Climate & Environment
April 26, 2024
World & Nation
April 25, 2024
World & Nation
April 25, 2024
Opinion
April 17, 2024
World & Nation
March 31, 2024
World & Nation
Feb. 6, 2024
Climate & Environment
Nov. 30, 2023
World & Nation
Nov. 23, 2023
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
World & Nation
June 1, 2024
World & Nation
June 1, 2024
World & Nation
June 1, 2024
World & Nation
June 1, 2024
Company Town
California
California
Business
World & Nation
June 1, 2024
World & Nation
June 1, 2024
World & Nation
June 1, 2024
World & Nation
June 1, 2024
World & Nation
June 1, 2024
Subscribe for unlimited access
Site Map
Follow Us
MORE FROM THE L.A. TIMES

source

Change your region and language

Be sure to pick the location that matches your preferences.

Leyton is an international consulting firm that helps businesses leverage financial incentives to accelerate their growth and achieve long-lasting performance.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is proving to be a game-changer in the realm of environmental sustainability. AI’s advanced algorithms and data processing capabilities are enabling us to tackle crucial environmental challenges with unparalleled precision and efficiency. From accurately predicting climate patterns to optimizing resource consumption, AI-driven solutions are reshaping how we interact with the natural world. By harnessing AI’s potential, we are not only gaining deeper insights into the intricacies of our planet but also paving the way for innovative strategies to protect and preserve it for generations to come. 
The urgency of sustainable natural resource management calls for transformative solutions. Enter Artificial Intelligence, a technological force that is reforming our relationship with the environment, as AI’s real-time data processing and analysis capabilities empower us to accurately monitor and evaluate factors such as water quality, air pollution, and biodiversity. This data-driven approach enhances our decision-making processes, enabling us to address ecological imbalances proactively and foster a harmonious coexistence with nature. 
Canada stands as a beacon of support for AI-driven environmental innovation through a range of grants and funding programs. The ‘Horizon AI’ initiative, among others, underscores the government’s commitment to promoting innovative projects that merge AI technology with environmental conservation. These grants serve as crucial incentives for businesses and individuals to develop solutions that address environmental challenges head-on. By bridging the gap between technological innovation and ecological preservation, Canadian grants foster a dynamic ecosystem where AI-powered projects can thrive, contributing to environmental sustainability. 
At Leyton, we specialize in providing consultancy services tailored to securing grants for AI and innovation related to environmental sustainability in Canada. Our expertise lies in navigating the complex grant application process and ensuring that your AI-driven project receives the necessary financial support to make a lasting impact.  
Do you need guidance and support? All you have to do is to contact us and leave the rest to us! 
Grants Consultant
Explore our latest insights
Veterinary pharmacology is a branch of veterinary medicine that studies the use of drugs in anima…
Plastic recycling is a known challenge in the fight towards a more sustainable planet. With many …
From innovative startups to established enterprises, securing funding can be a game-changer for y…
Have you heard about the SR&ED updates proposed in the Federal budget 2024? Learn how these u…

source

All official European Union website addresses are in the europa.eu domain.
Press releasePublished 28 May 2024
The vast majority of bathing water sites in Europe met the European Union's most stringent ‘excellent’ bathing quality standards in 2023, according to the latest annual bathing water assessment published today. This represents 85% of Europe’s popular bathing waters. As much as 96% of all officially identified bathing waters in the EU met the minimum quality standards, with only 1.5% rated as ‘poor'.
The assessment, put together by the European Environment Agency (EEA) in cooperation with the European Commission, highlights where swimmers can find safe bathing sites in Europe this summer. It focuses specifically on safety for bathing, through monitoring of bacteria which can cause serious illness in people, rather than general water quality.
The highest share of excellent bathing waters is found in Greece, Croatia, Cyprus and Austria. In Belgium, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Malta, Austria and Romania, all officially identified bathing waters met at least the minimum quality standard in 2023.
The bathing quality of coastal water is generally better compared to inland water. In 2023, 89% of coastal bathing sites classified are of excellent quality, compared to just under 79% of inland bathing waters.
It is encouraging to see once again that European citizens can reap the benefits of over 40 years of strong investments in improving the quality of our bathing waters to make them as clean as possible. Continued regular monitoring by the Member States of our coastal waters, rivers and lakes and other freshwater will be crucial for our health and wellbeing and for the environment as climate change is leading to more extreme weather like heavy rains which can negatively impact water quality.
Swimming in bathing waters with poor quality is not just a health risk; it also undermines the trust of our citizens. With the vast majority of bathing sites across Europe achieving excellent quality, Europeans can enjoy safe standards for their swimming activities this summer. Building on the EU’s comprehensive water legislation and our zero-pollution ambition, we remain steadfast in our commitment to enhancing water resilience and strive towards securing a constantly higher level of protection. This dedication is vital for both the health of our people and the protection of our environment, ensuring that Europe remains a global leader in water quality and environmental stewardship.
Since the adoption of the Bathing Water Directive in 2006, the share of ‘excellent’ sites has grown and has now stabilised at around 85% of all sites achieving excellent status over the last few years. The share of bathing waters with poor water quality has dropped in the past decade and is now stable since 2015. However, health risks in swimming in unsafe bathing waters persist at certain sites.
The assessment for today’s report is based on the monitoring of 22,081 bathing sites across Europe that were reported to the EEA for the 2023 season. This includes sites in all EU Member States, Albania and Switzerland. It is based on data reported by Member States for the 2020-2023 bathing seasons.
Alongside this year's Bathing Water Report, the EEA has also released an updated interactive map showing the performance of each bathing site. Updated country reports are also available, as well as more information on the implementation of the directive in countries.
Although most of Europe’s bathing waters are in excellent condition from a bacteriological perspective, pollution of surface and groundwaters remains significant and may be exacerbated by the changing climate. Improving water resilience for people and for the environment in coming years will be key.
The Bathing Water Directive, complementing the Water Framework Directive, is one of several pieces of EU law that protect water: the Environmental Quality Standards Directive, the Groundwater Directive, the Nitrates Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
In the context of the European Green Deal and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Commission is assessing whether the Bathing Water Directive remains fit for purpose to protect public health and improve water quality, or if there is a need to improve the existing rules and propose relevant updates, including new parameters to allow better future assessments of bathing water quality.
The briefing is published during the Commission's annual EU Green Week, including the conference “Towards a water resilient Europe” starting in Brussels on 29 May. At the EU Green Week, the Commission is launching the #WaterWiseEU campaign an awareness-raising campaign on the need to transform the way water is managed, used and valued. This will encourage people to “See Water Differently” and explore solutions to the various water challenges we are facing today. 
The EEA’s European Topic Centre on Biodiversity and Ecosystems (ETC BE) provided support to the development of this briefing, and its accompanying products including country fact sheets, data analysis, map viewer and the underlying database.

source

Future women’s lifestyle blog headlines as climate change continues to ravage our planet  Yahoo Life
source