Permanent grasslands in agricultural areas are important for biodiversity – especially pollinators. Researchers in Belgium found irregular, curved mowing patterns had positive effects on pollinators compared to conventional block cutting, and suggest promoting this approach.
Environmental Research
Description:
Environmental research is a vital foundation for the EU’s environmental policymaking and sustainability agenda. It involves scientific investigations, data collection, and innovation aimed at understanding, monitoring, and solving environmental challenges. The EU supports a wide range of research activities to address climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, resource scarcity, and ecosystem degradation — ensuring that policies are based on solid evidence and cutting-edge technology.
Purpose:
Support evidence-based environmental policy
Monitor environmental trends and risks
Develop sustainable technologies and solutions
Foster innovation in climate adaptation, resource management, and pollution reduction
Strengthen the EU’s leadership in global environmental science
Sub Items:
Climate science – Research on emissions, climate models, and adaptation measures
Air, water, and soil quality monitoring – Scientific analysis to guide pollution control
Ecosystem and biodiversity studies – Understanding species dynamics and habitat resilience
Circular economy innovation – New methods for waste reduction and material reuse
Environmental data systems – Earth observation tools like Copernicus and satellite imagery
Green technology R&D – Eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient systems, low-impact production
Impact assessment – Evaluating environmental effects of infrastructure, transport, and agriculture
Health and environment interface – Studying environmental factors affecting public health
Key Initiatives & Tools:
Horizon Europe – EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation
LIFE Programme – Co-financing environmental research and demonstration projects
Joint Research Centre (JRC) – Scientific service of the European Commission
European Environment Agency (EEA) – Environmental data, assessments, and foresight
Copernicus Programme – Satellite data and earth monitoring for environmental analysis
Why It Matters:
Robust environmental research helps policymakers respond effectively to complex global threats, empowers industries to innovate sustainably, and ensures the public has access to transparent, science-based information. It is essential for achieving long-term EU goals like the Green Deal, climate neutrality, and nature restoration.
7 posts
Could leaving some structures behind when removing obsolete wind farms generate multiple benefits? This study engages with stakeholders at two Dutch wind farms to identify and analyse key criteria for decommissioning decisions.
Researchers have tested the biodegradation rates of 97 chemical compounds in 18 sections of freshwater rivers in five European countries and found that all but two compounds show significant variability across sites.
Research and innovation news alert: The European Commission has concluded its public consultation on the forthcoming Strategy for European Life Sciences.
Issue 617: Water management models normally include land use data, but not the shape and distribution of land use patches. This study tests models against historical data to evaluate the importance of such metrics in obtaining accurate predictions.
Issue 617: A study of bacteria on microplastics in nine European rivers shows salinity to serve as a barrier stopping serious pathogens travelling large distances on plastic debris.
Protected wetland areas provide cultural ecosystem services which can be overlooked in management decisions. This study considers how combining both ecological and visitor-orientated goals can enhance management planning in a wetland reserve in Italy.
