Europe

♻️ Circular Economy & Sustainability

  • EU Green Week 2025: Held from May 20–22, this event focused on “Circular Solutions for a Competitive EU,” featuring discussions on clean tech, sustainable design, and bioeconomy strategies.
  • Festival of Circular Economy 2025: This hybrid event in London brought together global leaders to explore circular solutions aimed at building a waste-free future.
  • LIFE Awards 2025: Recognizing outstanding projects in nature restoration, climate adaptation, and circular economy, including initiatives like Ireland’s air quality forecasting system and Czechia’s hazardous chemical removal technology.

⚡ Energy & Industrial Policy

  • Clean Industrial Deal: The European Commission introduced this action programme aiming to lower energy costs, increase renewable energy capacity by 100GW annually until 2030, and enhance circular material use to 24% by 2030.

️ Smart Cities & Urban Innovation

  • EU Mission Label: Thirty-nine cities received this recognition for their ambitious plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030, facilitating access to funding and support.
  • Cities Mission Conference 2025: Held in Vilnius, this conference showcased initiatives accelerating climate-neutral urban transformation across Europe.
  • ChorusLife District: Bergamo, Italy, inaugurated this smart district, transforming a former industrial area into a sustainable urban space with integrated public services and green infrastructure.

Transportation & Mobility

  • EU Charging Infrastructure: The EU specified that main roads must have electric vehicle charging stations every 60 km by 2025, enhancing the continent’s EV infrastructure.
  • Edinburgh’s Tap-On, Tap-Off System: Edinburgh Trams introduced a contactless payment system, streamlining fare collection and improving user experience.

️ Food Systems & Waste Reduction

  • Urban Food Waste Initiatives: Cities like Guimarães, Lille Metropole, and Tallinn are implementing educational programs and community engagement strategies to reduce food waste, aligning with EU targets.

Governance & Leadership

  • European Housing Action Plan: Fifteen mayors from major European cities called on the EU to take immediate action to address the housing crisis, proposing measures to ensure affordable and sustainable housing.