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Assessing EU's direct and indirect energy dependencies
Europe is highly dependent on fossil fuels, and 97% of the EU’s oil consumption is imported as well as 90% of its fossil gas consumption. How can Europe address this issue, especially at a time of geopolitical tensions that have a significant impact on energy and the economy? Assessing EU's direct... -
Why technology alone won't secure Europe's rail future
Rail transport carries only a modest share of passengers and freight across the EU, yet it is widely regarded as one of the most important tools available for meeting Europe's climate targets. The European Union has spent decades building a Single European Railway Area but persistent gaps in governance,... -
The future of automated vehicles in the EU: Interview with Prof. Michael Botsch and Prof. Werner Huber
Technology can take over an increasing amount of tasks when it comes to driving a vehicle - like braking or steering. The European Union is currently implementing and possibly reviewing some aspects of its regulation in the field of automated, connected and also self-driving vehicles, while vehicle manufacturers... -
Towards a planetary boundary framework
In 2009, a team, led by the climate scientist Prof Johan Rockström, identified nine natural processes that regulate Earth’s biosphere and keep it stable. These include climate change, biosphere integrity, land-system change, freshwater change, biogeochemical flows, novel entities, ocean acidification,... -
Carbon dioxide removal technologies: can they help us fight climate change?
The final document of the last United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly known as COP30, acknowledges that the world is approaching an overshoot – that is, exceeding the 1.5 °C global warming threshold. Reducing future emission will be essential, but no longer sufficient: we will also need... -
The art of Arctic science
As Arctic researchers gather in Aarhus, Denmark, for the annual Arctic Science Summit Week (25/3-1/4/2026), the European Science-Media Hub explores the benefits of visual storytelling to engage audiences worldwide with the urgency and significance of scientific work. This article features photos about... -
Academic Freedom in Europe: safeguarding democracy, science and innovation
Academic freedom and democracy are not parallel values — they are interdependent. Where democracy weakens, academic freedom erodes. And where academic freedom is constrained, democracy itself is undermined. This is the central question that brought together policymakers, researchers and institutional... -
Primary forests: ‘Allowing biodiversity to spread out again’
“Primary forests can help the EU meet several of its objectives, including its targets under the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the EU Forest Strategy 2030. They would also help with key climate objectives by providing long-term carbon storage”, says expert Bart Nyssen. Nyssen is a forest ecologist...