environment
‘One Health’ and the role of science for better policy
As Europe faces overlapping challenges - from public health threats to biodiversity loss and environmental degradation - the need for integrated, evidence-based policymaking has never been clearer. The ‘One Health’ concept, which recognises the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health is now increasingly influencing the way policy is shaped. ‘One Health’ is gaining significant ...
From forever chemicals to safer alternatives: coordinated efforts to improve chemical safety in Europe
The presence of harmful chemicals in the environment, such as PFAS, pesticides and harmful chemicals found in (micro) plastics, poses a challenge. Not only to our planet but also to our health. What can we do to minimise chemical risks? We spoke with Pascal Sanders, project coordinator of PARC (Partnership for the Assessment of Risks ...
The metal in the earth and in your pocket – efficient and clean technology for mining and recycling
New technologies have been developed that can potentially transform the future of metals processing and recycling. How can these new technologies improve Europe’s ability to get the critical raw materials that it needs? How we process metals after mining them has not changed substantially for thousands of years. Since the Roman days of massive mines ...
A new green process for critical raw materials – interview with Dr. Eva Lain on green hydrometallurgy
Dr. Eva Lain is the founder and CEO of Lain Tech, a company based in Madrid (Spain), implementing new technologies in the raw materials sector. What is your company about? Eva Lain: Lain Tech is a young company founded in 2019 working on R&D and industrial implementation of novel technologies, providing cutting edge solutions in ...
A scientist’s opinion: Interview with Diego Peñaloza on textile and the environment
Diego Peñaloza is a senior life cycle assessment researcher at RISE, Sweden’s research institute. He works mainly with textiles and garments, biobased materials and construction products. Diego is part of the EU-funded New Cotton project that uses novel technology to recycle textile waste into a fibre very similar to cotton. What are the environmental and ...
A scientist’s opinion: Interview with Paulien Harmsen on textile and the environment
"We really should value textiles more as durable products, only then the system will become more sustainable," says Paulien Harmsen. She is a senior scientist and technical lead for the Sustainable Textiles Programme at Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands, working on circular and sustainable textiles and fashion fossil-free textiles, textile recycling and bio-based ...
World Patient Safety Day: Preventing harm in healthcare in a digitalised world
17 September is World Patient Safety Day. Can innovation and technology help to guarantee patient safety? Experts believe it is crucial to invest more in reducing patient harm. It is also important to fully understand the pros and cons of using new digital health technologies for this purpose.
A scientist’s opinion: Interview with Eric Sutherland on patient safety and digital health
Eric Sutherland is a Senior Health Economist at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He works at this inter governmental organisation based in Paris, France. He leads the OECD’s work in digital health. His goal is to build integrated digital health ecosystems. He provides policy guidance on digital tools, data integration, and responsible ...