Irma Ventayol

🚀 New report! "Integrating Biodiversity Concerns in Climate Change and Energy Policies: EU Initiatives and Synergies" highlights the links between biodiversity, climate change, and energy policies. Discover a game changer for environmental policy and the sustainability debate: https://ow.ly/C6Gi50RE2Gw 📚 #ClimateEnergyPolicies #EnvironmentalPolicy #ClimateAction #BiodiversityIntegration

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This story is part of a collaborative reporting project led by the Institute for Nonprofit News and including Borderless Magazine, Cicero Independiente and Inside Climate News. It was supported by the Field Foundation and INN. Cicero’s vision for a new inclusive park is stirring concern as the suburban Chicago town transforms a former industrial site into a playground accessible for children of all abilities. Despite its inclusive aim, the project, which started construction planning in August, is raising alarms among local residents and experts about how the town is handling toxic soil beneath the surface. While the $2.7 million project promises much-needed green space to combat rising temperatures from climate change, concerns linger about multiple environmental challenges, including toxic contaminants still on site, such as arsenic and lead, pollution, flooding and the site’s low 12% tree canopy coverage—well below the recommended 40%. Documents from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency obtained by Cicero Independiente through a Freedom of Information Act request detail the site cleanup plan for the Phil Fuentes Ability Park, at 1844 S. Laramie Ave. The plan targets “hot spot” contaminants in the northern and western areas of the site, where Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) were found. Both are harmful chemicals that are used in electrical and construction equipment. Gerardo Morales, a Cicero resident who lives nearby, said he sometimes walks his children and dogs near the site without knowing its contaminated history. He hadn’t heard about the park. “If they really want to build the park, they’re going to have to clean up and fix things, and make sure everything is safe and that the park is good for people,” Morales said. According to the remediation plan, contaminated soil will be dug out to a depth of 3 feet and replaced with topsoil and fill soil. Excavators and hauling trucks will remove about 242 cubic yards of soil, which will be taken to a hazardous waste landfill. In addition, pavement may be applied to block leftover toxins.  Kimberly Gray, a professor with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northwestern University, said the hotspot removal approach is not enough to protect against contamination risks. She also mentioned that the clean-up process involves institutional controls, such as using pavement to block toxins, that limit how a property can be used to prevent contaminant exposure. Explore the latest news about what’s at stake for the climate during this election season. “Institutional controls historically don’t usually work,” Gray said. “They’re not a permanent solution. They tend to eliminate exposure in the short term, but the minute that institutional control or that cap is breached, it doesn’t function. So, if you

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🎤 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 Jorge Arroyo from CIRCE - Centro Tecnológico presented on the REDOL EU Project - Aragon’s REgional Hub for circularity: Demonstration Of Local industrial-urban symbiosis initiatives. His presentation included: ▶ Presentation of the REDOL Project ▶ Problem and significance ▶ Solution: Redesign 5 value chains for SUW in Aragon ▶ Impact of the Project and the technologies ▶ REDOL objectives ▶ Methodologies ▶ Partners' roles ▶ Replication of the model #EUHorizon #PVB

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Mission Implementation Platform for Adaptation to Climate Change (MIP4Adapt) has been providing #TechnicalAssistance to the Basque Country region in Spain Ihobe, Sociedad Pública de Gestión Ambiental del Gobierno Vasco to update and improve their Basque climate adaptation strategy and input to their "Energy Transition and Climate Change Plan". It is supported by the national member state facilitators Ricardo plc and ICATALIST S.L. In Ihobe's adaptation team's words: "In the Basque Country, we have completed a detailed vulnerability and risk assessment, as well as gathered other relevant information on hazards such as sea level rise and pluvial flooding.  Additionally, we are currently implementing Nature based Solutions in critical areas of our territory through  projects such as LIFE and Horizon. This puts us in a middle position in the Adaptation Planning Cycle process, with step 2 fully completed and some actions in steps 3 to 5, as assessed by the MIP4 adapt technical assistance. This external perspective has been extremely valuable for us.  In terms of adaptation measures, we have taken them into consideration in our ongoing "Energy Transition and Climate Change Plan." However, upon review by the MIP4 adapt technical assistance, it was determined that some of the measures included in the plan are not specific enough to be successfully implemented and monitored. In our upcoming sessions, we will prioritize the implementation  of  measures based on criteria  such  as  feasibility, complexity, and budget. We will  also work on designing or re-defining other adaptation measures in more detail to ensure successful  implementation.  The support of the MIP4 adapt technical assistance has been incredibly useful and enriching for us. Their knowledge of the adaptation process in other regions of Europe  has been helpful  in determining our  next steps." Thanks a lot to the team and we invite other charter signatories to exchange with Ihobe, Sociedad Pública de Gestión Ambiental del Gobierno Vasco on their experience. #MIP4Adapt #MissionClimateAdaptation #TechnicalAssistance Ciudades Sostenibles, Aire Limpio y Gestión del Agua #MissionForum24

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🌍 Climate Adaptation and River Basin Management: New EU Guidance 🌊 The Water Directors of the Member States and the European Commission adopted a guidance document to align river basin management planning with climate adaptation. The updated guidance on "#RiverBasinManagement in a #ChangingClimate" provides crucial tools to help water managers align their strategies with the #WaterFrameworkDirective (#WFD) and #FloodsDirective (#FD). It emphasizes the role of #integratedwatermanagement to address climate impacts such as #floods, #droughts, and pollution, and to build resilience. The document also outlines guiding principles for #sustainablewateruse and adaptation, ensuring ecosystem health and mitigating climate risks. The 57 thematic steps outlined in the EU guidance emphasize climate adaptation in water management. Key steps include screening the Programme of Measures (PoM) for climate robustness, ensuring adaptation and mitigation alignment, and conducting a detailed proofing of individual projects. This involves early assessments of GHG emissions, climate vulnerabilities, and resilience measures to ensure projects are not only effective under current conditions but also adaptable to future climate challenges. The goal is to prevent maladaptation and enhance climate-proofing in water management strategies. #ClimateAdaptation#WaterManagement#Sustainability#EU Explore more insights here: https://lnkd.in/gYbrQEc8

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𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? 👤 KNOWING partner AGBAR/Aquatec presents our recent findings on how methodologies from the KNOWING project assess climate adaptation and mitigation in Ajuntament de Granollers, Spain. ⚙ By employing models like PALM-4U and ICM-Infoworks, we evaluate the impact of greening and other nature-based solutions on urban heat and flood risks. This holistic approach integrates various measures, such as increasing green spaces and improving natural permeability, to enhance urban resilience against climate change. 🔗 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞: https://lnkd.in/gtuxxVsT #ClimateChange #UrbanResilience #NatureBasedSolutions #SustainableCities

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Today, #NetworkNature and HSbooster.eu did a deep-dive into the potential of standardisation to scaling knowledge and solutions across EU-funded #naturebasedsolutions projects jointly working in NetworkNature! 🌱🌊 🔨The entry points are the six Nature-based Solutions Task Forces (NbS TFs), which are our instrument for cross-project collaboration and scaling of knowledge across more than 70 projects. The six Nature-based Solutions Task Forces span from data and integrated assessment to education on NbS. Producing resources such as handbooks, policy recommendations, and methodologies that go beyond individual projects, bringing together experts across Europe and beyond. ♥️ Today, 16 participants joined the webinar from ‘TF 1—Data & Knowledge Sharing’ and ‘TF 2—Integrated Assessment Framework’. We collected input on specific challenges and barriers related to data sharing, knowledge dissemination, and the use of integrated assessment frameworks in scaling up NbS, as well as identifying priorities to better facilitate their implementation. 📢 On Thursday, May 16 ⋅ 3:00 – 4:30 pm CEST, the TF3, TF5 & TF6 will meet and discuss standardisation priorities! ✍️ TF members can register here: https://lnkd.in/e5PsEE6Z #NbSstandards #standardisation #CEN #ISO #standards #naturebasedsolutions #NbS #NetworkNature #TaskForce Nick Ferguson I Diana Soeiro I Rene Lindner I Daniela Rizzi I Monika Heyder

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This was great fun to do - a webinar on the basics of financing sources and instruments for adaptation, and some high level guidance on how to select them for financing regional adaptation. Also learnt a lot from partners on NatalieProject and Soteria - if you missed it, please check out below!

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🤔Want to learn more about the #NetworkNature theme Biodiversity Enhancement and Ecosysstem Restoration? Check out our beginner resource 🗞️NN Factsheet: Seizing opportunities for ecosystem restoration to tackle societal challenges. 🐞https://lnkd.in/e2KWQz-4 IUCN European Regional Office Oppla ICLEI Europe

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Over 87% of resource consumption in the #EU still relies on virgin #RawMaterials, creating a strong dependence on third countries. During the "Forum on Extended Producer Responsibility" event, I had the pleasure of presenting a #NewReport commissioned by Erion to dss+. The study explores how Extended Producer Responsibility (#EPR) systems can offer an alternative solution to reduce supply risks and dependence on imports. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eGs9m5hq #ExtendedProducerResponsibility

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EU Tech Chamber Climate Action Alliance Network Meeting | May 29th, 2024 We had an engaging and insightful network meeting of the Climate Action Alliance, featuring esteemed experts in sustainability: Andreas Skuin, Martin Hiller, and Anna Selge. Our experts shared their perspectives on the latest challenges companies face in sustainability reporting and provided valuable solutions for the way forward. Their expertise and innovative ideas sparked lively discussions and offered practical strategies to overcome these obstacles. A big thanks to all the participants for joining us and contributing to a successful and dynamic meeting. Together, we are making strides towards a more sustainable future! https://eutech.org/ EU Tech Chamber (EUTECH) #CSRD #SustainabilityReporting #CorporateSustainability #ESG #SustainableFinance #EUReporting #CorporateResponsibility #SustainableBusiness #NonFinancialReporting #ClimateDisclosure #SustainabilityCompliance #EURegulations #SustainableDevelopment #ESGReporting #SustainabilityStandards

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🌿 Join us in Fostering #Inclusive #NatureBasedSolutions! We invite you to participate in a short survey by NetworkNature’s NbS Taskforce 6 on #CoCreation and #Governance. Your insights on inclusive engagement in NbS co-creation are crucial. ⚖️ Why Participate? Nature-based solutions can unintentionally reinforce #inequalities. We need your experiences and perspectives to identify #strategies and challenges in #engaging commonly excluded stakeholders. 👥Who Are 'Commonly Excluded #Stakeholders'? These are groups highly interested in or affected by NbS, but which face barriers to meaningful participation due to various inequalities. 📝How Will Your Input Be Used? Your feedback will inform a #workshop on inclusive NbS and contribute to a short publication aimed at influencing #policy. Take the #Survey Now : https://lnkd.in/eSGrrw5j 📅 Please submit your responses by August 16th, 2024. Thank you for contributing to more inclusive #NbS practices!

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A must read if you work in culture tourism in urban contexts. The need to better assess and monitor the impacts of culture projects has never been so fundamental. And most cultural projects are really bad when we address these issues :( … a scenario we need to change if we want to have a sustainable sector development.

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The 𝐄𝐔 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥 & 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝: green transition firebrand Teresa Ribera is among the six executive vice-president nominees, she will be responsible for '𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧, 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧' also fulfilling the Commissioner role for competition policy ( DG COMP). This setup offers a powerful role for her in steering Europe towards climate neutrality & resilience. * In the absence of adequate climate & nature regulations, LEADERSHIP is of high value! Or will the Green Deal / Decarbonization become a Mission Impossible with predominantly right-leaning Commissioners with a 'competitiveness above all' & populist mindset? Oh, don't miss the irony: illiberal, Putin Trojan Horse Viktor Orbán's nominee, Olivér Várhegyi, will be responsible for 'animal welfare'. Trojan Horses must be very knowledgeable about animal welfare!

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Check out this great report by the EU-Funded MERLIN project!

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The same week the European Restoration Law was passed, the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), WWF Spain and Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) Europe presented the standards for certification of Mediterranean forest restoration. The event was hosted by Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico and attended by representatives of Regional Governments, private forest and consulting companies, certification organizations, NGOs... The great work of WWF Diana Colomina and Maria Melero was crucial to achieve our goals. It was encouraging to hear the compromise of this Ministry, Generalitat Valenciana, Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha , #COSE, to promote high quality restoration and find ways to overcome administrative barriers. After completing this phase, we will assist users to apply the standards, and promote them as a first step towards new standards that are applicable across Mediterranean type forests. Standards are built on experts' agreements on good practices, and are essential tools to promote ecological restoration and obtain the multiple benefits that ER can provide. This is fundamental to identify true ecological restoration projects and avoid regreening with no further ambition than increasing (woody) plan cover. https://lnkd.in/d6786paw

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The International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) is celebrated every year on 22 May. The theme of IDB 2024, “Be part of the Plan”, is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan which is the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. I am joining AEIAN and the rest of the world to know how you are being, or how you intend to be part of the Biodiversity Plan. The Big question is, What are you doing? Let’s know what you are doing to reverse the loss of biodiversity. #PartOfThePlan  #BiodiversityDay #aeian

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And now starting with the official part of my journey. Talking about #WaterSensitiveCities and their needs that can be solved by better #MultilevelGovernance at the #DGUM Meeting. Let‘s see how Member States and the European Commission will consider the results of the Ex-Ante Assessment that I have been developed as #EUI expert. #watermanagementincities #EuropeanUrbanInitiative #LeipzigCharter #climateadaptation #floods #droughts

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