UNFCCC negotiations

WATER SCARCITY AND MENTAL HEALTH

Data from reports on global sanitation reveal the presence of an alarming disparity in access to clean water or water resources in general, with deleterious consequences for the health of many of the world's populations. Indeed, the United Nations has come together to discuss and implement change and safeguards with respect to water scarcity. The global water crisis is accompanied by a modest misuse of water for industrial reasons, along with a lack of awareness at the societal level of this problem. Likewise, the heavily affected populations also and especially suffer at the psychological level from this crisis, which is also associated with other effects of climate change. It is therefore considered important to address the psychological distress associated with the difficulties of obtaining clean water, as well as to ensure a more egalitarian and just distribution of resources for all countries of the world.

DROUGHTS IN EUROPE BECOME MORE AND MORE FRIGHTENING

During the early months of 2023, northern Italy and various regions in Europe have been experiencing a period of severe drought since 2022. Blocking anticyclones are weather phenomena that cause lack of precipitation near the center of high pressure. The number of days that blocking anticyclones have persisted has tripled over the past 40 years in the Northern Hemisphere while the number of extreme drought-related events has tripled over the past 20 years.

THE EU RELAUNCHES ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY. BY 2030, 42.5 PER CENT OF ELECTRICITY MUST BE PRODUCED FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES.

The political agreement reached by the European Parliament, Commission and EU member states includes a legally binding target to increase the share of renewable energy in overall EU energy consumption to 42.5 percent by 2030. In practical terms, this means doubling the clean share in the EU's energy mix, which currently stands at 22.1 percent, according to internal statistics. The agreement closes negotiations on key elements of the EU's "Fit for 55" climate package, unveiled in July 2021, which aims to achieve a 55 percent net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

NET-ZERO INDUSTRY ACT: EUROPEAN INDUSTRY’S NEW WAY TO GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION

On March 16, 2023, the European Union unveiled the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA), an ambitious plan to reduce European industry's greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. It is part of the €250 billion Green Deal Industrial Plan, which aims to provide clear direction for European industry to transition to a low-carbon economy and foster technological innovation to address the global climate crisis.