In 2020, Leuven was honoured with the title of Europe’s ‘Innovation Capital’ by the European Commission. This recognition was awarded for Leuven’s creative and organised ways of involving residents in making decisions for the city. One notable example of this is the city’s ambitious efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become climate-neutral by 2030, […]
Sustainability
The newly released proposals from the European Commission on the circular economy broaden the scope of product governance and design. They provide an opportunity to move towards a holistic assessment that takes the entire product life cycle into account. The sustainable product initiative in particular provides an opportunity to increase the scope of an integrated […]
The EU response to the Covid-19 crisis has represented a Copernican revolution compared to the bloc’s approach to the previous crisis. However, the policies that have been adopted raise questions that remain to be solved, namely the revision of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) and the future role of the Next Generation EU fund […]
Not for the first time, Europe finds itself in the middle of a fossil gas conflict. Not for the first time, Russia is reducing its supplies and using gas as a political weapon. The Ukraine conflict is threatening to escalate and, with it, the gas crisis. Germany made a mistake and, contrary to what our […]
Disappointment is almost inevitable at these meetings. Let’s face it: we will need more than COP meetings to get things done. We need more ambition, credible and concrete transition plans that integrate the multifaceted social dimensions from day one and novel approaches that connect with ordinary citizens and show how climate action will reshape their […]
Over 120 governments have announced their intentions to bring emissions to zero by the middle of the century. And today, the European Commission launches its Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy that should receive a more prominent place in the climate debate. This is good news in view of COP26 in Glasgow later this year. The international […]

