What is Greenwashing? Published: 29 March 2022 Explainer With rising awareness of climate change, demand for green products grows. However, the market's expansion also increases greenwashing practices.
The Energy Crisis Ripple Effect: Households, Businesses, and the European Response Published: 29 March 2022 Analysis Since summer 2021, increased economic activity post-COVID-19, along with supply chain shortages, inflation, the Russian war in Ukraine, and an unstable international business climate, have driven up energy prices, significantly impacting households and businesses. By Marine Cornelis
Sustainable Safety: the Dutch Approach to Safe Road Design Published: 29 March 2022 Backgrounder This text covers the history of traffic safety in the Netherlands, introduces the Sustainable Safety approach, presents its results, and discusses future developments and implications for traffic safety in the Netherlands and beyond. By Anna Wyner
Sustainable Agriculture: What it Means and Why it Matters Published: 29 March 2022 Explainer Agriculture uses over one-third of habitable land and 70% of global water, contributing to 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable agriculture aims to reduce environmental impact and promote fair conditions for farmers. By Johannes C. Zeller
Promoting Circular Economy in the Construction Sector: A view from the Netherlands Published: 29 March 2022 Explainer The construction industry has a considerable environmental impact as it requires a vast amount of resources and materials, while generating a significant amount of waste. How can it be made circular? By Anne Rademaker
Navigating Smart City Development: A View from Germany Published: 29 March 2022 Spotlight In recent years, the digital transformation of German society has accelerated, sustainable development, as well as concerns about data protection and usage, now drives the discourse surrounding smart cities in Germany. By Severin Beucker
How does the European Union plan on making its food system more sustainable Published: 29 March 2022 Explainer A few decades ago, food sustainability was ignored in Europe, but now it's a major concern. The EU's Farm to Fork strategy is crucial for reaching climate neutrality by 2050, highlighting the need to overhaul the food system. By Alex Matulina
Examining the reach of the EU's Digital Services Act: how will it affect non-EU jurisdiction? Published: 28 March 2022 Explainer When online users in Tel Aviv, Mexico City, Delhi today go to their preferred global news website, they are likely to receive a request to approve the collection of personal data, rather than have such information collected by default. This relatively new data protection mechanism has little to do with regulations in these users’ jurisdictions. Rather, it is a result of the EU’s GDPR, whose overhaul of data-collection and online privacy practices has benefitted not only European consumers, but consumers worldwide. By Eyal Zilberman
Who’s to blame when artificial intelligence systems cause damage? Published: 21 March 2022 Explainer AI systems outperform humans in many fields and have vast potential, but they also cause significant damage. This Explainer reviews the debate on addressing harm caused by AI. By Karni Chagal-Feferkorn
Solving the fashion industry’s waste problem via community-driven innovation Published: 21 March 2022 Commentary This text explores the fashion industry’s severe environmental impact, responsible for 10% of global CO2 emissions. It discusses textile waste, regulatory efforts, innovative solutions, and community-centered initiatives to promote sustainability. By Nicole Stein and Vered Blass