More than 20 EU politicians test positive for PFAS, raising public health concerns
The results highlight the wide reach of a group of chemicals linked to cancer, liver damage and fertility problems.…
Kolmenveld project in Tessenderlo delayed as constitutional court reviews construction approvals
Tessenderlo – The Kolmenveld project in Tessenderlo-Ham faces significant delays following a ruling by the Constitutional Court. This decision mandates that municipalities and provinces cannot unilaterally approve construction projects requiring an environmental…
EU unveils new sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet and oil trade
On September 18, the European Union adopted its 19th sanctions package against Russia, intensifying restrictions on the country’s banking system and oil exports. The package, which includes more than 2,500 individuals and…
Oil spill concealed in Murmansk
A major pollution incident has been recorded in the Kola Bay, where traces of oil products are clearly visible along the shoreline. Murmansk mayor Ivan Lebedev reluctantly acknowledged the leak, even as…
Aalbeke residents protest against revised plans for Bosschaert clay pit project
Aalbeke – In Aalbeke near Kortrijk, over 700 residents are opposing Bosschaert’s clay pit project. Despite the company’s revised plans, local protests led by individuals like Pieter Valcke persist, citing ongoing environmental…
U.S. judge halts construction at controversial immigration detention center in Florida
U.S. Judge Halts Construction at Controversial Florida Detention Center A U.S. federal judge has ordered a temporary halt to construction at the contentious immigration detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” situated in the…
Ribera opposes Commission plan to eliminate greenwashing regulations Canada finalizes defense agreement with EU Concerns rise over EU actions
The recent actions have sparked outrage among centrist and left-leaning political factions, who claim that the Commission is jeopardizing the integrity of the European institutional framework and disregarding the coalition of moderate…
Nude bike parade in Brussels exposes benefits and dangers of cycling
More than 100 cyclists took part in a nude bike ride through Brussels on Saturday afternoon in the 20th edition of Cyclonudista. The event calls for better safety and infrastructure for cyclists,…
Cultural Compass: A Mozart masterpiece, science fiction comes to life and environmental art
Every Sunday, Belga English picks its favourite events from the cultural agenda. This week: Brussels ushers in summer with one of Mozart’s playful and scintillating operas, the legendary science fiction worlds of…
Major waterways in Flanders cleaner than expected, citizen research finds
A large-scale citizen science project has revealed that many of Flanders’ and Brussels’ major waterways are cleaner than anticipated. The results offer hope for legal open-water swimming in the future. More than…
Coast guard flights at risk due to environmental permit error
The operational readiness of Belgium’s coast guard aircraft is under pressure due to fuel supply issues linked to environmental permits. “If there is an incident now, we may not be able to…
Greenhouse gas emissions in Flanders fall to lowest level this century
On Thursday, Statistics Flanders reported that greenhouse gas emissions in the Flemish region fell to their lowest point of this century in 2023. These emissions were notably lower than in 2020, when…
Aerial monitoring points to decline in pollution by ships in North Sea
Four cases of operational marine pollution from ships were documented last year in the North Sea by the Institute for Natural Sciences’ Coast Guard aerial monitoring programme, the institute announced on Wednesday. …
Bee mortality rises for third consecutive year
Bee mortality in Belgium rose for the third year in a row. 31.2 per cent of colonies failed to survive from autumn 2023 to summer 2024, according to the Federal Agency for…
Port of Antwerp-Bruges launches Europe’s first electric tugboat
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has on Monday launched the Volta 1, Europe’s first fully electric tugboat. The Volta 1 had arrived in the Antwerp port area from Vietnam late last year, but…
Flanders introduces distance rules for large wind turbines
Flemish environment minister Jo Brouns is introducing distance rules for large wind turbines higher than 200 metres, reported Het Laatste Nieuws. Flanders already had rules around noise and cast shadow, but…
Nitrogen pollution makes hay fever worse, study finds
Nitrogen pollution not only affects the environment but can also directly impact public health, according to new research by KU Leuven and Sciensano. The researchers found that grasslands fertilised with nitrogen produce…