Europe’s rural areas could produce up to 30 times their energy needs with photovoltaics, but technical, environmental and social obstacles complicate their development. Networks, storage and community involvement will be crucial for a sustainable future.
Europe aims to obtain 42.5% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, but there is still a long way to go. While oil dominates the national energy mix, very different territorial realities are emerging, with rural areas ready for the ecological transition
Parliaments try to show accountability by making legislative processes, and occasionally votes or proceedings, public. We collected data about 13 European countries, as well as Australia, the US, Canada, and the European Parliament to see what is accessible to the public about their work. We find that plenary sessions, as well as legislative texts, are generally accessible, although not always easily, but votes and committee proceedings are kept secret more often than not.
Analysis of almost 1,600 advertisements shows that flats in Belgrade are unaffordable for low-income earners and a major obstacle for people on an average wage. Rents are very high.
Rising rents across major European cities are creating a housing crisis, disproportionately affecting low-income earners and those in unstable employment. Contributing factors include tourism, migration, low housing supply, and gentrification. Our investigation, led by EUrologus, highlights the need for policy changes to address these issues and ensure affordable housing for all.
The cityscape of Bulgaria's capital has changed dramatically since 1989. But the building boom has paid scant regard to either regulations or the city's distinctive architectural heritage. And upcoming projects might well disfigure the city forever, as is shown on a 3D map created by Boyan Yurukov, an open-data activist.
In Spain, the housing crisis has a particularly strong impact on religious and ethnic minorities, for whom access to housing is even more difficult. The systemic discrimination they suffer can cause serious damage, says Bianca Carrera.
How to ascertain how many civilians have been killed by the Portuguese police? And how many members of the security forces have lost their lives on active duty? Official state reports on the matter leave more questions than answers. And a shocking lack of transparency.
More than 300 femicides have been recorded in Serbia over the last ten years, according to data published by the Autonomous Women’s Centre (AWC) in Belgrade. Most of the women were killed in their own homes, where they lived alone or with their partner.
Between 2020 and 2022, at least 488 people died in police custody or operations in 13 EU countries, including Ireland, Spain and France.
