In the race to reach net zero emissions and restore depleted ecosystems, any nation''s win is a victory for us all. But looking to the most positive examples on the continent can help inspire and pressure our own politicians to follow suit.
Of course it''s not an even playing field. From the windy coastlines of Sweden to Albania''s wild rivers, each country has its unique natural resources. As well as its particular political and economic context that could be helping or hindering climate action.
Last month we looked at how Denmark''s green leadership is inspiring other European nations.
This month, we''re celebrating Iceland''s unique approach to keeping carbon emissions down as it heats more than 130,000 households.
Iceland generates more than 86 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources according to Eurostat and around 66 per cent of this comes from its geothermal resources.
The country lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. This is a very active geothermal zone providing a great source of heat for Iceland''s homes.
The capital city, Reykjavik, has one of the largest district heating systems in the world, pumping millions of cubic metres of water heated by geothermal sources to its some 200,000 inhabitants.
Not only does this hot water power homes, but it also supplies some of Iceland''s most popular tourist attractions including the famous Blue Lagoon. Created by the neighbouring Svartsengi geothermal power plant, the site allows tourists to learn about the country''s energy landscape.
Heat and light from geothermal sources also help Iceland feed its citizens. Greenhouses, kept warm and bright by this renewable source, grow crops like tomatoes and cucumbers year-round.
Much of the rest of its renewable energy comes from hydropower from rivers fed by glaciers that cover 11 per cent of Iceland''s land mass. Investment in wind power is also growing, contributing to the country''s ever-increasing share of clean energy in its generation landscape.
Following the 1973 oil crisis, Iceland struggled to keep up with fluctuating prices. The government switched its focus to hydropower and geothermal heat instead. Money was put into building new infrastructure for green energy.
Unfortunately, just like everywhere else in Europe, climate change and overconsumption are still a problem. A lack of rainfall and increased demand have left Iceland''s hot water supply nearing its limit, local news outlet Visir reported in 2022.
As increased use outpaces population growth, utility companies have warned that they may need to start rationing hot water during long periods of cold weather and high demand.
Carbon capture technology has been controversial because some campaigners and scientists believe that it isn''t yet effective and could prolong the life of the fossil fuel industry. But the IPCC says it is now unavoidable in the fight against climate change.
Mammoth, the world''s biggest direct carbon capture facility is currently being built in Iceland. It is being constructed by Swiss startup Climeworks AG and the captured carbon is taken by another business, Carbfix, mixed with water and injected deep underground where a chemical reaction will turn it into rock.
Climeworks AG says the plant will be able to suck 36,000 tonnes of CO2 from the air every year and the entire process will be powered by geothermal energy.
While these plants only capture a small slice of the world''s annual 36.8 billion tonnes of CO2, the technology is rapidly advancing and Iceland is at the forefront of its development.
There have been plenty of other positive environmental stories from Europe this month too.
In Portugal, solar and wind produced half of the country''s energy for the first time ever in April. Renewables reached 51 per cent of electricity production - beating the previous monthly record of 49 per cent in December 2021.
France announced in May that it plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 when compared to 1990 levels. This new figure is double current emissions cuts and will require efforts in all sectors from agriculture to electric vehicles.
France also officially introduced its ban on short-haul domestic flights this month. Any journeys that are possible in less than two-and-a-half hours by train now can''t be taken by air.
Euronews Green is highlighting European countries that are advocating for climate, nature and the environment. Each month, we select a country that stands out for anything from eco-innovations to policy change.
If you''re feeling encouraged by a European government-led initiative in June - please do reach out to us on social media, either on Instagram or Twitter.
Renewables are an increasingly important source of energy as countries seek to reduce their CO2 emissions and dependence on imported fossil fuels. Renewables are mainly used to generate electricity, though renewable technologies can also be used for heating in homes and buildings. Renewable biofuels are also an emerging technology solution to decarbonise parts of the transport sector.
Note thatmodern renewablesexcludes traditional uses of biomass, such as burning collected wood, agricultural byproducts or dung for cooking or heating. This has serious negative consequences on health and the environment, including contributing to millions of deaths annually from air pollution, and is targeted for phase-out in international development and climate goals and in the IEA''s Net Zero scenario.
Biofuels, mostly made from plants, and waste products, such as household trash and industrial wastes, can be burned to generate electricity or heat. This can have environmental and climate advantages compared to burning fossil fuels, though the impact varies widely depending on the fuel source and how it is used. Traditional uses of biomass for heating and cooking, which remain a major source of energy in many developing countries, are targeted for phase-out in international climate goals and IEA scenarios.
Biofuels are used in all parts of the energy system: as replacement for oil-based fuels in transportation, to generate electricity, for heating buildings, or to provide heat for industrial processes.
Renewables such as solar panels, wind turbines and hydroelectric dams generate electricity without burning fuels that emit greenhouse gases and other pollutants. As the costs of solar panels and wind turbines have fallen dramatically in recent years, renewables now represent the cheapest source of new electricity generation in many parts of the world.
Renewables also have an important role in providing heat for buildings and industrial processes. To achieve decarbonisation and energy saving objectives, many countries are encouraging individual homes and buildings to shift from fossil fuel heating systems such as gas- or oil-fired boilers to systems like heat pumps which are much more efficient and can be powered with electricity from low-carbon sources. However, in areas that rely on heating from centralised heat plants or combined heat and power (CHP) plants, burning biofuels and waste products can provide a lower-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. Geothermal heating can also provide renewable, low-carbon heat but is only feasible in specific locations with the right kind of volcanic or tectonic activity.
Renewable heat sources have made fewer inroads in industry, as many important industrial processes such as steelmaking require higher heat than renewable fuels can achieve. New techniques and technologies will be needed to decarbonise these areas.
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