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The 2023 wildfire season ranks among the EU's worst in over two decades, fuelled by climate change. Fires devastated vast areas, threatening ecosystems and lives. As fire risks rise, Europe must prevent and prepare for intensifying wildfire seasons.

EU ministers have adopted EU rules prohibiting products in the EU market that are made using forced labour. The text forbids the placing and making available on the EU market, or the export from this market, of any product made using forced labour.

15 November is the EU’s Equal Pay Day, the day when women in Europe symbolically stop to be paid compared to men. Women in the EU earn on average 13% less than their male counterparts. The EU is working to close this pay gap. 

The EU has proposed a new single digital platform to declare workers who are sent temporarily to provide services in another EU country by their employer. Companies will use a single form on the portal instead of 27 different national forms, thereby cutting the administrative burden on companies.

The European Capital of Innovation Awards have been recognising cities that lead the way in delivering innovative solutions for their citizens for a decade. This year's top prizes were awarded to Italy's Torino and Portugal's Braga.

Detentions of counterfeit in the EU have reached new heights, with law enforcement authorities detaining 152 million fake articles in 2023, a 77% increase from the previous year. This is part of efforts by EU enforcers to protect intellectual property rights within the EU and at its borders.

At the COP29 UN Climate Change Conference on 11-22 November, the EU will work with international partners to deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement of limiting global average temperature rise to as close as possible to 1.5C.

A new EU law permits proceedings in a criminal case initiated in one EU country to be transferred to another EU country if required. This helps ensure that the best-placed country investigates or prosecutes a criminal offence.

The EU has adopted new rules that will see EU countries responsible for collecting and treating waster from urban areas of upwards of 1 000 residents. By 2035, they will also have to remove biodegradable organic matter from urban wastewater before it is discharged into the environment.

A report on climate action progress has revealed that EU greenhouse gas emissions fell by over 8% in 2023 compared to the previous year. It confirms that the EU remains on track to reach its goal of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 but calls for continued action to tackle climate change.

Every year, the Commission assesses the state of play and the progress made by the countries seeking to join the European Union. The reports also provide guidance on key reform priorities for each country.

The European Economic and Social Committee has laid out a bold vision for transforming the EU's agriculture, fisheries, and food systems to better withstand crises while ensuring sustainability. It envisions a food system that is competitive, crisis-proof, and aligned with EU environmental goals.

A global operation, supported by Eurojust, has led to the takedown of servers of infostealers, a type of malware used to steal personal data and conduct cybercrimes worldwide. With millions targeted, it was one of the largest malware platforms globally. Learn more.

The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage on 27 October raises awareness about the importance and preservation risks of audiovisual materials. Find out how the EU is safeguarding its most invaluable resources and how to access them through various platforms.

As Global Media and Information Literacy Week kicks off, take a look at what the EU is doing to help people better navigate information, especially online, and identify and counter disinformation. From supporting EU countries to take measures to develop these skills, to awareness-raising activities.

The European Anti-Fraud Office seized around 40,000 litres of illicit alcoholic beverages through a coordinated action with EU countries and Norwegian customs authorities. The operation removed counterfeit and substandard drinks from markets while dismantling the criminal network behind them.

Some 85 innovative net-zero projects around Europe are to receive €4.8 billion in grants from the EU’s Innovation Fund. The projects will be up and running before 2030 and are expected to reduce CO2 emissions by about 476 million tonnes within the first 10 years of operation.

A new report shows alarming trends in soil degradation in Europe and highlights the need for immediate action to reverse them. Soil degradation, which threatens food security, agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and resilience to climate change, has reportedly got much worse in recent years.

The European Parliament has approved new rules that will create more efficient air traffic control and management and reduce costs and emissions through shorter and safer flights. The rules, which have binding targets and incentives to make flights greener, will support climate neutrality.