As EU rules require more recycled plastic, consumers still have no way of knowing whether a bottle really contains recycled material. Researchers are developing a blockchain-based traceability system to improve transparency. Because without credible proof, trust in environmental claims and the circular transition could be at risk.

As extreme heatwaves expose the limits of active cooling, architects and researchers are looking back to vernacular materials, passive designs and invisible retrofits to build our carbon-neutral tomorrow.

One field, two harvests: crops and clean electricity. Agrivoltaics promises to transform farmland into a powerful climate solution, while autonomous robots reduce labour and optimise operations. Experts say the technology is ready, but regulation is not.

Long after they stop powering cars, lithium-ion batteries still have years of useful life ahead of them. From designer lamps to solar-powered rickshaws, innovative second-life applications are proving their enormous potential. But before repurposing can become the norm, Europe must solve a far less glamorous challenge: deciding who is responsible when something goes wrong.

From chemicals to ceramics, Europe's factories still depend on fossil fuels to reach extreme temperatures. Electrification is gathering pace, but experts warn that today's investment decisions will shape industrial emissions for decades: "We have windows of opportunity. If we want to meet our climate goals, we cannot afford to delay."