GoGreenNEXT will deliver a comprehensive evidence-based policy oriented approach model to convey how ecosystem health and human health are connected. We propose to follow the pathway outlined foA complex array of interrelated problems arising from climate change and biodiversity loss pose significant health risks, both today and in the future . Future risks from climate change are currently predicted to escalate (beyond planetary boundaries) and pass critical tipping points with irreversible changes to our climate with commensurate negative impacts on health, our ecosystems and our landscapes . Global, European and national policy frameworks have emerged in recent years to address this challenge, with a range of initiatives to promote mitigation, adaptation and resilience. Nature-based solutions (NBS), or actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature, are among the strategies that have emerged to reverse the degradation of nature, notably in urban areas where changes are amplified. In cities, vulnerability to climate change and environmental degradation is high due to dense populations, critical infrastructure, and at-risk communities (e.g. vast differences across social-economic gradient). Cities offer an opportunity to accelerate the implementation of current solutions aligned with emerging strategies and policy initiatives (e.g. New European Bauhaus, 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities) combining to form what is termed a just green transition. This refers to a process of far-reaching sociotechnical change leading to a green and climate-neutral economy that preserves biodiversity and ensures social justice. GoGreenNext will address the biodiversity-climate-planetary health nexus, delivering positive policy and city/region pilot outcomes in 4 biogeographic regions across Europe and with input from best practice globally.

Electric car markets have grown exponentially in recent years and the trend continued strongly through 2023. The EU has passed legislation to match its electrification ambitions, and more R&D projects are being funded to develop affordable user-centric EV concepts. Equally important is the sufficient coverage of charging infrastructure to achieve the optimal ratio of EVs per charger. The ePowerMove concept is to develop a global energy-usage optimiser which brings together advanced technologies from charging infrastructure design and grid energy control, with a number of innovative and complementary elements to maximise the potential utilisation of individual innovations. All developments in the project are driven by social innovation, affordability and user acceptability, meeting users’ needs and requirements in socio-cultural contexts of different communities. The proposed slow charging solutions are cost-effective, bi-directional and interoperable, and intelligently synergised with the grid, to optimise the overall efficiency and capacity of power supply, mindful of increasing penetration of renewable energy systems. Solutions are demonstrated in Helsinki (Finland) with focus on charging infrastructure cost reduction and people-friendly applications, Klagenfurt (Austria) with focus on business model development and Nicosia (Cyprus) with focus on grid compatibility and energy flow optimisation. The multi-level systemic architecture is designed to be flexible, scalable, and compatible with a variety of regional power systems and V2G technologies. New business and usage models are explored to maximise the project results' impact, building up from a proven proliferation model developed in several EU-funded projects to assess policy intervention scenarios and strategies for mass-deployment EV uptake. ePowerMove will accelerate the transition to sustainable urban e-mobility and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the global transport sector.

SPADES’ mission is to develop, test and implement soil-inclusive spatial planning strategies to support the transition towards soil health in Europe. Soil health is highly under pressure and the soil’s ability to perform essential ecosystem services should be improved to cope with pressures such as climate change and need such as a healthy living environment. Spatial planning and design are practices that, when enriched by soil care, can enhance the current status of soils and support societal challenges and needs, while avoiding unwanted trade-offs towards other areas, generations or functions. SPADES will therefor provide a comprehensive state of the art on both planning and design practices, as on soil instruments. To be able to make a transition in spatial planning and design towards healthy soils a fundamental understanding of the current mechanisms is key. SPADES will develop integrative instruments and improve the information basis and brokerage to bring the spatial planning and design field and soil sector together. This will contribute to the methodological basis. SPADES will work in 17 pilots in 10 member states, covering a broad range of land uses (urban, peri-urban and rural areas), time and spatial scales, and soil and planning challenges. This is done together with local practitioners and policy makers to develop fit-for-purpose soil-inclusive spatial strategies to support different goals such as land degradation neutrality and no net land take. The SPADES instruments will be presented in such a way (manual and navigator) so that they can be found by the right user, at the right phase of the planning and design process, and for the right purpose. SPADES supports soil literacy (by capacity building and communication, dissemination and exploitation activities) to a broad range of target groups to enable current practice to improve. To make this most effective, SPADES case partners are involved in these CDE and training activities.