The SpongeBoost project supports policy-making, restoration and land-use planning by promoting cost-effective, nature-based solutions that strengthen water retention in landscapes and align with the EU Climate Adaptation goals. With the establishment of the “SpongeBooster of the year” award, SpongeBoost recognises outstanding initiatives that actively restore and support sponge landscapes and inspire others through implementation, communication, environmental education and cooperation.

Underground, intricate networks of soil fungi underpin the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Yet despite their global importance, only 30% of global ecosystems have been sampled for these fungal partners.

Highly detailed 3D scans of dense tropical rain forest plots are enabling precise estimates of tree structure, volume and stored carbon, as part of a first-of-its-kind pilot initiative, led by UCL researchers. 

Countries with stronger and better-targeted climate policies are cutting carbon emissions significantly faster, a major new study finds. Analysing more than 3,900 policies across 43 economies, researchers show that climate policies have already avoided over 3 billion tonnes of CO₂ in a single year, with the biggest gains coming from policies focused on high-emitting sectors such as energy, industry and transport.