COST Connect | Advancing a clean and healthy environment through research collaboration

Ensuring a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is among the most pressing challenges faced by society today. The impacts of environmental degradation, such as biodiversity loss, air and water pollution, and climate change, pose critical threats not only to ecosystems but also to economic growth, public health, and social equity. Addressing these challenges calls for a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach, relying on cutting-edge science, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. National and European cooperation is especially crucial, given that pollution, climate fluctuations, and other environmental hazards transcend geographic and political boundaries.

This COST Connect event aims to provide a multidisciplinary platform where researchers, policymakers, environmental organizations, and industry representatives can examine the key hurdles in achieving a cleaner and healthier environment, while identifying strategic steps for more effective coordination at the European level. Some topics which are expected to be discussed at the event:

• How can we effectively facilitate cross-border data sharing to inform environmental policymaking and research?
• Which emerging technologies hold the greatest promise for mitigating pollution and promoting cleaner environments (e.g., AI-driven monitoring, satellite imaging, IoT sensors)?
• How might existing environmental regulations adapt to rapidly changing technologies and new research findings?
• Which funding mechanisms, at both national and EU levels, are most critical to achieving tangible environmental outcomes?
• What are the main knowledge gaps that future research collaborations should prioritize?

By fostering research-driven solutions and stakeholder engagement, this event seeks to accelerate the transition toward sustainable ecosystems, equitable resource use, and long-term resilience against environmental threats. Ultimately, the outcomes will benefit European society at large, improving quality of life, reducing health risks, and safeguarding the planet for future generations.

Participation is possible by invitation only.

Further details can be requested to events@cost.eu.