Over the last 15 years, the use of satellite imagery for disaster management support increased significantly, from seven cases in 2000, to 123 in 2014, according to a recent review published in the journal Science.

Scientific knowledge of urban ecosystems can support urban planning at different stages of policy and for various spatial scales; hence it can help policy-making for sustainable cities, a pilot study shows. It has produced a harmonised indicator framework which can be applied to other cities.

Carried out in 10 European cities, the study provides guidance for mapping urban ecosystems and includes an indicator framework to assess the condition of urban ecosystems and the services they provide.

Scientists at the JRC have developed and produced a new certified reference material (CRM) for the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and cloud point (CP) temperatures of biodiesel. This material helps laboratories to accurately establish the lowest temperature at which biodiesel can be used, supporting the implementation of the EU policy on the use of biofuels for transport.