CLIMATE ACTIVISTS, policymakers and delegates from European cities are gathering (virtually) for the European Union’s Green Week, an annual talking-shop. This year’s event is dedicated to finding ways to stop pollution of the air, water and soil (past themes have included how to implement environmental laws and make cities climate friendly). This objective aligns with another adopted by the EU as part of the European Green Deal. The deal emerged from the European Commission (the EU’s executive arm) in December 2019. It is the bloc’s most ambitious attempt to date to counter climate change and environmental degradation. All 27 member states—except smoggy Poland—back it. What does the deal actually entail?