Truck makers tone down criticism of Europe’s CO2 regulation
Under pressure from regulators, truck makers have softened their criticism of Europe’s first-ever regulation on CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, focusing their comments on the lack of recharging infrastructure in cities and motorways.
EU court offers Brexit way out
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday (10 December) began a final push to persuade parliament to back her Brexit deal as the European Court of Justice ruled Britain was free to halt withdrawal from the bloc unilaterally. The court ruling will fuel...OpinionPromoted content
Lead makes you beautiful and HEALTHY!
Nowadays, there is a widespread wrong assumption among public opinion that hunters and shooters are the most affected by lead poisoning because of their high exposure to lead contained in ammunition.
Salvini hails six months in power, wants to personally negotiate with EU
Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini spoke to thousands of supporters in a packed square in Rome on Sunday (9 December) as his surging League party celebrates six months in power.
Climate change and development aid: The economic case for prevention
Climate change affects developing countries more heavily, with broad impacts on the environment and the economy, insurers say, highlighting the need to act before damage is done.
IPCC scientist: E-mobility not the only way to decarbonise transport
When it comes to decarbonisation of transport, switching to electric cars is just one option and there are a number of others, such as biofuels, that should not be discarded, a scientist from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), told EURACTIV.com on the sidelines of COP24 in Katowice.
COP24: Options to decarbonise transport
Transport is the only sector of the economy whose GHG emissions are increasing globally, scientists have warned.
May presses on with Brexit vote as MPs demand better deal
Theresa May will push ahead with a crucial vote on her European Union exit deal, her Brexit minister said on Sunday (9 December), as senior lawmakers in her own party piled pressure on the British prime minister to go back to Brussels and seek a better offer.
EU’s renewable energy law not meant to support farmers, official admits
The updated renewable energy directive was not meant to support European farmers, but rather promote green energy in whatever form as long as it complies with sustainability criteria, a European Commission official has said.OpinionPromoted content
Resentful and reckless: The EU’s misguided policy on Iran
There is no justification for Europeans to continue doing business with Iran. A clear-eyed evaluation should lead any responsible actor to steer clear of the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and the bankroller of slaughter and misery in Syria.
EU’s Balkan enlargement policy must now be guided by geopolitics
While the EU has played for time, delaying the EU enlargement process largely because of its own problems, the geopolitical context has changed, writes Vladimir Krulj.
Socialists entrust Timmermans to replace Juncker at EU helm
Europe’s socialist parties on Saturday (8 December) chose Dutch politician Frans Timmermans to lead them in May elections and to succeed his boss Jean-Claude Juncker as head of the European Commission. Delegates voted in Timmermans, currently first vice president of the EU’s powerful...
An EU Copyright law for the 21st century film and TV industry
The EU Copyright Directive, which is currently being finalised by the Council and the European Parliament, must include a principle of fair and proportionate remuneration to be fit for the 21st century film and TV industry, writes Cécile Despringre.
Bulgarian deputy PM raises obstacles for Macedonia’s EU, NATO accession
Bulgarian deputy Prime Minister Krassimir Karakachanov stated on Saturday (8 December) that he would not let Macedonia join the EU and NATO, reacting to recent statements by the Macedonian PM Zoran Zaev about the Macedonian language that have also infuriated Athens.
All that glitters is not just gold
The circular economy is taking on more and more significance but a potential clash is looming between maximising the potential of our waste and safeguarding human health.
Ex-chemicals agency chief: ‘Courage’ needed to rethink EU laws
Europe's chemical management rules, REACH, are over a decade old and the man seen as the architect of the legislation still thinks it is the most modern of its kind in the world. But the former boss of the European Chemicals Agency says the EU could do with going back to the drawing board.
Three ways to navigate the risks along low-carbon transition pathways
Risks lurk along the whole pathway of low-carbon transitions, writes Stefan Bößner. Things might get worse before they get better. But, given the climate urgency, there is no time to wait, he argues.
Leading on innovation for a climate neutral Europe by 2050
Innovation will be required across all sectors of the economy in order to steer Europe towards climate neutrality. This will also be good for the EU’s competitiveness, write Jakop Dalunde and Peter Sweatman.
With eyes on future Chancellorship, CDU elects Kramp-Karrenbauer as new chair
Germany's ruling CDU chose Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer as its new chairperson to replace Angela Merkel on Friday (7 December), in a move that raised some doubts about which path the country's biggest party aims to take to stave off challenges from the left and the right. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The Brief – Socialist schism
The Party of European Socialists is meeting in Lisbon in an apparent show of unity. Unlike the EPP, the liberals or even the greens, socialists don’t need to choose from competing candidates – they only have one. Frans Timmermans will be their Spitzenkandidat, and Sergei Stanishev will be re-elected for a third time as PES president, without competition.
Council makes half-hearted agreement on e-Evidence
Ministers from across the EU backed plans on Friday (7 December) that will allow law enforcement authorities to bypass EU member states when making judicial orders for electronic evidence in criminal matters abroad. Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Latvia, and the Czech Republic all voted down the plans.
Local Energy Communities: driver of the 2050 low-carbon agenda?
Households and neighbourhoods feeding small-scale electricity and heat into a decentralised European energy grid: this is the vision developed by proponents of microgeneration. As much as half of EU citizens – including local communities, schools and hospitals – could be...
Why the hysterical reaction to the UN migration and refugee compacts matters
Right-wing leaders are guilty of an hysterical reaction to the UN migration compact, writes Udo Bullman MEP.