Science & Policymaking
MEPs adopt stricter limits on carcinogens in the workplace
EU lawmakers on Wednesday (30 August) voted on tough new exposure limits to carcinogenic substances in the workplace, in a move they hope will save more than 100,000 lives over the next 50 years.
Planet’s addiction to plastic bottles ‘as dangerous as climate change’
A million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute and the number will jump another 20% by 2021, creating an environmental crisis some campaigners predict will be as serious as climate change. EURACTIV’s partner The Guardian reports.
SusChem 2017 Stakeholder Event interviews
Experts and stakeholders from the European Commission, academia, industry, a research and technology organisation (RTO) and a small and medium enterprise (SME) were interviewed at the SusChem 2017 Stakeholder Event.
Winds of change: EU embarks on sustainable finance mission
Disturbing developments on the international political scene have only increased the resolve of the European Union to lead in taking action against the impact of climate change. Flavia Micilotta explains why financing is a key component.
EU leaps forward in attempt to ban carcinogens at work
After more than ten years of inaction, European lawmakers have taken the first step to update EU laws related to the prevention of occupational cancers that are believed to cause 100,000 deaths every year. Trade unions hailed the EU’s decision, which brings an end to years of stalemate.
Energy and climate scenarios 2050
The EU has set a long-term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050. But getting there will be a huge challenge that will require a transformation of our energy system.
EU experts agree on criteria for endocrine disrupting chemicals in pesticides
Experts from the 28 EU member states approved on Tuesday (4 July) a proposed list of criteria to identify endocrine disruptors in plant protection products – a move presented by the European Commission as a step towards a broader regulatory system for similar chemicals used in cosmetics, toys and food packaging.
US journal Science publishes study linking neonicotinoids to bee deaths
Two of the most extensive field studies conducted to date in Europe and Canada have confirmed the hypothesis that neonicotinoid insecticides are harmful to bees and other pollinating species.
Three years left to stop dangerous climate change, experts warn
Avoiding dangerous levels of climate change is still just about possible, but will require unprecedented effort and coordination from governments, businesses, citizens and scientists in the next three years, a group of prominent experts has warned.
Biomass and biofuels in the EU: Emotion-based policymaking?
The European Commission’s tinkering on biomass policy effectively promotes oil over economically viable and sustainable biofuels, writes Francis X. Johnson.
How do you put a price on trucks’ impact on society?
Hauliers claim that trucks are overpaying in taxes and charges compared to their impact on the environment and society. But the reality is that road transport is now Europe’s biggest climate problem, writes Samuel Kenny.
Forest accounting rules put EU’s climate credibility at risk
Forest mitigation should be measured using a scientifically-objective approach, not allowing countries to hide the impacts of policies that increase net emissions, writes a group of environmental scientists led by Dr Joanna I House.
Science-based forest policies urgently needed for effective climate action
There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to take effective climate action, and EU forest policies need to be more science-based to succeed, write Michael Norton and Jaana Bäck.
The evidence behind a 40% energy efficiency target
The myth about the negative impact of high-efficiency ambition on the competitiveness of EU member states is dismantled by the European Commission’s modelling results, writes Yamina Saheb.
Do-or-die: EU pushes Trump to stick to Paris climate deal
EU officials are scrambling to persuade US President Donald Trump not pull out of the Paris climate accord after his advisers warned of legal problems if Washington stayed in but lowered its commitments.
Most global investors recognise financial risk of climate change, report finds
For the first time a majority of global investor heavyweights recognise the financial risks of climate change, according to the results of a major global index rating how investors manage such risks. EURACTIV's partner The Guardian reports.
Only healthier diets can tackle climate change, experts claim
Governments are “trapped” by lobbyists, and it’s hard to fight climate change. But if young people are mobilised and turn to healthy lifestyles, there is hope, according to scientists. EURACTIV.com reports from Lyon.
Workplace cancer prevention must be extended to reprotoxic substances
Putting more than 10 years of paralysis behind it, the European Commission finally launched a revision of the directive on the prevention of occupational cancers in May 2016. Lawmakers can now address reprotoxic substances in the workplace, writes Laurent Vogel.
Sefcovic debriefs following landmark US visit
Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič told the Brussels press yesterday (13 March) about his visit to the US last week (6-9 March), which was also one of the first meetings of the EU executive with the new administration of Donald Trump.
Climate change to hit Mediterranean with more forest fires
Climate change means the risk of forest fires will skyrocket in Mediterranean Europe in the coming decades, according to a new study. Existing fire prevention measures will be inadequate, so a change of strategy will be needed. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Belgium and France join war on plastics
Ten countries have pledged their allegiance to the United Nation’s war on ocean plastics.
EU caught off guard by NASA publicity coup
When NASA announced on Wednesday (22 February) the discovery of planets outside the solar system that might support life, the Commission didn’t have a clue. Today (23 February) the executive said the project was made possible with the decisive support of EU money.
EURACTIV Metamorphosis: The story behind EURACTIV’s rebranding
As you discover our rebranded euractiv.com website today, we wanted to walk you through the changes that have been taking place at EURACTIV over the last 6 or so months.
Comitology reform: Doing, undoing and redoing is still hard work
To avoid taking responsibility for contentious proposals like GMO and pesticide approvals, the European Commission’s proposed comitology reform aims to put member states in the frontline, writes Daniel Guéguen.