Sustainable Development
Time for governments to take biodiversity loss as seriously as climate change
Together with climate change, the world is also facing a biodiversity crisis, which has failed to capture the same attention. But efforts made by governments to tackle the climate crisis show that action is possible when there is sufficient political will, writes Janice Weatherley-Singh ahead of a UN convention on biological diversity.
Bye Frexit, hello ecology: Why Le Pen’s party programme has a new agenda
With France's regional and presidential elections already looming on the horizon, Marine Le Pen's right-wing Rassemblement national (RN) seems to want to rework its roadmap. On the agenda: more ecology, but no more return to the franc.
Recover today, lead for 2030: A future-fit industrial strategy for Europe
The current political debate on industrial policy lacks an honest acknowledgement of how much is already decided – from EU recovery budgets to the 2030 climate targets, write Sandrine Dixson-Declève and Janez Potočnik. Sandrine Dixson-Declève is the president of The...
UN’s Kunming biodiversity summit delayed a second time
A key United Nations summit to negotiate an accord for nature similar to the Paris climate agreement has been postponed for a second time, it has been announced. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
Lawmakers call for green ‘due diligence’ in Europe’s supply chains
Lawmakers in the European Parliament passed a resolution to tackle environmental and human rights issues in the supply chains of EU businesses by 504 votes to 79 on Wednesday (10 March) ahead of the Commission’s proposal on corporate due diligence later this year.
Meat debate heats up in Italy after remarks by new ‘super minister’
Italy's livestock farmers are fuming after the newly appointed ‘super minister’ for the ecological transition said the amount of animal protein consumed should be decreased and replaced with plant-based alternatives.
The EU adaptation strategy is everybody’s cup of coffee
The EU Adaptation Strategy presents not only priorities for action, but a vision of how adaptation to climate change should take place, writes Richard J. T. Klein.
NGOs call for stricter reporting requirements for European companies
By the end of March, the European Commission wants to present a revised version of the so-called non-financial reporting directive (NFRD). A coalition of European NGOs is calling for greater transparency and stricter reporting requirements for companies in sustainability matters. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German lawmakers call for ending exports of banned pesticides
Pesticides that are currently banned in Europe may still be exported to foreign countries, an issue which highlights the EU's lack of coherence, according to the leftist Die Linke and the Greens. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Commission dampens bid to end EU meat promotion
The European Commission has softened its stance on phasing out the promotion of red and processed meat in Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, and the latest change has received a mixed reception from stakeholders.
US plans to end fossil fuel finance overseas, mirroring EU
US President Joe Biden has pledged to end public funding of ‘carbon-intensive’ fossil fuel projects overseas, bringing America in line with EU plans. However, the wording may leave the door open to gas, writes EURACTIV's media partner, Climate Home News.
‘Fast fashion’ is out, green fashion is coming next
The COVID-19 crisis is accelerating the shift of consumers toward more green and local forms of fashion, writes Mariam Harutyunyan. As high streets haemorrhage, fashion will need to fundamentally remodel itself, she argues.
Lawmakers push for EU due diligence law on environmental, human rights
The European Parliament's legal affairs committee adopted a report on Wednesday (27 January) calling on the European Union to legally require companies to protect human rights and the environment in their supply chains.
Science must finally become the foundation of our marine policies
2021 marks the start of the UN Decade on Ocean Science – a chance to move away from past mistakes where EU decisions were not always made based on the best-available science or even went against scientific advice, writes Antonia Leroy.
EU lawmakers raise concerns about UK ‘regression’ on pesticides
Lawmakers in the European Parliament raised concerns about possible UK regression on pesticides and gene editing at a meeting on the new EU-UK trade agreement on Thursday (14 January).
The EU’s watershed deforestation moment?
This week Ursula von der Leyen signalled the EU’s desire to lead the world in the fight against global deforestation. But if the key drivers of deforestation aren’t addressed, progress will remain limited, writes Julia Christian.
Why Europe must reskill workers to reach its climate goals
The large-scale social and economic shifts caused by the clean energy transition should be managed with care, write Magnus Tyreman and Hauke Engel. A broad training effort would enable Europe to create a labour force that will thrive during the pursuit of the net-zero emissions target, they argue.
EU green finance rules at risk of deviating from science
Some of the draft emission thresholds contained in the EU's sustainable finance taxonomy are not aligned with climate neutrality and deviate from scientific evidence, raising concerns about political and industry pressure, write Tsvetelina Kuzmanova and Sara Dethier.
Final CAP deal can still be fit for purpose, von der Leyen replies to Greens
Although certain aspects of both the European Parliament and the Council's positions on the EU's farming subsidies programme may raise eyebrows, upcoming negotiations can still result in a reform that makes the programme fit for purpose, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said in reply to a letter from the Greens.
Tackling the hidden cost of Europe’s chocolate habit
Chocolate is a cheap treat in Europe, but beneath the wrapper, it is mired in the bitter issues of deforestation, biodiversity loss and child labour.
Boosting circularity: How the industry is driving sustainability
The European Union is betting big on circular economy initiatives that boost recycling and reuse, while decreasing resource consumption. But ambitious policies need industry buy-in to work and they appear to be getting it already.
Greta Thunberg urges MEPs to veto EU farm subsidy bill
The eyes of future generations are on you, Greta Thunberg told MEPs, as pressure mounts on the European Parliament to vote down the EU's massive farm subsidy bill.
Let scientists guide us in the fight against climate change
Scientists have proved vital in the push to control COVID-19. We should also use them to tackle climate change, argues Alina Averchenkova.