About: Bas Eickhout
Berlin think-tank positions itself as midwife of EU climate policy
A star-studded informal group including some of the hottest movers and shakers in EU climate policy was quietly established in December at the initiative of an influential German think-tank. EURACTIV has the details of the forum whose aim is to bring the EU's 'Fit for 55' package of climate legislation over the line.
Green MEP: ‘Climate adaptation and loss & damage will be the key fight at COP27’
Although the recent COP26 conference in Glasgow made progress on climate ambition, there is still a lot of work left to do to limit global warming to 1.5°C and prevent runaway climate change, according to Green MEP Bas Eickhout.
EU’s Timmermans defends new ETS in front of sceptical lawmakers
EU climate chief Frans Timmermans faced lawmakers in the European Parliament on Wednesday (14 July), hours after the European Commission presented a new legislative package aimed at reaching the EU's 2030 climate goals.
Greens do not break up with Timmermans, but letdown remains
European Greens have been disappointed with the first steps in the EU's Green Deal implementation but despite recent criticism received from Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans, they have expressed readiness to continue working with him on shaping the bloc's green agenda.
Europe’s adaptation strategy to tackle human cost of climate change
The EU's climate adaptation strategy, due to be unveiled on Wednesday (24 February), will aim to tackle the human cost of climate change, both within Europe and around the world, amid calls from trade unions to reinforce protection for the most exposed workers.
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).
Airlines urge UN aviation body to rethink climate measures
Airlines are putting pressure on the UN to make it easier for them to curb emissions in the 2020s, as the industry reels from the collapse of air travel because of the coronavirus. EURACTIV's partner Climate Home News reports.
Greens, socialists back meat tax to cover environmental costs of livestock
A new report commissioned by the Dutch True Animal Protein Price Coalition (TAPP) suggests that retail price of meat does not reflect the environmental costs associated with its production, and calls for a “sustainability charge” on meat.
COP25: Connecting the dots on climate finance
As negotiators in Madrid are trying to break the impasse on global climate finance governance, tectonic shifts in the real economy are signaling changing tides for the oil & gas industry. Far from being separate adjustments, these changes are part of a one, large movement where Europe is at the fore-front. MEP Bas Eickhout explained to EURACTIV why.
Timmermans gets broad support at Parliament hearing: the main points
Frans Timmermans passed his European Parliament hearing with flying colours on Tuesday evening (9 October) and was confirmed the following day as Ursula von der Leyen’s climate paladin from 1 November. Here are the main talking points.
UN agency vote complicates EU’s aviation emission efforts
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a United Nations agency, decided on Friday (4 October) to press ahead with plans to make its emissions offsetting scheme the only global option available to its 193 member states, teeing up a dilemma regarding the EU's own system.
‘Environmentalist’ von der Leyen forgot farming in her speech, MEPs say
Ursula von der Leyen' slip-up on agriculture did not pass unnoticed by lawmakers, who voiced regret that the Commission president-elect did not mention at all the farming sector in the first speech she addressed to the plenary in Strasbourg last Tuesday (16 July).
Bas Eickhout: EU carbon market needs alignment with 2050 goal
The next European Commission will have to reopen the Emissions Trading Scheme directive if it is serious about reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, argues Bas Eickhout, warning the next Commission chief will need to find a broader majority in the European Parliament than his predecessor.
EU elections: Will 2019 be the year of climate action?
Climate change is now a top priority for EU voters, so where do the parities stand when it comes to climate action? Elisa Giannelli, explores.
First Spitzenkandidaten debate falls flat
Five candidates vying to become the next European Commission president sparred and bantered in the first European election debate, which fell flat in the absence of Manfred Weber, candidate of the largest political group.
Eickhout: Next step for Europe is a ‘Green New Deal’ for industry
Europe must adopt an ambitious industrial policy aligned with its climate agenda by investing in clean technologies, and introducing a carbon tariff at the EU’s external border in order to protect industries against environmental dumping, says Bas Eickhout, the lead candidate for the Greens in the European elections.
European Greens set conditions on EPP candidate Manfred Weber
The European Greens launched their electoral campaign on Wednesday (6 March) and set conditions for the European People’s Party (EPP) top candidate Manfred Weber, saying they would not be willing to talk to him "if he prefers leaning to the right".
EU climate laws completed as truck rules get green light
European Union negotiators hauled the first ever set of rules for heavy vehicle CO2 emissions across the line early on Tuesday morning (19 February), rounding off the current generation of climate laws.
Over a Coffee with Ska Keller and Bas Eickhout, lead candidates for the Greens
Ska Keller and Bas Eickhout, lead candidates in the European Elections for the Greens meet with EURACTIV’s Brian Maguire over a coffee to talk about the upcoming EU elections.
Truck emissions rules get green light from EU capitals, tough talks loom
EU environment ministers agreed on heavy-duty vehicle CO2 emission rules on Thursday (20 December), teeing up difficult talks with the European Parliament in January.
Europe stuck on climate ambition at COP24
With the UK entangled in Brexit, France mired in the "Yellow Vest" movement, and Germany stuck in political quagmire, Europe is not ready to lead global climate talks as the decisive political phase of the UN climate conference opens on Tuesday (11 December).
Greens to push industrial and social agenda for EU elections
Social justice and a fair transition towards a low-carbon economy will stand in equal focus during the Greens' upcoming EU electoral campaign, the group's newly elected lead candidates Ska Keller and Bas Eickhout told EURACTIV in an interview.
European Greens Spitzenkandidaten: Petra De Sutter
European Greens will pick their two Spitzenkandidats in Berlin on 23-25 November, hoping to build on the Green parties’ unexpected surge in Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium. EURACTIV has spoken to the three candidates. Here is the portrait of one of them, Petra De Sutter.