About: environmental protection

Germany strikes compromise between wind power expansion and nature protection
The German government has announced a compromise paper which will ensure that the government’s aim of a rapid expansion of onshore wind energy will not be stymied by too stringent environmental protection rules.
Vucic backs down on Rio Tinto project under pressure from civil society
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has halted a controversial lithium mining project with British-Australian company Rio Tinto, following national protests throughout the country during November and December. But protesters have vowed to continue the fight.
Paris 2024 Olympics on course to being world’s first ‘climate-positive’ sporting event
The Olympic Games to be held in Paris in 2024 will be the "first sporting event in the world" to have a positive impact on the climate, according to the Paris 2024 board of directors, which approved its climate strategy in mid-March. EURACTIV France reports.
Ex-French rugby player starts green label for environmental feats in sports
The Fair Play for Planet label, which was recently created by former French rugby player Julien Pierre, aims to support and recognise environmental commitment in sports. EURACTIV France reports.
French constitutional change on environmental preservation faces long road ahead
The French government will unveil a draft revision of the Constitution on Wednesday (20 January) to include the notion of environmental preservation. While the ultimate aim is to submit this proposal to the French public, holding a referendum seems a distant prospect. EURACTIV France reports.
Member state criticism, COVID crisis delay ratification of EU-Mercosur deal
The challenging procedure of ratifying the EU-Mercosur deal is being held up due to a combination of the COVID-19 health crisis and considerable criticism from member states. EURACTIV's partner Efeagro takes a look at the current state of play.
German Social Democrats gear up for a climate election campaign
Finance Minister Olaf Scholz will lead the German Social Democrats (SPD) into the campaign for federal elections in 2021. Not an easy task for a party that faces strong competition from the Greens for number two position, behind the CDU/CSU conservatives. EURACTIV Germany reports.
District league club plants trees to combat economic impact of COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic has plunged football clubs into crisis, and to stay afloat, they had to get creative. KSV Eschenrod, a district league club, started a project that benefits both the club and the climate with great success. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany still hesitating to link stimulus packages with climate targets
France, the Netherlands and Austria want to put environmentally friendly conditions on aid for corporations. In Germany, companies themselves are calling for a climate stimulus package, yet Economy Minister Peter Altmaier is hesitating. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany must become climate-neutral by 2038, says government advisory council
The German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU) presented on Thursday (14 May) its report on the state of the country's environmental policy. With Germany's carbon budget now almost exhausted, researchers urge stronger climate action in all areas. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Environmental NGOs launch appeal for green reconstruction
An association of ten major European environmental organisations today (14 May) launched an appeal to the European Union to come up with a green and fair reconstruction plan. Today, the EU Parliament will vote on its position on this issue. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Ewald Lienen: Football is ‘by definition political’
German football veteran Ewald Lienen is convinced that football is political and bears social responsibility. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, he explains how he combines football with climate protection.
Case against Tesla: Are German environmental groups abusing their rights to sue?
Two environmental associations have brought a case against the clearing of forests for a new Tesla factory in Brandenburg, saying they want to protect the environment. But is it possible that these associations are not seeing the bigger picture and are acting against their own cause? EURACTIV Germany reports.
Committee of the Regions welcomes Green group for the first time
For the first time, the EU's Committee of the Regions has enough Green members to form their own group. The group, who already met on Tuesday (11 February), is keen to have good relations with the other groups but also wants to "exert pressure". EURACTIV Germany reports.
‘Flight shame’? Europeans have never flown as frequently
Many people claim they are flying less to protect the environment but the figures say otherwise. The aviation industry is doing better than ever and its emissions have more than doubled since 1990. EURACTIV Germany reports.
French football clubs revisit transport modes in bid to reduce carbon footprint
With the travel of football players and fans having a significant impact on the environment, France's football clubs, including amateur ones, have started developing initiatives to reduce travel. EURACTIV France reports.
UK Environment secretary: Brexit is opportunity for UK to ‘shake off shadow of CAP’
After Brexit, the UK must “shake off the shadow of the CAP” and instead begin a transition in 2021 towards “radical” new policies that work for planet, people and the farming sector, Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers has said.
German futurologist: Transition to sustainable mobility needs state intervention
In an interview with EURACTIV's partner Wirtschaftswoche, Futurology and Transport Design Professor, Stephan Rammler, predicts the year 2019 may have been a historical turning point for the transport industry.
The impact of the new CAP on organic farming
With organic agriculture increasingly gaining recognition in the EU as providing benefits to farmers, consumers and the environment, EURACTIV.pl explores how the new CAP proposal works to support the promotion of this type of production.
German ministers urge EU to lead the way at COP25 in Madrid
At a Berlin conference to prepare for the UN's annual climate summit (COP25), Environment Minister Svenja Schulze and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stressed the EU's responsibility in closing the Paris Climate Agreement's remaining gaps, particularly by raising the targets at EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.
‘Green’ jobs see slight rise in Germany
In 2017, 263,883 people were employed in the environmental sector in Germany, which was about 12,600 more than in the previous year. Although this means that the amount of so-called "green jobs" saw a slight rise in Germany, the stagnating wind industry continues to hamper growth. EURACTIV Germany reports.
International alliance of cities commits to tackling air pollution
Poor air quality causes 422,000 premature deaths deaths each year in Europe and EU member states have repeatedly been singled out for exceeding pollution thresholds. At the C40 Summit on Friday (11 October), 35 cities decided to take the matter into their own hands. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Fourteen mayors sign declaration to promote sustainable food policies in their cities
Fourteen cities announced on Thursday (10 October) that they would pay particular attention to the sustainable and healthy food supply in their cities in the future. This way, they aim to save 60% of the carbon emissions in the food sector. EURACTIV Germany reports.