About: Frans Timmermans
Can the EU Commission scrap its CAP plan?
The European Commission's threat to withdraw its legislative proposal for the post-2020 EU’s farming subsidies programme has irritated EU lawmakers. EURACTIV.com asked some legal experts to clear the air about the controversy.
Meeting the new 2030 emissions targets: how do we get there?
Alongside the ambition of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, President von der Leyen’s Commission has made clear its aim of ensuring a ‘just transition’ for all European citizens and territories.
Commission back-pedals on CAP withdrawal after rattling farm ministers
Withdrawing the proposal for a reform of the EU's farming subsidies programme is off the table, the European Commission assured farm ministers after its executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans hinted at this possibility, saying the programme could be better aligned with environmental objectives.
Commission does not rule out CAP withdrawal at a later stage
The European Commission has confirmed that a withdrawal of its proposal for the reform of the EU's massive farming subsidies programme is still a possibility, though not at this stage.
Brussels ‘won’t stand in the way’ of new nuclear plants, says EU climate chief
The European Commission “will not stand in the way” of countries that choose to build new nuclear power stations, said EU climate chief Frans Timmermans, who warned however about the life-cycle costs of the technology, “which means that you will be stuck with it for a long, long, long time”.
The Farm to Fork is too much of a political utopia
The EU's new blueprint for sustainable food systems risks hurting both consumers and farmers, writes Bill Wirtz.
Timmermans calls for greater urgency to tackle biodiversity crisis
Voters and the general public need to increase pressure on politicians to act more urgently in order to protect biodiversity, European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans argued on Tuesday (13 October).
No pollinators mean no agriculture, Commission Vice-President warns
Speaking before the European Parliament's plenary, the Dutch Commissioner Frans Timmermans cautioned farmers about the need to change tack on European agricultural policy.
Europe’s new climate plan heralds energy ‘transformation’
Meeting the EU’s proposed new climate targets for 2030 will require a “transformation” of the bloc’s energy system, with a renewed focus on renewables and further efforts to cut fossil fuels in buildings, transport and industry, the European Commission has said.
Timmermans defends higher EU goals on climate change
If the European Green Deal made economic sense before the COVID-19 crisis, “it makes even more sense now” because it will help reboot the economy, said Frans Timmermans, the EU Commission vice-president in charge of climate action.
EU Commission criticised for its reporting on nuclear energy’s sustainability
The European Commission is looking into whether nuclear energy can be classed as a sustainable green investment. But the EU executive's decision to task its research centre with the assessment has already prompted criticism. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Benelux nations tout bicycles as post-virus transport cure-all
Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands mapped out on Tuesday (14 July) how the humble bicycle could become king of the road and urged the EU to prioritise two wheels in the post-virus recovery.
EU Commission charts path towards 100% renewable hydrogen
The European Commission unveiled plans on Wednesday (8 July) to promote hydrogen based entirely on renewable electricity like wind and solar, but said low-carbon hydrogen derived from fossil fuels will also be supported in order to scale up production in the short term.
EU, China and Canada renew pledge for climate action, despite virus
In spite of the economic crisis posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the EU, China and Canada sent “a clear political signal” on Tuesday (7 July) that they are still committed to the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Taxing jet-fuel still on the radar, despite aviation’s virus woes
Kerosene’s plum position as one of the few fuels exempt from taxation is still under severe scrutiny, as momentum builds behind the idea of setting up multilateral agreements between willing countries.
EU urged not to mess with UN aviation rules
Leading MEPs have asked the European Commission and Council not to seek changes to the UN's global aviation scheme, which is aimed at making the industry carbon neutral. Airlines have requested more leeway to ride out the coronavirus outbreak slump.
Farm to Fork Strategy – What’s on the menu?
In this special edition of the agrifood podcast, EURACTIV's agrifood team spoke to a range of policymakers and stakeholders to hear their remarks on the presentation of the highly anticipated Farm to Fork strategy, the new EU's landmark food policy
Number crunching on expanded Just Transition Fund continues
The European Commission revealed on Thursday (28 May) how individual EU members stand to gain from the newly-fortified €40bn Just Transition Fund. Talks are still ongoing on widening the scope of the fund to more regions that might need green aid.
Our historic duty: A more resilient, inclusive and green recovery
As Europe starts to get a better grip on the COVID-19 emergency, we need to undertake the immense task of rebuilding our economies and repairing the staggering damage to our communities, workers and businesses, write Frans Timmermans and Fatih Birol.
Food security again under EU spotlight in the wake of COVID-19 crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic has left its mark on the EU's new food policy, as the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), presented on Wednesday (20 May), demonstrated a renewed interest in food security to ensure the supply during crises of any nature.
Commission upholds highly ambitious targets to transform EU food system
After several delays, the EU's new flagship food policy was finally released on Wednesday (20 May), confirming the aspiration of the EU executive to transform the European way of producing, distributing and consuming food.
Green ‘cash for clunkers’ deals on the starting grid
Car renewal schemes aimed at boosting the automotive industry and the wider economy during the virus recovery period are likely to be linked to climate targets, although the actual effectiveness of such programmes is still a matter of debate.
Timmermans: Farm to fork strategy delayed by couple of weeks, not months
European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans assured MEPs that the new EU Food policy and biodiversity strategy might be delayed by several weeks but no longer, after the launch was pushed back until 29 April.