Developing and emerging countries need hundreds of billions of dollars to fight the climate crisis. However, if most of this money is provided as loans, it could exacerbate the debt crisis in many of these countries. The Bonn climate conference (June 3–13) debated ways to prevent this.
By Nico Beckert
Because Austria's Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler changed her mind at the last minute, the Nature Restoration Act was finally passed by the Council yesterday, Monday. Gewessler's vote drew the ire of her coalition partner. Decisions have also been made on the Soil Monitoring Act and the Waste Framework Directive.
By Claire Stam
Wealthy Chinese use "golden visas" to gain European residence permits through investments. Brussels calls for an EU-wide ban. Pull factors include education, healthcare and travel freedom.
By Fabian Peltsch
Overcapacity and high price pressure put German companies in China under severe pressure. Nevertheless, companies refuse European tariffs on Beijing.
By Jörn Petring
Before the election, the Greens set clear conditions for cooperation with the EPP. After the election defeat, they are now literally begging to be included in the informal coalition talks. Behind this is a plan.
By Lukas Knigge
After the regional and federal parliamentary elections in Belgium, King Philippe has tasked Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever (N-VA) with the exploratory talks for forming a government. Both are pushing for a swift process.
By Eric Bonse
The SB60 interim conference in Bonn ended with small steps forward. There was agreement on very general targets for the big-ticket issue of climate finance. However, the conference is still waiting for a strategy from the next COP presidency.
By Bernhard Pötter
After significant discussion about the stance on Gaza at COP28 in Dubai, the conflict has also surfaced at the SB60 interim climate conference in Bonn. German climate and environmental organizations are largely isolated in their position on Gaza.
By Fabian Löhe
At the Bonn interim climate conference, there was little progress in the negotiations on more financial aid for poorer countries in the fight against the climate crisis. Observers are calling for the next COP host to speed up the processes. Failure would have grave consequences for the next national climate targets.
By Nico Beckert
In the previous legislative term, there was a cordon sanitaire that prevented far-right parties from obtaining committee chair positions and other posts in the European Parliament. Now the question arises whether this barrier will also apply to the conservative ECR group if they team up with Le Pen's Rassemblement National.
By Markus Grabitz
