Climate & Environment

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Trial kick-off: Largest climate lawsuit in the history of the ECtHR
It is the largest climate change case in the history of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR): Six young people from Portugal are suing a total of 32 European governments. Among them are all 27 EU member states as well as Great Britain, Switzerland, Norway, Russia and Turkey. The trial kicked off in Strasbourg […] continue reading →
Greenwashing: EU bans false environmental claims on products
On Wednesday night, the EU Commission, Council and Parliament reached agreement on the Consumer Empowerment for Environmental Change Directive. The legislative package, part of the Circular Economy Action Plan, aims to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and contribute to more sustainable consumption. They are to be given better information about the durability and […] continue reading →
Municipal wastewater: ENVI wants weaker polluter-pays principle
The members of the Environment Committee in the EU Parliament (ENVI) have agreed by a large majority on a weakened polluter-pays principle in the revision of the directive on the treatment of urban wastewater. According to the compromise, industry – in particular manufacturers of pharmaceutical products and cosmetics – is to share 80 percent of […] continue reading →
ReFuelEU Aviation: Parliament approves binding SAF targets
The European Parliament on Wednesday approved binding targets for airlines in Europe to increase the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). The act, called ReFuelEU Aviation, aims to increase both demand and supply of sustainable aviation fuels. The Council, Parliament and Commission had already reached agreement in trilogue in April. ReFuelEU Aviation is part of […] continue reading →
Edenhofer calls for European carbon central bank
The EU is under pressure to move forward with its green agenda in light of the US Inflation Reduction Act, writes Ottmar Edenhofer, director of the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC). To ensure that Europe is not put on the “industrial policy sidelines,” the renowned climate researcher, who is also […] continue reading →
Baerbock calls for new climate alliances
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) is calling for new strategic partnerships with developing countries following her unsuccessful trip to Oceania. “We need new climate alliances. Between the industrialized countries and those heavily affected by the climate crisis,” said the minister in an interview with Table.Media (read the full interview here). The success of the […] continue reading →
One year of IRA: investment, jobs and climate action at a high price
One year after the Inflation Reduction Act took effect, data show mixed results. US subsidies attract investment and create jobs, but at a high price. The climate benefits, however, are undisputed. continue reading →
Organic farming: How realistic is the 25 percent target?
With the Organic Farming Action Plan, the EU Commission is pursuing the goal of increasing the organic share of food production from currently less than ten percent to 25 percent by 2030 – but that may not make sense at all. continue reading →
Germanwatch: EU climate target 2040 with global leverage effect
The development and environmental NGO Germanwatch is calling on the European Union to adhere to the recommendations of the EU’s Scientific Climate Advisory Council for the 2040 climate target. The panel’s proposal for a CO2 reduction target of 90 to 95 percent by 2040 is heading in the right direction, it said. “It is ambitious, […] continue reading →
Renaturation: the crucial role of peatlands
Rarely has an EU project been as controversial as the Nature Restoration Law. In addition to nature conservation, it is also about climate protection. In this context, the restoration of peatlands can become a decisive factor. continue reading →
Shipping: Brussels and Berlin welcome new climate targets
The EU Commission and the German government have welcomed the tightened climate targets for international shipping. The member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed on Friday to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions from ships to zero by around 2050. The previous 2018 IMO strategy had only targeted a reduction by half.The EU Commission […] continue reading →
Energy Charter: Commission proposes EU withdrawal
On Friday, the EU Commission proposed the collective withdrawal of the EU and its member states from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). It was responding to the lack of support for last year’s negotiated reform of the 1990s international treaty, which is the basis for many lawsuits by energy companies in private arbitration courts.Initially, the […] continue reading →
Glyphosate approval: EFSA likely to give green light
Six years ago, the approval of glyphosate caused a fierce political dispute, and now the decision is due to be made again: Today, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will issue its assessment. But the final decision rests with the member states. continue reading →
EU wants to more closely link climate and security policy
The EU wants to link climate change and security more closely in its future foreign policy strategy. To this end, it announced an action plan comprising around 30 measures on Wednesday. After all, the consequences of climate change, such as the loss of livelihoods due to droughts or floods, growing migration patterns, health risks or […] continue reading →
Große Entrup (VCI): ‘Germany does not take place in Brussels’
The CEO of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) misses an energetic stand of the German government for German interests. continue reading →
Summit in Paris: debates on global financial relations
Developing countries should not be left alone in the fight against climate change and their often oppressively high debts. Numerous representatives of international organizations gave this assurance on Thursday at the start of a two-day summit in Paris, which aims to reorganize global financial relations. African countries in particular urgently need help. Concrete resolutions are […] continue reading →
Berlin drags its feet on energy and climate plan
The German government’s key roadmap for achieving Europe’s 2030 climate targets is being delayed. EU member states must submit drafts of their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) to the Commission by June 30. Germany, however, is not expected to submit the draft until the summer – probably in July – a spokesman for the […] continue reading →
Agriculture sector: Commission prepares emissions trading
The agricultural sector has been dragging its feet for years in reducing its emissions. Now, a pricing model is supposed to fix it. But the hurdles are high – and time is running out. continue reading →