Let’s rebuild a fairer, greener and more sustainable trade policy

Greens/EFA proposals for the EU trade policy review

The EU Trade Policy Review is a unique opportunity to fundamentally rethink and reshape our rules to ensure EU trade is fairer, greener, more sustainable and better for people and planet. These are some of the Greens/EFA's highlights.

Flash - Plenary session 18-22 January 2021

Greens/EFA priorities for the session

During this week plenary session, the European Parliament will debate and/or vote on Portuguese Council Presidency, vaccine strategy, new President of the US and the current situation, access to decent and affordable housing for all, EU gender strategy, TEN-T regulation, technical support instrument, more fish in the seas ...

We can only win against Covid if we act together

An opinion by MEP Anna Cavazzini

With the advent of a new vaccine, hopes are now rising that there could be an end on the horizon. However, the vaccine itself has presented a number of logistical and diplomatic challenges, as many governments have begun playing the politics of division instead of pulling together to save lives.

The EU ethics body

A new institution fighting intransparent lobbying and conflicts of interest

The EU institutions have some of the best ethics rules for lobby transparency and against conflicts of interest including revolving doors. Yet, the implementation of these rules is fragmented and politicised.

Greens/EFA debriefing of the plenary session

14-18 December

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the Council Conclusions on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Rule of Law and Climate Law, the presentation of the Digital Service Act (DSA), the Drinking Water Directive, transitional provisions for Agricultural Funds, the European Year of Rail 2021, a new Strategy for European SMEs, and the future relations between the EU and the UK following Brexit negotiations.

Stop the import of GM crops destroying nature

After 50 resolutions, Commission must finally heed Parliament’s advice

MEPs Tilly Metz and Eleonora Evi argue that the EU must no longer be complicit in the destruction of primary forests, expansion of monocultures and use of toxic chemicals banned in the EU through the continued import of GM crops.

A bad day for human rights abusers

An opinion by MEP Heidi Hautala

The European Parliament has for several years called for a new tool to sanction human rights abusers worldwide. Finally on 7 December the EU Council adopted this regime which will allow the EU to impose travel bans and asset freezes on the grounds of trafficking, arbitrary arrests, slavery, as well as the more serious crimes...

Fighting for your rights online

Did you know that the EU's internet rules haven't changed in 20 years? The reform of the rules through the "Digital Services Package” has the potential to be either a threat to fundamental rights or a major improvement.

Plenary Flash 14-18 December 2020

Greens/EFA priorities for the session

During this week plenary session, the European Parliament will debate and/or vote on digital services act, the conclusions of the European Council meeting, water legislation, new strategy for European SMEs, European Year of Rail, Council configuration on Gender Equality, ...

No place for fossil fuels in the Just Transition Fund

EU agreement

The Just Transition Fund is the first instrument of the European Green Deal. Thanks to the Greens/EFA, co-legislators agreed to remove funding for natural gas projects from the final text entirely.

Agreement on the rule of law a good base for action

EU Summit

Statement by Ska Keller MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, on the agreement reached at today's (Thursday 10 December) summit of EU leaders on a binding rule of law mechanism.

How green will transport be in the future?

The European Commission adopted its strategy on Smart and Sustainable Mobility on 9th December 2020, which sets out a vision for the transport sector in 2050. Here is a quick overview of the main issues and what is missing.

The end of fossil fuels

There are many obvious and urgent climate policies like implementing a greenhouse gas budget, reforestation, halting destructive trade agreements, putting the money where it should be. But why don’t we just stop all fossil fuels?

6 ways to make EU industry climate neutral

An opinion by MEPs Henrike Hahn, Damien Carême and Michael Bloss

We need a greener European industry, to keep our air fresh, our planet cool and to get a competitive, resilient and sustainable economy.

Terrorist Content Online Regulation

A threat to freedom of speech, media, arts and sciences

Preventing the recruitment of terrorists is an important objective. We want incitement to violence, glorification of terrorism as well as bomb-building instructions published by terrorist organizations to be removed from the Internet. But the means to achieve this goal, as proposed by the Commission and supported by Council, are problematic and threaten fundamental rights.

Greens/EFA take on the plenary session

23-27 November

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the sustainable single market, tackling homelessness in the EU, Industrial Strategy for Europe, LGBTIQ Strategy, Pharmaceutical Strategy, Abortion Rights and Rule of Law in Poland, and the outcome of EUCO debate regarding MFF.

A home for everyone is possible

Time for the EU to step up ambition on homelessness

And yet, right now, at least 700,000 people across Europe are sleeping rough or in homeless shelters, an increase of 70% in ten years and it continues to rise. It doesn’t have to be this way. With your help we can change it. Sign our petition

Getting out of the red: The Greenhouse Gas Budget

When the European Union decided to propose a European Green Deal to try and reach the climate targets of the Paris Agreement, they had to start with one important thing: reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission laid out their plans and proposed their own targets. Unfortunately, the targets that have been set are not being backed up with policies.

Plenary Flash 23-26 November 2020

Greens/EFA priorities

During this week plenary session, the European Parliament will debate and vote on tackling homelessness rates in the EU, planned obsolescence, LGBTI equality strategy, new industrial strategy, abortion rights in Poland, pharmaceutical strategy, MFF/Recovery Plan, ...

Time for real EU action on housing and assistance for the homeless

Earlier this year, the Commission launched a public consultation on its action plan to put the European Pillar of Social Rights into practice. There’s still time to respond and call for action on housing rights in the EU.

Update: Von Der Leyen promises to fix the CAP despite her refusal to withdraw it

On Friday October 24, Bas Eickhout, together with more than 40 other Members of the European Parliament - supported by over 3000 citizens - sent a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asking her to withdraw the CAP proposal, since it no longer aligns with the Commission's priorities on climate and biodiversity. Last week we received a reply by President Von der Leyen.

How Trees Can Stop Climate Change

Trees are literally the lungs of the earth. They act as a ‘carbon sink’ absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turning it into oxygen. After oceans, our forests are the world’s largest carbon sinks.

A Greens/EFA take on the plenary session

19-23 October

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Digital Services Act, Artificial Intelligence, deforestation, gender equality in EU’s foreign and security policy, the state of the Energy Union, the Energy Charter Treaty, serious security threats through the sale of EU passports and visas and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

It’s (already) time to save the Green Deal

A blog by MEPs Benoit Biteau and Claude Gruffat

The farming population is in freefall, with Europe having lost 50% of its farmers in 20 years. Consumers are demanding healthier food produced as close to home as possible.

Put rights and freedoms at the centre of the upcoming Digital Services Act

A blog by MEPs Alexandra Geese, Patrick Breyer and Marcel Kolaja.

The farming population is in freefall, with Europe having lost 50% of its farmers in 20 years. Consumers are demanding healthier food produced as close to home as possible.

Gender equality in EU's foreign and security policy

Info mail on the report by Greens/EFA MEP Urtasun

"The European Parliament will adopt the first-ever report calling on gender equality in EU’s foreign and security policy. While several countries around the world have already adopted a foreign policy with a strong focus on gender equality, the EU continues to lack one. This is why we call on the EU and its leaders to promote a gender transformative vision of foreign policy that protects and promotes women’s human rights" said the rapporteur

Plenary Flash October II 2020

Greens/EFA priorities 19-23 October

During this week plenary session, the European Parliament will debate and vote on the Common Agricultural Policy, Digital Services Act, Artificial Intelligence, Gender Equality in EU’s foreign and security policy, State of the Energy Union, ...

We want good food

Tell your MEP

Did you know that over 30% of the total EU budget goes into the European Agricultural Policy? We should have a say on it! If like us, you also want your food to be ecological, local and produced by farmers that earn a dignified income, email your members of the European Parliament now!

Renovation Wave Strategy Communication

Info mail

The European Parliament adopted the Cuffe report* on “maximising the energy efficiency potential of the EU building stock” by large majority. The report calls for energy efficiency policies to be far more ambitious in order to ensure effectively fighting energy poverty, stepping up climate action, and foster sustainable recovery.

Greens/EFA plenary session debriefing

4-9 October

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the climate law, rule of law and fundamental rights mechanism, rule of law and fundamental rights in Bulgaria, multiannual financial framework (MFF) and the rule of law, reinforcing the youth guarantee, forest strategy, approval of McGuinness and Dombrovskis, fight against money laundering following the FinCEN files.

EU-Mercosur agreement

The European Parliament adopted a report opposing its ratification

This is the first time that the European Parliament has sent such a clear signal that the EU-Mercosur agreement in its present form cannot be ratified by the Parliament. The alarming situation in the Amazon played an important role in the vote.

Europe's Regions must play key role in EU Recovery Plan

EFA MEP Diana Riba: "Thinking globally and acting locally is more necessary than ever"

EFA MEP Diana Riba has called for Europe's regions to play a key role in the the EU's forthcoming recovery plan, designed to help the EU's economy and society recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic....

Plenary Flash October I 2020

Greens/EFA priorities 04-09 October

During this week plenary session, the European Parliament will debate and vote on the climate law, the rule of law mechanism, the Multiannual Financial Framework, the forest strategy, the fight against money laundering, ...

Time to put the European Green Deal at the heart of trade policy

Opinion piece by our MEP's Anna Cavazzini and Saskia Bricmont

Trade Commissioner nominee Valdis Dombrovskis faces a packed in-tray. The EU’s trade policy needs a complete overhaul in order to be adapted to the EU’s new sustainability goals and to harness globalisation.

My content my rights

A new EU law on Notice and Action for removal of illegal content online?

Was your online account ever blocked or your content unfairly removed by an online platform? If you felt your rights were violated, share your experience on our “take-down wall of shame”, and empower yourself by contributing to the future EU rules for user rights and big tech.

The European climate targets by 2030

The Paris Agreement was signed by 195 countries in 2015. They all agreed on the core objective of keeping the global average temperature rise well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Five years later, not one of those 195 countries is in line with its target. We need rapid and radical action if we want to be serious about the 1.5°C objective.

Farm to fork strategy

Agriculture is both hugely responsible and affected by climate change. The food we eat, how it’s made and where it comes from plays an important role in the system change that we are fighting for, since our global food system accounts for nearly one third of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Greens/EFA take on the plenary session

14-18 September

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the Just Transition Fund, arms exports, the state of the Union, global data collection system for ship fuel oil consumption data, the situation in Moria refugee camp, the situation in Poland and LGBTI rights, strategic approach to pharmaceuticals in the environment, the situation in Belarus, the EU Roma Strategy, and maximising the energy efficiency potential of the EU building stock.

The EU Commission’s Renovation Wave must put people first

A blog by Ciarán Cuffe, Greens/EFA MEP

Increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and the renovation rate in Europe is a win-win. It’s a chance to tackle poverty, create jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says Ciarán Cuffe, Greens/EFA MEP and rapporteur on the European Parliament’s report: ‘Maximising the energy efficiency of the EU Building stock’.

Radical transformation of our agricultural system needed, not GMOs

A Greens/EFA perspective on genome editing in agriculture

Biodiversity and ecosystems are under extreme threat, with around one million species facing extinction. To avert the worst consequences of runaway climate change, urgent action needs to be taken now.In order to respond to these unprecedented and closely interlinked crises, our food and agricultural systems need to be rapidly transformed. High input, industrial farming based on monocultures and factory farming must be replaced by high biodiversity, locally adapted food production systems, ones which produce healthy food while respecting animal welfare and the environment.

The Mercosur Trade Agreement: A lose-lose deal

When you go to the official website of the EU-Mercosur agreement, the first sentence you see is: ‘A union of countries working as one to secure the well-being of their people’. This is outrageous when you realise that this agreement will emphasize deforestation, biodiversity loss, land grabbing, violation of human rights and adding to this, that in Europe our farmers will have to face unfair competition, that will destroy local markets. This agreement is a gift to multinationals!

Housing rights before market interests, for a socially just recovery

Our housing system is not working for people. Across Europe, from Paris to Warsaw, Dublin to Athens, an increasing number of people in the EU are struggling to afford the rising costs of housing. Greens/EFA MEP Kim van Sparrentak is leading a report in the European Parliament to tackle the housing crisis.

MEPs denounce reports of political espionage

EFA MEP calls for investigation into phone hacking reports

EFA MEP Diana Riba (ERC) has submitted a written question to the European Commission which denounces the revelations of political espionage against leading Catalan politicians, published this week by the Guardian and El ...

Plenary session debriefing

8-10 July

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the programme of the German Presidency, prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, EU Hydrogen Strategy, chemicals strategy for sustainability, boosting Roma inclusion process in Europe, state of play Rule of Law in Member States,...

A new European energy infrastructure policy in line with the climate emergency

A blog by Marie Toussaint

During this week’s plenary session, Members of the European Parliament will adopt a resolution setting out the Parliament’s views on the upcoming revision of the trans-European energy infrastructure Regulation (TEN-E Regulation). The current law sets out the process and criteria to select cross-border electricity, gas and oil infrastructure projects of European interest. For the upcoming revision due in December this year, the Greens/EFA group is asking to end EU support for fossil fuel projects, such as gas pipelines. In addition, this year the European Commission should adopt transitional guidance on how to spend EU funds until the revised law enters into force. This is to ensure that only projects in line with the Paris Agreement are supported.

Green hydrogen & renewables

The EU should take the lead now!

On Wednesday 8 July 2020, the European Commission presented its so-called “Hydrogen Strategy”. Our MEPs Henrike Hahn and Damien Carême, co-chairs of Greens/EFA's Green Industrial Policy Campaign look at why hydrogen will be a key energy source to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. But not any type of hydrogen: green hydrogen only!

Plenary Flash - July session

Greens/EFA priorities 8-10 July 2020

This week, the Parliament will debate on the programme of the German Presidency of the EU with Chancellor Merkel, on prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, EU hydrogen strategy, Roma inclusion,... Discover all the other major topics on the agenda and the Greens/EFA priority issues

KEY DEMANDS FOR THE GERMAN COUNCIL PRESIDENCY 2020

Germany takes over the presidency of the EU Council. This comes at a crucial time in the history of the European Union, faced with many unprecedented challenges at once. The EU Green Deal must lead the way out of this crisis. For the climate. For jobs. For recovery.

The EU recovery plan

In our previous blog, “Financing the green deal,” we have already briefly discussed the EU Recovery Plan. This plan was proposed by the European Commission to define the procedure of recovery in Europe after the COVID crisis. While it is mainly focused on rebuilding the economy, a lot of voices in and outside of the European institutions have expressed that this could be a very important moment for climate. While the world was in lockdown and our economy collapsed, huge amounts of CO2 emissions were continuously released.

No feel-good summit

EU-China Summit

When Commission President von der Leyen and Council President Michel meet China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang today for an electronic version of the traditional EU-China Summit, there is only one question: feel-good summit, yes or no?