Climate briefings

Ahead of key votes in the European Parliament, we set out the Greens/EFA position on the Circular Economy, LULUCF and the Effort Sharing Regulation.

Organic regulation briefing

On Thursday 19 April, the European Parliament will vote on the outcome of the trilogue negotiations on a new organic regulation. We've produced a briefing summarising the main achievements of the new regulation.

Phasing out away from coal - reinventing European regions

A study commissioned by the Greens/EFA

The EU can and should play a role in facilitating transformational change away from coal mining and in particular in mitigating social and economic hardship that may occur in the course of these transitions.

The Vision Scenario for the European Union

2017 Update for the EU-28

The Vision Scenario represents a pathway which consistently combines short- and medium-term objectives with long-term objectives. Furthermore it is in line with an EU greenhouse gas emission budget that is consistent with a 2°C limit on the increase in global temperature. It is the first comprehensive scenario analysis for the European Union that addresses both the (top-down) perspective of a 2°C-compatible CO2 emission budget and how the related emission trajectories could be achieved from a bottom- up perspective.

Envisaged reform of publicly funded education in minority languages in Latvia

Letter to Latvian Permanent Representative

The Greens/EFA group co-presidents have written to Latvian Permanent Representative, calling on Latvia to ensure that the envisaged reform will not breach the Union values.

Combating corruption

from commitments to action

A new report commissioned by the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament has found that much more ambition is required in the fight against corruption both within Bulgaria but also at EU level.

No spyware for dictators: stricter rules for dual-use exports

Briefing on the recast of the "Control of exports, transfer, brokering, technical assistance and transit of dual-use items"

On 17 January 2018, the European Parliament will vote on its position for the recast of the "Control of exports, transfer, brokering, technical assistance and transit of dual-use items", from Greens/EFA rapporteur Klaus Buchner. Dual-use items can be used for military as well as for civilian purposes, including drones, high performance computers and some chemicals. About 10% of EU exports fall under dual use. This recast introduces the possibility to control exports of cyber-surveillance items on human rights grounds. With warfare increasingly built on dual-use technology, this is a much needed reform.

Tax justice agenda for the Brexit negotiations

The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament has published a report looking at the UK's financial secrecy and corporate tax haven network. The Paradise Papers scandal shows there is an urgent need for the EU to take action against the UK’s pursuit of deepening its role as a global tax haven following its EU departure. The Greens/EFA group wants to see the leaning up the UK's overseas territories to be a condition of any UK-EU trade deal after Brexit.

Major changes needed if CAP is to be made fit for purpose

A fitness check on the CAP

CAP "fitness check" shows policy not fit for purpose.

CAP for the future

the transition towards a social and agro-ecological food policy

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must undergo a fundamental reform to make it fit for today's challenges and to respond to society's demands to do no harm. The Greens/EFA have prepared a policy paper to present their main political demands for the next CAP reform

The Troubled Waters of VEOLIA’s Tax Management

Does Veolia use France and US as private tax havens?

A report on French multinational Veolia shows that its ‘’efficient’’ tax management has made it possible that an increasingly smaller part of profits made by VEOLIA in France is actually taxed.

Framework for an inquiry committee on the renewal of the approval of Glyphosate

A Greens/EFA proposal

26 October - At the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, the Greens/EFA group proposed the establishment of an inquiry committee on glyphosate. The purpose of the committee would be to investigate the handling of the decision-making process for the proposed renewal of glyphosate's licence.

Data Retention under the Proposal for an EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

A study commissioned by the Greens/EFA Group

This legal opinion concerns the question whether and how the recent Opinion 1/15 of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on the Draft EU/Canada PNR Agreement impacts the Proposal for a Regulation on an Entry/Exit System. For that purpose, it analyses in detail the main findings in Opinion 1/15 and related earlier case law on data retention schemes before applying the identified principles to the context of data collection and retention in the planned EES.

Alternatives to herbicide in weed management

A report from PAN Europe, commissioned by the Greens/EFA group

The present report aims to emphasise that we already have all the tools necessary to gradually start building a pesticide-free agricultural model and to confirm that weed control is possible using other means than harmful herbicides.

European Parliament demands protection for whistleblowers across Europe

Whistleblower protection

The European Parliament will call on the Commission to propose legislation to protect whistleblowers across Europe, no matter how they came across the information or which channel of reporting they use to sound the alarm, according to a report adopted today by the Legal Affairs Committee.

European Commission should promote dialogue

Letter to Vice-President Timmermans on Catalan Referendum

The Greens/EFA group co-presidents have written to European Commission Vice-President Timmermans, calling on the Commission to seek dialogue between Spanish and Catalan authorities.

Legal note on establishing an instrument contributing to stability and peace

Dissenting note for legal basis from Ms Heidi Hautala

There is no doubt about the interplay of development and security, or the importance of capacity building and cooperation with the security sector actors, in particular in fragile and conflict-affected third countries. However, the choice of legal basis must be based on Treaty provisions and the true centre of gravity of proposed actions, not on the political expediency.

Letter to the European Patent Office

Patenting of "natural" seeds.

Today and tomorrow (27.-28.07.17), the European Patent office will discuss the patenting of "natural" seeds. Two resolutions of the European parliament, an opinion by the Council and a legal notice by the Commission all asked the EPO to stop this practice which is not allowed by the European regulation. Since 2014, EPO has been letting corporations privatise and hold rights on plants existing in Nature or bred by farmers, an unacceptable situation bordering bio-piracy

Future of Cohesion policy post-2020

A Greens/EFA position paper

The Greens/EFA are in favour of a strong, autonomous and targeted cohesion policy. Cohesion policy should remain an expression of solidarity and make a meaningful contribution to the future of Europe.

The feasibility of associate EU citizenship for UK citizens postBrexit

A study commissioned by EFA MEP Jill Evans

This report has five principal findings on the protection of the status of Union citizenship and the...