CO² Emissions

Picture of climate activists

All about the EU climate law

A blog from two young climate activists

We want to build the bridge between the climate activists in the streets and the politicians in the parliament. We would like to offer the young activists more information about the internal tradeoffs to pressure the right points and debate with our politicians to show them there are millions of people all around the world ready and waiting for change.

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climate message

EU must take the lead with more ambitious climate targets

Climate Law

To save the climate, 2020 is crucial. The European Climate Law presented by the European Commission falls short of the promises enshrined in the Green Deal and does not live up to the EU's claim to take this leading role in climate protection.

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Picture We are ready. Why aren't you ? Petition on climate law

We are ready. Why aren't you ?

Sign the petition to EU Ministers of Environment

This year must be the year we save the climate. At the UN Climate Summit in November in Glasgow we need world leaders to take concrete steps to make the Paris Climate Agreement goals a reality. Unless the EU announces plans to dramatically increase its climate goals before this summer, other world leaders will not budge.

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euro-coins

EU governments are making domestic considerations a priority

MFF

The postponement of the negotiations of the Heads of State and Government on the Multiannual Financial Framework is disappointing. EU governments were unable to agree on a strong united position for a budget for the future. The Green Deal and challenges such as digitisation and growing inequality cannot be tackled with an austerity budget. The European Parliament, under pressure from the Greens/EFA group, is calling for more investment in climate protection and is united behind the call for an increase in the EU budget to 1.3% of gross national income and own resources.

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Jigsaw and money
Jigsaw and money © alexsl

The proposal of Charles Michel fails to meet the challenges of the 21st century

MFF

Charles Michel presented the draft position of European Council on the EU budget (Multi-annual Financial Framework, MFF). The EU governments are expected to adopt their position at the summit meeting at the end of next week.

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European Parliament Building Strasbourg ©Cquim
European Parliament Building Strasbourg ©Cquim

A Greens/EFA take on the plenary week

Plenary week, 10-14 February 2020

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the future EU/UK relationship, conclusion of the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, objection to the energy projects ‘PCI List’, humanitarian situation of refugees at EU external borders, automated decision-making processes, the illegal trade in companion animals in the EU, and the Gender Equality Strategy.

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PVC Recycling Sign
PVC Recycling

Parliament votes against toxic recycling

Quote from Bas Eickhout MEP

The European Parliament has voted to object to a Commission draft regulation that would allow for recycled PVC products to be exempt from a ban on lead. The objection which was tabled by the Greens/EFA group calls for an end to toxic recycling. This is the first time the European Parliament has vetoed chemicals legislation.

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split screen with fossil fuel factory and windmills
split screen with fossil fuel factory and windmills

Climate emergency means EU must not fund new gas projects

Energy/PCI list

The European Parliament will vote on an objection to the "PCI list" of energy infrastructure projects, eligible for EU funding, which will include gas and other fossil fuel projects. The Greens/EFA group oppose the funding of new fossil fuel projects.

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Hemicycle European Parliament Strasbourg
European Union

A look on the plenary week

Greens/EFA priorities - session 10-13 February 2020

A look ahead to the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg and the Greens/EFA priority issues on the agenda

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European Green Deal
European Green Deal // Wind turbine construction

Parliament calls for more ambition in green transition

European Green Deal

A majority of MEPs have voted in favour of a cross-party resolution on the European Green Deal, initiated by the Greens/EFA group. The Greens/EFA group have succeeded in including demands for more biodiversity protection, more climate financing and a more social approach to tackling the climate crisis.

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coal mining garzweiler
coal mining garzweiler // Frank Kehren (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

A necessary tool but commitment to coal phase-out needed

Just Transition Fund

The Just Transition Fund is a necessary tool to support the regions that will be affected by the move away from coal and other polluting industries, which we have long been calling for. Unfortunately, the Commission's proposal does not set a binding date for the phase-out of coal.

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Climate March Cop25 Madrid
Climate March Cop25 Madrid ©Friends of the Earth International (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Climate summit closes with timid call to step up ambition - reaction from Bas Eickhout MEP

COP25

After two weeks of negotiations, the 25th UN climate conference (COP25) in Madrid has ended today without an agreement on binding rules for the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement. The next climate summit will take place in Glasgow, in November 2020, where countries are supposed to present their plans for achieving the Paris targets.

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