Greens/EFA Debriefing

Plenary week, 22-26 October 2018

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary week included COP 24 – Climate; COP 14 - Convention on Biological Diversity; Reducing plastic pollution; The use of Facebook users’ data by Cambridge Analytica and the impact on data; Charging of heavy goods vehicles; Use of antibiotics in farming; Drinking water directive and open letter; Decision on Sakharov Prize winner 2018; Future of Europe debate with Klaus Iohannis, Romanian President; Debate on EU-wide breaches of REACH chemicals regulation; Killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

European Parliament demands EU governments do more to prevent climate catastrophe

Climate Protection/COP24

MEPs voted to call on EU governments and the European Commission to heed the warnings of recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and increase their ambitions to reduce CO2 emissions from 40% to 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, ahead of the UN climate summit in December 2018, in Katowice, Poland.

A new instrument to fight climate change and air pollution

Transport/Eurovignette Directive

The European Parliament voted on a future EU-wide toll for trucks busses and vans, which will apply the Greens/EFA core demand for a 'polluter-pays' principle that would take into account CO2 emissions and road construction costs.

A major step forward in the fight against antibiotic resistance

Health/Antibiotics

The European Parliament adopted a new legislative framework for veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed, which are a step forward in preventing the rise in antibiotic resistance.

European Parliament votes to ban a range of plastics in a victory for the planet

Plastics

The European Parliament has just voted to ban a whole range of plastic products which contribute to destructive and toxic pollution on land, rivers and seas.

Drinking Water Directive

Quote from Benedek Jávor MEP

Members of the European Parliament have just voted on the Drinking Water Directive, after 1.68 million citizens called on the EU to recognise access to safe water as a basic human right in the first-ever successful European Citizens Initiative.

EU governments must end voter manipulation on social networks

Facebook/Cambridge Analytica Scandal

In response to European Parliament plenary debate on Facebook and the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament call for a ban on targeted and personal-profile advertising on social networks. MEPs will vote on the resolution on "The use of Facebook user's data by Cambridge Analytica and the impact on data protection" on 25 October.

Our fights, our values

What the Greens/EFA stand for

For 35 years, we have been making a difference and fighting to make Europe the global leader in terms of climate and environmental protection, peace and social justice, fair globalisation, and in the fight for human rights.

What's coming up in Parliament

Strasbourg Flash - plenary session 22-25 October 2018

A look ahead to next week's session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg and the Greens/EFA priority issues on the agenda

Allergy risks not properly assessed for a recently authorised GM maize, says EU expert

Shortcuts in EFSA’s evaluation undermines their conclusions

As the European Parliament is set to vote on an objection against a new genetically modified maize comporting several genetic modifications, concerns arises from experts on the quality of the assessment of these so-called "stacked events" GMOs. Dr Jean-Michel Wal, who was until recently the panel’s allergy expert, officially expressed his doubts twice already, with growing alarm.

Creating Liveable Cities

18.10.2018

How to Achieve Sustainable Urban Mobility

Three out of four EU citizens currently call a city home. Achieving sustainable urban mobility should therefore be a priority. Creating liveable cities, where car commuting is the exception and a combination of public transport, carpooling, biking and walking is the rule, is essential if we are to safeguard the health of EU citizens and deal with climate change.

One-third of chemicals on the market breach EU safety rules

Chemicals

For years, chemical companies in the European Union have marketed hundreds of harmful chemicals that without properly checking if they are toxic, eco-toxic or have the potential to cause cancer, impair fertility and inhibit the development of unborn children.