Renewables

Lignite mining in Lusatia - an environmental and cultural catastrophe

The ecological and social consequences of large scale lignite mining were the focus of a conference at the European parliament organised by the European Free Alliance, in conjunction with local campaigners from Lusatia in Eastern Germany. Lignite - also known as 'brown coal' - is a low grade form of...

Biofuels, land use and climate

MEPs address some flaws in EU biofuels policy but problems remain

 The European Parliament's environment committee today voted on legislative proposals on biofuels, aimed at curbing the negative impact on the climate associated with indirect land use change (ILUC) due to biofuel production. The Greens welcomed the vote to ensure that the greenhouse gas emissi...

Energy union

Greens present vision for a sustainable European energy union

The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament today presented its proposal for a European energy union (1), ahead of anticipated proposals from the European Commission over the coming month. Commenting on the Green energy union paper, Green energy spokesperson Claude Turmes said: "The energy ...

A Green Energy Union

An investment agenda to create jobs in Europe, contribute to halting climate change and restore EU geopolitical capital

A Green Energy Union means a common energy policy in the EU based on renewables and energy efficiency, enabling us to democratically address the most important challenges of our time.

EU investment plan

Repackaging EU funds already foreseen for investment fails to convince

The European Commission today presented a legislative proposal for delivering the EU investment plan outlined by Commission president Juncker. Commenting on the proposal, Greens/EFA co-president Philippe Lamberts stated: "While we are glad the Commission is looking to move swiftly forward with ...

Geopolitics, Security and Energy Transition

07.11.2014

LIVE from Istanbul - Friday 9:00 (Brussels time)

Are green recipes still apt for today's challenges? The Greens/EFA group organise a conference in Istanbul to debate about the energy transition

Greens/EFA Roundup

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 20-24 October 2014

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary included the Ebola crisis and the EU's response, the Energy and climate policy and the EU summit, Hungary's crackdown on civil society, the election of the European Commission, the EU budget, bullfighting, lobbying and the single seat and rounding up migrants in coordinated EU action.

EU summit

EU leaders squeeze life out of climate and clean energy policy at crucial juncture

Commenting on the outcome of the summit of EU heads of state and government, Greens/EFA co-president Philippe Lamberts said: "EU leaders have squeezed the life out of Europe's 2030 climate and clean energy policy. The outcome of the summit is a mistake on three fronts: environmental, economic a...

EU climate and energy summit

The 2030 targets: what's at stake?

EU heads of state and government are meeting at a high-level summit today and tomorrow (23-24 October) to decide on the EU's climate and energy policy to 2030. With headline targets on greenhouse gas reductions, renewable energy share and reducing energy consumption set to be decided, the stakes cou...

Preparation of the European Council (23-24 October 2014)

Plenary speech by Philippe Lamberts

2030 is the next crucial milestone for European climate and energy policy; without ambitious and binding targets for renewables, energy efficiency and, greenhouse gases, the EU will struggle to make up the lost ground in the years that follow.

EU summit

European climate and energy policy risks being undone

For the Greens, there is a real risk that this week's summit could undo EU climate and energy policy if EU leaders follow the weak proposals set out by the European Commission.

Preparation of the European Council (23-24 October 2014)

Plenary speech by Philippe Lamberts