Give bees a chance

EU Commission gets strong support in favour of its proposal to ban three neonicotinoids

Despite efforts by industry to halt bans on neonicotinoids, there is a clear majority at the European Parliament in favour of the Commission’s proposal to ban clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid. The Greens/EFA are now urging Member States to be as progressive as the European Parliament and not only to vote in favour of the Commission’s proposal without further delay, but also to refrain from adopting national emergency authorisations to circumvent the EU wide ban.

A chance for EU ministers to deliver on the Paris Agreement

the Energy Efficiency Legislation

Today EU Energy ministers will meet to discuss a crucial file of the Energy Package: the Energy Efficiency Directive. The Greens urge EU Energy Ministers to raise their ambition on this particular legislation, as not only it is key for Europe to respect its commitments to the Paris Agreement, but energy efficiency also because offers numerous benefits to all of us.

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 12-15 June 2017

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary included: Tax justice: Country by country reporting; Glyphosate renewal; Energy efficiency labelling; 2016 report on Kosovo; Effort sharing regulation and President Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement; Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement; Panama Papers follow-up and the rule of law in Malta; Preparation of the European Council of 22 and 23 June 2017.

Q&A on the Effort Sharing Regulation

The ‘Effort Sharing Regulation’ (ESR) sets binding national emission reduction targets for 2021-2030 for road transport, buildings, agriculture and waste. These sectors represent around 60% of EU greenhouse gas emissions. But will it meet the EU's Paris Climate Agreement commitments?

EU needs to do more than Trump bashing

Climate

"It is heartening that so many European leaders have lined up to attack Trump’s reckless decision and to pledge their renewed commitment to the Paris climate agreement. However, leadership requires action as well as words," says Greens/EFA climate spokesperson Bas Eickhout.

More food needed?

Just replace pesticides with biodiversity!

Making biodiversity work for farmers is good for farmers, good for bees, good for climate, good for the economy, good for you ... and the Greens/EFA group has always been a frontrunner in pushing in this direction.

European Commission must take action in response to Monsanto Papers

Glyphosate

"With so many unanswered questions, and an ongoing scientific debate regarding the safety of glyphosate, the European public has a right to know if Monsanto had any undue influence on the outcomes of the EFSA and ECHA assessments," says Greens/EFA food safety spokesperson, Bart Staes.

European Parliament adopts simpler labelling

EU energy labelling

The European Parliament has voted in favour of the final agreement on revisions to EU rules on energy labelling. This will see the reintroduction of a simplified, colour-coded A-G system. For the Greens/EFA group, the simplified energy labelling is to be welcomed, but the pace of change is unacceptably slow.

Business and Health: a dangerous relationship!

06.06.2017

Commercialisation and privatisation of health accross Europe

Hosted by Philippe Lamberts, co-president Greens/EFA in collaboration with the European Network against Commercialisation of Health  9:30 Introduction Philippe Lamberts, co-president Greens/EFA: Setting the scene/how to involve EP (5 minutes) Sebastian Franco, European Network: Main ...

As sources signal Trump likely to pull out, all parties must stand together

Paris Agreement

It seems likely that Donald Trump will this week announce the US's intention to leave the Paris climate deal agreed in 2015.

New emissions targets for 2030 show progress but Member States can do more

ENVI committee

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has today voted to strengthen climate protection in Europe and has adopted a package that sets out targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by EU countries during the period 2021 to 2030.

Agriculture can play its part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions

the status quo is NOT an option!

On 30 June, the Agriculture committee will vote on the so-called ‘LULUCF’ file. What is hiding behind this enigmatic acronym is the contribution of the agriculture and forest sectors to the reduction of climate change. Until now, they had been left out of the collective effort to reach the goals set up collectively by the world nations in the Paris agreement. It’s high time to make a change!