Sustainable development

New study shows breaches of rule of law during first Covid wave

Covid-19

Greens/EFA group MEPs working on rights and democracy, have released a first of kind legal study into the emergency measures taken by EU member states during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, assessing the impact on the democracy and the rule of law, free movement of people, asylum and refugee protections and data protection.

EU law in the 'first wave' : the legality of national measures to tackle the COVID-19 crisis

A study commissioned by MEPs Terry Reintke and Tineke Strik

COVID-19 has challenged not just the public health but also the legal structure of the European Union. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the extent to which Member States have complied with or breached EU law in four key areas during the COVID-19 ‘first wave’

The end of fossil fuels

There are many obvious and urgent climate policies like implementing a greenhouse gas budget, reforestation, halting destructive trade agreements, putting the money where it should be. But why don’t we just stop all fossil fuels?

6 ways to make EU industry climate neutral

An opinion by MEPs Henrike Hahn, Damien Carême and Michael Bloss

We need a greener European industry, to keep our air fresh, our planet cool and to get a competitive, resilient and sustainable economy.

A home for everyone is possible

Time for the EU to step up ambition on homelessness

And yet, right now, at least 700,000 people across Europe are sleeping rough or in homeless shelters, an increase of 70% in ten years and it continues to rise. It doesn’t have to be this way. With your help we can change it. Sign our petition

Our demands for a European framework on minimum wages

A Greens/EFA position paper

We need a European framework directive setting thresholds for decent adequate minimum wages in the Member States. In-work poverty is a big problem in Europe. If we want a social Europe, we need to make sure everyone earns a wage you can live on - a living wage.

Towards a sustainable Single Market focused on consumers

Single Market

The European Parliament voted in favour of the report by Greens/EFA MEP David Cormand which is part of the action plan for the Circular Economy, one of the pillars of the European Green Deal. In particular, it calls for the sustainability and reparability of products, reuse and the development of the collaborative economy sector.

Vaccines & medicines must be affordable & accessible to all

Pharmaceutical Strategy

The European Commission presented its Pharmaceutical Strategy. The Strategy aims to ensure the supply of medicines and vaccines to all people in the European Union and to encourage innovation by European pharmaceutical companies. The Greens/EFA group welcomes the Pharmaceutical Strategy and calls for more transparency in investment and the avoidance of pharmaceutical monopolies.

Green industrial policy for climate protection & jobs

Industrial Strategy

The decarbonisation of our industry will pave the way to climate neutrality and create jobs. Protecting the climate is a job creator. We must switch from subsidising coal-fired power stations to investing in renewables. The Green Deal can make the European Union the market leader in energy-efficient and resource-saving industrial processes and cutting-edge technologies

Getting out of the red: The Greenhouse Gas Budget

When the European Union decided to propose a European Green Deal to try and reach the climate targets of the Paris Agreement, they had to start with one important thing: reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission laid out their plans and proposed their own targets. Unfortunately, the targets that have been set are not being backed up with policies.

Plenary Flash 23-26 November 2020

Greens/EFA priorities

During this week plenary session, the European Parliament will debate and vote on tackling homelessness rates in the EU, planned obsolescence, LGBTI equality strategy, new industrial strategy, abortion rights in Poland, pharmaceutical strategy, MFF/Recovery Plan, ...

Offshore energy must be integral part of the Green Deal

Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy

By promoting offshore wind power alongside tidal and wave energy, renewable energies will contribute up to 40% of the energy supply in 2030.