Sustainable development

EU4Health

Quote from Tilly Metz MEP & Michèle Rivasi MEP

The cuts in EU4Health called for by the Council were irresponsible, especially in times of pandemic. It is a success that the European Parliament has tripled the amount envisaged by the Council in the budget negotiations.

Long-term budget stronger on climate, biodiversity & rule of law

MFF/Own resources

Negotiators for the European Parliament, Council and Commission agreed on a text for the EU's seven year budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. The Parliament succeeded in gaining an additional €16 billion in top-ups for EU programmes such as EU4health, Horizon, Erasmus and Rights and Values, on top of the €1,074bn MFF and €750bn Recovery Fund EUCO agreement from July.

Update: Von Der Leyen promises to fix the CAP despite her refusal to withdraw it

On Friday October 24, Bas Eickhout, together with more than 40 other Members of the European Parliament - supported by over 3000 citizens - sent a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asking her to withdraw the CAP proposal, since it no longer aligns with the Commission's priorities on climate and biodiversity. Last week we received a reply by President Von der Leyen.

How Trees Can Stop Climate Change

Trees are literally the lungs of the earth. They act as a ‘carbon sink’ absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turning it into oxygen. After oceans, our forests are the world’s largest carbon sinks.

Commission proposal welcome but falls short on ambition to fight poverty & inequality

European minimum wage

The European Commission has just released its draft directive on a European minimum wage. The proposal sets out minimum standards and uniform criteria for the level of EU-wide minimum wages. For the Greens/EFA group, the European Commission's proposal falls short of its stated ambition to fight poverty and inequality.

A Greens/EFA take on the plenary session

19-23 October

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Digital Services Act, Artificial Intelligence, deforestation, gender equality in EU’s foreign and security policy, the state of the Energy Union, the Energy Charter Treaty, serious security threats through the sale of EU passports and visas and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Gender equality in EU's foreign and security policy

Info mail on the report by Greens/EFA MEP Urtasun

"The European Parliament will adopt the first-ever report calling on gender equality in EU’s foreign and security policy. While several countries around the world have already adopted a foreign policy with a strong focus on gender equality, the EU continues to lack one. This is why we call on the EU and its leaders to promote a gender transformative vision of foreign policy that protects and promotes women’s human rights" said the rapporteur

#EUCO

Quote from Ska Keller, Greens/EFA Co-President

Without an agreement, both the EU and Britain will lose.

European transformation in chemicals policy draws closer

Chemicals Strategy

Today, the European Commission has just presented its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The Strategy is a step in the right direction towards an European chemicals revolution and can provide the framework for a more sustainable, clean and competitive chemicals industry. The str...

Commission only scratches the surface

Methane Strategy

Today, the European Commission has just presented its new Methane Strategy, which does not live up to promise of greater climate protection under the European Green Deal. The Commission itself writes that methane emissions must be reduced by 35% to achieve 55% fewer greenhouse gas e...

A healthy climate is your right

European Climate Law

Science tells us that the world is at the edge of climate disaster. The European Climate Law is our instrument to tackle the climate crisis. But how are we shaping it? And will it be effective?

Renovation Wave Strategy Communication

Info mail

The European Parliament adopted the Cuffe report* on “maximising the energy efficiency potential of the EU building stock” by large majority. The report calls for energy efficiency policies to be far more ambitious in order to ensure effectively fighting energy poverty, stepping up climate action, and foster sustainable recovery.