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COVID support for automotive should be channelled into green recovery, say CEOs

Leaders of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) call on EU policy makers and national governments to step up support to the auto sector, which continues to grapple with the fallout of COVID-19 while already at a critical juncture on the road to carbon neutrality.

Recovery and Resilience Plans must fully integrate SMEs needs

Solvency support, digitalisation, green transformation, employability and fast deployment of recovery funds are the five key issues raised by SMEunited President Maggiar at the Tripartite Social Summit. He also underlined the importance of involving social partners in developing National Recovery and Resilience Plans.

Consumers place high hopes on EU gearing up fight against harmful chemicals

The EU has announced concrete steps to better protect consumers against harmful chemicals - to which they are exposed night and day from multiple sources. That is the gist of the long-awaited Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, published today by the EU Commission.

SMEs expect only slow recovery from crisis

The latest EU SME Barometer presented on 12 October shows an unprecedented drop in the Business Climate for SMEs caused by the COVID-19 crisis. This is mainly due very negative results for the past semester, but also the expectations from the second semester are subdue. As a consequence, the SME Climate Index falls by 18.8, reaching 54.6 points, which is the lowest level ever registered.

Environment MEPs vote fossil fuels OUT of recovery fund

Fossil fuels have no place in the EU’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the EU Parliament’s Environment Committee. They voted yesterday to exclude coal, oil, and gas from the EU's EUR 672.5 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility - the biggest part of the recovery fund.

How the fossil fuel industry used COVID-19 to derail the EU Green Deal

Under the guise of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has seen fossil fuel interests capture tens of billions of public recovery money, new research by the Fossil Free Politics campaign reveals a massive lobbying effort by the fossil fuel industry to win concessions for climate-damaging energy schemes across Europe, and weaken environmental standards and the European Green Deal.

Joint Statement: Europe needs predictable and harmonised approaches to travel rules under COVID

In her State of the Union speech on 16 September, Commission President von der Leyen said:

WWF joins EU sustainable finance platform

WWF will be part of the European Commission’s sustainable finance platform, whose members were informed today.

Retail and Wholesale active and committed in combating food waste

Speaking today on the UN First International Day on Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

62 coal region mayors unite for sustainable future

Mayors from Europe's coal regions affirmed their commitment to a sustainable future supported by the EU's Just Transition Fund at an event with EU Commission Deputy Director for regional policy Normunds Popens and Jerzy Buzek MEP today.

spiritsEUROPE calls on the EU to remain a strong defender of free, rules-based international trade in the wake of the COVID crisis

Defending free, rules-based international trade and fighting protectionism should remain the key priorities of EU trade policy. As part of Europe’s recovery strategy, a strong focus should be put on resolving ongoing trade disputes, securing the swift ratification of negotiated deals and strictly enforcing existing agreements.

Seven Member States oppose ambitious EU plans to help consumers eat healthier food

A group of seven EU Member States are trying to scupper plans for an EU-wide nutritional label.

SOTEU: Big ambitions must match with realism

SMEunited supports the vision and ambitions put forward by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her first State of the European Union Speech. "In order to make them a reality we now urgently need to move to action", says President Maggiar. SMEs expect concrete next steps and realistic time frames to master the adaptation to a fairer, greener and more digital economy.

#SOTEU EU ups climate target - Friends of the Earth reaction

Reacting to Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union speech this morning in the European Parliament in Brussels, Jagoda Munic, director, Friends of the Earth Europe had this to say:

Climate: EU Commission steps up, but fails to clarify numbers

European Commission President Von der Leyen today announced an increase to the 2030 climate target, to 'at least 55%' emissions reductions. While this is a crucial step forward, it is still not enough to tackle the climate emergency - WWF is calling for a 2030 target of at least 65%. And there could be a catch to the Commission's suggestion target, making it less ambitious than it appears.

Climate target ambition must be matched by supportive EU policies, auto makers underline

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) takes note of the '2030 Climate Target Plan' unveiled today by the European Commission. The auto industry supports the European Union's long-term goal of climate neutrality by 2050, and wants to play its part in making Europe the first climate-neutral continent.

Retail vital to European Recovery, but needs help - investments and the right policies

Speaking today at a virtual conference held by the World Retail Congress, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren set out the challenges facing retail across Europe and the vital role of the sector in supporting European economic recovery:

Only weeks left to save EU and UK auto sectors from EUR 110 billion 'no deal' Brexit disaster

With just 15 weeks before the Brexit transition period expires, European automotive industry leaders have today joined forces to call for the EU and UK to secure an ambitious free trade agreement (FTA) without further delay.

MEPs support 60 per cent climate target

Today the European Parliament's Environment Committee took steps towards turning its 'climate emergency' declaration into action, but stopped too soon.

100-Year-Old Hungarian Forest at Tiszaug Falls Victim to Illegal Clear-Cutting, Again

Another illegal clear-cutting took place in a protected state forest area near Tiszaug in August.

Survey: Consumers see potential of artificial intelligence but raise serious concerns

According to a survey conducted by consumer groups in nine EU countries published today, consumers believe that artificial intelligence (AI) can bring benefits. However, when asked to evaluate the added value of a number of specific services which already today use AI technology - e.g. home virtual assistants or advertisement on e-commerce sites - most respondents are not convinced.

Forest fire emergency demands ambitious EU action now

Global fire alerts as of April 2020 are already up 13% compared to 2019 - which was a record year for fires - a new WWF report finds.

'New genetic engineering' techniques associated with numerous risks

A new scientific paper published in the Environmental Sciences Europe journal gives an overview of the risks associated with genome editing procedures (new genetic engineering) for plants and animals. The risks are not only restricted to a wide range of unintended effects that can be triggered by the process of genome editing. There are also risks associated with the intended biological characteristics generated through genome editing.

Nearly 200 new dams planned in European protected areas, new study finds

While freshwater biodiversity is already in crisis, protected areas are no longer a safe shelter as 509 dams are planned or under construction within them worldwide, adding to the 1,249 large dams already located in protected areas. Europe is not spared, with 40% of the planned dams (196) located in the continent.

COVID: Stakes are high for European automotive recovery, new facts and figures show

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has published its annual Pocket Guide that provides an overview of the EU auto industry, including the latest sector-specific data on employment, vehicle production and sales, road safety, R&D, the environment and trade flows.