EU Environment Policy

Latest news on the environment policies of the European Union.

EU states agree taxonomy for sustainable business

EU ambassadors gave a green light Wednesday to a proposal for a first EU-wide classification system, or 'taxonomy', to allow businesses to determine what economic activities can be termed sustainable.

No patents on naturally obtained plants and seeds, say MEPs

Fruit, vegetables or animals obtained from conventional breeding processes, such as crossing, must not become patentable, the European Parliament said in a non-legislative resolution on Thursday.

EU, UN and Smurfs help clean up world's beaches

EU staff joined hands with local communities, and the Smurfs, on beaches across Europe and the world on Thursday, as part of the #EUBeachCleanUp campaign to clean up marine litter.

EU Beach Clean Up 2019

Every year millions of tons of trash end up in the ocean. By 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in the sea. Therefore, the European Union, the United Nations and the Smurfs are teaming up. For clean oceans and clean beaches. EU and UN offices all across the world will organise beach cleanup events together with local organisations, schools, etc.

EU reaffirms ambition for climate neutrality by 2050

The European Commission reaffirmed the EU's commitment to accelerated climate ambition Wednesday, as it makes preparations for a long-term strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Von der Leyen's new Commission affirms green credentials

EU Member States accepted Tuesday the list of Commissioners until 31 October 2024 proposed by European Commission president-elect Ursula Von der Leyen, with climate policy put forward as a top priority.

Climate change adaptation in the agriculture sector in Europe - EEA Report No 4/2019

Climate change affects agriculture in a number of ways. Changes in temperature and precipitation as well as weather and climate extremes are already influencing crop yields and livestock productivity in Europe. Weather and climate conditions also affect the availability of water needed for irrigation, livestock watering practices, processing of agricultural products, and transport and storage conditions. Climate change is projected to reduce crop productivity in parts of southern Europe and to improve the conditions for growing crops in northern Europe. Although northern regions may experience longer growing seasons and more suitable crop conditions in future, the number of extreme events negatively affecting agriculture in Europe is projected to increase.

EU sets out proposal for sustainable fishing in Baltic Sea

The situation of fish stocks in the Baltic Sea is 'serious', the EU Commission said Friday as it set out proposals for 2020 fishing opportunities for the commercially most important fish stocks.

EU announces emergency measures to save east Baltic cod

The EU Commission announced emergency measures to save the eastern Baltic cod stock from impending collapse Tuesday, banning commercial fishing for cod in most of the Baltic Sea till end 2019.

Eastern Baltic cod emergency measures

The Commission announced on 23 July emergency measures to save the ailing eastern Baltic cod stock from impending collapse. Emergency measures will ban, with immediate effect, commercial fishing for cod in most of the Baltic Sea until 31 December 2019.

EU sets out plan to combat deforestation

The EU Commission issued a Communication on deforestation and forest degradation Tuesday, setting out a much-needed plan of action to address the EU’s significant contribution to global deforestation.

Communication on forests

The European Commission adopted on 23 July a comprehensive Communication setting out a new framework of actions to protect and restore the world's forests, which host 80% of biodiversity on land, support the livelihoods of around a quarter of the world's population, and are vital to our efforts to fight climate change.

EU lifts Taiwan's yellow card for illegal fishing following reforms

The EU lifted its illegal fishing 'yellow card' against Taiwan Thursday in recognition of the country's upgrading its legal and administrative systems to fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in general and in Taiwan

The European Commission, on behalf of the EU, decided on 27 June to lift the yellow card acknowledging the progress made by Taiwan and the major upgrade of its fisheries legal and administrative systems to fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).

EU will not reopen talks on UK withdrawal agreement

Ending their two-day summit Friday, EU heads of state and government looked forward to a new UK prime minister, but said they would not reopen negotiations on Britain's withdrawal agreement.

National climate plans lack ambition, says Brussels

Member States' plans to implement EU objectives for meeting energy and climate targets fall short on renewables and energy efficiency, the Commission said Wednesday in its assessment of the plans.

National energy and climate plans

The European Commission published on 18 June its assessment of Member States' draft plans to implement the EU's Energy Union objectives, and in particular the agreed EU 2030 energy and climate targets.

EU increases aid to Europe's beekeeping sector

The European Commission announced Monday it is to provide EUR 120 million to the EU's beekeeping sector over the next three years, in order to support its essential role in agriculture and the environment.

More wind, solar power needed if EU is to meet renewables targets

The EU needs to take significant action to generate more electricity from wind and solar power and meet its targets on renewables, according to a report by the European Court of Auditors, out Thursday.

Europe's bathing waters get mostly clean bill of health

Just over 85 per cent of bathing water sites monitored across Europe last year met the EU's highest 'excellent' and most stringent quality standards for water cleanliness, says its annual bathing water report.

EU firefighting fleet launched for next forest fire season

To prepare for the risk of forest fires during the upcoming summer, the Commission is launching today the first fleet of firefighting aircraft under the new rescEU system to tackle natural disasters.

EU approves unprecedented cuts to single-use plastics

EU ministers gave final approval Tuesday to new laws to tackle marine litter coming from single-use plastic products found on European beaches, as well as abandoned fishing gear and oxo-degradable plastics.

EU launches citizens' initiative to save the bees

The European Commission decided Wednesday to register a European Citizens' Initiative entitled ‘Save the bees! Protection of biodiversity and improvement of habitats for insects in Europe'.

UN Partnership Forum and the 2030 Agenda – Deputy Secretary-General says "The Clock is Ticking"

The day provided an opportunity for multiple stakeholders to gather and discuss the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Participants shared opinions on how best to achieve the targets of the 2030 Agenda, in particular, through accounts regarding collaborations between different spheres, from public, private, and civil society.

EU maps out road to climate neutrality by 2050

The EU Commission reported progress on the Energy Union Tuesday, particularly its action plan on batteries, and setting out a path to more efficient and democratic decision making in EU energy and climate policy.