EU Environment Policy

Latest news on the environment policies of the European Union.

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.

German energy law did not involve state aid: EU Court

A German law that gave support to businesses producing electricity from renewable energy sources did not involve state aid, the EU Court said Thursday in a ruling annulling the Commission decision.

EU seals deal to ban single-use plastics

The EU Parliament gave its green light Wednesday to measures to tackle marine litter, targeting 10 single-use plastic products most often found on Europe's beaches, as well as abandoned fishing gear.

EU to invest EUR 421m in smart, green transport projects

The EU Commission is proposing investment of EUR 421 million in projects promoting digitalisation and fostering intelligent, safe and sustainable finance transport infrastructure projects in Europe.

EU ecodesign and energy labels under auditors' scrutiny

The European Court of Auditors said Wednesday it is assessing the contribution EU measures for ecodesign and the energy labelling of products make to EU energy efficiency and environmental objectives.

Sustainability criteria for biofuels specified

The European Commission adopted on 13 March a delegated act on sustainability criteria for biofuels as requested by the European Parliament and Member States.

Supervision of organic imports needs to be improved: EU auditors

While the control system for organic products in the EU has improved in recent years, action is needed on the supervision of imports as well as on product traceability, says a European Court of Auditors report.

Special report no 04/2019: The control system for organic products has improved, but some challenges remain

Since 1991, the EU has had a control system governing the production, processing, distribution and import of organic products. It aims to give consumers the confidence that organic rules are applied at every stage of the supply chain. The EU organic sector has developed rapidly over recent years. Following up on our Special Report No 9/2012 published in June 2012, we found that the control system had improved. Our recommendations had generally been implemented, but some challenges remained. We make recommendations to address the remaining weaknesses we identified in the Member States for EU products, to improve the supervision of imported organic products through better cooperation as well as to carry out more complete traceability checks.

Strategic approach to pharmaceuticals in the environment

The European Commission adopted on 11 March a Communication outlining a set of actions addressing the multifaceted challenges that the release of pharmaceuticals poses to the environment.