EU Environment Policy

Latest news on the environment policies of the European Union.

Brussels proposes tighter rules on chemicals — 19 December 2022, 23:05 CET

The EU Commission proposed revised rules on chemicals classification and labelling Monday, with new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors and other harmful chemical substances.

EU joins global biodiversity law to restore nature — 22 December 2022, 23:46 CET

Early this morning at the UN's COP15 biodiversity conference, the EU joined 195 countries in adopting a global biodiversity framework committing the world to halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.

Revision of the Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals - guide — 19 December 2022, 22:37 CET

The European Commission proposed on 19 December a revised Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals (CLP) and introduced new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors and other harmful chemical substances to better protect people and the environment from hazardous chemicals.

Ministers approve 2023 fishing quotas in EU and non-EU waters — 14 December 2022, 23:50 CET

Following two days of talks, EU ministers agreed Tuesday on fishing quotas in the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean and Black Sea for 2023, as well as for certain deep-sea stocks for 2023 and 2024.

Deal reached on EU's new carbon leakage instrument — 13 December 2022, 23:53 CET

The EU Council and European Parliament reached a provisional agreement Tuesday to set up an EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to combat climate change and prevent carbon leakage.

EU earmarks EUR 13.5 bn for innovation in Europe — 06 December 2022, 22:15 CET

The European Commission adopted the Horizon Europe 2023-24 research work programme Tuesday, with around EUR 13.5 billion to support European environmental, energy and digital research projects.

New European Bauhaus - applications open for 2023 Prizes — 06 December 2022, 21:41 CET

The European Commission opened applications for the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023 on 6 December. The 2023 competition will reward 15 exemplary initiatives linking sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusiveness - the three core values of the New European Bauhaus.

EU reaches provisional deal to stop deforestation — 12 December 2022, 23:45 CET

EU decision-makers reached a ground-breaking agreement Tuesday to minimise the risk of deforestation and forest degradation associated with products that are imported into or exported from the EU.

EU looks to end wasteful packaging, boost reuse and recycling — 02 December 2022, 21:07 CET

The European Commission proposed Wednesday new EU-wide rules to reduce packaging waste, promote reuse and refill, increase the use of recycled plastics, and make it easier to recycle packaging.

Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste - guide — 30 November 2022, 22:37 CET

The European Commission proposed on 30 November new EU-wide rules on packaging, to tackle this constantly growing source of waste and of consumer frustration.

EU Certification of Carbon Removals - guide — 30 November 2022, 22:28 CET

The European Commission adopted on 30 November a proposal for a first EU-wide voluntary framework to reliably certify high-quality carbon removals.

New EU carbon removal certification 'will prevent greenwashing' — 02 December 2022, 21:05 CET

The Commission set out plans Wednesday for a framework to define what constitutes removal of carbon from the atmosphere and its storage, and to incentivise such activities.

EUR 380m funding for LIFE environment projects — 23 November 2022, 17:59 CET

The European Commission approved Wednesday more than EUR 380 million of funding for 168 new projects across Europe under the LIFE Programme for the environment and climate action.

COP27 step towards climate justice, but much more needed, says EU — 22 November 2022, 18:53 CET

The UN Climate Summit ended Sunday with a positive agreement on a fund to address the impacts of climate change bringing justice to developing countries particularly vulnerable to climate change.

EU Algae Initiative — 15 November 2022, 23:19 CET

The European Commission adopted on 15 November the Communication 'Towards a strong and sustainable EU algae sector', a pioneering initiative to unlock the potential of algae in the European Union.

EU issues EUR 6 bn green bond, 2.5 bn for Ukraine — 15 November 2022, 23:10 CET

The EU Commission issued a further EUR 8.5 bn Tuesday, EUR 6 bn through a green bond for its recovery programme and EUR 2.5 bn to support Ukraine following Russia's war against it.

New Euro 7 standards to reduce pollutant emissions from vehicles — 14 November 2022, 17:50 CET

The European Commission presented a proposal Thursday to reduce air pollution from new motor vehicles sold in the EU to meet the European Green Deal's zero-pollution ambition.

EU strengthens emission reduction targets for member states — 10 November 2022, 18:24 CET

The EU Council and Parliament reached provisional political agreement Wednesday on stricter regulation of greenhouse gas emissions in member states including less flexibility and more transparency.

EU participation at COP27 - guide — 04 November 2022, 18:23 CET

At the COP27 UN Climate Change Conference starting this weekend in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the European Commission will call on all Parties to take urgent action to bring down greenhouse gas emissions and respect the commitments they made under the Paris Agreement and in the Glasgow Climate Pact adopted last year at COP26.

Deal confirms zero-emissions target for new cars and vans in 2035 — 03 November 2022, 22:35 CET

The EU Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement Thursday night on revised CO2 emissions reduction targets for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

EU steps up water, air action towards 2050 zero-pollution goal — 27 October 2022, 18:57 CET

The European Commission proposed Wednesday to strengthen EU environment rules on ambient air, surface and groundwater pollutants, and treatment of urban wastewater.

New Air Quality Rules - guide — 27 October 2022, 00:02 CET

The European Commission proposed on 27 October stronger rules on ambient air, surface and groundwater pollutants, and treatment of urban wastewater.

Final approval for EU's one-size-fits-all charging port — 26 October 2022, 18:26 CET

A USB-C port will become mandatory in 2024 for electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets and headphones, following final approval by EU ministers Tuesday of the common charger directive.

EU sets stricter rules for energy performance of buildings — 26 October 2022, 18:26 CET

The EU Council reached agreement Tuesday to ensure all new buildings will be zero-emission buildings by 2030 and existing buildings transformed into zero-emission buildings by 2050.

EU agrees position for UN COP27 climate summit — 25 October 2022, 22:24 CET

EU environment ministers decided Monday on the common negotiating position they will take to the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh in two weeks' time.