EU Environment Policy

Latest news on the environment policies of the European Union.

Europe's nature under pressure — 20 October 2020, 00:32 CET

Intensive farming, urbanisation and unsustainable forestry are contributing to the decline of protected habitats and species in Europe, a review of vulnerable species and habitats showed Monday.

EU Methane Strategy — 14 October 2020, 23:33 CET

The European Commission presented on 14 October an EU strategy to reduce methane emissions.

New EU chemicals strategy targets harmful consumer products — 15 October 2020, 18:29 CET

A new strategy on chemicals, unveiled Wednesday by the EU Commission, would prohibit the use of the most harmful chemicals in consumer products such as toys, cosmetics and detergents.

Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability — 14 October 2020, 18:34 CET

The European Commission adopted on 14 October the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.

EUBCE 2021 - 29th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (Marseille, France, from 26 April 2021, 09:00 CET to 29 April 2021, 17:00 CET) —

The 29th EUBCE will take place from 26th to 29th April, 2021 in Marseille France.

MEPs want to increase 2030 emissions reduction target to 60 pct — 13 October 2020, 17:44 CET

All EU Member States must become climate neutral by 2050, the European Parliament said Thursday in a vote on EU climate law, with MEPs calling for ambitious 2030 and 2040 emissions reduction targets.

EU likely to miss targets for recycling plastic packaging — 08 October 2020, 00:19 CET

There is a significant risk that the EU will not meet its plastic packaging recycling targets for 2025 and 2030, according to a review published Tuesday by the European Court of Auditors.

EU action to tackle the issue of plastic waste: Review No 04/2020 — 06 October 2020, 23:18 CET

This review examines the EU's response to the growing problem of plastic waste with a focus on plastic packaging waste. The EU's 2018 plastics strategy proposes measures aiming to improve recyclability, collection, sorting, recycling and recycled content of plastic products. The revised Packaging and Packaging Waste directive set new plastic packaging recycling targets for 2025 (50 %) and 2030 (55 %). New stricter reporting rules will likely lead the EU's reported average plastic packaging recycling rate to drop. Even for plastic packaging, the most developed arm of the plastics strategy, concerted action by stakeholders at EU and Member State level will be required to bridge the considerable gap between the current recycling rate and where we need to be in only 5 to 10 years' time.

EU provisionally agrees to reduce Baltic fishing fleet — 25 September 2020, 22:52 CET

The EU Council and European Parliament provisionally agreed Tuesday on measures to support fishermen affected by difficult stocks situations in the Baltic Sea including scrapping vessels.

Brussels revises guidelines for EU Emission Trading — 22 September 2020, 18:23 CET

The EU Commission adopted Monday revised guidelines for the EU Emission Trading System in the context of the system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading post-2021 (the ‘ETS Guidelines').

EU launches EUR 1 billion call for green and digital transition — 17 September 2020, 23:26 CET

The European Commission launched Thursday a EUR 1 billion call for research and innovation projects that respond to the climate crisis and help protect Europe's unique ecosystems and biodiversity.

EU outlines measures to achieve new climate goal — 21 September 2020, 23:43 CET

The EU Commission set out details Thursday of its plan, announced by EC chief Ursula von der Leyen, to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

2030 Climate Target Plan — 17 September 2020, 17:52 CET

The European Commission presented on 17 September its plan to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

EU Commission to target 55 pct emissions reductions — 16 September 2020, 18:31 CET

EU Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen in her first state of the union speech announced an increase to the 2030 climate target, to 'at least 55%' emissions reductions, up from the previous 40% target.

Free emissions allowances must be better targeted: EU auditors — 15 September 2020, 20:18 CET

Free allowances under the EU's 'cap and trade' emissions trading system, distributed to industry, aviation and sometimes electricity sectors, were not well targeted, says an EU auditors' report.

Healthy environment, healthy lives: how the environment influences health and well-being in Europe — 08 September 2020, 21:59 CET

A significant proportion of the burden of disease in Europe continues to be attributed to environmental pollution resulting from human activity. This report highlights how the quality of Europe's environment plays a key role in determining our health and well-being.

Poor environment causes one in eight deaths in Europe — 09 September 2020, 21:54 CET

Heatwaves, air and noise pollution contribute to 13 per cent of all deaths in Europe, according to a major assessment on health and environment released Tuesday the EU Environment Agency (EEA).

New raw materials strategy to lead Europe's green transition — 08 September 2020, 18:38 CET

A new raw materials strategy, proposed Thursday by the EU Commission, would reduce Europe's dependency on third countries, diversify supply and promote responsible sourcing worldwide.

New car type-approval rules in force across Europe — 08 September 2020, 18:35 CET

New EU type-approval rules for cars, which came into force across Europe on 1 August, significantly overhaul and tighten the previous type approval and market surveillance system.

New EU type-approval rules for safer and cleaner cars — 31 August 2020, 23:43 CET

The EU Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles started to apply from 1 September, 2020.

EC sets out its fish quotas for Mediterranean, Black Seas — 20 August 2020, 00:26 CET

The EU Commission set out proposals for fishing opportunities for 2021 in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas Monday, saying these reflect ambitions to promote sustainable management of fish stocks.

Green transition fund should be performance-related: EU auditors — 23 July 2020, 14:02 CET

A proposal amending the EU's Just Transition Fund needs to establish a clearer link to EU climate and environmental goals, says an Opinion published Wednesday by the EU's Court of Auditors.

Dieselgate: VW can be sued in EU states where cars sold — 10 July 2020, 00:20 CET

German car manufacturer Volkswagen could be sued for damages in the courts of EU member states' where their cars are resold with manipulated car emissions data, the EU's top court ruled Thursday.

EU hydrogen strategy to bolster green recovery — 09 July 2020, 17:29 CET

The European Commission unveiled EU strategies for energy system integration and hydrogen Wednesday, saying they will pave the way towards a more efficient and interconnected energy sector.

EUR 1bn fund for innovative clean technology projects: 1st call — 07 July 2020, 17:55 CET

The European Commission launched Friday the first call for proposals under the EU Innovation Fund, one of the world's largest programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies.