In a year that will have a packed agenda, calls are being made for the health risks of Man-made Vitreous Fibres (MMVF), also known as mineral wool, to be prioritised, both by the European Union and the UK post-Brexit. MMVF is used for thermal and acoustic insulation in homes and businesses. Since asbestos was banned…
Year: 2020
Etihad Ecoflight to Brussels
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, yesterday operated a special ‘eco-flight’ from Abu Dhabi to Brussels, featuring a range of initiatives designed to illustrate the airline’s broad commitment to sustainable practices in the air and on the ground. Flight EY 57, which arrived in Brussels at 7.00am, was operated with a…
EU Climate Neutral By 2050
The European Union says it is committed to becoming the first climate-neutral bloc in the world by 2050. This requires significant investment from both the EU and the national public sector, as well as the private sector, it says. The European Green Deal’s Investment Plan – the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan – presented today will mobilise…
Becoming a Fossil-Free Society
The European Commission has launched proposals for a package to help workers and communities make the shift to fossil free societies – a policy Friends of the Earth Europe and unions have for years demanded. The proposal is part of the EU Green Deal, unveiled in December 2019. However, €7.5 billion public funding for the…
Gahler Urges Iran to Follow Nuclear Deal With Europe
Faced with protests over the accidental downing of a Ukrainian jetliner, Iran could calm tensions at home and abroad by following the nuclear agreement with Europe, says Michael Gahler, EPP Group Foreign Affairs spokesman. If not, Iran should face new sanctions, Gahler states. Gahler took part in the European Parliament´s debate on Middle East developments…
Commission Launches Consultation on Social Europe
The European Commission has published a communication on building a strong social Europe for just transitions. The Commission also launched a social partner consultation on fair minimum wages. European business supports the objective of a social market economy that works for people. The way forward is to improve the performance of labour markets and social systems…
EU Renews its Terrorist Lists
The Council yesterday renewed the so-called EU terrorist list, which sets out persons, groups and entities subject to restrictive measures with a view to combating terrorism. Persons, groups and entities on the list are subject to the freezing of their funds and other financial assets in the EU. It is also prohibited for EU operators to make funds and economic resources available to them. The Council is…
Calls for More Efforts to Fight Corruption in France
In a new report Greco, the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body, calls on France to improve the effectiveness and practical application of the framework in place to prevent corruption within the executive (President of the Republic, ministers, private office members and senior civil servants) as well as in the National Police and the National Gendarmerie. While…
Shooting Down Ukrainian Flight PS572: What Do We Need To Know?
Iran has undoubtedly left many impressed with their guilty plea over the missile hit that downed the Ukrainian passenger jet flight PS752. But there remains a certain feeling of unwholesomeness as if something is missing from the official reports, writes Max Uran. What if Tehran’s true intentions are not about opting for a worthy and…
Protecting the EU’s IP
The European Commission published today the latest report on protection and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in third countries. While developments have taken place since the publication of the previous report, concerns persist and a number of areas for improvement and action remain to be addressed. Intellectual property rights infringements worldwide cost European firms…