Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash Margaret Thatcher was a great believer in privatisation. She said it was crucial for ‘reversing the corrosive and corrupting effects of socialism…. ensuring the power of the people is enhanced….and reclaiming the territory for freedom’, writes Philip Bushill-Matthews. She was equally clear that Governments were inherently inefficient at running businesses, and few…
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash Kazakhstan is totally committed to the goals and objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement. This was stressed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov at the Summit of World Leaders of the Global Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt last November. Smailov has highlighted that Kazakhstan has set…
Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash The European Commission has presented its Green Deal Industrial Plan in response to the US Inflation Reduction Act. The aim is to boost European industries and innovation and make them fit for the green transformation of the economy and ensure global competitiveness. MEPs are expected to vote on a resolution on an EU strategy…
The airline industry says it is “flying the flag” to help minimise CO2 emissions and reach net zero emissions by 2050. The sector has already made “great strides” in fuel efficiency and conservation. One such initiative is the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) which is approved for use in all aircraft but only in blends…
Photo by Milos Prelevic on Unsplash The Brussels-based European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) backs a new and strengthened governance of the oceans. It calls for increased international cooperation, the safeguarding of the well-being of the marine environment and the protection of fish stocks from overfishing, given their vital importance for local communities. Increased international cooperation in order…
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash Despite EU action to reduce its generation, the amount of hazardous waste generated in the EU has continued to increase since 2004. A review published today by the European Court of Auditors sheds light on existing and future challenges in dealing with hazardous waste: improving classification, ensuring traceability, increasing recycling, and combating…
Photo by Carlos “Grury” Santos on Unsplash Climate change is the biggest issue facing the future of our planet. As President of COP26 in Glasgow last year it was UK Cabinet member Alok Sharma who secured world-wide agreement of a realistic programme to address it. Sharma would later condemn the Egyptian President of COP27 from failing to build…
Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash The Social Climate Fund was proposed by the European Commission in July 2021 and revised by the Council of the European Union in June 2022. The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has been asked by the Council to deliver an opinion on the revised proposal. The Social Climate Fund has the potential…
Electrification has simply substituted dieselisation, without any change in the business model or in the EU regulatory framework, reveals an alarming ETUI report. The ‘Fit for 55’ revision of the CO2 regulation for new cars and vans will not only keep reinforcing the trend towards heavier and more powerful vehicles but it will also drastically…
The EU Commission has set new limits for underwater noise—a growing threat to the health and lives of whales, dolphins and many other marine species. The move is hailed as a significant step to help Member States achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) for the ocean in their jurisdiction. “This is a necessary and long awaited…
