Climate ambition is going in the right direction, says Confederation of Finnish Industries’ Director General Jyri Häkämies. On Friday, Hakamies told this site, “Last year was a turning point: for the first time, all the major economic powers; the EU, the US and China committed to the goals of carbon neutrality by the middle of the…
Environment
The Air We Breathe
The parliament’s Environment Committee this week adopted a strong report on the implementation of EU air quality legislation. A progressive majority of Socialists, Liberals, Greens and the Left (43 votes in favour, 33 against, 3 abstentions) adopted ambitious demands for clean air. The result was negotiated by the Socialist rapporteur Javi López from Spain with…
Cutting CO2 Emissions
Global CO2 emissions declined sharply in 2020, but with a rebound expected in 2021 efforts must be intensified if the world is to reach the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement and keep global warming well below 2°C, a new study shows. The study, which has been conducted as part of the Global Carbon Project, was published in the scientific journal Nature Climate Change today, on 3 March 2021. It…
As EU Vows to Improve Cancer Prevention, Denmark Applies New Rules to Mineral Wool
At a time when the European Union is prioritising cancer prevention, the Danish government is implementing a new decree on demolition and installation works involving materials containing synthetic mineral fibres, also known as mineral wool. Earlier this month, the European Commission presented Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, which has been long awaited as a new EU approach to…
Parliament Calls to Suspend Ostrovets Nuclear Power Plant
The European Parliament has voiced serious concerns over the safety of the Ostrovets nuclear plant in Belarus and demand that its commercial launch be suspended. In a resolution adopted today, the Parliament criticised the hasty commissioning of the Ostrovets nuclear plant and the continued lack of transparency and official communication regarding the frequent emergency shutdowns…
New Circular Economy
The European Parliament will vote this week on the Parliament’s position on the European Commissions’ New Circular Economy Action Plan, a main pillar of the Green Deal. The Action Plan consists of 35 measures, including: Legislative proposals for a new sustainable product policy framework, sustainable production and better waste management of batteries, and a proposal…
Morocco Ranked 5th in World for Clean Innovation
According to newly published research, Morocco is ranked 5th in the world for clean innovation. The index is produced by MIT and published in “The Green Future Index” sponsored by Salesforce, Citrix, and Morgan Stanley. The research was conducted through in-depth secondary research and analysis as well as interviews with global experts on climate change,…
Uzbekistan’s Nuclear Project: Expensive, and Environmentally Unsound.
On December 11th of last year Uzbekistan became an observer in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the latest and most important step to date on the path toward full membership of Vladimir Putin’s rival to the EU, through which the Russian president hopes to entice former Soviet republics back into Moscow’s orbit. Tashkent plans to…
Which Countries Get the most EU Subsidies for Sustainable Energy Projects?
In order to reduce carbon emissions, the European Union set up the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (2014-2020) – the biggest EU research and innovation project looking into smart energy systems for a sustainable and renewable energy future. Interested in sustainable energy, HeatingForce.co.uk analysed data on Smart Energy Systems within the Horizon 2020 programme to discover the countries receiving the…
Renovation Wave for EU Buildings
As one of the largest consumers of energy in the EU, building stock has a big impact on the EU’s climate goals. Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption in the EU and contribute 36% of total emissions. This is why the S&D Group in the European Parliament has issued a position paper today,…