Alarm Signals from Planet Earth

Alarm Signals from Planet Earth

At the UN’s climate change summit in Egypt, MEPs have called on global leaders to recognise the alarming signals the planet is sending us and to consequently adopt concrete measures to implement the Paris Agreement.  The economic and energy crises caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine should not be used as an excuse to postpone…

Cyberattack Threats on EU Banks

MEPs have called for action to protect banks in Europe against possible attacks from Russia, China or Iran. Senior MEP Frances Fitzgerald said, ““We are now all more conscious than ever of the threat posed by hackers to European citizens, including from regimes such as Russia, China, or Iran.  “Recent months have highlighted the need…

Climate Finance

Left MEPs are organising an international conference on the issue of climate finance. They are pushing for the issue of loss and damage to be inserted in the Parliament’s resolution on the climate summit COP27. The 27th UN Climate Change Summit is not only about emissions, it is about hope and justice – and about…

Access to COVID Vaccines

Covax

The European Parliament’s special Covid-19 committee exchanged views with ministers from the Global South and leading representatives of international health and trade organisations last week. The S&Ds used the meeting to call on international partners to recommit to the global initiative, COVAX, intended to guarantee equitable access to Covid vaccines.  As a next step, the scope…

Combatting Terrorism

Combatting terrorism

Combating terrorism has been part of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation’s (Eurojust) mandate since its creation in 2002 and remains one of its core priorities.  The EU Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs has amended the Eurojust Regulation in force and strengthened the agency’s tools for sharing data relating…

EP Response to Consequences of War

Iratxe Garcia

Last week the plenary of the European Parliament has debated on how the EU must respond to the social and economic consequences of the war against Ukraine. The leader of the S&D Group, Iratxe García stressed the need to bring the bills down for citizens and enterprises, and proposed a series of measures including taxing…

People of Ukraine Win Sakharov Prize

The people of Ukraine are the winners of the 2022 Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought. The decision, made on Wednesday, was broadly welcomed.  S&D members said the European Parliament’s choice of this year’s final laureate. “reaffirms our wholehearted support to Ukrainians in the war waged by Russia, the most brutal attack on peace in…

Emergency Energy Package

Ville Niinisto

The European Commission has presented a new emergency package aimed at combating the sharp increase in gas prices.  The package was published ahead of the energy summit on Thursday and Friday this week. The Greens/EFA Group says it welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a joint gas purchase tool, but it’s uncertain if this will be enough…

Decarbonisation of Transport

decarbonisation of transport

Senior MEP Carlo Fidanza has warned that while alternative fuel infrastructure plays an important role in the decarbonisation of transport, locking the industry more and more into electromobility “will not solve Europe’s future mobility problems.” The member spoke out after the adoption of a revised fuels infrastructure by the majority of the European Parliament. He…