European Environmental Bureau

Member States are supporting the decarbonisation of steelmaking with close to €8 billion 💶 But where is this money going? It is good that governments spend money to speed up the transformation of the steel sector, one of the most carbon-intensive sectors in the EU and the world. But… what are the conditions attached to using this public money? After more than one year, we know very little. Decisions attributing public funds for steelmaking decarbonisation must be transparent. This is key to allow citizens to scrutinise the use of their money and ensure that the projects are in line with the EU climate and environmental goals. Companies and Member States should be accountable to ensure the public purse is used in due time and for the public good. When it comes to matters of public interest like transforming one of the most polluting sectors in Europe, there is no possible confidentiality justification to delay disclosing information: these decisions must be made public. We have sent an official request to EU Competition Policy to access the decisions to attribute public money in steel decarbonisation, as well as the conditions and timelines linked to them. Decisions about public money must be available to citizens! SteelWatch Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe Instituto Internacional de Derecho y Medio Ambiente (IIDMA) ARIA

🔎 MISSING: 18 National Energy & Climate Plans (NECPs)! ⏰ So far, only nine countries have submitted their NECPs, action plans for meeting the EU's agreed climate targets. The continuing delays and lack of ambition in the NECPs jeopardises the EU's chances of meeting the crucial 2030 emission reduction target and harms the EU's global reputation. Missing the 2030 target also means that any ambition for 2040 and beyond will be severely compromised. ✅ Commitments to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 in Lavia, and 2035 in Denmark and the Netherlands, is very positive.  ❌ Some countries are trying to sidestep renewable targets. Sweden has shifted its renewable energy targets to 'fossil-free' energy targets. France now refers to ‘decarbonised energy’ instead of renewables, while Italy and Finland have included nuclear power in their plans. The European Commission must stand firm against attempts to backtrack on climate ambition and renewable energy rollout. ❌ Ireland and Latvia share a lack of ambition on energy savings and energy efficiency in buildings which risks derailing their efforts. ➖ Whilst it is encouraging that Ireland is targeting its hydrogen use towards hard-to-abate emissions, the Netherlands seems to be overly reliant on hydrogen generation capacity which is likely overestimated. It is critical that the remaining NECPs are submitted as soon as possible, with real climate ambition, to keep the 2030 emission reduction targets in sight. https://lnkd.in/eZmGX5Vg

🚨 Anti-democratic and “blatantly incompatible with EU law” 🚨 ClientEarth and BirdLife Europe and Central Asia have filed a complaint against the European Commission for scrapping measures to protect nature in farming without consultations or evidence ⚖ ⁉  Their complaint to the EU Ombudsman outlines how the Commission disregarded its own democratic standards to force through a revision of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that severely weakens environmental requirements in the CAP 👎 Read more 👇 #CAP #CommonAgriculturalPolicy #farming #nature #EULaw #RuleOfLaw #EnvironmentalProtection

📜 The Nature Restoration Law has been published in EUR-Lex, the EU's official journal 🙌 https://lnkd.in/eW2BPKrp 🌍 This ground-breaking legislation sets a bold target: to restore at least 20% of the EU's land and sea by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. 🌱 Healthy ecosystems are essential allies in the fight against climate change, complementing our efforts to reduce emissions. 💡 The benefits of restored ecosystems are enormous, from more nature and increased food security to improved well-being for all citizens. Let's work together to make this vision a reality 💚 #RestoreNature

✅🗳️As a member of the Green 10 coalition, the EEB sent a letter to the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola and to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen congratulating them on their re-election last week.   The Green 10 stands united in urging the European Parliament and Commission to intensify their commitment to the European Green Deal. With the escalating climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises affecting millions of Europeans both institutions must scale their efforts to tackle these challenges.    🌎The EU needs a green and social deal for a one-planet economy and that is why we call on President Metsola and President von der Leyen to lead with greater ambition, ensuring a fossil-free, socially just, and climate-neutral future for all.    🔗Read the full letters here:   ✉️ https://rb.gy/awwdyp   ✉️ https://rb.gy/awwdyp          

🚨 The European Commission's #RuleOfLaw report released this week misses a critical issue: the increasing repression of peaceful protests (often selectively applied to climate protests) across the EU! 📢 Just this year, Michel FORST, UN Special Rapporteur on #EnvironmentalDefenders under the Aarhus Convention, identified this repression as “a major threat to democracy and human rights.” ⚖️ On #AarhusConvention rights, the report reveals mixed progress: with limited efforts by EU countries to improve access to information and access to justice. However, there are positive developments in the realm public participation with the report going as far as to highlight the the advantages to law-making that including citizens entails. 😶 The report also urges countries to adopt measures against #SLAPPs (abusive lawsuits that aim to silence journalists, defenders and watchdogs) - a good reminder to Member States who are set to implement the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive, approved this year. Full report 👉 https://lnkd.in/e6F8naRY

📰✨ It's Friday, and the green news is here!     In this edition:   👉 There is plenty of room for renewables in Europe. 👉 New rule of law report by the European Commission just dropped. 👉 Big Meat and Dairy industries spread disinformation harming human health, and the environment.   Subscribe now for this and much more! 💚📬   

Litigation - taking an issue to court - related to agriculture is on the rise across Europe 📈 ⚖ Current policy drives the intensification of unsustainable practices causing governments and companies to breach EU law and fail to meet environmental and climate objectives👎 In this META, Laura Hildt, our Senior Strategic Litigation Officer, explains the role of litigation in shaping a brighter future for EU food and farming by showcasing some key cases from across the EU 👉 https://lnkd.in/dTuqrcP3 🚨Interested to learn more or would like to get in touch about a case you’re involved in? Visit our new litigation page to view our case collection and get in touch 👉 https://lnkd.in/d9dq5Ztr

Amidst skyrocketing industry lobbying and the far-right surge in Europe, civil society's agenda is key. 🚨 On 1 October in Brussels, more than 30 digital, social, and climate justice organisations will open a dialogue with recently elected EU decision-makers at the #EUTechSociety Summit. Together, we will discuss tech's impact on democracy ✊🏾, society 🌎 and the environment 🌱. ➡️ Check out the draft programme published today to learn what will drive the conversation: https://lnkd.in/g7eauDbc

📢 We are recruiting a new Head of Circular Economy! Are you an expert in circularity policies, with strong people management and fundraising skills? We're looking for someone just like you to lead our influential Circular Economy team! Explore the job ad and apply or help us spread the word: https://lnkd.in/dXhdTXYg