A quarter of MEPs today voted in favour of a resolution to reject the EU's proposed list of priority energy infrastructure, including 55 fossil gas projects, though this was insufficient to veto the list. 169 MEPs voted in favour of a rejection of the 4th PCI list, 443 against, with 36 abstentions.
Europe’s energy system is deeply wasteful - our energy consumption is too high, and we're not improving.
Inefficient buildings losing heat from all sides. Cheap untaxed flights over short distances. Ad billboards flashing images into the night sky. Our economies consume tremendous amounts of energy - preventing the switch to 100% renewable energy.
One of the world’s most famous actors and activists, Mark Ruffalo, who plays 'The Hulk', has today weighed into Europe’s climate debate, urging members of the European Parliament in Brussels to vote against a list of priority EU energy infrastructure projects next week, as it could subsidise 55 new fossil fuel projects, including those that facilitate the import and transport of US fracked gas.
Stories from the frontlines of climate hope.
All over Europe, people are rising up to fix climate breakdown – demanding urgent transformation to a fair, fossil free future. Communities, cities and people are at the forefront of building community-owned renewable energy, creating green jobs, and tackling energy poverty.
Here is one such story from the frontlines of climate hope, from Belgium.
The EU Commission is trying to lower EU food safety standards as part of a rushed trade deal with the USA, according to statements from senior trade officials.
EU trade commissioner Hogan and other trade officials have confirmed their intention to reduce ‘non-tariff’ barriers on farm goods in trade negotiations. This could bring unsafe food, only tested for lower US standards, on European consumers’ plates.
EU Commission president von der Leyen has said she wants to push the trade deal through in a few weeks to avoid any new tariffs on EU/German car exports.
MEPs on the European Parliament’s Energy Committee (ITRE) have failed to reject the EU’s list of priority energy projects, despite it containing dozens of new harmful fossil fuel projects incompatible with the Paris climate agreement.
Local citizens celebrate, NGOs call on EU Commission to launch infringement procedure
The Bulgarian government on Wednesday (January 15) withdrew its application for EU funds to build a motorway through Kresna gorge – a protected nature area – in a significant victory for the local communities and irreplaceable nature in the area.
Stories from the frontlines of climate hope.
All over Europe, people are rising up to fix climate breakdown – demanding urgent transformation to a fair, fossil free future. Communities, cities and people are at the forefront of building community-owned renewable energy, creating green jobs, and tackling energy poverty.
Here is one such story from the frontlines of climate hope, from Budapest, Hungary.
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.
A vibrant and protected civic space is an essential part of a healthy democracy - but it's under attack.
16 Friends of the Earth member organisations have told us they are facing restrictions, intimidation, harassment and attacks - what we collectively call 'shrinking space'.
In this episode of our podcast we hear how shrinking space for civil society is affecting our members in Austria and in Cyprus, what the causes are - and importunatly how to respond.