The European Commission has approved a €1.1 billion Spanish scheme to support investments for the production of equipment necessary to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support […]
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European Parliament revamped rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging
On Wednesday, Parliament adopted its position on new EU-wide rules on packaging, to tackle constantly growing waste and boost reuse and recycling. MEPs approved the report, which constitutes Parliament’s mandate for negotiations with EU governments, with 426 votes in favour, 125 against and 74 abstentions. Reduce packaging, restrict certain types and ban the use of […]
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European Commission proposes Forest Monitoring Law to improve the resilience of Europe’s forests
The Commission is proposing a Forest Monitoring Law that will plug existing gaps in the information on European forests and create a comprehensive forest knowledge base, to allow Member States, forest owners and forest managers to improve their response to growing pressures on forests and strengthen forest resilience. Forests are an essential ally in the fight against climate change and […]
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MEPs are ready to negotiate with Member States on new measures to reduce CO2 emissions from heavy duty vehicles
MEPs are ready to start talks with EU countries on new measures to strengthen CO2 emission reduction targets for new heavy-duty vehicles, which include buses, trucks and trailers. On last Tuesday, Parliament adopted its negotiating position with 445 votes in favour, 152 against and 30 abstentions. MEPs want strong CO2 emissions reduction targets for medium […]
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The year 2022 was the second-worst year for wildfires in the EU
In 2022, land roughly the size of Corsica was scorched by wildfires in the EU, according to the latest JRC report on fires in the pan-European region. It’s a third year in a row that unprecedented wildfire events cause large environmental and economic damage in the EU and, often, tragic loss of life. While most […]
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Repair rather than buy: New European legislation to promote repair of products and devices
Parliament adopted its negotiating position on new measures to strengthen the right to repair and reduce the environmental impact of mass consumption. On last Tuesday, Parliament adopted its position on a stronger “right to repair” for consumers, with 590 votes in favour, 15 against, and 15 abstentions. The proposal aims to encourage more sustainable consumption, […]
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First EU-Angola agreement on sustainable investment facilitation
The EU and Angola has signed a Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA), the first EU agreement of its kind, during the EU-Angola Business Forum in Luanda. It responds to Angola’s ambition to diversify its economy beyond the oil and gas sectors, which historically attracted most foreign investment. The agreement, with its commitments to improve business […]
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Council and Parliament reach agreement on updating Waste Shipment Regulation
The revision of the regulation aims to reduce shipments of problematic waste to outside the EU, update shipment procedures to reflect the objectives of the circular economy and improve enforcement. It sets procedures and control regimes to ensure that international shipments of waste do not pose a threat to human health and the environment, and […]
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Member States fail to reach qualified majority to renew or refuse glyphosate approval
Following an earlier vote in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed on 13 October, in which member states also failed to reach the majority needed to renew or reject the proposal, the European Commission has now decided to propose that the proposal should be rejected. Member States did not reach the required […]
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