E.U. approves world’s largest green stimulus
EU lawmakers agreed to provide a €672 billion recovery fund boost for the EU economy. 37% of the funding has to go to projects that help the climate.
European Union
This archive collects solutions-journalism stories and milestones connected to the European Union — from policy advances and clean-energy progress to social initiatives and scientific achievements. It tracks meaningful developments across member states and E.U.-wide institutions.
E.U. to dedicate €10 billion on “Farm to Fork” strategy
The Farm to Fork Strategy proposes dedicating €10 billion toward the research and innovation on “food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, and the environment as well as the use of digital technologies and nature-based solutions for agri-food.”
E.U. pledges to raise $20 billion a year to boost biodiversity
The European Commission has committed to protecting 30% of the EU’s land and oceans by 2030. The 10-year plan includes reducing chemical pesticides by 50% and planting 3 billion trees by 2030.
E.U. to allow markets to sell insect-based foods in ‘breakthrough moment’
In the next few weeks, the European Union’s Food Safety Authority is expected to classify several types of insects as safe for human consumption.
New E.U. rules aim to replace “throwaway culture” with circular economy
The new laws will ensure that new products brought to the EU market are repairable, recyclable, and designed to last longer than our current phones and tablets.
E.U. bans almost all coal mining
Every unprofitable coal mine in the European Union must cease production by the first day of 2019, the date on which all public funds for the mines will come to an end.
E.U. agrees deal on single-use plastic ban
The single-use plastic ban was introduced earlier this year and yesterday the European commission agreed a deal to set the ban in place.
The EU says it is aiming to become the first major economy to go “climate neutral” by 2050
Net-zero by 2050 just got its first major champion: the European Union has unveiled a strategy that would make it the first large economy to commit to full climate neutrality. The plan leans on technology that already exists today — scaling solar and wind to 80% of electricity, insulating homes, and restoring forests to absorb what can’t be eliminated. Alongside the climate benefits, the EU estimates the shift could cut energy import costs by up to three trillion euros a year and reduce premature deaths from air pollution by 40%. A coalition of ten member states, including Sweden, is already pushing to move faster — a sign that ambitious climate leadership is becoming Europe’s mainstream expectation rather than its fringe.
Two thirds of E.U. cities have climate change plans
66% of EU cities have a mitigation or adaptation plan in place. The top countries were Poland — where 97% of cities have mitigation plans — Germany (81%), Ireland (80%), Finland (78%) and Sweden (77%).
E.U. votes to increase 2030 renewable energy goal to 35%
The European Union Parliament voted Wednesday to increase its renewable energy goal for 2030 from a goal of 27% to a new target of 35%, which will now be taken to EU member states in upcoming talks.