European Parliament approves ban on single-use plastics
The European Parliament voted on Wednesday to enact a complete ban on some single-use plastics, such as drinking straws and disposable cutlery, across the European Union.
European Union
E.U. plans to spend a quarter of its budget on climate protection
A quarter of the €1.279 trillion budget for 2021 to 2027 will be dedicated to spending designed to combat climate change. That includes funding for renewable energy, efficiency improvements, and adaptation to the effects of climate change.
E.U. to ban bee-killing pesticides
EU countries voted on Friday for a near-total ban on insecticides blamed for killing off bee populations, in what campaigners called a “beacon of hope” for the winged insects.
E.U. Parliament approves new measures to create a circular economy
“By 2025, at least 55% of municipal waste (from households and businesses) should be recycled. The target will rise to 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035.”
Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovenia agree to establish world’s first five-country protected area to conserve “Europe’s Amazon”
The five countries signed a historic declaration to establish a trans-boundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to protect their shared nature and wildlife along the Mura, Drava, and Danube rivers, “Europe’s Amazon.” The declaration paves the way for creating the world’s first five-country protected area and, with an overall size of about 800,000 hectares, Europe’s largest riverine protected area.
Belgium becomes second country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Belgium since 1 June 2003, making it the second country in the world to open marriage to same-sex couples, after the Netherlands, and 9 days ahead of the Canadian province of Ontario. Legislation to grant marriage rights to same-sex couples was passed by both chambers of the Federal Parliament in November 2002 and January 2003 with the support of most political parties, and received royal assent on 13 February 2003.
Austria, Finland, and Sweden join the European Union
The European Union was formally established when the Maastricht Treaty came into force on 1 November 1993. In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU.