UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon gave the following address at the close of COP21 Action Day in Paris: “I thank President Hollande for convening this gathering, and for France’s engagement as one of the co-leaders of the Lima-Paris Action Agenda, along with Peru, the United Nations and the UNFCCC. I have been looking forward to Action […]COP21 Breaking News_05 December: Ban Ki-Moon Closing Address at COP21 Action Day Innovation, Imagination, Faster Climate Action
December 5, 2015 by Leave a Comment
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon gave the following address at the close of COP21 Action Day in Paris: “I thank President Hollande for convening this gathering, and for France’s engagement as one of the co-leaders of the Lima-Paris Action Agenda, along with Peru, the United Nations and the UNFCCC. I have been looking forward to Action […]A Sting Exclusive: “Climate Change needs to be demystified”, Anneli Jättenmäki Vice President of European Parliament underscores from Brussels
December 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Mrs Anneli Jättenmäki, Vice President of European Parliament. The EU has rightly been seen as paving the way for a global agreement on climate change. Good intentions have been translated into action during the past years. The sense of urgency has certainly risen. Just ahead of COP21, […]COP21 Breaking News: “There is an ecological debt that the world needs to pay back to Africa”, French President Francois Hollande promises 2 Billion euros by 2020 from Paris
December 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The President of the French Republic, François Hollande, organized a summit – “The Climate Challenge and African Solutions” on Tuesday, 1 December from 9:30 to 11:30 in the side-lines of COP21. This summit brought together twelve African Heads of State, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and representatives of several governments and international institutions […]A Sting Exclusive: “Paris is the moment for climate justice”, Swedish MEP Linnéa Engström claims from Brussels
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Mrs Linnéa Engström, Swedish Green MEP and Vice-chair of the Fisheries committee at the European Parliament. Climate change is the single most present global injustice, facing our and future generations, and one of the greatest human rights challenges of our time. In the last six years, two percent […]A Sting Exclusive: “Leading by example! EU must push for UN deal to avoid dangerous climate change”, European Parliament Vice-President Ulrike Lunacek cries out from Brussels
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Ulrike Lunacek, Vice president of the European Parliament and MEP Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/Austria). The climate-change impacts are already visible in natural and human systems on all continents and across the oceans. The latest Assessment Report (5AR) by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has […]A Sting Exclusive: “Paris and beyond: EU action and what COP21 should deliver”, Green MEP Keith Taylor discusses from Brussels
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written by Keith Taylor, Green Party MEP for South East England The international community is on the eve of discussing one of the hugest challenges facing humanity: climate change. The United Nations Climate change conference (COP21) negotiations which start next week are a key moment for decisive action, but what happens afterwards and […]A Sting Exclusive: “Europe must be more ambitious in COP21 and lead on climate finance and sustainable development”, Green UK MEP Jean Lambert points out from Brussels
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Mrs Jean Lambert, UK MEP at the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance The EU must be more ambitious if it is to play a constructive and proactive role in shaping the Paris Climate Conference (COP21), or else risk being a bystander. The stakes are higher than ever […]A Sting Exclusive: “Without climate, forget about peace!”, Swedish MEP Bodil Valero cautions from Brussels
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Mrs Bodil Valero, Member of the European Parliament for the Swedish Green Party For a long time, climate change has been seen as a “soft” issue, one that states and citizens can afford to care about when the rest of society’s problems aren’t as pressing. Portrayed as separate […]A Sting Exclusive: “There can be no global deal on emissions without China and the USA”, Conservative MEP Ian Duncan stresses from Brussels
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Mr Ian Duncan, Conservative MEP for Scotland. World leaders have arrived in Paris today for the opening of the UNFCCC COP21 conference on climate change. Over the next two weeks politicians, businesses and civil society will gather in the French capital in the hopes of hammering out […]A Sting Exclusive: “Global Climate: Our Common Responsibility”, S&P MEP Miriam Dalli underlines from Brussels
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written by Mrs Miriam Dalli, Member of the European Parliament at the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D). Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to the future of our planet. Equity, solidarity and responsibility are the main principles that should guide our actions. We have […]A Sting Exclusive: “Junior Enterprises themselves carry out projects focusing on the environment”, JADE President Daniela Runchi highlights from Brussels
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Daniela Runchi, President of JADE Climate change is today one of the the hot topics not only for the institutions but also for the civil society and the youth: according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, “scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is […]A Sting Exclusive: “Climate change and youth inaction: oblivion or nonchalance?”, AIESEC wonders from Brussels
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Sisekelo Sinyolo, President of AIESEC Belgium. “Climate change? What do you mean? The weather is the same for me. It’s just a figment of your imagination. It doesn’t affect my day-to-day life, why should I be concerned?” I can see now with the benefit of hindsight […]A Sting Exclusive: “Paris is indeed our best bet for a secure climate future”, EU Commissioner for Environment Karmenu Vella cries out from Brussels
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Exclusively written for the Sting by Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner in charge of Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries When we think of climate change the oceans are now central to our thinking and our efforts. It must be at the heart of our efforts because the ocean is the heart of our planet. We know […]A Sting Exclusive: “Consumer expectations for the 2015 UN summit on climate change”, Director General of BEUC Monique Goyens outlines from Brussels
November 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The article is exclusively Co-authored for the Sting by Mrs Monique Goyens, Director General of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and Mrs Sylvia Maurer, Head of Sustainability and Safety in the organisation. The negative consequences of climate change are already and will increasingly be affecting consumers worldwide. We experience lower health standards due to air […]A Sting Exclusive: Paris Climate Change Summit, a defining moment for humanity, by Ulf Björnholm Head of UNEP Brussels
November 27, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Written by Mr Ulf Björnholm, Head of the UNEP Brussels Liaison Office With world leaders and governments struggling to find solutions to immediate problems such as extreme poverty, terrorism, economic crisis, unemployment and migration, we now also need to collectively rise to the challenge to simultaneously counter a more long term, but equally serious, threat to […]Greener economies and investment to reduce unemployment and increase global growth
November 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
In less than a month now the UN Climate Conference will be taking place in Paris in order to implement measures that could reverse the downhill of the global climate. At the same time the Corporate Europe Observatory’s survey reveals that the European Commission (EC) is highly promoting the “dirty” energy companies more than the renewable […]Why will Paris upcoming “loose” climate change agreement work better than the previous ones?
October 16, 2015 by 1 Comment
It was only last Tuesday when the European Commission (EC) together with the Moroccan government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) convened at the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) Forum in Morocco to discuss the overall effect of countries’ contributions to the climate agreement which is going to be concluded […]How dearly will Germany pay for the Volkswagen emissions rigging scandal
September 28, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The Volkswagen emissions scam exposed by the US authorities last week has more substance than the vast and varied financial, commercial and legal consequences wherever in the world the company is present. VW has a great weight in the German car universe with its 12 brand names (VW, Audi, Porsche, the Volkswagen trucks Scania and […]EU finally agrees on target for 40% greenhouse emission cuts ahead of Paris climate talks
September 22, 2015 by Leave a Comment
“Today’s extraordinary meeting of the Environment Council set out the EU’s position for the new global climate agreement”. Those are the words that European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete chose at the end of the Environment Council, last Friday, where the EU officially set out its position for the Paris climate conference […]Climate change will never be combatted by EU alone while some G20 countries keep procrastinating
August 21, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The EU Commissioner of Climate Action and Energy stressed out yesterday the sluggishness of the required actions that must be taken in order to combat climate change effects. Miguel Arias Cañete was critical to some G20 countries that have not yet provided their climate contributions and are not helping to create a constructive agreement. The Commission’s official made […]EU to lead one more fight against climate change at G7 summit
June 3, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The UN talks that are being held in the context of a 10-day climate conference in Bonn are highly crucial for the preparation of the final agreement that must be signed at the climate summit in Paris in 6 months from now. Therefore, officials from 190 nations are gathered in the German city to discuss […]18th EU Eco-Innovation Forum in Barcelona shows the way for Europe’s new Environmental policy
May 31, 2015 by Leave a Comment
On 20-22 May 2015 the 18th edition of the European Forum on Eco-Innovation took place in Barcelona, Spain. The glorious “Green” Forum outside the Brussels city walls was jointly organised by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Environment, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and the Generalitat de Catalunya with the support of the […]EU’s new environmental policy on biofuels impacts both the environment and the European citizen
April 15, 2015 by
The proposal of the European Commission (EC) back in 2012 regarding the reduction of traditional biofuels as renewable energy sources to 7% of final energy consumption in transport by 2020 seems to have serious chances of being adopted by the European Parliament (EP) since the environment committee was in favor of this proposal during yesterday’s meeting. […]Except Poland, can climate change also wait until 2021 for the EU Market Stability Reserve to be launched?
March 27, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The EU member states came to an agreement last Wednesday regarding the set up of the Market Stability Reserve (MSR) which will eventually lead to further discussions and negotiations with the European Parliament (EP) on the 30th of March. The starting date of the MSR is proposed to be 2021, in contrast with what “big” countries […]EU to fail 2050 Green targets due to lack of European citizens’ engagement
March 5, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The European Environment Agency (EEA) published last Tuesday a report that shows the substantial efforts that have been made in the EU regarding the objective of “living well within the limits of the planet”. It also clearly states that substantial steps must be made in order to be able to reach the environmental goals by 2050, one of which […]Parliament votes reform for better European Co2 market but critics want it sooner than later
February 25, 2015 by 1 Comment
Yesterday at the European Parliament a crucial vote for environmental protection was cast. The Environment Committee of the Parliament made a decisive step towards the limitation of greenhouse gas emissions in the Old Continent, combatting climate change. What is known as the biggest carbon emission market in the world, the EU, will be tackling the issue with […]Why the merchant ships can pollute the atmosphere with CO2 quite freely
December 22, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Last Wednesday the European Union Environment ministers reached an agreement… essentially to not to impose rules or duties on CO2 emissions from ships. Cunningly, the relevant Council Press release said that the 28 ministers “reached an agreement on new EU-wide rules for CO2 emissions from ships”. Until today, ocean-going shipping is the only sector of […]Europe votes against GMOs but the Council votes for TTIP
November 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Yesterday afternoon good news came out of the European Parliament; good news for the anti-GM (Genetically Modified Organisms) movement and hopefully for the EU too. The Environment Committee of the European Parliament (ENVI) voted in favour of the right of the member-states to ban GMOs from their territories with 53 votes to 11 and 2 […]EU leaders agree on 2030 Climate and Energy Package: is “flexible” brave enough?
October 28, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The European Union Heads of State last week reached an agreement on what it was welcomed as “the world’s most ambitious” target yet for cutting carbon emissions. European leaders have defined the headline targets and the architecture for the EU framework on climate and energy for 2030, having signed a pact obliging the EU as […]10 months were not enough for the EU to save the environment but 2 days are
October 21, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The highlight in Brussels this week is certainly the EU Council of tomorrow, Thursday 23 October. The reason is not because it will be the last one presided by Mr Van Rompuy, but because the major topic to be discussed in the agenda is the EU climate targets 2030. It has been 10 months that the […]Can one FTA and 110 lobby meetings make the dirty oil clean in Europe?
October 8, 2014 by Leave a Comment
So it happens again. The EU is compromising its own policies to endorse trade and business. What’s wrong with that? Just an equivalent environmental damage of 6 million cars in the European roads by 2020. It was only yesterday morning that the European Commission issued a controversial proposal that undermines its own 2020 targets to […]Happens now in Brussels: Green Week sets the EU and global climate policy agenda
June 4, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Brussels is all green this week. The eyes of Europe are focusing these days on the Egg Centre, where the 2014 edition of the Green Week is taking place. The conference centre in Rue Bara is hosting the biggest annual event on European environmental policy, whose theme this year is “Circular Economy, Resource Efficiency and Waste”. […]The EU Parliament backs the ‘Right2Water’ initiative all the way through
February 17, 2014 by 1 Comment
This afternoon the European Parliament is to hold a public hearing on the universal right to clean water, the first such hearing under the European Citizens’ Initiative, which enables the public to ask the EU authorities to table new legislation, provided the initiative is backed by one million people across seven member states. The ‘right2Water’ […]
