Report by ECOS with Open Future. How data centre expansion risks derailing climate goals and how to fix it. An analysis of the environmental impacts of data centres, the solutions to this, and possible EU policy responses.
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Global trade rules on raw materials are underpinned by standards. Those who set them decide who trades, whose practices are legitimised, whose voices count, and how resources are governed. Trade rules and related standards must be worthy of people and planet. Our factsheet shows how.
Continue readingReport by ECOS with Open Future. How data centre expansion risks derailing climate goals and how to fix it. An analysis of the environmental impacts of data centres, the solutions to this, and possible EU policy responses.
Continue readingIn our latest infographic, we outline the steps required to safely reuse structural timber in renovation and construction. Using wood for longer, following the cascading principle, helps to avoid waste and reduce carbon emissions.
Learn moreThis paper explores opportunities for policies and standards to maximise timber reuse and recycling in structural buildings. We make recommendations on different regulations and standards, which can either support or create unwanted barriers to achieving this goal.
Continue readingCompanies have a key role in tackling climate change by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Ensuring credible and accurate Chain of Custody models in Environmental Attribute Certificates is key to this.
Continue readingIn this briefing, we review recent and upcoming developments in EU policy and standards that are relevant to forestry, timber, and construction and explore the untapped potential of public procurement to drive demand for sustainable construction materials.
Continue readingThis report provides a blueprint for assessing the life-cycle environmental footprints of physical and chemical plastic recycling technologies, as well as a technical critique of a JRC study that uses Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to compare environmental impacts of plastic recycling technologies. Based on this critique, recommendations are provided for decision makers as to the value of the JRC study’s findings.
Continue readingAgainst a backdrop of political shifts, competing interests, and the stark realities of a changing climate, 2024 was challenging in many ways – but still a year full of important milestones and steps forward for ambitious environmental protection.
Continue readingThis paper qualitatively reviews a select group of standards for measuring soil organic carbon, including those contained in Annex II of the EU's Soil Monitoring Law to support implementation. The focus of this review is on forests soils and soil organic carbon, which is high relevant to forests ecosystem health and is central to ongoing EU policy debates.
Continue readingIn this joint position paper we warn that relying exclusively on the internal market legal base fundamentally misrepresents the environmental objectives and historical context of Circular Economy policy. We instead advocate the adoption of a dual legal basis incorporating Article 114 TFEU (Internal Market) alongside an appropriate environmental legal basis, e.g. Article 192 TFEU.
Continue readingIn our response to the European Commission's consultation and call for evidence on the proposed Circular Economy Act we emphasise that by adopting clear targets, definitions, and reflecting prevention and reuse priorities in key legislative files, the Circular Economy Act can deliver both environmental and economic benefits.
Continue readingThe European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP) presents an opportunity to address the multiple housing crises affecting millions of people across the EU by delivering solutions that work for people and nature.
Continue readingChemical regulation moves rapidly across sectors - through overarching or product specific restrictions. Against a backdrop of growing awareness of substances of concern and pathways of exposure, science is also moving quickly to develop best methods and testing practices to detect these substances reliably and at low levels. Standards will play a significant role in developing testing methods as further chemical restrictions are introduced.
Continue readingEurope is facing a biodiversity emergency. Regulating and divesting from economic activities that harm nature must be the EU’s first strategy. In our response to the European Commission's Nature Credits Roadmap consultation, we support regulating nature credits as a way to implement the polluter-pays principle and measuring and rewarding progress along restoration goals. We strongly advise against relying on market mechanisms to support nature restoration.
Continue readingDrafted by NGOs and scientists, this briefing analyses EU Forest Monitoring Law (FML) negotiations, where both the Council and Parliament proposed drastically weakening the European Commission’s proposal for science-based monitoring. To rescue the FML, MEPs need to significantly improve the Parliament’s text, showing that they understand the centrality of accurate scientific information to the sustainable management of forests.
Continue readingWe support the principle of making EU legislation easier to implement - but we express serious concerns that the omnibus methodology risks deregulation by stealth. Read more in our response to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the “Environmental Omnibus” simplification initiative.
Continue reading56 organisations have written to EU leaders to express strong concern that the legal basis of the Circular Economy Act could be based solely on the Internal Market. The signatories emphasise that a dual legal basis, incorporating an appropriate environmental legal basis, is essential to ensure the Act is legally robust, politically coherent, and achieves its goals.
Continue readingSignatories express concern over the European Commission's ongoing considerations to amend the ETS State Aid guidelines.
Continue readingThe European Parliament will soon hold votes on the Soil Monitoring Law - the final crucial steps for adopting this important law to address the crisis of soil degradation in Europe. The Council approved the deal on 29 September, and now over 50 civil society organisations call on the European Parliament to act as a responsible co-legislator and seal the deal.
Continue readingRecent comments from the Finnish and Swedish Prime Ministers have called for the weakening of the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) Regulation. Their position undermines the whole purpose of carbon accounting and their proposed actions prioritise short-term interests of a single sector over long-term societal health and resilience.
Continue readingECOS joins 200 organisations in calling on COP leaders to make transition minerals part of climate negotiations. Read our joint letter.
Continue readingIn a joint letter, we welcome the European Commission’s decision to address Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) within the Circular Economy Act. This is a timely and necessary step towards transitioning to more circularity and helping achieve the EU’s industrial, economic, and environmental goals.
Continue readingOver 150 signatories are urging EU leaders to ban the creation of new incinerators in Europe once and for all. Incineration emissions are harmful to our health and our environment - and Europe needs to live up to its environmental and climate goals. Reuse, recycling, and waste prevention are real solutions - incineration isn’t.
Continue readingThe review of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) is coming to an end with the publication of a revised regulation proposal expected by the end 2025.
Continue readingECOS is co-funded by the European Commission and EFTA
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.