Ahead of the European Council’s discussion on 25 May about the new climate and energy legislation (so called Fit for 55 Package), European businesses, investor groups, local and regional authorities and NGOs published a joint letter to list their expectations. They called upon EU decision makers to ensure that the upgraded climate and energy legislation increases the EU’s climate ambition to the highest possible level, while supporting a green, territorially balanced and socially fair transition in all regions.
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Fluorinated refrigerants (F-gases) are artificial gases that are mainly used in the refrigeration, heat pump and air conditioning sectors. Most of them have a significant global warming effect once they are emitted into the atmosphere, thousands of times worse and with a longer life than carbon dioxide. Our new briefing shows that there are more climate impacts associated with F-gases than the ones usually considered.
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Batteries are crucial both for the energy transition and clean transport. However, clear rules need to be set right at the outset of this revolution, so that batteries do not damage our environment. In Europe, policymakers and members of the standardisation community are deciding on the rules that should mitigate the impact of these products. The latest legislative proposal put on the table by the European Commission might be hard to follow – but not with our EU Battery Regulation cheat sheet here below.
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On 22 April, the European Commission published its long-awaited ‘climate taxonomy’ or a list of ‘green’ economic activities, which aims to channel investments into activities supporting a change towards a truly sustainable world. Read on for our analysis – all you need to know, including the harsh truths.
ECOS and four other NGOs request the opening of a negotiation with the Commission to establish rules of governance in the Platform on Sustainable Finance. Official talks are needed to make sure political and individual interests do not overrule the scientific integrity of the EU taxonomy criteria.
The text presented today by the European Commission wrongly identifies harmful logging practices and the burning of trees and crops for energy as sustainable, as a result of heavy pressure from industry lobbies. This undermines the whole taxonomy, turning it into a greenwashing tool.
Mandatory ecodesign requirements for textiles and textile products are an essential tool to reduce the environmental impacts of the textiles sector and make the industry circular. Before they are put on the market, clothes should comply with concrete requirements for minimum lifetimes, as well as durability, reusability, repairability and recyclability. In addition, requirements should prevent the presence of hazardous and toxic chemicals, and limit microplastics release at all stages.
ECOS 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.