EU legislators suggested an end of fossil heating subsidies by 2025, targets to renovate EU’s building stock, and a reduction of buildings’ carbon footprint. However, the law leaves much leeway when it comes to national implementation, jeopardising its own social and environmental goals.
Negotiations on the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) [1] have concluded – activating a new era for sustainable products. More products will be covered by ambitious ecodesign rules, pushing the most polluting goods off the market and incentivising manufacturers to prioritise the environment. The ESPR is a victory for our planet – and for ECOS, following its longstanding call for optimised and broader ecodesign rules that apply to all sectors [2].
What is at stake as we head towards the trilogue on the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) on 4 December? Find out in our briefing.
The European Parliament gave in to throwaway culture today in its position on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) proposal, issued by the European Commission one year ago [1]. MEPs voted on hundreds of amendments, many of which aimed to undermine the environmental ambition of the legislative text. The abundance of options provoked a barrage of false claims, scaremongering, and intense lobbying from industry players in the run-up to the vote.
Labels claiming that plastic water bottles are ‘100% recycled’ and/or ‘100% recyclable’ can be misleading. A coalition of consumer rights, legal, and environmental organisations seek to put an end to the proliferation of such claims.
The number of electronics on the EU market increased by more than 85% between 2013-2021, new Eurostat data reveals [1]. This is leading to a similarly expanding rate of e-waste [2]. A bold and urgent answer is needed from the EU to mitigate environmental damage caused by Europe’s exponentially growing reliance on electronics.
F-gases, not commonly known but commonly used in household appliances like fridges, air conditioners, and heat pumps, will be phased down in the EU – with some types of F-gases banned completely. F-gases are responsible for 2.5% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions – but not for much longer. Today, the European Commission, Parliament, and Council reached a bold agreement on the revised F-Gas Regulation, strengthening the EU’s role as a climate leader.
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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.