We can't save the climate without debt cancellation for the Global South böll.column To achieve international climate and development goals, developing and emerging countries would need an additional three trillion US dollars annually. But the Global South is currently groaning under the weight of an unmanageable debt burden. It’s time for a debt cut. By Dr. Imme Scholz
How platforms are responding to EU regulations to prevent climate disinformation Event recording This webinar with EU DisinfoLab took place on 16 April 2024, with Devin Bahceci, expert from the Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD), who shared his insights on how platforms have responded to the EU regulations to prevent climate disinformation. By EU DisinfoLab and Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union
Trade unions, collective bargaining and the green transition in the next EU legislative period Commentary The climate emergency is the number one policy priority, requiring a fundamental overhaul of our economic system. During the Val Duchesse Social Partner meeting, the European Commission announced the creation of a Social Dialogue envoy. However, the roles of social dialogue and collective bargaining remain underappreciated, and the European Institutions need to focus on strengthening the role of trade unions in shaping the just transition throughout the next legislature. By Béla Galgóczi
Will Prabowo’s presidency chart a brighter future for EU–Indonesia relations? Analysis On 14 February 2024, more than 164 million people cast their votes in Indonesia’s presidential election, making it the largest single-day election in the world. Frontrunner Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia’s defence minister, won by a landslide. This article analyses what Prabowo’s victory means for Indonesia, as well as EU–Indonesia relations, by looking at the current state of the relations and Prabowo’s recent nationalistic discourse. By Hans Nicholas Jong
Democracy online: The Canadian debate on digital platform regulations Podcast episode Governments around the world are trying to tackle “Big Tech”, and in Canada, the government has rolled out a package of digital legislation: Bill C-11 and C-18. But it isn’t without controversy. This Böll.Spotlight podcast episode takes a closer look at these bills, how they’ll affect the average Canadian, the criticisms and what this means for European legislation. By Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Böll EU Newsletter 3/2024 - Letter from our Director Newsletter In late 2019, the European Green Deal was presented with pomp and circumstance, garnering widespread support. Just over four years later, as the current EU political cycle comes to an end, this support is withering. The European Commission has shelved parts of the Deal, scrapping proposals to halve the use of pesticides, for example. In the Council, the Nature Restoration Law hangs in the balance. And in the European Parliament, the conservatives have worked to reduce the ambition of the Green Deal, while the liberals have called for a “regulatory pause”. Meanwhile, the social democrats are campaigning to put the social dimension front and centre. By Roderick Kefferpütz
The EU AI Act and environmental protection: the case for a missed opportunity Commentary The AI Act has finally overcome its latest hurdle in the European Union’s legislative procedure after its adoption by the European Parliament. However, a void in its final version draws attention to the weakening of obligations aimed at reducing AI’s environmental impacts, despite the technology’s severe impacts on local communities, fauna and flora, both within and beyond European borders, particularly in the Majority World. This commentary investigates the opportunities missed by EU bodies to address such impacts during the AI Act debates. By José Renato Laranjeira de Pereira
How the next European Commission could secure clean and affordable energy for all Analysis At the end of the current legislative term, the disagreement within the bloc of 27 EU Member States on many climate and energy issues can hardly be hidden. However, new momentum is urgently needed to cut EU emissions, keep industries competitive and protect prosperity. With our 100% Renewable Energy Action Plan for the next European Commission, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union and Environmental Action Germany (Deutsche Umwelthilfe, DUH) put forth priority actions for the following legislative term. By Jörg Mühlenhoff
100% renewables: the way forward to fix Europe’s energy and climate issues Analysis When confronted with energy price explosions and the climate crisis, the EU cannot waste time and money on castles in the air. Instead of betting on unproven solutions far from market introduction, such as small modular reactors and the broad deployment of all kinds of carbon removal technologies, the EU should build on what works right now. Renewable energy sources have proven to be by far the most relevant and reliable solution. In our new 100% Renewable Action Plan for the next European Commission, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union and Environmental Action Germany (Deutsche Umwelthilfe) describe what needs to happen after the 2024 European elections to harvest the benefits of renewables. By Jörg Mühlenhoff
New Climate Clarity Hub Info hub The new Climate Clarity Hub is a platform that consolidates knowledge and expertise on climate mis|disinformation. Developed by EU DisinfoLab and supported by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union, it seeks to confront climate pessimism and call for action, sharing knowledge, analysis, content, resources and anecdotes both from an ecological activism perspective and within the counter-disinformation community. By EU DisinfoLab