Migration policy: EU increasingly outsources responsibility for asylum Analysis Externalisation is increasingly seen as a lever for solving the EU’s migration issues, yet poses serious legal, ethical and practical problems. By Judith Kohlenberger
What Labour has done on green energy — and what it could do next Commentary Tough decisions lie ahead for the UK government as it tries to decarbonise electricity generation by 2030. Several key decisions have been made but much remains unknown, particularly on reform of the electricity market and the detail of collaboration with the EU. Ros Taylor reports. By Ros Taylor
Global digital governance after the UN Summit of the Future Analysis Digital technologies are now a global priority, like security and climate change. The 2024 UN Summit of the Future brings the Global Majority into internet and AI governance. The UN Convention on Cybercrime may do the same for cybersecurity. At the same time, the centralization at the UN risks empowering governments and undermining human rights. By Sabine Muscat
Hidden hazards: Disinformation and waste in Hungary's battery boom Background Explore the untold environmental and health risks of Hungary's rapidly growing battery industry. Our 2024 Climate Disinformation Fellow Péter Vigh uncovers government data that reveals the widespread presence of hazardous waste, raising serious concerns about the sustainability of an industry vital to the green transition. With battery production set to shape Hungary’s future, why are the dangers being kept in the dark? By Péter Vigh
For the legalisation of abortion – now! President's column Pregnancy termination is still a criminal offence in Germany under section 218 of the Criminal Code, with serious consequences for access to abortion and women’s right to self-determination. There can only be one answer to this. By Dr. Imme Scholz
Mining lithium, undermining a democratic future: EU deal takes Serbia further from Europe Analysis The lithium deal brings a new quality to Serbia’s foreign policy zigzagging. At one stroke, Serbia became a strategic partner and the guarantor for the future of the European Green Deal. By Dr. Vedran Dzihic
Energy leadership quest takes Saudi Arabia from big oil to big hydrogen Analysis Saudi Arabia's climate policy is ever more oriented towards green mega projects and high-profile investments in hydrogen, but is it a mere rebranding of existing energy policies? Read the piece by our 2024 Climate Disinformation Fellow Lyse Mauvais. By Lyse Mauvais
Green Deal under attack? Mapping the risks with the European Green Deal Risk Radar Commentary There is a real risk that the European Green Deal will be weakened this new European policy cycle. What exact changes will be made to it? And will or won’t these changes ensure that we stay “the course on all of our goals”, as promised by re-elected European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen? Our new European Green Deal Risk Radar looks into that. By Roderick Kefferpütz
The last stretch: reaping the benefits of the sustainable finance framework Analysis The EU has already taken important actions for private finance to support the transition to a greener economy, and it cannot waste this one chance to finish the work. The sustainable finance legislative framework could help boost the European economy going forward – it is the last stretch before reaping the benefits of the efforts made so far. By Vincent Vandeloise
The three building blocks for Europe's mobility transition in the next years Analysis Carbon emissions from transport will still account for 44% of Europe’s total in 2030. The sector's decarbonisation comes with broad challenges, including industrial transformation to scale new technologies, secure local green jobs, and ramp up new supply chains. Transport & Environment's Julia Poliscanova looks at the building blocks of a successful mobility transition for the next European Commission. By Julia Poliscanova