Ecology

Recent articles

Forests vs palm oil

Deforestation — the widespread clearing of forests for various purposes — has become a critical global issue with profound environmental, social, and economic consequences. Driven by factors like agriculture, logging, and urban expansion, this destructive practice exacerbates climate change, threatens biodiversity, and jeopardizes communities worldwide. In this report, we explore the multifaceted reasons why deforestation requires immediate attention and action.

Michael Anthony, Marcus Pfeil

3 Questions on the COP30 outcome to MEP Bas Eickhout

3 Questions

The COP30 in Belém unfolded against rising geopolitical tensions, intensifying climate impacts, and deepening divides between high-ambition countries and major fossil-fuel producers. In light of the absence of the US administration and the final outcome that is weakened on key issues such as the fossil fuel phase-out, we asked MEP Bas Eickhout, Co-Chair of the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament and member of the EP delegation to the COP30 UN Climate Summit, how he assesses the Belém Package and what role he sees for the European Union in future climate diplomacy.

Louise Mollenhauer, Neele Amalie Hartel, Bas Eickhout

PRESS RELEASE | The EU must use the Citizens Energy Package to refocus the energy transition on citizens

Press release

New policy briefs by a broad range of stakeholders in energy and social policy outline key levers for the EU to improve citizen participation and inclusion in the energy transition.

Joan Lanfranco, Matthew Jones

Vegetable farming: thirsty tomatoes in dry landscapes

Water Atlas 2025

Spain is Europe’s vegetable garden. The country is an example of how export-oriented industrial cultivation methods lead to water shortages and pollution, as well as accelerate the loss of species. To overcome such crises, a sustainable reorganisation of the food system is necessary.

Elena Alter

From Brussels to Belém: Can the EU demand ambition while retreating at home?

Analysis

At COP30, Europe’s climate leadership is at risk. Recent steps back on the European Green Deal and new offset rules make it harder for the EU to convince others to be more ambitious.

Seden Anlar, Claire Stam

Press release | Green on paper – Red in practice: updated Green Deal Risk Radar warns of delays and watering down of EU’s sustainability ambitions

Press release

Five months into the new European Commission, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union is releasing an updated European Green Deal Risk Radar, spotlighting critical risks to the EU’s climate, environmental, and sustainability laws in the 2024–2029 legislative term.

Roderick Kefferpütz, Jörg Mühlenhoff, Joan Lanfranco

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Related dossiers

Related publications

The 2028–2034 EU long-term budget: what’s in it for climate?

Paper

The MFF proposal sidelines climate and the environment, inflates green spending claims, and weakens safeguards through flexibilisation and programme mergers. This paper assesses the spending target, the Do No Significant Harm principle, and climate and environmental provisions in the proposal’s two largest programmes.

Till Eichler

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Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

NEW Scorecard

What will happen with key European Green Deal files in the 2024-2029 legislative term? We take a closer look at the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Nora Hiller, Irene Chiocchetti

Nuclear: not the answer to the climate emergency

Factsheet

The debate in France today on choosing the electricity mix is set against the backdrop of an ageing production infrastructure that is earmarked for replacement. So, what electricity mix is the answer? And does the country need to build new nuclear reactors in order to have decarbonised electricity?

Réseau Action Climat France

12 brief lessons about water

Water Atlas 2025

Water is the basis of life. It covers more than two-thirds of our planet and shapes ecosystems and cultures. Industrialisation, overexploitation, and population growth are driving water scarcity, water pollution and conflicts.

Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

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Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plans (CSPs)

NEW Scorecard

What will happen with key European Green Deal files in the 2024-2029 legislative term? We take a closer look at Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plans (CSPs).

Melanie Muro, Irene Chiocchetti, Mattia Bonfanti

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Towards a clean and sustainable energy system: 26 criteria nuclear power does not meet

E-paper

Nuclear energy has been brought back into the European energy debate due to populist power. Currently, a complex debate is taking place within the EU about whether nuclear power should be part of the Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities. To determine whether nuclear energy can, or even should, play a role in future energy policy, it must fulfil basic criteria of sustainability.

Jan Haverkamp

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