Böll·Europe

In this episode, Roderick Kefferpütz and Reinhard Bütikofer delve into his insights on evolving global challenges, the trajectory of Green EU policies, and the future of EU-China relations, in a conversation filled with reflections, and strategies for addressing pressing global issues.

In 2023, Javier Milei, a self-described “anarcho-capitalist” surprised Argentina’s political establishment and won the presidential elections. What is going on in Argentina and what are the implications for human rights, digital rights and the environment? We explore these dimensions with 3 Argentinian civil society representatives.

The fertile soils in which our food thrives are threatened. Not only is arable land being sealed for road construction and settlements, but the nutrient-rich humus layer in the fields is also dwindling. Politicians in Berlin and Brussels now want to address soil health, but are the measures sufficient?

Land is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity. Land use demands for housing and transportation but also solar energy production are making arable land scarce. Land speculation is on the rise all over Europe and the purchase and lease prices for arable land are skyrocketing. With dire consequences: small, family-run farms can barely survive on their agricultural yields.

Land is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity. Land use demands for housing and transportation but also solar energy production are making arable land scarce. Land speculation is on the rise all over Europe and the purchase and lease prices for arable land are skyrocketing. With dire consequences: small, family-run farms can barely survive on their agricultural yields.

Chemical inputs - such as fertilisers and pesticides - disrupt soil health in the long term, and the carbon footprint of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers is devastating. Despite this, more and more artificial fertilisers are being used in many regions of the world to increase crop yields in the short term, but what is the true price we are paying for this?

This Böll·Europe Podcast episode explores the often overlooked link between international climate politics and gender perspectives. We discuss how climate change impacts women and marginalised communities, the inclusion of gender in global initiatives, and the crucial role of intersectional feminism in climate justice.

The European Parliament elections might be over, but that doesn’t mean that the constellation of power in the EU is all set in stone.

More than 400 million people are expected to vote in the European elections on 6-9 June 2024, and decide on the next European Parliament. According to the polls, a shift to the right is expected in many EU countries, with populist, radical far right parties gaining votes and seats across the EU. What impact would this have? Conversation with Roderick Kefferpütz and Sophie Pornschlegel.

Why is legal migration useful to address the EU's most pressuring challenges? What can be done to improve the current policies and to strengthen the respect of human rights, when addressing migration?

20 years after the Thessaloniki Summit, where European Union leaders promised EU membership to Western Balkans countries, the prospects of the region joining the EU in the near future are vague. The EU's credibility has been weakened by constant obstacles, unjustified delays and Member States' vetoes.

In this episode, we discuss the relationship between the EU and China, how this relationship is shaped by national strategies adopted by EU Member States, and whether it is possible to imagine a European approach to China. Gail Rego talks to: Jacob Mardell is a research  analyst with six years’ experience exploring China’s global impact.

Climate change and disinformation on social media: at the very first sight, these topics  may appear unrelated. However, fostering the ecological transition in Europe, requires substantial effort  in terms of shaping  public discourse.

The U.S. and Europe have entered a new trade era under Biden's administration. A new cooperation agenda is being developed to tackle today's challenges, such as climate change and emerging technology, focusing on consumer protection, competition, digital issues, and energy. Despite the positive shift, trade rules are still used by some to influence domestic policies, often weakening regulations.

In February 2023, the European Commission presented a Green Deal Industrial Plan to enhance the competitiveness of Europe's net-zero industry and support the fast transition towards climate neutrality. Among other things, the Plan appears to foster the EU’s willingness to lead globally in the race for development of cleantech.