“Ecological civilisation” and the conservation of biological diversity – a glance at China ahead of CBD COP 15 Interview The 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will kick off in October 2021 in Kunming, China. What is the importance of biodiversity in China and what are the Chinese government's goals for COP 15? Lili Fuhr, Head of the International Environmental Policy Division, spoke with our Beijing Office Director, Paul Kohlenberg. By Lili Fuhr
Politicians underestimate methane as a climate killer Analysis While the EU's Fit-for-55 Package includes many important files, the European Commission postponed legislation on methane a particularly potent greenhouse gas to December 2021. This article summarises the issues at stake and argues that without stringent regulation on this gas, the Fit-for-55 Package will fail to reach climate goals. By Lisa Tostado
Food systems on the edge Commentary Those most affected by the negative consequences of large-scale industrialized food production must play a vital part in discussing how to transform it. The world therefore needs a people’s Food Systems Summit that aims to end hunger and malnutrition, protect ecosystems, and provide small farmers with a decent livelihood. By Barbara Unmüßig
The proposal for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism fails the ambition and equity tests Analysis The proposal for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is likely the most contentious element of the Fit for 55 package, with significant ramifications not only internally in the EU but beyond its borders. It is a long-discussed idea whose time has finally come as part of European Commission President von der Leyen’s European Green Deal grand bargain. By Tim Gore
The revision of the Energy Taxation Directive could underpin a fair and green tax reform in Europe Analysis Tax systems across the EU are currently neither fair nor green. The burden of taxation has been steadily shifting in recent decades from corporate profits and personal wealth to labour income, especially of lower-income earners, helping to drive growing inequality across the EU. And with men disproportionately represented among the EU’s wealthiest citizens, the system helps underpin gender inequality too. By Tim Gore
The EU's Fit-for-55 package: The European Green Deal's fitness test Dossier On 14 July 2021, the European Commission presented its proposals for implementing the EU Climate Law - the so-called “Fit-for-55” package. This will be the starting signal for one of the most important EU debates of the next years: how can the EU reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and how can it become climate neutral by 2050?
Meat Atlas 2021: Introduction Meat Atlas 2021 One of the key demands of Fridays for Future, the youth climate movement, is “Listen to science!” In the age of Covid-19, governments frequently consult scientists and adapt policies to their advice. Scientists have also been stressing for over a decade that a climate- and biodiversity-friendly diet contains less than half the amount of meat consumed in industrialized countries today. By Barbara Unmüßig , Olaf Bandt and Jagoda Munić
12 brief lessons about meat and the world Meat Atlas 2021 Main takeaways from the Meat Atlas 2021. By Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung and Friends of the Earth Europe
Meat consumption: everyday food and luxury good Meat Atlas 2021 The global demand for meat continues to rise due to economic and population growth, but at a slower pace than 10 years ago. Poultry accounts for an increasingly large share of consumption. Large differences remain in consumption per capita between countries and among population groups. By Lisa Tostado
World trade: in lorries and ships Meat Atlas 2021 Trade in meat and live animals is relatively new and growing fast. Disease outbreaks, sanitary restrictions and trade policies can lead to big swings in trade flow. The big four players are China – which dominates import markets – as well as the USA, Brazil and the EU, which provide most exports. By Dr. Christine Chemnitz