Ecology

With the European Parliament tilting towards the right after the EP 2024 elections, there is a significant risk that the EU may shift towards a stance less favourable to assertive climate action.

Today, citizens will start heading to the polls to vote for the next European Parliament. The outcome will in part determine the political correlation of forces in Europe over the next five years. If current projections hold true, we will not only witness a rightward shift within the EP but also more fragmentation. Instead of seven political groups, key officials in the parliament administration expect there to be nine. These tendencies will affect political majorities.

When the EU accelerates its shift to a clean and efficient energy system, how can citizens benefit better from this transition? Local authorities play a key role in facilitating citizens’ access to renewables and energy savings measures. Jörg Mühlenhoff asked three questions to Claire Roumet who is part of the Overall Coordination Team of Energy Cities, the network of several hundred European municipalities gathering frontrunners and energy transition beginners, city officials and technical experts.

Europe’s switch to renewable energy supply and efficient energy consumption is gaining momentum, not only as a result of the European Green Deal but also in reaction to the fossil fuel price crisis. EU legislation already creates some opportunities for citizens to access affordable renewable energy more directly, as well as to facilitate energy savings through, for example, building renovation.

It is high time for an out-of-silos approach to boost the added value from solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop installations. This analysis suggests a new solidarity model allowing citizens, local retailers and farmers to tap into the benefits of solar electricity.

In May 2024, Brazilians stood by in astonishment as they witnessed yet another example of a climate emergency: the damage caused by the rains in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil's southernmost state, bordering Uruguay and Argentina. The tragedy has also fostered another phenomenon of our times that is very devastating: disinformation.

As Europe approaches its parliamentary elections on 6-9 June 2024 and the war in Ukraine shows no sign of slowing, a pressing issue demands attention: the EU's continuing active participation in, and facilitation of, Russia's fossil fuel shipping and exports. This article delves into critical analysis and proposes strategies for reducing dependency on, and support of, the Russian fossil fuel industry, supported by data and statistics highlighting the impact of these exports on the Russian economy, the war in Ukraine and the global climate crisis.

Infrastructure deficiencies are paralysing Germany. But as a result of the Schuldenbremse (debt brake), urgently needed investments – including to boost climate protection – are to be postponed. This is both risky and economically short-sighted.

Europe can die. This was the warning issued by Macron in his second Sorbonne speech. However, it is not only Europe that can die, but also its industry. So far, Europe is falling behind in the race for future markets such as green and digital technologies and biotechnology, and is instead becoming strategically dependent. The European Union must use the next legislature to build an industrial policy worth its name, even if this means a historic turn.