The EU's Common Agricultural Policy after 2020: high ambition, low reform! Published: 3 November 2020 Commentary The European Commission believed that the CAP reform was potentially compatible with the EU Green Deal. As things turn out, in practice, it is not. By Matteo Metta
CAP Beyond the EU: The Case of Honduran Banana Supply Chains Published: 2 November 2020 Article The EU Common Market Organisation (CMO) and its import/export licences are intertwined with trade power concentration in multinational exporters, EU supermarket price pressure on banana producers, and the impact on labour rights in Central America. Deeper impact assessments should be made in Central America countries before signing Association Agreements with the EU. By Melina A. Campos
Will the CAP Post 2020 be Fairer – and What Does That Mean? Published: 23 September 2020 Article The post 2020 reform promised to deliver a fairer CAP: better targeting and distribution of resources. One month before the final plenary vote in the European Parliament and trilogue negotiations with the Council, the proposal does not seem to go towards its expected direction. By Matteo Metta
After Ursula von der Leyen’s ambitious first State of the Union address: It’s time for EU action! Published: 18 September 2020 Commentary European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s first State of the Union speech showed an ambitious and a strategic approach to the many crises hitting Europe and the world. However, words are not enough. They must be backed up by actions and coherent policy measures. By Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union
“All is not yet lost!” – A contemporary look at Amazonia Published: 15 September 2020 Commentary The rain forest is going up in smoke – this is the impression given by the images that have been circling the globe for years. But the digital age means that they now travel faster than ever. There are fires in the Arctic, forests burning in Canada, Siberia, South East Asia and now in Amazonia. It is a cause for concern and incomprehension, as most people are now aware of the importance of the largest tropical forest on earth in climate change and protecting biodiversity. By Barbara Unmüßig
How do we define Amazonia? Published: 15 September 2020 Commentary Amazonia means many things to different people. Below is an overview of what Amazonia is, who lives here and why such large areas of it are being slashed and burned. By Thomas Fatheuer
Key Green Ideas for the Future of Europe Published: 1 September 2020 Policy recommendations In the context of the Covid-19 crisis, the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union faces major challenges. Considering that the conditions and circumstances will constantly change, and that the EU will face increasing uncertainty and unpredictability, we need to reflect on how it should respond to vital challenges in the long term. By Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union
Southeast Asia: Going Greener, Post-COVID-19? Published: 24 August 2020 Article Green recovery. Social protection. Smart containment. Decarbonisation. Putting progress in climate action at par with measuring GDP. Creative capacity. These phrases have been running through conversations these days around changing Southeast Asia's template for development in the post-COVID era. By Johanna Son
The Impact of COVID-19 on Small-Scale Farmers in Nigeria Published: 4 August 2020 Interview Mary Afan, president of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), talked to hbs about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on small-scale farmers, government’s response and what could be done to help them weather the crisis.
CAP & the Global South: National Strategic Plans – a Step Backwards? Published: 20 July 2020 Article Slowly the CAP has become less focused on only promoting exports and more on sustainable development. But that progress might be undone once member states start formulating their own agricultural policy objectives. By Hans Wetzels