European Environmental Bureau’s Post

♻ The past two months have played a crucial role in shaping the narrative advocating for the necessity of a #JustTransitionDirective. This Directive would aim to establish a unified framework to prevent anyone from being left behind, emphasizing the #right to #retrain, upskill, and reskill, defending collective bargaining and the European Social model. Importantly, it would take into account a regional approach. 📢 The European Parliament voted on the resolution of 23 November 2023 on job creation – the just transition and impact investments. Yesterday, the European Economic and Social Committee , voted also on NAT-915 "Advancing the EU's Just Transition Policy Framework: what measures are necessary". Both institutions aimed for the Just Transition Directive to ensure that all climate policies and social consider this perspective in their formulation. It is not time for Recommendations or Guidelines. As demonstrated by the last review of the Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality, adopted by the EPSCO Council on 27 and 28 November, only one country has put a dedicated JT framework in place. ❌ 👉 In fact, Gobierno de Asturias, one of the coal-dependent regions of Spain, is setting up a Just Transition Observatory, which seeks to asses risks, and anticipates challenges, enabling dialogue between communities and other stakeholders as Trade Unions. It could be an example to build an Observatory at European Level https://lnkd.in/dB6ez8kM The urgency is evident, and communities impacted by Green Policies and the phase-out of high-intensity carbon industries are already experiencing the consequences. industriAll Europe Tatjana Babrauskienė Ozlem Delphine Yildirim Sara Matthieu Andrea Casamenti Corinna Zierold

🇪🇺EU Campaign # 3 - Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU On July 1st Hungary took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU. The presidency of ministers is held for 6 months by a Member State and consists of directing all the groups that make up the presidency. Succeeding Belgium, which had itself succeeded Spain, it completes the trio of Council presidencies. The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the topics and major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period. Based on this programme, each of the three countries prepares its own more detailed six-month programme. 📌Hungary’s main priorities will include: ◆ enhancing the EU's competitiveness ◆ strengthening European defence policy  ◆ shaping the future of cohesion policy ◆ curbing illegal immigration ◆ addressing demographic challenges ◆ implementing a coherent and merit-based enlargement policy ◆ promoting a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy 🌱While in the previous Belgian presidency “pursuing a green and just transition” was appointed as one of the six main priorities of the Council of the EU, the environment does not feature prominently in the programme of the Hungarian Presidency. It is present in small touches, mainly referring to sustainable growth in the European pact for competitiveness. Promoting the circular economy remains a priority as a means to drive economic development and innovation. Considering the needs of businesses, especially SMEs, is essential to support them in maintaining their competitiveness. In the Presidency’s programme, reuse is also mentioned as a way to support the increase of competitiveness and the protection of nature together with developing a high-quality waste collection and utilisation system with innovative solutions. Other priorities include the implementation of the Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package, defining climate targets for 2040, supporting the cooperation between Member States and the European Commission on national energy and climate plans, and the adoption of the conclusions for COP29. #HU24EU #EUElections #CircularEconomy

Get to know the key players shaping the EU's sustainable development agenda during the tenth parliamentary term - in just *five* minutes. The DeHavilland EU-OPP policy team is not stopping in the summer; we put together an exclusive briefing on MEPs who could make a significant impact in this crucial area. Discover: -*Five* new faces bringing fresh ideas and expertise from outside the Parliament; -*Five* returning champions whose experience and knowledge will be invaluable in advancing the agenda; -*Five* former MEPs whose departures create opportunities for newcomers to step up and make a difference; I did not yet tell you the best part: you can stay ahead of the game and understand the players shaping Europe's sustainable future for free. Not even *five* euros. Grab your copy here: https://lnkd.in/e3aJYNZb

📖 Have you read our latest guest blog for the Independent Commission on UK-EU Relations? 💡 IEEP UK's Head of Environmental Policy, Michael Nicholson addresses the importance of close cooperation between the UK and EU when facing common problems, and how climate and environmental policy can act as a bridge between both sides, especially given the urgency and seriousness of looming decarbonisation and biodiversity targets for 2030 and beyond. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/grHfk8VM #EU #UK #Environment

With elections due in the UK and the EU in the next year, this IEEP UK discussion paper explores why a more cooperative and considered strategy is needed with regard to the #environment #climate and other areas between both sides The paper covers the following themes: 🤝 management of shared resources; ⚡ cooperation over energy supply and connectivity; 🔁 regulatory convergence on the environment; 📈 harmonised and higher product standards; 👨🔬 👩🔬 UK participation in technical and specialist European agencies; international cooperation and leadership; ✍ engagement and exchange with the EU; 🤔 ending by posing the question, "Why would the EU want closer collaboration?" Read more https://lnkd.in/eTrKTdGR

Calling all transport, environment, and industrial policy pros! Please join my colleagues and me on 25/09/2024 at the Green Mobility Magazine's first soirée of the new EU Parliamentary term. Indeed, we will have much to talk about, including: - the new EP - the new proposed EC - upcoming legislative projects and initiatives - calls for a greener but more competitive EU As always, our events are free to attend, but we ask that you register (links are on the Green Mobility Magazine's post below). I look forward to seeing you there! #transport #EU #mobility #policy

🌍 Global Just Transition: Not Just for (E)U 🌍    The European Conference for a Just Transition is taking place right now, and SOLIDAR praises the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024 for organising this great event! 🌱 It's time for an ambitious EU strategy to manage resources sustainably, reduce energy demand & deliver a Green and Social Deal. However, as we celebrate this milestone, it's imperative to recognize that global responsibility requires #globalaction. 👉 That’s why the EU should support a #GlobalJustTransition and strengthen the #EuropeanGreenDeal with a strong external dimension, making it a #GlobalGreenDeal!     Why? Check our video here ⬇️  📹 https://lnkd.in/d5th_Hch Video produced by Homam Daoud Khattabi Zakia Khattab Fair Trade Advocacy Office (FTAO)World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) Olivier De Schutter European Economic and Social Committee Veblen Institute for Economic Reforms CES - ETUC Transnational Institute Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP)

The new #EU Commission line up suggests continuity on #EUGreenDeal and #climateaction, but a big change in economic policy, as proposed by #Draghi. First, with Teresa #Ribera, Wopke #Hoekstra and Dan #Jorgenssen on climate, energy and green transition there's a group of people with a strong and proven commitment to the energy transition. Good luck to carmakers asking Ribera to cancel the EU car CO2 regs. I expect that with #Sefcovic on trade we are going to see a big change in how the EU approaches unfair competition, including on #EVs and #batteries. I would expect Ribera to want to overhaul state aid policies, working together with Stéphane #Séjourné, another Frenchman on industry. I'd expect continuity but a very different style ... (we all have our #Breton stories). The new SUSTAINABLE transport Commissioner, #Tzitkikostas, I do not know. Greece has an obvious interest and expertise in shipping but less obvious special interests on the road and rail side. That's good. Whether he reports to Ribera or someone else I don't know yet (that matters). Jessika Rosswall, from Sweden, on Environment sounds like good news. All in all this seems like a strong and balanced Commission.

🌍 Global Just Transition: Not Just for (E)U 🌍 Check out the info and links below! 👇

🚨 #EuropeanConference4AJustTransition lead by @EU2024BE. Congratulations to Belgium in its aim to engage with all actors in this reflection about what we need. 👉 Here some of the priorities for Spain: 1. Institutional Framework 🏛. Just transition policies are and should continue to be a fundamental element of the European Green Deal. Institutional strengthening is crucial for effective implementation: we need political goals and advancing towards a directive on Just Transition. 2. Level Playing Field 🙌. The European just transition will depend on the Commission capacity to ensure a level playing field. We need European Funds. European construction is based on joint responses, not on allowing each member state to implement policies depending on their capacities. 3. Real Social Engagement 👥. Governments and european administrations need to make our agenda understandable; we need to bring people closer to our reflection on problems, our decision-making, our measures’ design. Citizens need to feel that they can participate in solutions finding. https://lnkd.in/eSSrrNEW