Renewables surpassed fossil fuels in Europe for the first time in 2020
A new report found that renewables delivered 38% of electricity in Europe last year while fossil fuels delivered 37%. Solar and wind power have nearly doubled since 2015.
European Union
EU bans exporting unsorted plastic waste to poorer countries
The European Union’s executive branch announced new rules for plastic waste—including a ban on some exports to poorer countries—that will take effect on January 1.
European Union approves world’s largest green stimulus
EU lawmakers agreed to provide a €672 billion recovery fund boost for the EU economy. 37% of the funding has to go to projects that help the climate.
EU to dedicate €10 billion on “Farm to Fork” strategy
The Farm to Fork Strategy proposes dedicating €10 billion toward the research and innovation on “food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, and the environment as well as the use of digital technologies and nature-based solutions for agri-food.”
EU pledges to raise $20 billion a year to boost biodiversity
The European Commission has committed to protecting 30% of the EU’s land and oceans by 2030. The 10-year plan includes reducing chemical pesticides by 50% and planting 3 billion trees by 2030.
The EU to allow markets to sell insect-based foods in ‘breakthrough moment’
In the next few weeks, the European Union’s Food Safety Authority is expected to classify several types of insects as safe for human consumption.
New EU rules aim to replace “throwaway culture” with circular economy
The new laws will ensure that new products brought to the EU market are repairable, recyclable, and designed to last longer than our current phones and tablets.
The EU bans almost all coal mining
Every unprofitable coal mine in the European Union must cease production by the first day of 2019, the date on which all public funds for the mines will come to an end.
EU agrees deal on single-use plastic ban
The single-use plastic ban was introduced earlier this year and yesterday the European commission agreed a deal to set the ban in place.
The EU says it is aiming to become the first major economy to go “climate neutral” by 2050
The European Union has set targets for 2030 of cutting emissions by 40%. Now it says it plans to go much further again by becoming climate neutral by 2050.