European Union News - Environmnet

EU Member States must not only deliver on their international aid pledges, but also bring in a financial transactions tax and consider a possible temporary debt moratorium, to help developing countries to cope with the effects of the global financial and economic crisis, say MEPs in a resolution. At least 25% of the EU's CO2 emission trading revenue should be allocated to the fight against climate change in developing countries, they add.

In European sustainable energy week 2010, new EU energy commissioner presents strategy to reduce Europe’s dependence on fossil fuel. New EU energy commissioner Günther Oettinger has made promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy his top priorities. He will lay down his strategy in a speech to open this year’s EU sustainable energy week.

Experts and skateholders on sustainable recovery will meet in European Economic and Social Committee headquarters to discuss about the current state and future targets of social and economic recovery in Member States.

The Commission published in the Official Journal of the European Union the second call for proposals under the Programme of financial assistance to improve the environmental performance of the freight transport system Marco Polo II.

Habitat loss and climate change are having a serious impact on Europe’s butterflies, beetles and dragonflies. The release of the latest European Red List, commissioned by the European Commission, shows that nine percent of butterflies, 11 percent of beetles that depend on decaying wood and 14 percent of dragonflies are threatened with extinction within Europe.

The European Union has adopted conclusions on biodiversity for the period beyond 2010 during the meeting of the Environment Council, held in Brussels, according to Spain's Minister of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, Elena Espinosa.

In order to overcome the economic crisis and return to growth, European industry needs to become more innovative and eco-efficient, for example by developing electric cars. With this in mind, a fresh approach to industrial policy was discussed on 1 March by the Competitiveness Council.

The European Commission has adopted a Green Paper which sets out options for a European Union approach to the protection of forests and to information about forest resources and their condition. Responses to the Green Paper from the public, Member States, EU institutions and other stakeholders will guide the Commission on whether additional action is needed at EU level.

The General Affairs Council, which met on Monday in Brussels, chaired by the Spanish Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos, carried out a political discussion into how to better defend the EU's positions in the upcoming climate meetings in Germany and Mexico.

The ambassadors of Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Romania and Serbia in Spain have attended a briefing on the preparatory work for the Danube region strategy ahead of the summit meeting on 25 February in Budapest.

The European Commission has taken a number of decisions to implement the organisational consequences of the allocation of portfolios to Commissioners. Two new Directorates-General have been created: DG Energy (ENER) and DG Climate Action (CLIM).