2014 begins loaded with major challenges for the environment in Europe. The announcement by the Commission of a low climate ambition 2030 climate and energy framework was a major policy drawback, which justifiably caused the disappointment of environmental groups. The shale gas frenzy, which has contaminated environmental decision-making at the level of the European Commission also raises serious concerns....

At the same time when mining is seen by many debt-ridden states as the manna from heaven and legislation is tailored to fit prospective investors, France may be showing the way for sustainable mining. The 700-article proposal for the reform of the Mining Code, which was prepared by an independent inter-disciplinary committee led by State Councillor Thierry Tuot, aims to modernise France’s mining legislation that dates back to the 19th centu...

Sliding back from its own “Green Paper” of March 2013, the European Commission announced a 2030 climate and energy framework of low climate ambition. Composed primarily of a 40% decarbonisation target and an EU-wide target of 27% renewable energy share, but no binding requirements on member states, the Commission is now halting an effort that peaked at the 2009 Copenhagen conference on climate change to decarbonise Europe’s economy....

Lower energy costs for industries in crisis-stricken member states, integration of the internal energy market, energy security and the interconnection of isolated island regions are the priorities of the Greek Presidency, according to Yiannis Maniatis, Greece’s environment and energy Minister. Unless Minister Maniatis surprises Europe by supporting clean energy policy initiatives, hopes are dim that the Greek EU Presidency will show the much ne...

In retreat from its initial position and disregarding the European Parliament’s vote for the inclusion of shale gas operations under mandatory EIA rules (CrisisWatch 21), the European Commission will only be proposing a set of ‘soft’ recommendations for this environmentally hazardous hydrocarbon extraction technique....

In the process of tax policy reform, the Government of Portugal has appointed an inter-ministerial expert commission with the mandate of drafting a proposal for green taxation.  The commission, which is composed of ten experts will submit its proposals by the end of June, opening public discussion afterwards. The final document will be ready by September 2014. Its work will be based on the principle of “fiscal neutrality”, and will pursue th...

Severe cuts to the budget of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will seriously undermine Britain’s ability to effectively respond to crises, such as floods, tree diseases and food contamination, concludes a report produced by the House of Commons....

Eurostat: Record level of 2.6 bn nights spent in tourist accommodation in the EU28 in 2013 (29 January)“In 2013, the number of nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments1 in the EU28 reached a peak of 2.6 billion nights, up by 1.6% compared with 2012. Following a decrease due to the effect of 11 September 2001, there has been a steady increase in the number of nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments in the EU28 since...

2013: a year of missed opportunities for sustainability in Europe | New Europe (12 January 2013)“Can we hope for some light in the horizon, or is the deepening recession shifting attention away from the real causes of the crisis and sending governments on-board the tumbling boat of short-sighted development at any cost?Although there is no easy answer, the overall trend is clear: the environment and clean energy policies are being side-lined by...