Robert Hodgson
Europe News
Shipping firms plead for UN help amid escalating Middle East conflict
The world's shipping industry has called on the United Nations to provide military protection for vessels operating in the Middle East after the latest seizure of a container ship by Iran, although much commercial traffic between Asia and Europe has already been re-routed around Africa.
Green News
Critical raw materials: how the EU hopes to secure supplies
If Russia's war on Ukraine shocked Europe into realising the folly of its dependence on Moscow for gas suppplies, growing geopolitical uncertainty has forced the EU to consider where it sources the raw materials, from copper to rare earth metals, needed for the energy transition.
Green News
Brussels picks fight over UK ban on sand eel fishing
The European Commission is demanding an explanation from the UK government over a biodiversity protection measure that bans the industrial fishing of sand eels in much of its territorial waters, a move which has upset Denmark, which holds the lion's share of the UK/EU post-Brexit quota.
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Green News
European Parliament approves energy market overhaul
MEPs have approved a sweeping reform of EU gas and electricity market regulations, with the aim of accelerating the clean energy transition, and including provisions that could further restrict Russia's ability to continue selling natural gas to Europe.
Green News
Soil protection law survives plenary vote, but considerably weakened
Legislation designed to bolster the key role of soil in maintaining Europe's biodiversity and climate resilience has been approved by MEPs, but only after the requirements it would place on national governments were significantly lightened.
Green News
Cycling Declaration hailed as ‘historic’ moment for Europe
Although it carries no legal force, cycling advocates have greeted an undertaking by governments and MEPs to make Europe a more bike friendly place as an important recognition of the health and environmental benefits and a milestone in EU transport policy.
Green News
Governments urged to reconsider bid to delay deforestation law
Forest conservationists and environmental campaigners have reacted angrily to governments' efforts within the EU Council to water down a recently adopted law designed to protect forests both overseas and in Europe, before it has even come into effect.
Green News
Fiery exchange over Nature Restoration Law overshadows climate debate
The failure of EU ministers to rubber stamp a political agreement on a new Nature Restoration Law risks undermining climate action and damaging the EU's credibility both globally and with voters, a handful of opposing ministers were warned on Monday.
Green News
Green groups reject nuclear revival as governments seek climate fix
Roughly half of EU member states have joined a call for a global nuclear revival, arguing it will be an essential element in halting global warming, but climate campaigners argue a renewed focus on atomic power could distract from the urgently needed roll-out of renewable energy.
Green News
Fate of Nature Restoration Law could be decided in Budapest
With seven of the EU's 27 members planning, after months of highly politicised debate, to oppose or abstain over a new law to restore degraded ecosystems to health, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán's right-wing government could find itself with the deciding vote on Friday.
Green News
Commission backs use of farmland for aviation fuel production
In a bid to cut the climate impact of flying, the European Commission says agricultural land can be used for aviation biofuel production, providng it does not interfere with food and feed production or damage soils. But questions have been raised over whether sufficient safeguards are in place.
Green News
Governments agree packaging waste law despite trade concerns
Belgium, current holder of the rotating EU Council presidency, has forged agreement between governments over new rules to tackle the growing problem of discarded packaging materials, overcoming the European Commission's concerns over trade diplomacy.
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