Health check of the CAP reform

The cure needs adjustment

It is time for the agricultural policy to correspond to the needs of society: agriculture contributes to the creation of jobs, the economic development of regions, the maintenance of cultural landscapes rich in biodiversity, food security and stopping climate change. In order to further promote these aims, the CAP needs serious changes (pdf).

Climate change and cars

Putting the brakes on climate change

This political summary of the study commissioned by the Greens/EFA group on car efficiency outlines the key priorities for the Greens in tackling the CO2 emissions from new passenger cars.

Climate change and cars (new study)

Study on car efficiency - Putting the brakes on climate change

A study, commissioned by the Greens/EFA group in the EP, on car efficiency and CO2 emissions. The study looks at the different proposals for EU limits for emissions reductions from cars, assessing the impact of different limits on overall CO2 emissions reductions, and demonstrating how ambitious limit values are possible now.

EU and climate change

Study on the environmental costs of the European Parliament's two seat operation

An independent study, commissioned by Green MEPs Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert, reveals the climate impact of the EP's travelling circus (pdf).

EU and the environment

Greening the European Parliament

A paper by the Greens/EFA group on practical measures the European Parliament needs to take to reduce its negative impact on the environment.

Letter to EP President Pöttering on Greening the parliament

Greens/EFA Co-President Monica Frassoni wrote to the new President of the Europen Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering outlining measures he should take to improve the environmental performance of the EP. The measures build on ideas outlined in her presidential campaign.

Food or fuels?

Greens highlight threats to food security and the environment from a 'plant fuel' expansion

One priority of the Greens/EFA 'Food Culture' campaign is to highlight the dangers of the current expansion in plant fuels. Converting scarce food resources into fuel creates food security problems, while the production of plant fuel is an energy-intensive process that raises environmental concerns.

REACH second reading compromise with Council (Briefing Note)

EP sells out to German chemicals industry

Following the second reading compromise on REACH with Council, this briefing sets out the major divergence between the end result and the EP's position as set out by the Environment Committee

Greens celebrate Kyoto Protocol first anniversary

A common statement by the Greens in the European Parliament and the European Green Party

We must stop climate change - urgently. New information confirming and deepening the scientific consensus on climate change is reported almost on a daily basis. Greens issue a statement on the occasion of the launch of their European campaign on the day of the first anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol

Are safe chemicals really too costly?

A fact sheet for the campaign 'REACH UP - For a toxic free future'

According to the chemical industry, the new EU-legislation on chemcials called REACH is too costly. But their studies are one-sided as they are only looking at business costs. In fact, REACH brings huge benefits thanks to the improvement for worker's health, public health and the environment. (pdf)

No data, no worries?

A fact sheet for the campaign 'REACH UP - For a toxic free future'

The current EU-legislation on chemicals has failed to adequately protect human health and the environment. In our daily life we are surrounded by thousands of untested chemicals. The industry says: No data, no worries. We say: No way! The consumer needs to know! (pdf)

Stop toxic inheritance!

A fact sheet for the campaign 'REACH UP - For a toxic free future'

Wherever one looks in our bodies - blood, urine, mother milk - one will find numerous hazardous chemicals. Many of these are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. The new EU-legislation on chemicals has to ensure that these chemicals of high concern are phased out as soon as possible.(pdf)

Workers' health and Chemicals

A fact sheet for the campaign 'REACH UP - For a toxic free future'

Did you know that there are around between 32 500 occupational cancer deaths in Europe related to chemicals every year? The new EU-legislation on chemicals called REACH could help to reduce this number. Find out more about risky chemicals at workplaces!

REACH – the latest absurdities

Commission proposal on chemicals legislation turned upside down

The latest suggestions for modifications of the directive on chemicals called REACH turn most of its fundamental principles on its head. Here you find a table that tries to capture the absurd developments. (pdf)

The birth of Kyoto

Common declaration of Green/EFA and Green parties

Eight years ago the Kyoto Protocol was signed. It was the first international treaty requiring industrial countries to reduce CO2-emissions. It finally becomes law this month. This is an historic moment. But now the EU countries must prove that they can keep their promise and take immediate action!

Greening REACH!

Why do we need completely new European laws on chemicals?

Chemicals are everywhere - in our food and in the air. But 99 percent of all substances on the market are untested - a dangerous experiment with our health and environment. New EU-legislation - the so-called REACH regulation - is under way to change this. But it still needs to be improved. (pdf)

"REACHspeak" – and what it really means!

The short Green dictionary for the language of the chemical industry

The latest political developments have revealed the true meaning of many industry demands concerning the new chemicals legislation. They often mean exactly the opposite of what is commonly understood to be their meaning. Find out what is behind a phrase like "REACH has to be workable"! (pdf)

Ten Green Points for REACH-Plus

How the coming EU-legislation on chemicals has to be improved

REACH, the EU-directive which shall protect us from dangerous chemicals, is still flawed. The protection against chemicals of very high concern is not good enough. Consumers need better public access to information. Check out our ten point fact sheet and find more reasons for a REACH-Plus! (pdf)

Kyoto Protocol and Climate change

What is at stake? What has to be done? – A short list of Green proposals

The consequences of climate change are foreseeable. Temperatures will rise by between one and six degrees. Sea levels will rise. The supply of fresh water will shrink. What can we do? Here you find a short summary of the problems we are facing and a list of Green proposals to stop climate change.

Briefing on Study by Arthur D. Little

Study on effects of chemicals directive REACH is flawed and biased

The consulting agency Arthur D. Little has worked simultaneously on studies for the European Parliament and the German Industry Association. In both cases they dealt with the effects of REACH on the competitiveness of the chemical industry. There seems to be a serious conflict of interests. (pdf)

Climate Change / Transport / Energy

Position paper: Europe should lead the fight against global warming

We want to avoid the dangerous effects of climate change and end Europe's dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear power. For this we need an energy revolution. Our future society has to be based on the efficient and careful use of energy and renewables.

10 Points for Food Quality

Position Paper: How do we achieve a higher standard in food production?

Fair prices for quality products! More transparency on the production process through better labelling! Payments to farmers should be conditioned byecological and food quality criteria! These are just 3 Green demands out of ten which would lead to a better and healthier diet on our plates. (pdf)

AgriCulture and WTO: Free Trade Problems – Fair Trade Solutions

Position paper on the WTO Conference in Cancun

The WTO claims free trade will help the poor farmers in developing countries. This is a great myth. Only big transnational companies profit from the current system supported by EU- and USA-policies. There is urgent need for a real fair trade system including the end of EU export subsidies.

Création d'un bureau européen indépendant d'aide sur Natura 2000

L'étude confirme la nécessité de mettre en place un organe d'assistance à tous les acteurs du réseau

Partout en Europe, des associations, des décideurs, des individus s'occupent de réserves naturelles protégées par la directive européenne "Habitats". Ils forment le réseau Natura 2000. Un bureau indépendant d'aide faciliterait l'échange d'expériences et fournirait une assistance juridique. (pdf)

Final Manifesto of Natura 2000 Conference

We need more integration of nature conservation in EU policies now!

The EU - a paradies of lush, green fields and forests? Far from it. A conference with 650 participants revealed how little states have done to fully implement existing EU laws. The final manifesto also demands special attention for accession countries with their rich biodiversity heritage. (pdf)

Live and let live - a reader

We need to preserve the diversity of our food and plants

More and more agribusiness multinationals and food designers determine what is on our plate. This means a cultural and genetic impoverishment of our gardening, farming and eating habits. We can prevent this by better laws but also by simply changing our ways of consumption. (pdf)

Background document: AgriCulture / Food Security / Fair Trade

What kind of agriculture policy do the Greens promote? - A strategy paper

At the moment international agriculture policies are dominated by trade concerns. Instead, we need a new regional approach which focuses on farming and food security as well as social policies. WTO trade agreements should not undermine national legislation in these fields. (pdf)

10 steps to reform the C.A.P.

New agricultural policy should build on precautionary consumer protection

Once again the BSE crisis has called the Euroepan Agricultural Policy into question. A complete reversal is needed, so that quality of food, environment protection and sustainable development of rural areas become the core objectives. (pdf)

Letting the world feed itself

A publication on the occasion of the World Food Summit "five years later"

The 1996 World Food Summit pledged to reduce the number of hungry people by half by 2015. To reach this goal a mere increase in the volume of food produced is not enough. More focus on rural areas, home of 70 per cent of the world’s poor people, is needed, as this detailed publication shows. (pdf)