20 sites fail safe bathing criteria stoking fears UK will once more be ‘dirty man of Europe’ after Brexit
Chemicals giant Ineos 'exploiting Brexit to relax climate change laws', documents suggest
03/04/2017
Chemicals giant Ineos has been accused of exploiting Brexit to pressure ministers to get rid of environmental legislation. Ineos, which is one of the leading firms pushing to frack for shale gas across the UK, lobbied the government to roll back measures that mean energy-intensive industries pay to develop low-carbon power sources.
Brexit poses a huge risk to UK wildlife and habitats and a new environmental law will be needed, MPs have said.
The world’s most widely used insecticides will be banned from all fields within six months, to protect both wild and honeybees that are vital to crop pollination.
Analysis from EU’s scientific risk assessors finds neonicotinoids pose a serious danger to all bees, making total field ban highly likely
Losing energy links to Europe after no-deal will cost UK more than £2bn every year, experts warn
18/01/2019
After string of nuclear power failures, leaving EU could compromise nation’s ability to share clean electricity with European nations.
No-deal Brexit could force Kent schools into ‘lockdown’ due to air pollution from traffic congestion
23/01/2019
'It is prudent that schools begin to plan for possibility of disruption following Brexit'
No-deal Brexit will compromise ‘last line of defence’ for UK’s threatened habitats, campaigners warn
27/01/2019
Nation’s largest wetland among protected sites in danger, with European authorities able to intervene when other legal challenges have failed.
London MEP says it is 'clear the government cannot be left to its own devices when it comes to keeping our water sources safe'.
EU laws that have protected hundreds of conservation sites and the species that live in them for decades could be watered down or lost with the EU withdrawal bill.
Environmental standards are at risk across the board, from wildlife and habitats to water and air quality, a risk assessment shows
Britain could slash environmental and safety standards 'a very long way' after Brexit, Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg says
06/12/2016
The MP said standards that were 'good enough for India' could be good enough for the UK.
French president urges raft of reforms to EU including bloc-wide minimum wage, climate bank, and cyber defence agency.
Five leading green organisations have called on Theresa May to delay Brexit to avoid losing environmental protections created by “decades of campaigning”.
EU parliament votes against opening US trade talks amid fears over 'bullying' Trump policies
14/03/2019
The European Parliament has voted against opening trade talks between the EU and the United States amid fears over Donald Trump‘s trade and environmental policies.
“Europe is setting new and ambitious standards, paving the way for the rest of the world.” / The European parliament has voted to ban single-use plastic cutlery, cotton buds, straws and stirrers as part of a sweeping law against plastic waste that despoils beaches and pollutes oceans.
Fantastic news as countries across the European Union – including the UK – vote to ban the outdoor use of 3 bee-harming pesticides.
EU countries voted on Friday for a near-total ban on insecticides blamed for killing off bee populations, in what campaigners called a “beacon of hope” for the winged insects. /
Environmentalists fear Northern Ireland could be left behind when it comes to protecting important species and habitats after Brexit. Much of the current protection is based on EU law, backed up by the threat of fines from a European court.
The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, a scheme to support electricity production from renewable energy sources in Lithuania. The measure, open to all types of renewable generation, will contribute to the EU environmental objectives without unduly distorting competition.
Proposals to replace EU rules ‘downgrade’ green principles, says cross-party committee.
Study for German Green party says backstop could let UK flout EU green and social standards.
MEPs have the power to approve, amend or reject nearly all EU legislation. / So what have they achieved in this five-year term?
German chancellor also shares views on Brexit and climate crisis in interview. / Europe must reposition itself to stand up to the challenges posed by its three big global rivals, China, Russia and the US, Angela Merkel has said before her final European election as German chancellor.
Green politicians to push agenda urging climate action, social justice and civil liberties.