Our Topics

Agriculture, GMO & Animal Welfare 

With the dramatic population growth predicted by the year 2050 and the ever-present concern of climate change, it is expected that citizens of the EU will face significant hardships regarding food production and rural development in the coming years. To address and prevent these issues, recent reforms to agriculture policy since 2013 favour greener farming practices, greater research, and a stronger support system for farmers (EU Agriculture). In tandem, questions and concerns regarding the welfare of distressed species, such as honeybees, and their impact on the quality of food being produced and consumed, are being addressed in current TTIP negotiations and lengthy discussions surrounding GMOs. We advocate for a precautionary approach to GMOs, with environmental risk assessments and monitoring. Animal welfare and the state of our climate and environment have a strong link, from GHG emissions to water, soil, and air pollution. The current method of intensive animal rearing (which involves extreme and widespread suffering) threatens the planet, our livelihood, and the foundations of EU democracy. 

CAP at a glance

Chemistry & Nanotechnology 

While the European governing network is extensive, it has recently focused much of its attention on issues at the molecular level. With 17% of the world’s chemicals produced within the EU, an industry that employs over 1.2 million people, European chemical legislation is focusing more on how chemicals and nanoscience technologies are affecting human health and the environment. Through the 2007 REACH Action Plan, implemented under ECHA, provisions to register, evaluate, authorize, and restrict chemicals according to various safety measures will be phased in over 11 years. We are addressing the environmental implications of chemistry and nanotechnology, advocating for safer and sustainable practices.  

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals used in a variety of industrial and consumer products since the 1940s. These chemicals are often used for their ability to repel water, grease, and stains, but are known as “forever chemicals” due to their potential to accumulate in living organisms. Once released into the environment, PFAS cannot be broken down, and some bioaccumulate or build up in ecosystems (including humans), while others travel to any part of the globe, easily entering the ecosystem through water and air. Various pieces of legislation are needed to solve the issues related to the PFAS lifecycle from its production to its removal from the environment. Currently, the largest contribution to the PFAS Action Plan is the proposal to ban PFAS in Europe, to ensure “that the use of PFAS is phased out in the EU, unless it is proven essential for society”. We support a broad restriction of PFAS to protect human health and the environment. 

Circular Economy Package 

Resources are limited but are consistently overused and overexploited. The current economic system is built on taking resources from the natural environment, creating products with a life span, which are then thrown away to buy new items. As an effort to further unite the member states of the European Union regarding environmental concerns, the European Commission has announced the Circular Economy Package. The corresponding action plan will promote an economical approach to using resources in a more efficient, sustainable, and circular way. The proposals, which incentivize the recycling and reuse of materials, include measures to make the whole lifecycle of a product sustainable, including production, consumption, and waste management. This package provides numerous benefits to the people of the European Union, such as the creation of new jobs, increased market competition, industrial innovation, and a regulatory commitment to environmental protection. 
 
Circular Economy 

Climate & Energy 

Europe has set ambitious climate and energy goals in the 2020 energy strategy, the 2030 energy strategy, and the 2050 Energy Roadmap. The 2020 energy strategy aims to achieve a greenhouse gas reduction of at least 20% from 1990 and increase energy efficiency by 20%, with 20% of the energy coming from renewable energy sources. For long-term achievement, the EU energy roadmap requires an 80-95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. 

To move forward in these goals, the European Union and all Member States are committed to the UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) adopted in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Annual meetings are held to promote and review the implementation of climate change legislation. The EU has also taken part in the Paris Climate Treaty, signed in 2016, taking a historic leap in getting nations to unite around a legally binding climate change agreement. The goal of the Paris Climate Agreement is to limit global warming below two degrees Celsius; implementation is up to individual members. Four workstreams towards these goals are the expansion of renewables; decarbonizing heating and cooling; improving carbon pricing in transport and heating; and eliminating ineffective solutions that delay the transition to 100% renewable energy.  

The European Green Deal was launched in 2019, promising to deliver deeply transformative policies that would “reconcile the economy with our planet, to reconcile the way we produce, the way we consume, with our planet and to make it work for our people”. Now, we are advocating for an ambitious roll-out of the Green Deal, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and other transformative initiatives.  

 
Environmental Law & Consumer Protection 

Along with the protection of natural resources and the minimization of an environmental footprint, consumers and their rights have been an integral part of EU Law since its formation in the 1970s. The most recent update to these laws, The Charta of Fundamental Rights (2000), guarantees fair treatment, quality products, and a right of redress to each consumer. There are protection measures enacted to regulate specific industries. For example, careful attention is placed on food and product safety as well as data protection. These measures help to safeguard the health and economic interests of consumers.  

We are fighting for the consistent application of the rule of law in environmental protection, holding polluters legally accountable, and for the right to a healthy environment. Although the protection of the environment and measures to deal with climate change are being written into EU law, compliance and enforcement are the biggest challenges to the full implementation of the Green Deal. By monitoring the EU’s work on environmental law and pushing for a systemic review of complaints and breaches of environmental law, we can monitor and promote the correct application of environmental laws in EU Member States.  

The Green Claims Directive is a step towards safeguarding consumers from greenwashing claims, but has yet to be codified into law.  

Consumer rights and complaints 

 
Nature & Biodiversity 

Healthy and diverse ecosystems are crucial for our health, well-being, and ability to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis but are in decline around the globe. To defend Europe’s nature, the Nature Restoration Law aims to restore degraded ecosystems, achieve the EU’s climate mitigation and adaptation objectives, and meet international commitments. It includes legally binding targets for restoring at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, with ultimately all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. This is a crucial step towards meeting the EU’s international environmental commitments and ensuring the long-term well-being of citizens and the planet.  

Disturbances to the Earth’s biomes affect all life on Earth. Therefore, approaches to protect the natural environment and living species are not just desired but vital to human existence. In moving towards the goal of stopping biodiversity loss by 2020, much has already been done. The Habitat Directive of 1992 established the EU-wide Natura 2000 network as the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world, protecting 1000 plant and animal species in addition to more than 200 habitats. Furthermore, the Birds Directive of 2009 aims to protect 500 wild bird species within the European Union through the regulation of their habitats, hunting seasons, etc.  

EU celebrates 40 years Birds Directive 
Natura 2000 viewer 
Nature Restoration Regulation  

Sustainability & Economy (Green Jobs) 

There are more than 20 million jobs linked to the environmental sector within the European Union, and this number is expected to grow in the coming decade. With the EU’s continual focus on the preservation of biodiversity and a competitive, low-carbon, resource-efficient economy, the community of green jobs is taking off. In Austria, almost one in five people holds one of these jobs (Green Jobs). With the help of the New Skills for New Jobs initiative, EU citizens will be educated for and pushed towards green jobs. Green jobs aim to avoid environmental damage and to preserve natural resources and energies. 

The EU Omnibus package is a set of proposals aimed at simplifying existing EU regulations, specifically in areas such as sustainability reporting, sustainable finance, and corporate due diligence. Omnibuses I and II aim to simplify EU sustainability reporting obligations and weaken corporate accountability; however, doing so dismantles core elements of the Green Deal and responsible business practices. Omnibus III builds upon past regulations by simplifying rules and reducing bureaucracy, making it easier for businesses to operate, innovate, and grow, whilst maintaining high standards of protection for consumers and the environment. Omnibus IV includes the simplification of the common agricultural policy, aiding farmers and national administrations. Omnibus V focuses on streamlining EU regulations, addressing defence readiness and related areas. The package aims to save companies’ administrative costs associated with sustainability reporting, engaging competitiveness, but could also weaken the EU’s commitment to sustainability and the European Green Deal.  

Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion 

Traffic, Air & Industry 

Every year, over 300,000 people die prematurely from causes related to air pollution in the EU. European laws must improve air quality everywhere to protect people and ecosystems from air pollution threats. Air pollution is caused by road traffic, shipping, agriculture, domestic heating, and power plants, all of which release substances that negatively impact air quality. Efforts to minimize adverse impacts on the Earth’s atmosphere are currently being undertaken because good air quality is an essential component of health and well-being. Particular attention is being paid to the reduction of emissions produced by automobiles, other types of motor vehicles (such as boats, tractors, trucks, etc.), and the automotive manufacturing industry. Regulation (EC) No. 443/2009 outlines a new set of standards for passenger cars that promotes fuel efficiency and the transparency of information available to the consumer. Likewise, Directive 2010/75/EU works to prevent industries from shifting pollution from one medium (air, water, land) to another. 

The Clean Industrial Deal (CID) is a plan to support European industries in achieving decarbonisation, including lowering energy prices, creating quality jobs, and providing the right conditions for companies to thrive. The deal is a strong tool for industrial decarbonization, so it is geared towards energy-intensive industries and big corporations. We must ensure that industrial policy prioritizes environmental and public interest, not just industry demands, and links these initiatives to the 2040 climate targets.  
 
Clean Industrial Deal (CID)