Environmental policy, unlike other political fields, is an area in which the European Union has a comparatively wide array of responsibilities. In some of them the block has tackled problems head-on. One example is plastics, the use of which the EU is keen on limiting. On the other hand critics argue that the EU isn’t very forceful when it comes to issues such as air pollution or eco-friendly agriculture. Will the bloc use its powers more effectively in the future?
Environmental pollution
Working towards a cleaner union
Air pollution costs Europe’s cities 160bn euros a year: analysis
Air pollution costs inhabitants of European cities more than 160 billion euros ($190 billion) each year due to long- and short-term health impacts, a group of environmental and social watchdogs say
80% of Europe’s natural habitats in poor shape: report
More than 80 percent of the EU's natural habitats are in poor or bad condition and more must be done to protect them, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned in a report
Farmers push ‘veggieburger’ label ban in Europe
Angry European farmers are pushing for a ban on calling vegetarian products a "burger" or a "sausage" that they say mislead consumers into thinking certain products contain meat
Brown Danube: How Belgrade’s sewers taint Europe’s famous river
Just down the road from Belgrade's historic city centre, gates open for trucks to pass to the banks of the Danube, where they dump raw sewage into Europe's venerated river
Back on track: Europe’s fading night trains win reprieve
Increasing awareness of the carbon footprint from air travel, coupled with shrinkage in the airline sector due to the coronavirus, mean that night trains may be in line for an unexpected renaissance
EU tax for massive recovery package? We’ll see…
One of the biggest gambles of the 750 billion-euro coronavirus recovery package agreed by the EU is the idea that Brussels will be able to raise new taxes and levies across Europe to pay for it