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
EU poised to unveil green-friendly investment list
The European Commission will next week present the first part of a "green taxonomy" list of energy sources and technology to be labelled as sustainable investments
Electric vehicle sales surge in EU amid Covid slump
Demand for electric vehicles soared in the EU last year as buyers took advantage of government subsidies aimed at helping manufacturers during the Covid-19 pandemic, an industry body said
Reducing air pollution ‘could prevent 50,000 EU deaths’
Limiting air pollution to levels recommended by the World Health Organization could prevent more than 50,000 deaths in Europe annually, according to a new study that calls for urgent action
Turkey: Europe’s top destination for… trash
Tonnes of plastic packaging destined for recycling from popular British supermarkets like Sainsbury's and French frozen food retailer Picard is instead ending up being dumped illegally in Turkey
Covid and pollution: intimately linked, compound threat
Lockdowns may have temporarily cleared up the skies above big cities but experts warn that air pollution remains a Covid-19 threat multiplier that will far outlast the pandemic
European air quality improves but still detrimental to health: report
Air quality has improved significantly across Europe over the past 10 years, but pollution still contributes to significant numbers of premature deaths, the European Environment Agency says