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
VW ‘dieselgate’ fraud: Timeline of a scandal
Around 450,000 owners of manipulated diesel vehicles have launched a mass lawsuit against Volkswagen demanding compensation against the German car giant
New fuel to get sea freight environmentally shipshape
Tens of thousands of cargo ships will have to start using less polluting fuels in January, a boon for the environment that could however lead to higher bills for consumers
Slow boat to China: cargo ships urged to cut speed and pollution
Moving cargo ships into the slow lane, an idea French President Emmanuel Macron floated at the G7 summit, would be one way to cut maritime transport's giant carbon footprint
Politics and finance dog EU climate zero efforts
Momentum is growing across Europe toward a mid-century target for climate neutrality that UN scientists say the world must embrace to avert catastrophe.
Germany opens massive Baltic wind farm
German Chancellor Angela Merkel opens a wind farm in the Baltic Sea and hails its "national significance" for the country's "energy transition" towards renewables.
Eco-tax championed, contested and still marginal in EU
Taxes on products considered polluting are struggling to gain ground in the EU despite backing from Brussels, in the face of opposition from movements like France's "Yellow Vests".