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 sets goal to be ‘climate neutral’ by 2050
The European Union has urged government, businesses, citizens and regions to join its ambitious plan to cut emissions and make the bloc carbon neutral by 2050
Exhaust gas purification for diesel vehicles
Industry wants to curb nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines using modern catalytic converter technology. One possibility is the admixture of AdBlue, which contains urea. But how exactly does it work?
The world´s plastic
The graphic shows in a flowchart the whereabouts of all plastics produced between 1950 and 2015.
EU countries back single-use plastics ban
EU countries have backed the outlawing of certain single-use plastics, bringing the bloc a step closer to an outright ban on the products which account for huge quantities of waste in the world's oceans
War on plastic leaves manufacturers clutching at straws
For decades, plastic straws have been essential props for cocktail makers, smoothie lovers and fast food addicts. But that may be starting to change.