Carbon trading – Why backloading the backloading proposal was a big deal
As the level of C02 in the atmosphere passes the 400ppm mark , the failure of the European Parliament to rescue Europe’s emissions trading scheme looks even more alarming. The economic crisis has slowed Europe’s response, and shows us that ‘just’ preventing a climate crisis is no longer enough of a reason to get European leaders to act.
It's Time to Stop Pandering to Ukip
The more politicians lay the blame on immigration – and they’re supported in this by an immigrant-phobic media – the more people will believe what they say. Rather than panic in the face of a Ukip surge, Britain’s political leaders need to stick to their principles and work to solve the root cause of voters’ unrest – the economic crisis.
Accession may be the carrot, but never the bait
For Green MEP Marije Cornelissen, the accession process in the Balkan countries is sowing confusion in applicant countries, often as a result of overly political decisions by the Council of the EU. To ensure the process remains effective and transparent, the European Commission needs to work hard to ensure conditionality, consistency and credibility remain at the heart of the accession process.
EU Membership: Good for Business and the Environment
The reasons for staying in the EU are clear – the Union is good for the environment and good for business, despite what the Tories may claim.
EU must build on Serbia-Kosovo breakthrough
The deal between Serbia and Kosovo, brokered on 19 April by Catherine Ashton, is a sign of hope that the future of the western Balkans lies in the EU – but there is much more work to be done.
The fast-food feminism of the topless Femen
Blond young women stripping off their shirts to protest for…women’s rights. Le Monde Diplomatique’s Mona Chollet reviews the purportedly feminist protest group called the Femen, finding little evidence of feminism and a budding affinity with France’s anti-Muslim right. Amina Tyler, Alia el Mahdi and other young Femen of the Arab Spring would do well to have a second look at their Ukrainian mentors, she suggests.
Sustainable Agriculture as a path to prosperity for the Western Balkans
Darko Znaor outlines to potential for organic agriculture in the Western Balkans, following a report on the topic from the Heinrich Boell Foundation.
From the Common Agricultural Policy to Sustainable Food Systems
On March 13th the European Parliament (EP), now co-legislator on agricultural and budgetary issues, adopted its position on redesigning the CAP. A period of intense negotiations opens-up between the Council of the EU and the EP. But the complete shift of the CAP towards an ecological transformation of agriculture is now very unlikely to take place. This will not prevent the Greens and other progressive actors to continue to prepare this transition. If the CAP can’t change, can we?
EU agricultural policy at a crossroads: the vision of a Green minister for rural affairs
The German Greens won the premiership of the German land (region) of Baden-Württemberg in 2011, giving them a unique opportunity to implement green policies across a range of areas. For food and agriculture, this meant an ambitious strategy based on high ecological quality standards, versus the industrialisation of our natural resources.
Food for the soul, not just the stomach: the countryside’s other role
A focus on food production and protecting biodiversity should not be at the expense of a third key function of the countryside, access to it by the people.
Featured Authors
Daniel Cohn-Bendit Member of the European Parliament since 1994. On the four occasions he has contested European Parliament elections, Daniel has rotated between standing for the French Greens and German Greens. He is currently co-leader of the Greens/EFA Group in the Parliament.
Erica Meijers Editor in Chief of De Helling, quarterly of the Research Foundation of the Dutch Green Left Party (GroenLinks).
Philippe Lamberts MEP for the Greens/EFA Group, Co-Chair of the European Green Party and a member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.
