Thanks a trillion! EU budget summit fails – but green spending hopes still alive
December 14, 2012
It was no surprise when the European Council summit meeting dedicated to deciding the EU’s budget for 2014-2020 broke down in Brussels on the afternoon of November 23 with no deal having been reached. The main surprises were how early on the Friday afternoon the EU’s 27 member states decided enough was enough, as well as the relative lack of rancour on display.
Contest for citizens ideas for a better EU budget – awarded projects
December 14, 2012
Bankwatch’s Better Ideas competition invited ideas for projects could be financed by EU funds and that best contribute to the sustainable development in people’s communities. These are the winning projects in each of the participating countries.
Collapse of EU budget talks short-changes people and planet
November 23, 2012
With todays collapse of negotiations at the EU budget summit in Brussels, environment groups CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth Europe called on countries to focus their efforts on agreeing a deal in the new year that has quality EU spending [1] at the top of the agenda.
Time to iron out the EU budget differences – with a green shirt!
November 22, 2012
The EU budget summit, the much-anticipated showdown featuring Europe’s 27 member states, the European Parliament, the European Commission and European Council president Herman van Rompuy over how much EU funding – and for what – is to be spent in the 2014-20 budgetary period, is now on. And all the talk is of what exactly to wear to this event.
EU budget negotiations must tackle mistakes of past with focus on quality spending
November 22, 2012
Brussels, November 22, 2012 – As European leaders gather in Brussels today for the EU budget summit, quality spending must be the focus of discussions if the future European budget is to tackle Europe’s environmental and economic crises, according to environment groups CEE Bankwatch Network, Friends of the Earth Europe and Transport & Environment.
Press Briefing for European Summit 22-23rd November: How to ensure strong green spending runs throughout the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020
November 20, 2012
This week’s European Council will be crucial for ensuring that the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 (MFF) mobilises sustainable investments that can create millions of jobs and take Europe forward on a solid footing out of the crisis. The current overall MFF proposal is far from green: it is a lost opportunity. There is a lot of room to shift MFF allocations towards better spending and to relocate funds to greener sectors. Therefore we wish to draw your attention to five key issues for the Council that could substantially increase the chances of the next MFF delivering multiple benefits.
Green spending appears on EU budget radar – it must stay there, say environment groups
November 14, 2012
Brussels, Belgium — The latest EU budget 2014-20 negotiating text, published today by President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, contains the first sign of hope for a future EU budget that tackles climate change and helps support a sustainable future for Europe’s 500 million people, according to CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth Europe.
Klima leidet unter EU-Gezerre
November 8, 2012
Das Klima und die Wirtschaft leiden unter dem starrsinnigen EU-Haushaltsstreit. Durch das politische Gezerre um die Höhe des künftigen EU-Budgets drohen “grüne” Wirtschaftsimpulse unterzugehen. Jede weitere Verzögerung könnte die Zweckbindung von 20 Prozent der EU-Mittel für Klimaschutzmaßnahmen ramponieren.
Open letter on the partnership principle in the future Cohesion Policy 2014-2020
November 6, 2012
The letter is signed by 42 organisations, reflecting an impressive diversity of stakeholders with a unanimous concern: improving not weakening the partnership principle in Cohesion Policy. Commissioners for for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Laszlo Andor and Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn responded on behalf of the European Commission on January 18, 2013. Download their letter as pdf.
Quality spending still off the table as Cyprus issues draft budget figures
October 30, 2012
Brussels — Indicative figures for Europe’s 2014-2020 budget offer little hope of a green future for agricultural and regional spending, according to CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth Europe.
