Building renovation must be top of the EU budget priority list for 2014-2020
March 7, 2013
The renovation of buildings to high energy performance standards has the potential to be the most cost effective investment any European nation can make, given the benefits in terms of job creation, quality of life, economic stimulus and energy security that such investments deliver. For these reasons the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) is advocating for the maximum possible allocation of EU funds to the energy renovation of buildings under the recently agreed multi-annual financial framework (MFF) for 2014-2020.
EU budget 2014-2020: Better spending of taxpayer money. The Parliament can make a difference.
March 2, 2013
The key objective of the European Commission’s proposal on the Multi-annual Financial Framework was to get an EU budget that is more policy-driven, fit for the challenges of the 21st century and supporting a green transition in order to assist the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy. In contrast the European Council deal mainly focuses on vested national interests and net contributions, failing to agree on a forward looking budget able to tackle European challenges and consistent with EU environmental targets by 2020.
Funding sustainable development in European regions – Recommendations for the programming of EU funds in 10 CEE countries
February 28, 2013
This publication, prepared in close cooperation with national NGO coalitions and the support from external experts, aims to contribute to the elaboration of Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes by proposing concrete measures to be financed, targets to be set, performance indicators to be applied and investment needs to be met – all with a focus on a policy that can foster sustainable development and catalyse the transformation to a low energy-consuming, renewable-based and resource efficient society. Download individual sections >>
Cohesion Policy 2014-2020: Rejecting fossil fuel subsidies in the European Parliament
February 15, 2013
Environmental NGOs are alarmed that a new own initiative report on Cohesion Policy and energy might be considered sufficient by some REGI MEPs to consider that the rejection of fossil fuels subsidies in ERDF is put into question – overruling the clear REGI mandate voted in July 2012. To ensure consistency, the REI MEPs should maintain the REGI mandate as it is and oppose any fossil fuel subsidies in ERDF.
EU budget 2014-2020: TEN-T Guidelines – NGO priority recommendations for trialogues
February 11, 2013
Environmental NGOs emphasise that, with very long lifetimes for transport infrastructure, today’s decisions on EU transport spending will set the path for transport beyond 2050 and into the next century. Yet, in light of the EU budget negotiations, there will not be enough funding for all the projects in the Connecting Europe Facility annex or the TEN-T maps to get off the ground. This briefing therefore focuses on how to make the most of the limited funds available, and to avoid the major cost-overruns and delays that have plagued TEN-T policy to date.
EU Summit: No axe for climate spending, but member states must deliver
February 8, 2013
Brussels, February 8 – A summit in Brussels on the EU budget for 2014-2020 concluded today with an unambitious commitment for 20 percent of EU spending to go towards tackling climate change. CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth Europe called on member states’ governments to build on this with national spending plans that ensure quality outcomes that work for Europe’s people and environment.
BREAKING: The EU budget important stuff takes place outside the Brussels negotiating room, and Europeans should have a say
February 7, 2013
Live from the EU budget negotiations in Brussels …
Cohesion Policy 2014-2020: NGO priority recommendations for trialogues
January 16, 2013
Environmental NGOs would like to highlight opportunities for decision makers to improve key issues of the Cohesion Policy regulations, in order to maximise the benefits that can be delivered to European regions by the future Cohesion Policy and other Common Strategic Framework funds. In addition, they will ensure that the future Cohesion Policy better contributes to reach the Europe 2020 targets, create regional green jobs, enhance economic opportunities and address environmental challenges.
Cohesion Policy 2014-2020: Finding a good compromise on thematic concentration (Briefing for S&D MEPs)
January 16, 2013
Environmental NGOs fully understand the need of more flexibility for regions that but have high concerns with the solution proposed by the Parliament regarding the principle of thematic concentration: in this time of crisis, we note with concern that many Member States and regions stick to business as usual approaches to re-boost growth urgently – because it is considered to be faster and easier than more innovative, complex and forward looking solutions.
NGO voting recommendations: Connecting Europe Facility Regulation 2014-2020
December 17, 2012
This briefing highlights the opportunity to improve key aspects of the Connecting Europe Facility Regulation on transport to ensure better coherence with EU priorities, to move towards a low carbon and resource efficient transport sector, which is economically and environmentally sustainable. If offered concrete recommendations for Members of the European Parliament’s ITRE-TRAN committee for the voting on December 18, 2012.
