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.
EU budget 2014-2020: NGO priority recommendations for the Common Strategic Framework
November 19, 2012
Environmental NGOs strongly welcome the Common Strategic Framework (CSF) as an Annex of the Common Provisions’ Regulation. It is a needed tool to ensure a proper implementation of fundamental principles and approaches of the Regulation that helps ensure that the future programmes will better contribute to reach the Europe 2020 targets, create regional green jobs, enhance economic opportunities and address environmental challenges. This briefing on the parts of the CSF which we support the most, and underlines as well several opportunities for improvements.
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.
EU budget update: Are Europe’s leaders serious about taking the green shirt off all of our backs?
October 23, 2012
With a key EU summit one month away, how do things currently stand with the tortuous, plate tectonic-esque EU budget 2014-2020 negotiations?
Video: Notes for a better Europe
October 17, 2012
European spending is often considered unnecessary, beaurocratic, and even damaging. We’re the last ones to deny that in Bankwatch. Yet, we are convinced that EU spending – if it is done right – can truly serve the public interest by creating jobs, reducing energy bills, minimizing air pollution, etc. Our new video highlights how some European projects are showing the way to a greener Europe and a better world.
Euro Parliament vote sends positive signal for greening the EU budget
October 11, 2012
Brussels, Belgium — Today’s voting by the European Parliament Budget Committee in favour of at least 20 percent of the future EU budget for 2014-20 going to address climate change, was welcomed by CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth Europe.
