Rise and shine, superstar — you made it to Friday! Why am I so happy? Spring is here! After months in the underworld, Persephone has returned, bringing the season of renewal with her. According to Greek mythology, Hades abducted the goddess of spring, plunging the world into winter as her mother, Demeter, grieved. Now, with Persephone back, flowers bloom, warmth returns, and I can go back to enjoying my Aperol spritzes in the sun. Speaking of time — don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour this Sunday!
Think I’d let spring fever make me forget the recommendation of the week? No chance — I’ve got you covered! In fact, this little section has gotten so popular that some colleagues have started sending me their suggestions. This week’s pick: Toxic Town, a Netflix drama miniseries that follows the story of three mothers fighting for justice in the Corby toxic waste case.
🧰 PREP PACKAGE
This week, the EU Commission announced the Preparedness Union Strategy, a plan for the EU to prevent and react to emerging threats and crises. The plan is a response to the ongoing poly-crisis our Union faces — from geopolitical tensions and cyber threats to climate-related disasters and more.
COZY BUNKER NEAR CITY CENTER — The Commission’s plan made headlines across the continent, particularly one of the measures in the 30-point plan that asks European households to stockpile critical equipment and supplies for at least 72 hours. So… Should we start searching for real estate near nuclear bunkers? It seems like a distant luxury when most young people in Europe can barely afford to live on their own.
FOCUS — The truth is that natural disasters, climate change, and social cohesion must be central pillars in the future of European security. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 report, the top four long-term global risks are all environmental in nature. This urgency is further reinforced by the World Meteorological Organisation’s State of the Global Climate 2024 report published this week, which delivers a clear message: European security extends far beyond defence!
❌ BULLY-OCRACY
HANDS OFF GREENPEACE! Last week, a North Dakota jury reached a verdict in Energy Transfer’s meritless lawsuit against Greenpeace, finding it liable for over US $660 million for supporting the indigenous-led protest against the Dakota Access Oil Pipeline, alongside 500 other groups. The EEB stands in solidarity with Greenpeace and every environmental and human rights defender facing legal intimidation. Want to help Greenpeace but don’t know how? You can start here!
CIVIL SOCIETY BEWARE — The lawsuit itself is a direct attack on truth, freedom of expression and the right to protest. It is intended as a chilling warning to all who dare challenge polluting industries and speak out about abuses of power. Energy Transfer’s SLAPP suit also attempts to erase Indigenous leadership by accusing Greenpeace organisations of orchestrating the entire resistance. However, no matter what happens in the courtroom — the movement will only grow stronger.
TAKING IT TOO FAR — Back in the old continent, threats to civil society are never far from our minds these days, as a handful of conservative and mostly far right MEPs continue to painfully drag out the debate over NGO LIFE funding. Some are now even attempting to formally object to the financing of the entire LIFE programme for 2025, 2026, and 2027 — a move that would put all beneficiaries at risk. And it’s not just environmental NGOs at the EU level receiving operating grants who stand to lose; it’s mainly local businesses, research institutions, and communities across Europe that would be affected.
All EU NGO operating grants within the LIFE programme account for just €15 million annually, while the remaining €771 million supports large and small businesses, universities, civil society groups, local communities, farmers, hunters, fishers, and public authorities at all levels. A reminder: this is the EU’s only dedicated funding instrument for highly valuable environmental and climate action.
All this despite revelations that some of those same MEPs have quietly received generous sums from their lobby mates. Newly released contracts also reveal that corporations and business groups, including Shell, BusinessEurope, and agri-giant BayWa, have received LIFE programme funds — with provisions for “awareness-raising” activities targeting policymakers. Yet somehow, NGOs advocating for people and the planet are the targets of a fabricated scandal. For more, check out Follow the Money’s newsletter.
We’ll be tuning in to the vote in the EU Parliament’s ENVI committee next Monday to see who is voting to push this dangerous line against European democracy.
TAKING LIBERTIES — Meanwhile, the latest Liberties Rule of Law Report paints an alarming picture: democracy is in decline across Europe. Amidst geopolitical instability and the emboldening of the far right, safeguards for the rule of law are weakening.
The report warns that Europe’s former democratic role models are backsliding while serial offenders continue dismantling democracy unchecked. It calls on the EU to “reinforce democracy’s guardrails before it’s too late”, underscoring that attacks on justice, media freedom, and civic space are not isolated incidents — they are part of a systemic attempt to weaken the public’s ability to hold power to account.
BULLY-OCRACY — Europe’s growing “bully-ocracy” isn’t happening in isolation. In the U.S., the Trump administration is gutting climate protections, weakening environmental agencies, and enabling SLAPP suits like the attack on Greenpeace to silence dissent. The European far right is watching and learning, and the playbook is clear: silence, intimidate, and erode democratic norms until only corporate interests remain standing.
SLAPP ‘EM BACK — Providing a sliver of encouragement is the CASE Coalition’s 2025 European SLAPP Contest. In line with the trend of democratic backsliding, this year saw an increase in the use of SLAPP’s — strategic lawsuits against public participation — by the rich and powerful to silence journalists, activists, and watchdogs across Europe. With categories like ‘International Bully of the Year’ and ‘SLAPP Addict 2025’, the contest puts a spotlight on the worst offenders — ensuring they get the recognition they deserve for their relentless commitment to stifling public debate.
Winners will be announced on April 8 by a jury of MEPs, with SLAPP targets delivering ‘acceptance speeches’ on behalf of their bullies. Want to have your say? Vote now for the People’s Choice award and help crown the biggest SLAPP-er of the year!
🖼️ EEB EXHIBITION IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT!
DtMF — This week, with58 photographs by 12 photojournalists across 13 EU countries, we hosted Factory Farming: Unveiling the Hidden Costs, a photography exhibition in the European Parliament. The exhibition presented a real and unsanitised glimpse into the realities of factory farming in Europe and its many growing threats, not only to vital ecosystems but also to our health and the stability of our societies.
ACROSS THE BOARD — We were honoured to welcome Jo-Anne McArthur (globally acclaimed photojournalist and author on the issue of animal welfare, and founder of We Animals), who delivered a powerful and moving keynote speech on her first-hand experience of animal suffering in Europe. Hosted by MEPs from five political groups, the exhibition highlighted broad political recognition of these issues, with a clear consensus: Things must change!
I DON’T KNOW RICK… As Politico noted, our exhibition was not without controversy. We sought to shine a spotlight on the legalised reality of animals on European factory farms. But on the far right in the EU Parliament decided instead to censor an image which, despite reflecting a legal practice, was not deemed acceptable for people to view. If it is legal, why can’t we show it?
SEAL THE DEAL — Factory farming is a cruel, intensive model of animal production that treats sentient creatures as mere commodities. Ethically it has no place in our society. It is time for our leaders to heed the growing calls across Europe: policymakers must deliver on their promised commitments to revising unfit legislation on animal welfare and to #EndTheCageAge. Didn’t make it to the exhibition? Don’t worry — it’s coming online soon!
🫧 IN THE BRUSSELS BUBBLE
🧪 CHEMICALS
TIME TRAVEL — At the High-Level Dialogue on chemicals policy, industry representatives called for (surprise, surprise…) a rollback of regulations! This push to return to a pre-REACH era, halting bans on PFAS and other harmful substances, echoes the missteps of the automotive sector a decade ago, where lobbying “success” stifled innovation and allowed global competitors to outpace European companies in that sector, which are now struggling to survive.
(REACH)ING OUT — Regulation is not a burden but a catalyst for progress. A future-proof REACH framework is essential for driving safer, climate-neutral chemicals and accelerating regulatory processes that currently take decades. Without this, Europe risks not only environmental and health crises — such as the staggering €100 billion annual cost of PFAS pollution — but also industrial stagnation.
BACK TO THE FUTURE — Despite this week´s discussions, the EU Commission has yet to clarify its stance. It must decide between bending to industry laggards seeking deregulation or driving industry transition towards a safe, sustainable and competitive business model that makes them and Europe 2040-ready.
A DROP IN THE BUCKET — Over 500 scientists have urged EU policymakers to address Europe’s worsening water pollution crisis, as less than half of its water bodies remain in good health. Industrial agriculture, PFAS, and harmful chemicals are to blame. This is not only vital from an environmental and health perspective — it’s also what people across Europe have demanded! 78% of Europeans want stronger EU measures, 84% worry about health impacts, and 92% believe polluters should pay. The message is clear — Europe’s water must be protected. Read the statement!
🪨 MINING
CANARY IN THE MINE — The EU Commission’s Critical Raw Materials Board just unveiled its Strategic Projects List under the Critical Raw Materials Regulation (CRMR), designating high-priority status and fast-tracked permitting for select mining projects.
IN THE DARK — In line with a recent trend, the crucial decision-making process occurred entirely behind closed doors, excluding meaningful engagement with civil society organisations. This lack of transparency has sparked concerns about the democratic legitimacy of the list and the adequacy of safeguards for environmental protection, human rights, the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and public participation.
OPEN PIT — The EU Commission’s push to diversify its raw materials supply through Strategic Projects under the CRMR is undermined by a lack of transparency. Restricting access to information and public participation risks sparking anti-mining protests and contradicting its own values. To uphold its commitments to human rights, international law, and sustainable development, the Commission must ensure its raw materials policies reflect these core principles.
🎉 GOOD CLIMATE NEWS
Although we know these are challenging times, there’s still so much to be hopeful about. These are some of the things that are going right in the world that you may have missed:
- European cities are redesigning streets to push cars out. Read more
- France’s new tidal turbines aim to power thousands of homes with clean energy. Read more
- Caribbean reef sharks are making a comeback in Belize thanks to a collaboration between fishers, scientists, and non-profits. Read more.
- 300-year-old Polish beech voted Tree of the Year. Read more.
📢 ORGANISE
If you are not involved, get involved. Find a member organisation near you.
🚀 FOLLOW US
Don’t stay delulu, deal with the pollulu 🍃✨ Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Don’t miss out!
✨ SIGN UP
Stay informed. Subscribe to our Meta Newsletter for the latestEU green insider updates every Friday. By subscribing, you also gain early access to our in-depth analysis of the key EU environmental policies you care about and maybe some exclusive benefits, too!
🤝 JOIN US
Work with us. We’re always looking for passionate individuals to strengthen our team. Could it be you? Explore our current vacancies on our website, and come make a difference with us!
By: Roi Gomez. Special thanks to the EEB’s editorial team: Alberto Vela, Ruby Silk and Ben Snelson. Editor: Christian Skrivervik
