🧯EXTINGUISHING POLITICAL ARSON

This week we’ve got a mixed bag, so we’ll start with the better news! First off, we draw a line under the shameless episode of right-wing attacks on NGOs. History will be a brutal judge of those self-interested politicians who sought to fabricate a scandal to silence the voices of the people, the foundation of European democracy. Here’s a reminder of why NGOs and civil society matter so much.  

In other news, a major climate report has landed. The conclusions? Europe has its work cut out. We outline what’s needed and why our survival depends on Europe rising to the challenge! On World Heritage Day, we look at why climate action is so vital for the world’s cities and the natural sites we know and love. And in the circular economy corner, we give our take on the EU’s long-awaited Ecodesign plan. 

And a personal milestone: we’ve reached 20,000 (!) subscribers to the LinkedIn version of this newsletter – thank you all for reading and standing with us, we couldn’t do it without you! We also went viral (again) on TikTok and Instagram this week!   

✅ THE GOOD NEWS VERDICT: NGOS FACE UNWARRANTED ATTACKS 

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT – This week, the EU Commission has finally waded into the debate and set the record straight surrounding the fabricated and heavily politicised attacks on NGOs and civil society. 

A MADE-UP SCANDAL – On Monday, the EU’s Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin clarified that “the Commission did not instruct nor require NGOs to lobby MEPs” under LIFE contracts. The reality, as we have said all along: NGOs independently decide on their work programmes, the EU Commission does not impose lobbying requirements on NGOs, and civil society remains autonomous and accountable to the public, not to institutions or private interests. We hate to say we told you so, as this clarification should never have been necessary in the first place… But here we are. 

WE RESIST TOGETHER – The matter has been put to bed. But the fight is far from over. This lengthy and time-consuming “debate” (fabricated to deflect attention away from other conflicts of interest?) shows the lengths some are prepared to go to undermine the foundations of EU democracy to continue profiteering at the expense of people and planet. We are resisting these targeted attacks, and it is positive to see more and more media outlets across Europe, officials within the EU institutions themselves, and thousands of people joining the resistance – thank you to those who stand with democracy, reason, and the truth. Now let’s get back to work. 

🕰️IN THE MEANTIME… 

LANDMARK EU REPORT ON CLIMATE – While we’ve been busy trying to extinguish political arson, our planet is still on fire. In Europe, the challenges are acute. This week, the European State of the Climate report found 2024 to be the warmest year on record in Europe. 

FIRE EXTINGUISHER – This latest bombshell report on the state of our climate – and its impacts on our weather patterns and water cycles, among other things – complements the picture painted by existing reports from scientific authorities, such as the 2024 State of Water report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA), which showed Europe to be the fastest-warming continent in the world. 

THE COSTS OF INACTION – People and nature across Europe are suffering immensely from increasingly frequent and violent floods, wildfires, heatwaves and droughts. These events are not only frightening and deadly, they are also straining our environmental foundations, destroying property (and increasingly, making it uninsurable), devastating land and livelihoods, jeopardising EU food production, and risking EU cultural patrimony (psst it’s World Heritage Day today). Meanwhile, in Europe, we have the tools and know-how to avoid such monumental harm – let’s use them! 

💨CLIMATE ACTION NEEDED – A SNAPSHOT 

MORE THAN THE SUM OF OUR PARTS – When governments act (and most importantly, when they act together) with urgency, things move in the right direction and at pace. The need for urgent action in the face of climate breakdown is increasingly obvious and has been repeated by scientists and environmental campaigners ad nauseum (literally for the last four decades…). 

RENEWABLES ROLLOUT – We need to wean ourselves off fossil fuels, seizing major opportunities presented by investment in renewable energy in Europe. This must begin by recognising mega polluters’ false narratives and continuing to challenge the harm they pose – including through legal means. Fortunately, done right, this rollout is compatible with the protection and restoration of natural habitats too! 

WATER RESILIENCE – Water-related risks such as droughts and floods now threaten the whole continent. To tackle the planetary crisis, we need a joined-up approach that protects water resilience. That means curbing pollution, restoring ecosystems, and enforcing strong environmental standards. Smarter land and water management is key – store more water in nature, stop building in flood zones, and avoid past mistakes. Our recommendations.  

RESTORING NATURE – In the EU, we are living through a surreal period characterised by full-frontal attacks on nature (shooting ourselves in the foot springs to mind). Nature – from soils to rivers and forests to oceans, and all of the plants and animals that exist within them – is not some kind of ‘nice to have’. Healthy natural habitats serve as hugely powerful carbon sinks, capturing and storing greenhouse gases on a vast scale and stabilising our climate. Human survival is intrinsically bound to the health of this natural foundation. It’s time for us to embrace nature, and for EU countries to implement the historic Nature Restoration Law adopted last year! 

SUSTAINABLE AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS – The EU’s agri-food systems account for around 30% of human-made climate-crippling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Europe. However, when it embraces nature rather than acting against it, agriculture also represents a enormous opportunity to not only reduce emissions but also restore natural ecosystems, benefiting livelihoods by supporting farmland resilience, protecting farmers’ health and producing healthier, more sustainable food. 

📜HERITAGE FOR CLIMATE ACTION   

PRESERVING THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE – Our cultural and natural heritage – from cities and medieval towns to forests, glaciers, and marine life – is under growing threat from climate breakdown. One-sixth of the world’s heritage is at risk, and a third of World Heritage cities face rising seas. Every 1°C rise in temperature could double the number of endangered species… This World Heritage Day, the best way to protect what we love is through bold climate action. 

🐺EU MOVES TO WEAKEN WOLF PROTECTIONS – WHAT’S AT STAKE? 

WOLVES FACING ONSLAUGHT – The EU is proposing to amend the Habitats Directive, aiming to downgrade the protection status of wolves – despite a lack of strong scientific evidence. With member states already showing support, the EU Parliament is set to vote on the proposal in the coming weeks. Conservationists are raising the alarm, warning that while the wolf is the immediate focus, this decision could open the door to broader rollbacks in environmental protections across Europe. Which of Europe’s precious animals will be framed as the next threat? And where does this end? Enough is enough.  

HANDS OFF NATURE – This proposal puts the EU’s global reputation for environmental leadership at risk. The Habitats Directive has long been a cornerstone of nature conservation in Europe, protecting biodiversity and supporting climate and public health efforts. Weakening it would be a costly and regressive move. Conservation advocates are calling on citizens to speak up and defend nature under the rallying cry: #HandsOffNature. 

♻️CIRCULAR ECONOMY CORNER 

ECODESIGN PLAN FALLS SHORT – This week, the EU Commission published its new Ecodesign Working Plan. It is a step toward sustainable products, but doesn’t fully deliver on the promises of the EU Ecodesign law (ESPR). While it rightly targets key sectors like textiles, furniture, tyres, and metals, it leaves out crucial product groups such as chemicals, footwear, paints, and lubricants – despite strong civil society support to include them. 

WEAK OVERSIGHT, RISKY LOOPHOLES – With only a limited range of products covered, the Plan must set strict standards and close loopholes – especially those exploited by low-quality imports via online platforms. Many of these items violate pollutant limits and aren’t designed for repair, reuse, or recycling. Stronger enforcement is essential to prevent environmental dumping and protect both consumers and the planet. Here’s our full reaction. 

ECOLABEL MOMENTUM GROWS – Meanwhile, the EU Ecolabel continues to gain ground – including for diapers and menstrual items, where the label ensures strict limits on harmful substances and promotes safer, greener options. As of this week, over 102,000 products and services carry the EU’s official sustainability label – a 5% rise since September – signalling growing business and consumer support for truly (verified) sustainable products!   

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By Ben Snelson. Special thanks to the EEB’s editorial team: Alberto Vela, Ruby Silk, and Roi Gomez. Editor: Christian Skrivervik