Good morning and welcome back from the Easter break!
I hope you had a chance to recharge during what was, for many, a much-needed (short) week. As the European Quarter in Brussels returns to its usual pace and hundreds make their way back from holiday, I stayed put in the city and am happy to get you up to speed with the latest developments.
Last time Pope Francis visited Brussels, he addressed the European Parliament, saying: “It is time to build a European Union that does not revolve around the economy but on the sanctity of human dignity.” He got a standing ovation from all political groups in the chamber. In a similarly powerful address to the United Nations, he declared that “any harm done to the environment is harm done to humanity.”
Earlier this week, the world mourned the passing of Pope Francis, a global figure whose leadership extended beyond the Catholic Church. Known for his compassion and advocacy, he consistently brought attention to the pressing challenges facing humanity. Throughout his tenure, he built a legacy as a staunch defender of both social and environmental causes, calling on global leaders to take bold action on these critical fronts.
Given this week’s developments — and in keeping with my now solemn tradition of offering timely recommendations — I can think of no better choice than Conclave. This critically acclaimed political thriller explores the secretive and high-stakes world of the Vatican’s papal election. With no further ado, here goes this week´s newsletter, urbi et orbi.
☣️CHEMICALS LOBBY & DEREGULATION
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION…SEDE VACANTE – The stage is set for another high-stakes corporate lobbying v. public interest advocacy battle — this time over the long-awaited revision of REACH, the EU’s cornerstone chemicals legislation. When REACH was first introduced in 2007, it marked a groundbreaking step forward for environmental and public health protection, despite fierce opposition from industry. Now, for the first time since its adoption, the law is undergoing revision — and once again, the outcome could have far-reaching consequences.
HOLY CRAP – REACH was established to protect people and the environment from harmful chemicals. But now, nearly twenty years on, the EU Commission’s proposed overhaul threatens to dismantle key protections. Framed as a “simplification” of chemicals legislation, the reform is a thinly veiled attempt at deregulation. All signs point to a weakening of the law under pressure from industry.
BENDING THE KNEE – This shift is further exposed by the Commission’s alignment with the Antwerp Declaration — a document championed by some of Europe’s most polluting industries. The message is clear: economic growth is being prioritised, even if it comes at the expense of public health, environmental safety, and the ambitions of the European Green Deal and its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.
DEVIL’S WORK – Ever heard of CEFIC? Don’t worry if you haven’t — it’s one of the most influential lobbying groups representing the chemical industry in the EU. Recently, they released a 10-point action plan claiming to “simplify” REACH, promising streamlined regulation, support for innovation, and the maintenance of high safety standards. However, our analysis paints a very different picture. Many of their proposals could weaken chemical safety rules, increase regulatory complexity, and undermine the European Green Deal and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability goals.
WHY THOUGH? According to CEFIC’s own data, REACH accounts for less than 3% of the regulatory costs faced by the chemical industry, with energy costs, at 30–40%, representing the largest financial burden. Despite this, REACH has established Europe as a global leader in chemicals management, driving safer and more sustainable innovation in the sector.
SECRET CORRIDORS – Today, the Commission’s DGs and the Sec-Gen will meet once again to finalise their position on the proposal. While the proposal is nearly complete, internal battles over just how strong (or weak) the revised rules are still raging. What remains clear, however, is that the Commission must be held accountable for its Green Deal commitments, including the urgent phase-out of the most hazardous chemicals and the transition to safe, sustainable alternatives. Simplifying regulations should never come at the expense of essential protections that protect our families, rivers, animals, surroundings and more.
Fruity with a touch of PFAS – On that note, a new study just unveiled that wines produced in recent years across 10 EU countries have been found to contain widespread traces of trifluoroacetic acid, a persistent byproduct of PFAS “forever chemicals.” Not a single sample tested clean, and in some cases, contamination levels reached up to 100 times those typically detected in drinking water. They are not only polluting our water but also our wine!!
💚GREEN CLAIMS
THOU SHALT NOT LIE – Trust is easy to lose and hard to win back — and greenwashing is rapidly chipping away at public confidence in environmental claims and labels. This deceptive practice not only misleads consumers but also undermines genuinely sustainable businesses by creating an uneven playing field.
As EU leaders resumed negotiations this week on the proposed Green Claims Directive, NGOs and industry groups joined forces to urge a crackdown on the most misleading marketing tactics. We called for a ban on vague claims, such as portraying a company as ‘climate neutral’ without solid evidence, and demanding strict requirements for transparency and independent verification. The message is clear: Europe needs a robust law to ensure that green really means green.
🪨MINE, BABY MINE?
RECAP – Late last month, the EU Commission unveiled its long-awaited list of strategic projects under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), focusing primarily on projects within the EU’s borders. However, this ostensibly strategic move is fraught with serious shortcomings. The EU Raw Materials Coalition has expressed deep concern over the Commission’s shockingly opaque selection process.
UP AHEAD – With the Commission set to release its second batch of Strategic Projects later this month, concerns are mounting over the expected shift in focus toward initiatives outside the EU, many in countries with weak governance structures.
This development is raising serious questions about how the EU’s Strategic Partnerships, such as the one with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are being implemented on the ground. Civil society organisations have voiced growing alarm over the EU’s approach to these partnerships and its expanding footprint in overseas mining ventures, warning of potential risks to human rights and environmental standards.
BALKAN BOMB – The potential inclusion of Serbia’s Jadar lithium project, spearheaded by Rio Tinto, is a particularly egregious example. This project, notorious for its environmental risks, lack of transparency, and violations of democratic procedures, was met with fierce opposition from local communities, environmental defenders, and Serbian civil society, culminating in successful mobilisations against it in 2021.
Despite this history of unresolved legal, environmental, and social nightmares, its expected reappearance on the EU’s Strategic Projects list reveals a shocking disregard for public opposition and due process. This is a recipe for disaster, threatening to reignite tensions and directly contradict the EU’s supposed commitment to participatory governance and respect for local democracy.
BOTTOM LINE – The CRMA was intended to secure raw material supply chains. But the EU cannot achieve this by exporting social and environmental devastation, imposing a sort of green colonialism. Strategic Projects in other countries must have the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) of Indigenous Peoples, who are disproportionately impacted by these ventures.
AMEN – The EU needs a radical rethink. Community rights, justice, and material sufficiency must be at the heart of the EU’s external raw materials strategy. Without these strong safeguards, so-called “Strategic Projects” will only enable human rights abuses, Indigenous rights violations, and environmental destruction, especially in regions where governance is weak.
The current list prioritises extraction over sustainable, long-term solutions. The EU is heading down a dangerous path; without focusing on material efficiency and demand reduction, it risks deepening its dependence on finite resources instead of enabling a just and resilient transition.
🗞️IN OTHER NEWS
TRANSPARENCY CHECK – How transparent are Member States at the EU level? Civil Society Europe (CSE), of which the EEB is a member, has updated its analysis of the transparency of Permanent Representations to the EU — the key players linking national governments with EU institutions. While some have made commendable progress (with a few even achieving full transparency – gold stars for you!), the report shows there’s still a long way to go to ensure consistent, meaningful openness across the board. Read the full analysis here.
THE MORE THE MERRIER – A bit of personal news: we just hit 20,000 followers on Instagram! Thanks for the love — if you’re not following us yet, join the fam here. 🫶
🧠THE DOPAMINE HIT
No, the world is not only burning and sliding into total destruction. Amid the headlines of crisis, there are also signs of progress worth celebrating, and although they may not always make the front page, these stories show that change is not only possible — it’s already happening. Here are a few of the good news stories you might have missed.
Plastic pollution along the Australian coastline is at its lowest in a decade. Plastic pollution around Australia’s beaches has dropped by 39 per cent in the past decade, according to new CSIRO research. Check it here!
Spain hits first weekday of 100% renewable power on national grid. Spain’s grid ran entirely on renewable energy for the first time on April 16, with wind, solar, and hydro meeting all peninsular electricity demand during a weekday. Check it here!
Climate protests shape politics more than you think. New research shows that climate protests — peaceful or disruptive — are changing minds, nudging elections, and keeping democracy alive in the face of rising authoritarianism. Check it here!
Grassroots activists who took on corruption and corporate power share the 2025 Goldman prize. Meet the seven winners of the environmental prize, including an Amazonian river campaigner and a Tunisian who fought against organised waste trafficking. Check it here!
DJs bring climate activism to dance floors for Earth Night celebrations. DJs across the globe transformed nightclubs into venues for climate awareness with Earth Night, a growing movement that blends music and environmental action. Check it here!
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By: Roi Gomez. Special thanks to the EEB’s editorial team: Alberto Vela, Ben Snelson and Ruby Silk. Editor: Christian Skrivervik
