It’s Roi on deck, and this week, independent experts are urging the World Health Organisation to declare the climate crisis “a public health emergency of international concern”, warning that it poses a severe global threat to health.
“European governments are subsidising the very industries responsible for their own citizens’ premature deaths,” said one expert. The timing of this report is uncanny for the EU, as the Commission this week presented its new plan to weaken health protections in its main fertiliser law, the EU Nitrates Directive, in yet another deregulatory push that threatens millions of citizens.
Inside:
☣️ The fossil fertiliser trap
🚓 Cuffs on corruption
🖥️ Mining, waste and electrification
✊ Civil society solidarity
In this edition, we also say goodbye to Ruby Silk, who, after three years on this editorial team and over four at the EEB, is moving on to new adventures, leaving big shoes to fill (and a hole in our hearts). We wish her all the best in the new chapters to come.
If you want to support our work, consider buying us a coffee. Happy reading!
☣️ THE FOSSIL FERTILISER TRAP
The health crisis no one is talking about. This week, the EU Commission launched its new Fertiliser Action Plan. Framed as support for Europe’s struggling fertiliser industry, the plan risks putting industry interests ahead of public and environmental health.
Why now? The initiative comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, which have sent shockwaves through fossil gas and fertiliser markets. Once again, the crisis exposes the same structural vulnerability revealed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: a food system dangerously dependent on volatile, fossil-fuel-based fertilisers, in a world where roughly one-third of globally traded fertilisers pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Missed opportunity. Rather than using this moment to break free from fossil fuel dependency, the Action Plan focuses heavily on boosting fertiliser production – despite Europe already having more nitrogen than its land and water can safely absorb. The result will be more pollution, from toxic algal blooms and dead zones in rivers and seas to dangerous ammonia emissions and nitrate contamination of drinking water.
Math is not mathing. The approach is also economically incoherent. A recent UNECE paper estimates that Europe wastes €20–60 billion in nitrogen resources every year, while the EU Commission itself estimates the environmental and health costs of nitrogen pollution at a staggering €70–320 billion annually. In other words, the bill is huge, and the public pays twice – once for waste, and again for the damage it causes.
The not-so-secret recipe. At a time when Europe is scrambling to strengthen its strategic autonomy, it should focus on building a food system that protects public health, water and ecosystems while supporting farmers through resilient farming models – not deepening dependence on expensive fossil fuel-based fertilisers. Read our full press reaction here.
Chef’s recommendation. More than 50 Michelin-starred chefs have rejected the idea of “competitiveness at any cost”, warning that it only delivers “soulless volume”, while sustainable agriculture creates real wealth. Join the almost half a million people who have already signed the #HandsOffNature petition to say: our health and nature are not for sale.
🚨 CUFFS ON CORRUPTION
Time’s up. This week marks the deadline for EU Member States to integrate the new Environmental Crime Directive into national law. The Directive recognises that corruption can drive environmental destruction, yet many prevention and enforcement measures remain optional or weakly defined at the national level. In other words, Europe has acknowledged the problem, but many governments still risk leaving the door wide open for abuse. Check our policy brief.
Spread them. At a recent high-level panel, experts highlighted how AI, satellite monitoring, digital forensics and financial tracking are increasingly being used to expose everything from illegal logging and wildlife trafficking to polluting industries, dirty mining and illegal fishing. The tools already exist – what is missing is the political will to hold environmental criminals to account.
🗞️ IN OTHER NEWS
Mine your own business.Reports suggest several controversial mining projects were added to the EU’s Strategic Projects list despite failing initial expert checks. Now, several MEPs are demanding answers from the Commission over possible political interference, transparency gaps, and whether the Critical Raw Materials Act is already being bent to serve industry interests over communities and the environment.
E-wasted. The EU is revising its electronic waste law at a time when e-waste is growing rapidly, and critical raw materials locked inside old devices are being lost. But recycling alone is not enough. Reducing strategic dependencies and building a circular economy means rethinking how electronics are designed, produced and used – not just how they are disposed of. See our joint recommendations.
Electrification: better than a side hustle. Going electric is one of the easiest ways for European households to stop getting whiplash every time gas and oil prices explode. A new analysis shows that by switching from gas boilers and petrol cars to heat pumps and electric transport, an average EU household could save more than €2,200 per year.
Decarbonisation champions. After two energy shocks in a row, many countries are finally stepping up. Austria is supporting low-income households to replace old boilers, Belgium and Finland have made fossil-free heating cheaper through tax cuts, while Germany and Spain have introduced affordable flat-rate public transport passes. Check out other promising measures adopted by EU governments in the AccelerateEU Catalogue.
Independence kits. Europe needs a clear policy framework that bundles these fossil-free solutions for households together. Read our proposal for “Independence Kits”.
Beyond the rat race. A UN expert group has published a new global dashboard to help governments measure progress beyond GDP, with 31 indicators and four headline measures covering wellbeing, sustainability and equity. It marks a significant milestone for those calling for economies that serve people and planet within ecological limits, rather than treating GDP growth as the ultimate measure of success.
✊ FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHTS
Civic space under pressure. As reported last week, civic space across Europe is not simply shrinking – it is being actively eroded. From smear campaigns and funding attacks to increasing restrictions on advocacy and democratic participation, civil society organisations are facing growing pressure across the continent – often with EU policies providing political cover.
This week, after 25 years of leading anti-racism work at the EU level, ENAR may be forced to close due to administrative delays in the finalisation of its grant contract. We stand in solidarity and encourage everyone to lend their support.
салідарнасць. On 21 May, the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, the EEB stands with all those imprisoned for peaceful activism, including environmental defenders. Since the 2020 crackdown, Belarusian civil society has faced severe repression, with organisations dissolved, activists detained, and democratic space systematically dismantled.
Belarus currently holds 845 recognised political prisoners, including at least 20 environmental activists. We stand in solidarity with our Belarusian members and partners, and honour the memory of Vitold Ashurak, who died in custody on 21 May 2021.
🧠✨ DOPAMINE HIT
As ever, here are a few happy updates to get your weekend off to a perky start:
- UN General Assembly has voted “yes” to turning the world’s highest court’s decision on climate change into political action.
- How a kindergarten teacher became the accidental guardian of 200 king penguins. Read more here.
- French and African leaders have announced more than $11 billion in renewable energy investments across Africa. Read more here.
- A decade after Scotland banned bottom trawling and dredging, there are flourishing populations of 1,500 species critical for seabed integrity. Read more here.
🧚 THE JOB FAIRY
- Want to work with us? The EEB is hiring a Senior Policy Officer for Circular Economy and a Policy Officer for Chemicals.
- The Environmental Justice Foundation is hiring for several roles, including a Senior Press Officer in the UK and a Policy Officer in Berlin.
- The European Environmental Agency is hiring an Expert in Urban Sustainability in Copenhagen.
- Opportunity Green is looking for a People and Operations Manager.
- The Good Lobby is looking for a Communications intern.
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By: Roi Gomez. Special thanks to the EEB’s editorial team: Alberto Vela, Ruby Silk and Ben Snelson. Editor: Christian Skrivervik.