NEWSLETTER N° 193 – 04 November 2024

Is the EPP hiding some skeletons? POLITICO reports that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is looking into the political party for accusations of misuse of EU funds. Furthermore, today marks the start of the hearings for the Commissioners-designate. Other skeletons might be on their way out..

European Landfill Association (ELA): On 24 October, three national associations representing the landfill sector in Austria (ÖWAV), Germany (InwesD) and the Netherlands (DWMA), announced the creation of the ‘European Landfill Association‘. 

Ecodesign for sustainable products – Ecodesign Forum: On 29 October, the European Commission’s Decision, in regard to the ecodesign requirement for sustainable products, on setting up the group of experts on ecodesign for sustainable products and energy labelling (the Ecodesign Forum), was published in the Official Journal of the EU. 

European Commission Danish aid – Greenhouse Gas (GHG): The European Commission has given the green light to a 724 million euros scheme to lower the rate of a new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions tax for certain companies in Denmark to prevent them moving production outside of the EU. 

Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHG) – EEA report: On 31 October, the European Environmental Agency has published a report on greenhouse gas emissions which states that ‘EU total net greenhouse gas emissions decreased to 37% below 1990 levels’ in 2023. 

Global Plastic Pollution – Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty press release: On 28 October, several companies, including Nestlé, Decathlon, ALPLA, Pepsi and IKEA, published a joint press release addressed to Heads of States, stating that ‘a plastics treaty based on voluntary measures alone risks delaying action by decades’. 

Belgium’s circular economy – Report: This week, the Federation of Belgian Companies (Fédération des entreprises de Belgique) published a report on the state of Belgium’s circular economy. 

New guidelines on the use of EU Ecolabel: The EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) has published two new guides on the use of EU Ecolabel in green public procurement for hard-covering products and the use of the EU Ecolabel in the green public procurement of absorbent hygiene products. 

Lithuania’s public procurement system: On 28 October, the European Commission conducted an interview with Mr. Kęstutis Kazulis, from the Lithuania’s Public Procurement office on employing public procurement as a tool to reach environmental goals. 

Poland Council Presidency: Agnieszka Bartol has taken over as Poland’s permanent representative. The country will take over the Council Presidency in January 2025. 

German Ministry of Economy and Climate Protection: On 30 October, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection announced that the State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and former MEP, Sven Giegold, will leave his position from 15 November at own request. 

FEAD news: Last week, FEAD was in Prague for our joint events with CAObH. On 30 October, we hosted a working seminar, followed by our Executive Council. On 31, we held a conference titled ‘Higher energy and material security in EU countries‘.
Read our press release!