EP Plenary session - EU Day for the victims of the global climate crisis

Climate change is already affecting Europeans today. Europe is acting now with the Green Deal and Parliament is playing a central role in shaping the sustainable economy of tomorrow.

Parliament and the European Green Deal

MEPs will debate coronavirus and the next EU budget, call for the return to freedom of movement and say that the Conference on the Future of Europe should be organised as soon as possible. All that and more, coming up in Brussels.

Coming up in Brussels: The future of Europe, Covid-19 recovery and freedom of movement

'Farm to Fork' is a new strategy to protect biodiversity and reduce pesticides and food waste, making Europe's food supply chain more sustainable. Parliament wants to make sure those ambitious goals are met, while supporting European farmers.

Safe and sustainable European food

Parliament has set out its position on an ambitious coronavirus recovery plan to reboot the EU economy. MEPs are calling for citizens, the environment and digitalisation to be at the heart of the next long-term budget and the economic recovery.

€2 trillion to rebuild the economy after Covid-19

"Restaurant owner Lealdina Fernandes, 73, survived the terrible wildfire that devastated central Portugal in 2017.
Her life’s work, her café-restaurant, was badly damaged. She is now rebuilding it thanks to EU emergency funds deployed to help communities and the local economy recover from the fire."

Reborn from the ashes

The European Parliament has started examining the first ever European climate law. This cornerstone of the European Green Deal aims to enshrine into law the EU’s target of becoming climate neutral by 2050.

Parliament vows to find fair solutions to climate crisis

The EU Solidarity Fund was set up in 2002 to respond to major natural disasters like wildfires, floods and earthquakes. It has responded to 76 disasters in 24 European countries with over €5 billion in aid.

The EU Solidarity Fund

This infoclip illustrates the Madrid Rio Project, large swathes of land which have now been turned into a long green corridor connecting the three major green areas of Madrid, from Parque del Oeste to Casa de Campo and Monte del Pardo. The approximately 10 kilometre long green zone is a huge recreational and cultural area that is enjoyed by the city dwellers.

Infoclip: Greening of Madrid City River, the Madrid Rio Project

Parliament has a busy year ahead voting on the European Green Deal, new rules for a digital Europe and the EU’s 2021-2027 budget. Updates to the banking union, a trade deal with Vietnam, EU enlargement and more are all on the agenda for 2020!

Coming up in 2020

MEPs backed Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission, which will now take office on 1 December. Parliament also approved the 2020 budget and set an EU goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

Plenary highlights: the von der Leyen Commission, 2020 budget and  COP25

Ahead of the UN COP25 Climate Change Conference in Madrid 2-13 December, the European Parliament approved a resolution declaring a climate and environmental emergency in Europe and globally.

Climate and environmental emergency: extracts from the vote

The winner of this year's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought will be announced in Strasbourg. Outgoing Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will appear before Parliament for the last time. MEPs will discuss the latest Brexit developments, vote on the next EU budget, and discuss the situation in northern Syria.

Coming up in Strasbourg: Sakharov Prize, Juncker’s farewell, Brexit, budget and Turkey-Syria

The earth is sick and the clock is ticking. The EU is working on all fronts to repair the damage and preserve the environment: air quality, waste management, protection of biodiversity... Much still needs to be done, and the EU is leading the way.

How the EU is fighting climate change

Parliament agreed on targets to cut CO2 emissions from road transport, and adopted copyright rules to ensure rights and responsibilities of intellectual property now apply to the online world. Members also voted on new rules to better protect workers from carcinogenic chemicals, on banning single use plastics and on dropping the biannual time change.

From CO2 emissions to copyright: 5 numbers from Strasbourg

Parliament approved contingency plans to mitigate the effects of a possible no-deal Brexit. Ahead of the European elections, the EU prepares to fight back against hostile propaganda and misinformation. Parliament also proposed recommendations for the EU’s 2050 climate roadmap and delivered a boost to participatory democracy initiatives.

From Brexit to climate action: 4 numbers from Strasbourg

During the plenary session in Strasbourg (11-14 March 2019), MEPs debate the long-term reduction targets of greenhouse gas emissions with theCommission. Statements by Peter LIESE (EPP, DE), Udo BULLMANN (S&D, DE), Gerben-Jan GERBRANDY (ALDE, NL), Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL) and Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE, Member of the EC in charge of Climate Action and Energy. Shots of young climate activists present in the Chamber during the debate.

Climate change: extracts from the debate

The EU’s civil defence mechanism is to be upgraded to boost disaster response. Parliament wants to ensure that member states respond more effectively to natural and man-made disasters. A reserve of emergency resources called RescEU will be set up to complement the existing resources of member states.

Strengthening the EU’s disaster response

Climate change is threatening Europe’s water resources. The Parliament wants to safeguard freshwater sources by promoting the re-use of water wherever possible. As an alternative, urban wastewater can be used for irrigation, offsetting the environmental and economic costs of droughts and other extreme weather conditions.

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