Pollinating insects play a fundamental role in our ecosystem, but all over the world they are facing a number of threats: climate change, habitat loss, pests and intensive single-crop farming. These threats are leading to the dramatic decline of both wild and managed pollinator species, in spite of how vital they are to our well-being and nature. The EU is working to protect all pollinators.

Protecting pollinators

In the race for global technological dominance, the EU initiated a strategy in 2020 to fortify its industry. This led to the proposal for Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), addressing substantial investment needs. STEP leverages existing EU funds, aiming to make Europe more innovative, sustainable, and self-sufficient. It's a precursor to an European Sovereignty Fund, set to further strengthen industrial capabilities.

Strategic technologies for Europe platform (STEP)

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked an energy crisis and high inflation across Europe. The European Parliament wants to ensure the EU is resilient enough to face other crises in the future. That’s why it is supporting bold, visionary projects to make our economies and societies stronger.

Erik helped Swedish companies Amokabel and Bennesveds Åkeri set up the country’s first self-sufficient hydrogen station: Uppvidinge Vätgas. It provides clean fuel produced using local wind power. 

In Ireland, Hannah is a carbon specialist with Bord na Móna, a company that went from extracting peat for fuel to becoming a leader in clean energy production. She’s helping to rehabilitate the country’s peatlands, which can store huge amounts of carbon, helping the EU meet its climate goals.
 
Initiatives like these, funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, are at the heart of a stronger, more responsive Europe.

Building EU's economy of the future: meet Erik and Hannah - 9:16

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked an energy crisis and high inflation across Europe. The European Parliament wants to ensure the EU is resilient enough to face other crises in the future. That’s why it is supporting bold, visionary projects to make our economies and societies stronger.

Erik helped Swedish companies Amokabel and Bennesveds Åkeri set up the country’s first self-sufficient hydrogen station: Uppvidinge Vätgas. It provides clean fuel produced using local wind power. 

In Ireland, Hannah is a carbon specialist with Bord na Móna, a company that went from extracting peat for fuel to becoming a leader in clean energy production. She’s helping to rehabilitate the country’s peatlands, which can store huge amounts of carbon, helping the EU meet its climate goals.

Initiatives like these, funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, are at the heart of a stronger, more responsive Europe.

Building EU's economy of the future: meet Erik and Hannah

Pope John-Paul II said the Vatican strongly supported the ongoing European construction, a peaceful process bringing people together and providing a beacon to the world.
 
He urged tolerance among peoples and faiths and the protection of the environment. The pope spoke of the importance of Christianity in Europe’s past and future.
 
The first pope to visit the European Parliament addressed the plenary in Strasbourg in October 1988.
 
* Watch the full speech on the European Parliament's Multimedia Centre: http://epyoutube.eu/SpeechPopeJohnPaulII

Pope John-Paul II speech on the European construction ⎢European Parliament

The former Soviet leader and co-founder of Green Cross International (GCI) has long been involved in environmental protection.
 
After co-authoring a report on water scarcity, Mikhail Gorbachev urged European and world leaders to act against the global water crisis and denounced a deficit of political leadership.
 
He addressed the European Parliament during the 2009 international “Peace with Water” conference.
 
 
* Watch the full speech on the European Parliament's Multimedia Centre: http://epyoutube.eu/SpeechGorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev speech on global water crisis | European Parliament

The European Parliament has been working to protect people and the planet from the worst effects of climate change.   

 It passed ambitious and binding greenhouse gas reduction targets to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, and backed vital funds to help Europeans meet the cost of the green transition.   

New rules encourage cleaner, more efficient energy and industry, creating new jobs and opportunities for businesses.  

EU action on climate change: use your vote in June! 

The European Parliament has been working to protect people and the planet from the worst effects of climate change.   

 It passed ambitious and binding greenhouse gas reduction targets to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, and backed vital funds to help Europeans meet the cost of the green transition.   

New rules encourage cleaner, more efficient energy and industry, creating new jobs and opportunities for businesses.

EU action on climate change: use your vote in June!  - 9:16

How can the EU reform its economic model to benefit consumers and the planet? Aimilios in Belgium and Laetitia in France have (part of) the answer!

Aimilios and his Watt4Ever team recondition old electric car batteries to make new energy storage systems, effectively giving batteries a second life and saving precious raw materials and energy while avoiding additional pollution.

Laetitia and “Halte à l'Obsolescence Programmée”, or HOP (“Stop Planned Obsolescence”), campaign for everyday products to last longer and be more repairable.

The European Parliament backs EU-wide measures to promote a circular economy, a right to repair and better recycling of raw materials, to avoid polluting the planet and to benefit your wallet.

EU programmes such as Horizon Europe plus rural and regional development funds make sure such projects get the resources they need.

Making the economy work for you and the planet: meet Aimilios and Laetitia

Making the economy work for you and the planet: meet Aimilios and Laetitia - 9:16

Eco-friendly, biodegradable, climate-neutral… 
  
In recent years, many corporations have overstated or misrepresented their green credentials, often misleading consumers with exaggerated environmental or durability claims. So much so that the practice gave rise to the term ‘greenwashing’. 
  
Parliament has voted to outlaw greenwashing and make durability information clear and easily accessible to consumers.  
     
Find out more in our short explainer video.

New EU rules to prevent greenwashing decrypted - EE24

Rising sea levels, excessive logging, the loss of biodiversity... Across the EU, people from all walks of life are concerned about climate change.
 
Meet Anu and Carlos, two climate advocates who are taking concrete steps for the planet. One as an 'Activist Granny' in Finland, the other as a member of the 'Global Shapers' NGO in the Canary Islands.
 
The European Parliament is acting to protect our planet with the European Green Deal, new legislation on carbon emissions and better safeguards for the EU’s biodiversity.

Climate action across generations and nations: meet Anu & Carlos

Climate action across generations and nations: meet Anu & Carlos 9:16

Every five years European voters are called to the ballot box to choose Members of the European Parliament. The vote has a direct impact on EU policy over the following parliamentary term. 

The European elections are the biggest transnational vote on the planet and they shape not only Europe but also the EU’s place in the world.

Find out more about European elections!

Voting in the European elections - VT EE24

Voting in the European elections - 4-5 EE24

Voting in the European elections -16:9 EE24

The European Parliament, the only directly elected EU institution, is the beating heart of European democracy! 

It represents the interests of EU citizens.  

MEPs debate, amend and pass laws which have a direct impact on the lives of some 450 million Europeans.  

Find out more about how the European Parliament works!

How the European Parliament works -  VT EE24

How the European Parliament works - 4-5 EE24

How the European Parliament works -16:9 EE24

&lt;p>Eco-friendly, biodegradable, climate-neutral… In recent years, many corporations have overstated or misrepresented their green credentials, often misleading consumers with exaggerated environmental or durability claims. So much so that the practice gave rise to the term ‘greenwashing’. Parliament has voted to outlaw greenwashing and make durability information clear and easily accessible to consumers. Find out more in our short explainer video.&lt;/p>

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