Upcoming Event

LIVEWELL FOR LOW IMPACT FOOD IN EUROPE: EATING OUR WAY TO A HEALTHY PLANET
Lunch Debate - Tuesday, 28 February 2012 - Hotel Sofitel, Brussels

With mixed reactions to the recent climate change talks in Durban, what initiatives can individuals pursue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Since the food sector accounts for about 30% of energy consumption and over 20% of greenhouse gas emissions, how can we curb the spread of our ‘Western’ diet, one that’s high in meat, dairy and processed food? And with the average European citizen eating almost 3,500 calories daily – 1,000 calories more than recommended – how can we stop the rising epidemic of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart and cerebrovascular diseases? Click here to view the programme.
Interview
 

Interview with Kjetil Tungland, Managing Director of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)

In a recent Op-Ed you wrote for the Greening Europe Forum, TAP stated that the EU’s Caspian strategy should be based on realistic assumptions regarding gas volumes available in the Caspian. Do you feel this is not the case now? Is the Nabucco project, supported by the Commission, unrealistic in its ambitions?  Read more

Book presentation: Growth in Transition

On Wednesday, 29 February, the Sustainable Europe Research Institute (SERI) will present the book 'Growth in Transition' at the Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU in Brussels. The book was edited by SERI Researchers Fritz Hinterberger and Elke Pirgmaier in collaboration with Elisabeth Freytag and Martina Schuster from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management. A 50 minute presentation will be followed by 30 minute debate.

For detailed information on the book presentation, please click here.

Registration for this event is mandatory. To register, please send an e-mail to growthintransition@seri.at by Thursday, 23 February 2012.

Policy Briefing: The future of farming

This briefing consists of contributions from 3 independent think-tanks: Ecosocial Forum Europe, the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), and Friends of Europe’s Greening Europe Forum.
  This briefing focuses on two essential dimensions of the Commission’s recent reform proposals for a Common Agricultural Policy from 2014: ecological sustainability and social equality. The authors believe the current round of reforms will be mainly a debate between the EU institutions and member states on the size and division of the CAP’s post-2013 budget, instead of a comprehensive new policy design reflecting the fundamentally different political and economic context of food and farming policy in the 21st century.
Download the full briefing here:  EN

Op-eds

Durban Platform deal postpones necessary global climate action to uncertain future
by Willy De Backer There are positive and negative dimensions to the agreement reached in overtime at the Durban climate summit. The “good” news is that the climate train remains on track - the bad news is that the final destination is still global climate chaos. The Kyoto Protocol has been saved but the goal of limiting temperature increases to the 2 degrees Celsius target should most likely be shelved. Political “realism” has defeated societal urgency and necessity.
Shale gas: Opportunities and challenges for Europe
by Willy De Backer Since the shale gas boom changed the energy picture in the United States, several European countries with the support of the oil and gas industry have raised expectations that this unconventional natural gas production can also be a game-changer in their own quest to reconcile energy security and climate policies.
all op-eds

Europe's World

 

Why Europe must follow Germany’s nuclear veto

by Jürgen Trittin Nuclear power is dangerous and costly and a hazardous legacy for future generations, argues Jürgen Trittin, a former German environment minister. He says the rest of Europe must follow Germany’s lead and make a rapid transition to green energy production.
 

Smart grids hold the key to cleaner energy
by Philip Lowe Smart Grids promise to become a significant part of the solution to Europe’s cleaner energy needs. They will deliver efficiency savings to households and businesses, and help industry to integrate greener technologies like electric vehicles and renewable power generators into the grid. They will empower consumers, boost competitiveness, generate jobs and increase economic growth.

All Articles

News

China opposes EU carbon emissions scheme
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has prohibited the country's airlines from taking part in the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), adding to the list of items likely to be discussed at the EU-China summit on February 14.
Greater cooperation between Europe's grid operators and environmental organisations
The European Grid Conference in Brussels on 10 November 2011 saw a declaration entitled “European Grid Declaration on Electricity Network Development and Nature Conservation in Europe” between grid operators and environmental organisations to modernize Europe’s grid whilst preserving the environment.
All News

Publications

About the GEF

The Greening Europe Forum is the first independent debate and knowledge platform focussing on  global and EU policies needed for the transformation towards a sustainable economy. It will look in particular to the integration of environmental, energy and economic policies which will be needed to shift to a new development model.

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Partners

The Greening Europe Forum aims to work with partners that have shown a real commitment to the new green economy agenda. It will work with government departments and agencies, regional authorities, cities, progressive businesses and constructive NGOs, as well as critical academics and trusted media.

 

Contact Friends of Europe to become a partner.



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