Fifth Briefing
Torpedo Amendments
Later this month, the European Parliament will debate the Telecoms Package, and with it three amendments that seriously affect the neutrality of the net in Europe. La Quadrature du Net has a briefing on the issue, while the European Greens are split on some of the details. Look out for more discussion of this over the coming weeks.
Europe
An Austrian centre-right MEP has submitted a report to the EP’s environment committee on water scarcity throughout the Union.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system will be re-launched in early 2009. The system is being improved by the US Green Building Council, who initially launched it in 2000.
A WWF complaint to the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority has resulted in a precedent in regulation of “greenwash” in advertising.
A report in the UK has highlighted the reduced environmental commitments by the main parties. The report from the Green Alliance has analysed the commitments of Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats, and blames economic woes for the downgrading of environmental issues.
Canada
The Green Party has been allowed to participate in televised debates in the run up to the federal elections. The party had initially been refused a place in the debates, with opposition from other parties, and the television networks. And Finally... A London councillor is bringing a new meaning to tele-commuting, as he carries out his role from Arizona.
Read More...Fourth Briefing
North America
The Montreal Gazette is reporting that the Greens of Canada are considering using the courts to have their Party leader, Elizabeth May, included in televised debates for Federal elections. This comes at the same time as the Green Party in the US attempts to have presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney treated as a realistic candidate by the media and the two main parties, and also seeks a viable voter demographic.
Europe
Bulgaria is charging ahead to a brilliant atomic future with the construction of a second nuclear power plant in Belene. The project has strong backing from the European Commission, as part of a move to “low carbon” energy systems.
The European Parliament has supported the introduction of a mandatory organic label for produce sold within the Union. The initiative still has to gain support from the Council of Ministers, and it may be worth hiring a marketing agency before putting out any more radio ads. Have a listen.
The EP has also supported the EC’s plans to promote development of hydrogen cars, but has called for a network of hydrogen filling stations to be established across Europe.
In Sweden, the Green party, Miljöpartiet, is reconsidering its approach to the EU, with the possibility of dropping a section of their manifesto which calls for Sweden’s withdrawal from the Union. This follows from calls by the leader of Vänsterpartiet for green and left party co-operation in the 2010 general election.
There is a possibility that Serbia may be granted EU candidate status in 2009, if it catches war-crimes suspects and continues reforms.
Third Briefing
Europe & Russia
Recent events in Georgia have led European media to widely discuss the possibility of a second Cold War. Café Babel has an interview with Georgi Khaidrava, a former minister in the Georgian government. The Euranet radio partnership also covers the similarities of the present situation to Cold War rhetoric. Euractiv also carries an interview with Andrew Stroehlein, of the International Crisis Group.
Regional News
Turkey
Turkish police are reported to have used oppressive tactics against a legal environmental gathering, Ecotopia.
Sweden
The leader of Vänsterpartiet has called for co-operation between his party and the Greens and Socialdemokraterna (Social Democrats) in the run-up to the 2010 election, with the possibility of an alliance.
Germany
Electricity companies, RWE and E.ON are lobbying the government to cancel its planned phase-out of nuclear power.
Baltic Sea Region
Baltic states have been criticised in a report by WWF for failing to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.
Global
United Nations climate talks are underway in Accra, Ghana. Friends of the Earth International has warned of flaws in the carbon trading system, and of the risk of land-rights abuses from the inclusion of forests in carbon markets. The UN has stated that “modest progress” has been made in the talks.
And Finally...
An elderly woman is reported to have placed herself on the luggage belt at Stockholm Airport, believing she was correctly checking in to her flight. It is not reported if she was flying Ryanair, in which case, she may have been right.
Second Briefing (update)
UK & China
According to the Ernst & Young Country Attractiveness Indices, China is joint fourth place with Spain for the attractiveness of investing in renewables. The UK has fallen to sixth place in the list, thanks to delays in passing the Energy Bill.
Finland
Finnish anti-nuclear web site, Olkiluoto.info, has reported concerns from Greenpeace over safety procedures at the Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power generation station, which is currently under construction.
And finally (last time today)...
The EU has stepped in to halt a sausage war between Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Second Briefing
War in Georgia
Young Greens from across Europe have called for peace in Georgia, and an end to fighting by all sides. The Romanian Young Greens have also reported a statement from the Foreign Ministry of Georgia that Russian forces "have dropped fire-setting bombs in the woods of the Borjomi district", severely damaging a unique ecosystem.
Regional News
Ireland
One of the founding members of the Irish Green Party has died. Máire Mullarney, an educationalist who played a large role in promoting home education, was a member of Dublin County Council for eight years. Green Party Press Release, Irish Independent article.
The Minister for the Environment, John Gormley TD, has been criticised in an article in The Herald for his handling of recent flooding in Ireland.
France
The French island of Réunion has set a target to use 100% renewable electricity by 2025, and also to use 100% renewable energy sources for transport by 2050.
Europe
Belarus, Europe's last remaining dictatorship, has released and pardoned two political prisoners, in an attempt to improve its image for the EU.
The European Parliament at Strasbourg joined The Scottish Parliament in the distinction of having part of the chamber roof collapse. This time the chamber was not in use, though the result was slightly more dramatic.
Australia
New Tasmanian Green MP, Cassy O’Connor has made her maiden speech in the State Parliament of Tasmania.
And finally...
UK newspaper, The Independent has ‘put its foot in it’ with Italy, after writing a piece about a recent tightening up of municipal laws and their enforcement around the country. The article has been described by Italian Deputy Culture Minister, Francesco Giro as “insulting”.
First Briefing
Georgian War
The European Green Party has called for unconditional ceasefire in Georgia. The Co-operation & Development Network of young greens in Eastern Europe has also spoken against the conflict, and plans an action in Hungary to call for peace and remember those killed in the fighting.
Berlin Neo-Nazi Parade
A Neo-Nazi group in Berlin has announced plans for a protest march through an immigrant district, against the construction of a Hindu temple. Derek Wall blogs about it here, and a Facebook group has been formed also.
Party News
Ireland
Questions over the Lisbon Treaty rumble on in Ireland, as an email is sent to Party members, asking for their views on the controversial treaty. The Irish Times covers the story.
Meanwhile, there are concerns over changes to the student-finance system, with a demonstration being planned, involving the Irish Young Greens. Again, the Irish Times have the story.
UK
Caroline Lucas MEP featured in an article in The Independent on Monday, in which she answered questions from members of the public (and a few party members).
Europe
The European Green Party has criticised the attendance of European leaders at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing.
France has laid out plans for progress on environmental measures during its presidency of the European Union.
The EU is in the early stages of examining a ‘supergrid’ electricity distribution system to bring solar power from the Sahara to European states.
László Kovács, EU Taxation Commissioner, has supported the concept of windfall taxes on oil companies, to compensate the poor for high fuel costs.
Rules limiting power consumption for some electronic devices while on standby are expected to be approved by the EP later this year, probably taking force in 2010.