Michiel Scheffer 🟥

New College of Commissioners unveiled today. And while most Danes will look towards our own Dan Jørgensen, I am keenly aware of Jessika Roswall as Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy. Much to do - not least in the light of Europe's water challenges and the recent Draghi Draghi report on EU competitiveness. Water is central to all of it.

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Good to see the French Competition Authority publishing its first informal opinion on an agreement to promote sustainable development. This is pursuant to its open door policy and follows similar opinions by the UK and Dutch competition authorities in the last year or so. This one concerns agreements in the animals nutrition sector designed to harmonise and improve methods of calculating the environmental footprint of products. A few points of interest: 1. It was seen as a standardisation agreement in the sense of the European Commission’s guidelines on sustainability cooperation agreements. 2. It was accepted that the authority had never looked at this issue before (had that not been the case the parties would have been expected to “self assess”). 3. The “necessity” criterion was met (it was necessary for the environmental footprint to be based on sound scientific facts and methodology). 4. The parties were free to be even more precise in their calculations - ie to go beyond the terms of the agreement. 5. Underlying the whole opinion is a recognition that the environmental impact of a product can be an important parameter of competition (consistent with cases like AdBlue where the Commission fined German car manufacturers for restricting competition on the environmental qualities of their cars). The environmental impact of animals seems to be very much in the news this week following reports of the Danish “fart tax”-around E100 per cow apparently. Sounds funny but methane emissions are a serious problem. Viewed together this illustrates how regulation and competition law can complement each other. #competitionlaw #europeancommission #antitrust #climatechange #environment. https://lnkd.in/ecdhyRuV

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🇬🇱🇪🇺Greenland and the EU has agreed to a new Fisheries Protocol 2025-2030. The agreement underlines the partnership between Greenland and the EU but also ensures the continued development of the Greenlandic industry. https://lnkd.in/eAgvhFgB

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Would you like to reach out to MEP candidates before the European elections and beyond? Here's some advice #EUelections2024

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👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Working on the impact assessment and revision of the #UWWTD was one of the first projects four years ago that I got to work on at Trinomics. The Directive is one of the longest-standing European legislative instruments for protecting water and nature, dating back to 1991 🕰️ However for around 30 years this Directive hadn’t undergone a major evaluation or revision—despite significant advances in science, technology, and environmental needs over the past three decades. Seeing this recast approved is a great step forward, acknowledging the evolving challenges and solutions in water management and environmental protection ✨

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Energy Council 🇪🇺 meeting in Luxembourg - 15 of October 2024 EU Energy Ministers: ✅ Exchanged views on the contribution of the energy sector to the EU’s competitiveness -> following up on the recommendations in #Draghi Report 📒 ✅ Held a discussion on the divergence of wholesale electricity #prices whithin the EU 📈 ✅ Discussed preparedness for the upcoming winter season ❄️ Ukrainian Energy Minister 🇺🇦 gave presentation on the energy situation in Ukraine 🇱🇹💛🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine ✅ Commission presented its report on #StateofEnergyUnion and provided a follow-up on the implementation of #REPowerEU Plan. In particular, how EU is progressing in achieving its goal to phase out Russian fossil fuels ⚠️ ✅ Some of the MSs called for more coordinated implementation of EU restrictive measures on Russian LNG transshipments 🚢 ✅ Ministers received update from the Commission on the implementation of “Fit for 55” legislation package🔋 https://lnkd.in/ejaxnHRg #EuropeanUnion #EnergyCouncil #TTE #EnergySecurity #Renewables #EnergyPrices #EUCompetitiveness

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Is the Circular Economy Act last chance to save EU’s recycling industry? – a sector that can contribute to strategic autonomy and circular economy. State of play: The European recycling sector faces serious challenges. It is lowering its capacity with companies going bust. That is despite the prospect of recycled content requirements for new product groups. The new rules on export of waste should also lead to more materials being available for recycling in Europe. Still, the recycling industry is declining. Challenges: The first challenge is the lack of competitiveness. Demand for recycled material is often met by recyclers from third countries. They produce the recycled materials cheaper – sometimes with waste from Europe. According to the industry some of the major challenges are higher energy prices, labour costs and different environmental standards. A second challenge is unfair competition. There is suspicion that imported “recycled material” is in fact virgin materials in disguise, causing an unlevelled-playing. In reality, it is often difficult to determine if materials have been recycled or are new, which makes enforcement difficult. Third-party verification has been put forward as a solution by industry, but does not follow the anti-burden sentiment. The third challenge is well-known; virgin materials are cheaper than recycled materials. The recycling industry on plastic is put under additional pressure as the oil industry is moving its focus from fuel to plastic, as the market share of electric vehicles increases. One of the obstacles to changing status-quo is that the price of virgin materials needs to consider its effect on climate and the environment. Emissions cause more serious weather events and the scarcity of resources increase prices, which are costly for society, including companies. The question remains will the Circular Economy Act create demand for recycled materials and establish a single market for waste that benefits the European recycling industry? Copyright: European Union, 2023

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The revised #EnergyPerformance of Buildings Directive is now in force. It will help increase the rate of #renovation 🏗️ in the EU, particularly for the worst-performing 🏚️ buildings in each country. #EPBD #EUGreenDeal

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The EU Council adopted yesterday their depressing Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029. While it is marginal improvement on the previously leaked draft, as it does now at least include a (single) reference to nature protection, it still lacks the level of ambition require to deal with the environmental crisis we are facing here in Europe and around the world. Full ifaw reaction here from our Head of EU Policy, Ilaria Di Silvestre: https://lnkd.in/eEGAvKS5

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9th May: Europe’s day. 30 days to go to crucial European elections: https://lnkd.in/ev-mejuy And 20 days ahead of the #EUGreenWeek2024, focused on #Water: https://lnkd.in/exY4KxCC We need long-term vision, strategic thinking, solid alliances, coherence and courage to continue learning how to prosper in harmony with our amazing #BluePlanet - and across mankind. Let’s see whether, together, we can finally see Water - and our World - differently.

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🖋️ Tomorrow, the European Commissioner-designate for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra, will sit in front of members of the European Parliament to demonstrate his suitability for the role. Prior to the hearing here are the reflections of CMW policy experts on his written responses to ITRE, TRAN and ENVI committees 📝 While stressing that the EU 2040 target will provide clarity to define climate policies, the Commissioner-designate did not answer MEP questions regarding setting separate targets for carbon removals, in addition to deep and sustained emission reductions 💶 Hoekstra's stated emphasis on the need for member states to reduce fossil fuel subsidies is urgently needed as such funds are wasted and are needed for investment in the expansion of renewable energy. Looking ahead to the launch of ETS2 in 2027, any subsidy on oil and gas reduces the incentive to reduce emissions created by the carbon price on fuel used in buildings and road transport from 2027 ❌Commitments to ‘end inefficient fossil fuel subsidies’ are growing tired, with the EU’s initial pledge dating back to 2009. EU budget rules continue to allow the financing of fossil fuel infrastructure via key EU funds and member state fossil fuel subsidies remain above 2021 levels following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The time for action is now 🛢️Hoekstra wants to revise the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD) so that it incentivises green fuels over fossil fuels but the inclusion of the European Council’s requested exemption on taxation for all aviation fuels until 2035, completely undermines this plan ✈️🚢He says he expects the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to have a system covering flights departing from the European Economic Area that ensures effective emissions reductions, but ICAO’s carbon offsetting and reduction scheme for international aviation (CORSIA) does not lead to emission reductions, but a supposedly ‘carbon neutral growth’ at best. At worst it could lead to higher emissions, if badly (or not) implemented and unreliable offset credits are used. Time is up for continued reflection on VAT application to international aviation and maritime. (Tax)action is well overdue 🌍 The establishment of a task force on international carbon pricing was one of the most welcomed features of Hoekstra’s takeover of the Commission’s climate portfolio. As he highlights, there is worldwide appetite for introducing and strengthening carbon pricing policies to make the polluters pay. This interest goes hand in hand with the gradual but certain phase-in of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and a strengthened EU ETS ⚖️The polluter needs to pay. As Commissioner-designate for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth, it is of the utmost importance that he ensures the agreed upon legislation and timelines of the European Green Deal are respected. The competitiveness spiel can’t become another excuse for shielding those who historically have polluted the most

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In 2022 Agoria identified the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (#EPBD) as one of its 14 priority dossiers for the European lobby. The approving vote of the Council of the European Union on the 16th of April finalised a revision process of close to 3 years with the #climatepolicy community, while also kicking-off the next phase where the new requirements will have to be transposed into national and regional legislation. In a recent interview I discussed the initiatives that were undertaken by Agoria and what can be expected as the next steps. The new EPBD marks important milestones that allow for a shift towards #greenmarketdevelopment in the real estate market. The new Directive also marks a clear move away from fossil fuels. For the #technology industry this means an acceleration in market shift towards #climatetechnologies can be expected during the next years. https://lnkd.in/e5vVm_8y

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🚨 industriAll Europe & European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) call for an ambitious EU grids strategy that recognises the crucial role that workers play in the maintenance, modernisation and upgrading of Europe’s electricity infrastructures. 👇

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Curious to learn how b-solutions is making a difference? b-solutions (https://lnkd.in/e3rZ-Gkj) is an EU initiative that helps local administrations and stakeholders in #euborderregions solve legal and administrative obstacles by providing tailor-made solutions from a bottom-up perspective. Managed by the Association of European Border Regions Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) and funded by the European Commission, it provides concrete solutions to make cross-border cooperation #Interreg easier and more effective. A new compendium of cases talking border obstacles was just published. Have a look here 👇 https://lnkd.in/exjDb8kG

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#CSDDD approved 🥳 Another push in the right direction of creating a more concious and resilient economy! Now, since we have that figured out, how about making meaningful efforts in actually protecting nature and voting the #NRL #NatureRestorationLaw through? 😉

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Since 2016, I've been on an incredible journey, weaving Regenerative Design and Development (RDD) into my sustainable low carbon built environment research starting with Bill Reed. My dedication to this transformative approach led me to become a Regenerative Practitioner with the Regenesis Institute with Pamela Mang, Joel Glanzberg, Alana Marsh, Drika & Laura Hunt last year—a life changing experience and true honor and privilege. Thereafter, I’ve continued exploring Daniel Christian Wahl’s work on Regenerative Cultures and literally all public work by Carol Sanford on Regenerative Business, Life, Indirect Work, etc. The recent spotlight on Regenerative Design and Development (RDD) presents a unique opportunity for us to delve into its rich history and evolution since the 1990s. While the term "regenerative" has gained popularity in recent years, its roots evolved from ancient Socratic philosophies, prehistoric indigenous knowledge, and communal practices. As we embrace Regenerative Design and Development (RDD) in the modern era, it rightfully takes center stage as a powerful tool for humanity. This collective opportunity urges us to become responsible stewards of our planet and recognize our interconnectedness with Earth's living systems. By embracing RDD, we can avoid self-destruction and pave the way for a thriving, sustainable future for all. “🇧🇪 As part of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a high level event on Regenerative Development and Design (RDD) took place in April 2024. 🍃 RDD is a discipline to elevate governance, innovation and planetary health. Based on a holistic worldview, including humans and economies as an intrinsic part of nature. It integrates aspects of ancient Indigenous knowledge and Eastern philosophical and spiritual wisdom traditions with the latest insights from modern Western science. 🇪🇺 The study explores the concept of Regenerative Development and Design and analyzes the value added it can bring to current approaches of sustainability and EU environmental legislations.” The groundswell of interest in RDD is undeniable, yet this path requires introspection and dedication as we challenge our own beliefs and actions to shape a better world. I'm committed to this collective journey, supporting and collaborating with others who share a passion for embracing uncomfortable growth and intentional provocation to co-create a better future. I encourage everyone interested or just curious about regenerative practice to join me in exploring the rich history and development of RDD, and together, let's make the changes we desperately need at home, work, in our communities, businesses, economic systems and local environments. Are you ready to get started? ➡️Read the full study to begin your journey: https://lnkd.in/e6XHxP49 I’m curious what regeneration & RDD means to others. Please comment with your perspective, questions, reflections and insights.

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🌱 Vlaio opens #climate transition call for subsidies ➡ VLAIO - Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship has published an application procedure for the installation of large-scale electric boilers and heat pumps. ➡ The call is part of the government’s climate transition policy, developed to support companies in investing in energy-saving infrastructure and products that reduce CO2 emissions. All you need to know 👇🏾 https://lnkd.in/exhNvnnh

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