MEPs adopt five new laws to enable the EU to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with at least 55% by 2030.
MEPs adopted key laws to reach 2030 climate target, the reform of the EU’s Emissions Trading System including for aviation and maritime, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and a new Social Climate fund.
On Tuesday, Parliament approved the deals reached with EU countries in late 2022 on several key pieces of legislation that are part of the “Fit for 55 in 2030 package”. This is the EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels in line with the European Climate Law.
Emissions Trading System reform
The reform of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) was adopted with 413 votes in favour to 167 against and 57 abstentions. It increases the ambition of the ETS, as GHG emissions in the ETS sectors must be cut by 62% by 2030 compared to 2005-levels. It also phases out free allowances to companies from 2026 until 2034 and creates a separate new ETS II for fuel for road transport and buildings that will put a price on GHG emissions from these sectors in 2027 (or 2028 if energy prices are exceptionally high).
Parliament also voted to include, for the first time, GHG emissions from the maritime sector in the ETS (500 votes to 131 and 11 abstentions) and agreed to the revision of the ETS for aviation (463 votes to 117 and 64 abstentions). This will phase out the free allowances to the aviation sector by 2026 and promote the use of sustainable aviation fuels.
New carbon leakage instrument created
With 487 votes to 81 and 75 abstentions, Parliament adopted the rules for the new EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which aims to incentivise non-EU countries to increase their climate ambition and to ensure that EU and global climate efforts are not undermined by production being relocated from the EU to countries with less ambitious policies.
The goods covered by CBAM are iron, steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, hydrogen as well as indirect emissions under certain conditions. Importers of these goods would have to pay any price difference between the carbon price paid in the country of production and the price of carbon allowances in the EU ETS.
The CBAM will be phased in from 2026 until 2034 at the same speed as the free allowances in the EU ETS are being phased out.
The deal with member states to set up an EU Social Climate Fund (SCF) in 2026 to ensure that the climate transition will be fair and socially inclusive was adopted with 521 votes to 75 and 43 abstentions. Vulnerable households, micro-enterprises and transport users who are particularly affected by energy and transport poverty will benefit from this. When fully in place, the SCF will be funded from auctioning ETS II allowances up to an amount of €65 billion, with an additional 25% covered by national resources (amounting to an estimated total of €86,7 billion).
The texts now also have to be formally endorsed by Council. They will then be published in the EU Official Journal and enter into force 20 days later.
In adopting these pieces of legislation, Parliament is responding to the expectations of citizens for the EU to accomplish and speed up the green transition as expressed in Proposals 3(1), 3(8), 3(9), 11(1) and 11(7), of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.
From April 5 to 11, Bitter Winter, its parent organization CESNUR, and the Brussels-based NGO Human Rights Without Frontiers organized a fact-finding tour of Taiwan, where they had decided to organize the 2023 edition of their International Forum on Freedom of Religion or Belief. The delegation included representatives from CESNUR and Bitter Winter (the undersigned and Marco Respinti, our magazine’s director-in-charge), Human Rights Without Frontiers (Willy Fautré, co-founder and director), the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (Rosita Šorytė), the European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom (Eric Roux), the Forum for Religious Freedom Europe (Peter Zoehrer), the Coordination des associations et des particuliers pour la liberté de conscience (Thierry Valle and Christine Mirre), Soteria International (Camelia Marin), the Fundación para la mejora de la vida, la cultura y la sociedad (Iván Arjona Pelado), the Italian Islamic association As-Salàm (Davide Suleyman Amore), and American scholar Donald Westbrook, from San José State University and the University of Texas at Austin.
The events they participated in were organized in cooperation and with the local support of the Taiwan Human Rights Think Tank, the New School for Democracy, and Citizen Congress Watch.
Taiwan was selected as the location for the Forum to express the scholars and human rights activists’ solidarity with the Republic of China at a time when it is the subject of geopolitical threats, and even leaders of Western democracies release ambiguous statements about its future. In these circumstances, as we said, we feel we are all Taiwanese.
A session of the forum on April 9.
The Forum, held on April 9 at National Taiwan University, and initiatives organized to discuss freedom of religion or belief issues at Aletheia University (which had already hosted a CESNUR conference in 2011) and Soochow University, and a seminar I taught at National Chengchi University, were international in scope. Echoing documents from the United Nations and the U.S. Department of State, we presented a global situation where problems of freedom of religion or belief are not getting better but worse.
Willy Fautré speaking at Soochow University.
The topics discussed ranged from the consequences of the war in Ukraine for religious liberty to media hostility to religion and religious minorities in several countries, the improper use of taxes to harass unpopular religious and spiritual movements, and specific problems in Eastern Europe, Russia, China, France, Belgium, Japan, Italy, and other countries. We noted, in particular, that groups stigmatized as “cults” (or “xie jiao,” in Mandarin) are among the most discriminated, slandered by the media, and persecuted. We also discussed, in dialogue with Taiwanese scholars, how different religious traditions such as Protestantism, Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, and new religious movements approach the problems of freedom of religion or belief.
Bitter Winter’s director-in-charge Marco Respinti speaking at Aletheia University.
The purpose of the events was not purely academic. It was advocacy-oriented, as all the organizations represented struggle to improve the situation of freedom of religion or belief throughout the world. And it was also a fact-finding mission, as we wanted to learn about the situation of religious pluralism and religious liberty in Taiwan. We met with representatives and visited temples and churches of several religions and spiritual movements, including the Roman Catholic Church, some of the main Buddhist orders (including the headquarters of Fo Guang Shan), the Muslim community, the Church of Scientology, Weixin Shengjiao, and Tai Ji Men. We also had a very moving visit to the National Human Rights Museum, located in a former military compound where during the White Terror period opponents of the military regime where detained and tortured. We were privileged to have as a tour guide Fred Him-San Chin, a Taiwanese born in Malaysia who was wrongfully imprisoned for twelve years, from 1971 to 1983.
Fred Him-San Chin showing how inmates were detained in unhealthy conditions.
We visited human rights organizations and mainstream media, including the “Taipei Times” where we met with the daily’s editor (interestingly, on the very day when its main editorial quoted Bitter Winter), and the new TV network Mirror TV, and the Presidential Palace.
Forum participants visit the “Taipei Times.”
The two most important visits, however, occurred when we were received at the Legislative Yuan (Taiwan’s Parliament) by its President, Yu Shy-Kun, and visited the Control Yuan (a unique Taiwanese “fourth power” in addition to the legislative, executive, and judiciary, controlling the other three) and met with its President, Chen Chu, her collaborators, members of the Taiwan Human Rights Commission, and Pusin Tali, Taiwan’s Ambassador-at-large for international religious liberty. In both cases, we had exchanges lasting more than one hour on religious freedom issues. These visits were largely covered by the main Taiwanese media.
We reiterated to President Yu and President Chen that we love Taiwan, stand for Taiwan against international threats, and appreciate Taiwan’s effort to prove to the world that Chinese tradition and culture are fully compatible with democracy. On the other hand, we noted that no country is perfect, including our own countries in the West, and unsolved issues of human rights and freedom of religion or belief exist everywhere. If we noted some in Taiwan, it is precisely because we are Taiwan’s friends and care for its international image.
Ambassador Pusin Tali, Massimo Introvigne, and President Chen Chu at the Control Yuan.
We discussed transitional justice, i.e., the effort to rectify human rights abuses after a transition from authoritarianism to democracy, a problem some of us coming from Eastern Europe or Italy, which also had to move from totalitarian regimes to democracies, are familiar with. We noted that Taiwanese laws offer measures to rectify abuses of human rights that happened before 1992, but that leaves open the question of violations of human rights after that date, including the politically motivated crackdown that hit several religious and spiritual minorities in 1996.
We told Taiwanese authorities that in most international conferences and events about freedom of religion or belief, including in the United States, while Taiwan is generally praised for its attitude towards religious pluralism, a particular case is invariably discussed, the one of Tai Ji Men. This menpai (similar to a school) of qigong, martial arts, and self-cultivation, whose Shifu (Grand Master), Dr. Hong Tao-Tze we also met, was one of the victims of the 1996 crackdown. It continued to be harassed through ill-founded tax bills even after courts of law, up to the Supreme Court in 2007, had declared that it was not guilty of any crime, including tax evasion.
We found that both President Yu and President Chen were well aware of the Tai Ji Men case, and knew that it is widely discussed internationally. While they emphasized the independence of Taiwan’s judiciary, they also assured us that they will operate to find a just, reasonable, and political solution of this long-lasting case. We told them that, as foreign scholars and human rights experts, it would be arrogant for us to tell Taiwanese how to solve a Taiwanese problems. But we put ourselves as their disposal, as friends both of Taiwan and of freedom of religion or belief, to help with suggestions if requested, and participate in a dialogue aimed at solving a case that creates problems for its international image Taiwan certainly does not need in this particular historical moment.
Some of the Forum participants at the Control Yuan.
We felt at home in Taiwan, were moved by the warm welcome we received everywhere, and some of us even suggested that Taiwan will become the permanent home of our religious liberty Forums. We were also very much impressed by how many Taiwanese political and cultural leaders are familiar with Bitter Winter, and assured them that we will continue our efforts to provide every day quality information on issues of freedom of religion or belief.
Against the backdrop of China’s continued rise as a political and economic powerhouse on the world stage, MEPs discussed the need unity in policy on China for a coherent strategy on this superpower.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell stressed the need for a united EU approach to China.
We cannot speak with one voice as there are multiple voices within the EU, but at least we need to be on the same wavelength, he said. Recalling that EU relations with China have worsened recently due to EU sanctions, difficulties with Lithuania and Chinese military exercises in the Strait of Taiwan, he stressed that although the EU and China are in rival mode the EU needs to keep talking to China. Due to its massive influence in the world, we cannot stop talking to it because it is not a democracy, Mr Borrell stressed. China is not Russia; it is a superpower that is growing, especially in the global south. When it comes to China, there are four areas of particular interest: EU values, economic security, Taiwan and Ukraine, he concluded.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that China’s rise as an international political and economic actor, as well as the EU’s own interests, make it all the more important for Europe to manage its relationship with Beijing. “And for me, that shows that decoupling is not viable, desirable or even practical for Europe. But there is clearly a need for Europe to work on de-risking some important and sensitive parts of our relationship.” Europe must carve out its own, distinct approach that also leaves space for cooperation with other partners too, she said. “And the starting point for this is the need to have a shared and very clear-eyed picture of the risks and the opportunities in our engagement with China.”
MEPs were united in their call for an effective, consistent and unified strategy on China. We cannot be confrontational, but our policy should be based on reciprocity, mutual respect and respect of international law, they said. The EU has to defend its economic interests and values. Some criticised the recent statement by French President Macron on Taiwan, deeming it naive to say Taiwan does not concern Europe. They also pointed out that the delivery of arms to Russia and changing the status quo on Taiwan are not acceptable for the EU. Against the backdrop of China’s oppression of the Uyghurs and other minorities in the Xinjiang region, some Members urged the EU to keep pushing Beijing to respect human rights, saying these rights are not an afterthought to the EU’s foreign policy, but rather constitute the core of it.
It is a less-known fact that the American Stryker vehicles are also used in military engineering squads. There, they are equipped with specialized add-on devices to facilitate different tasks, such as clearing minefields.
According to the open source intelligence community OSINT, Ukraine already operates Strykers with mine rollers, also known as mine clearance blades.
The United States approved the transfer of 90 Stryker armored vehicles to Ukraine. This number included at least 20 specialized engineering squad vehicles M1132 (ESV) will a full set of gear needed to neutralize anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.
US supplied Stryker IFVs in Ukrainian service, as seen here, a mine-roller equipped M1132 Engineer Squad Vehicle (ESV) is followed by an M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV). pic.twitter.com/4ahPxJhXot
What makes M1132 different compared to other demining equipment?
M1132 is not a simple engineering vehicle. It maintains the same level of protection as regular combat models, and can fully support military engineers on the battlefield. They also carry obstacle-clearing and mine-detection devices, as well as a mine-clearance blade.
Depending on mission requirements, M1132 can tow a wheeled trailer containing additional equipment that can be used by the engineering squad specialists.
The vehicle is also armed with an M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun or MK19 40 mm grenade launcher mounted in a remote weapon station. It is not known yet which kind of armament is present on the units transferred to Ukraine.
M1132 can reach a maximum speed of up to 100 km/h (62 mph), and has an operational range of up to 500 km (300 miles).
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On April 18th the European Patients’ Rights Day is celebrated, which is the annual recurrence that celebrates patients’ and civil society organisations in their efforts to advance patients’ rights at the global and European level.
The European Patients’ Rights Day was created by the Active Citizenship Network to inform, discuss, and take commitments to improve patients’ rights in Europe and in each Member State.
European Patients’ Rights Day complements the mission of many practitioners and civil society organizations to advance the interests of patients and patients’ communities by increasing the awareness of human rights and specifically patient’s rights while strengthening their collective impact across Europe through effective advocacy, education, empowerment, exposing any all sorts of abuses, and of course, creating partnerships.
Patients rights are still not completely upheld everywhere and many european countries still have laws that violate the convention of the rights of people with dissabilities, by allowing or even authorizing through courts, involuntary medical treatments and involuntary commitments, as it is the case of a 30 years young Spanish citizen, being held in the Provincial Hospital Santiago de Compostela (Conxo), against his will and applyelectroshocks against his will (as many as 9, and which in this context could be considered torture by the WHO and the UN) and without the consent of the family.
There are quite some groups around Europe that fight for the rights of the patients and here you can find a few of them who putsa spotlight on patients’ voices.
The European Patients’ Forum is the leading voice of patient organisations in Europe. What defines and drives our vision?
We lead patient advocacy in Europe providing a cross-disease perspective from a wide patient community to the policy-making process on issues which have a direct impact on patients’ lives.
ELPA strongly believes that patients’ rights will be improved in Europe and beyond, transforming patients’ traditional role from mere targets and users of health services to active citizens participating in the healthcare crafting. Patients should be more involved in assessing and evaluating health care systems, participating in policy-making processes, designing clinical trials, drafting medical information.
“In the case of diagnosed severe aortic stenosis, delayed treatment can be life threatening – so patients have a right to be treated on time with the best available treatments. In 2021, the Global Heart Hub commits to raising awareness of these rights”
Neil Johnson Director of Development, Global Heart Hub
Criminalisation of key populations groups affected by HIV/AIDS and co-infections is a key obstacle to an effective response. In 2021, EATG is committed to scale up advocacy for these key populations whose rights are overridden, particularly in Central Europe and the EECA region (Eastern Europe and Central Asia).
This is a human rights watchdog organization on the field of mental health, exposing abuses in the fields of psychiatry, and advocating for the eradication of laws that permit psychiatric abuses. The first organization of its kind was founded in 1969 in the United States, and they now have over 200 sister organizations in 34 countries. The European chapters often contribute to consultations at the UN and the Committee on the Rights of the Child. They also recently achieved a major victory for patients’ rights on a case in which the Spanish Society of Psychiatry did not want CCHR to document, expose or criticise the abuses committed in the field.
All European Patients have the right to equal access to treatment and diagnosis no matter where they live. This is one of the 10 key overarching rights of the European Code of Cancer Practice which aims to inform and assist patients at all stages of their cancer journey. EUROPA DONNA- The European Breast Cancer Coalition supports the Code and commits to continue advocating for patients’ rights as we have done for more than 25 years.
WFIPP has a project called World Continence Week taking place 21st to 27th June. The aim is to help raise awareness of incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders. In doing so, we hope to engage patients via our newly launched Digital Platform Support in Continence, a web/based tool as a blueprint for patients and their families and healthcare professionals alike. This will help improve patients´rights in Europe and beyond.
ARAM is already very active at the European level on behalf of its members. It joins other European organisations to ensure that common issues experienced by patients in other European countries as well, will be addressed at the European level to ensure that patients’ rights are respected everywhere. Fairer and healthier for everyone or none at all!
They continue to advocate for the rights of family caregivers of severely mentally ill persons to be recognised by the mental health care system as partners in care and for mentally ill persons with disabling conditions to access the same rights to welfare benefits as persons with a disability. They continue to enable survivors of domestic violence to access peer mentoring support so that they too accompany other survivors in their journey towards resiliency, healing and a better future.
In 2021, EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe commits to assisting European Union institutions to develop a new EU Action Plan for Rare Diseases, which will lead to improved policy and a better future for the 30 million people living with a rare disease in Europe. They continue to advocate for the adoption of a UN Resolution on Addressing the Challenges of Persons Living with a Rare Disease to protect and promote the rights of persons with rare diseases worldwide.
For the first time in the Sahel, 45,000 people are at risk of experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger, or one step away from famine, they said. The majority, 42,000, are in Burkina Faso and Mali, where violent unrest in some areas has hampered the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The combined effects of conflict, climate shocks, the COVID-19 pandemic and high food prices, continue to drive up hunger and malnutrition in the region.
The number of people who do not have regular access to safe and nutritious food is expected to reach 48 million during the lean season from June to August, according to the latest analysis from Cadre Harmonisé, an early warning tool used by humanitarians.
This represents a fourfold increase in the last five years, and the results further confirm a longer-term trend towards a geographic expansion of food security.
“The spiralling food security and nutrition situation in Western Africa is just heart-breaking,” said Chris Nikoi, Regional Director for the World Food Programme (WFP).
“There is a crucial need for massive investment in strengthening the capacities of communities and individuals to withstand shocks while prioritizing local and long-term solutions to food production, transformation and access for vulnerable groups,” he added.
Child malnutrition rising
WFP alongside the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, have renewed their call for greater support to Governments in the region.
The data further showed that 16.5 million children under five are set to face acute malnutrition this year, including nearly five million who are at risk of debilitating severe malnutrition.
Their numbers represent a staggering 83 percent rise in global acute malnutrition compared to the 2015 to 2022 average.
Harder to help now
Conflict and population displacement are also fuelling the crisis, leading to reduced access to essential health, nutrition and water and sanitation services, as well as social protection.
“Growing insecurity and conflict means vulnerability is increasing in the region, and it is getting harder to help communities in isolated areas,” said Marie-Pierre Poirier, Regional Director for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Access to food, as well as availability, remain a major concern despite improved rainfall last year.
Trend will worsen
West and Central Africa are dependent on imports, but currency depreciation and high inflation are causing food import bills to rise. The situation is unfolding even as Governments grapple with major fiscal constraints and macroeconomic challenges.
There are also concerns that restrictions on seasonal cattle movements, and high concentrations of livestock in some areas, could lead to further deterioration in pastoral and security conditions.
Robert Guei, FAO’s Sub-regional Coordinator for West Africa, said the continued deterioration of the food and nutrition situation is “unacceptable”.
He added that despite the increase of cereal production, access to food for most people remains challenging as markets have been disrupted because of insecurity and high food prices.
“This trend will probably continue to worsen the food and nutrition situation and therefore we must address the root causes of this crisis in a concerted manner and immediately,” he said. “It is time for action to boost agricultural production to achieve food sovereignty in our region.”
Support regional governments
The UN agencies again appealed to development and humanitarian partners, and the private sector, to step up support to central governments.
“The food and nutrition crisis has a multi-sectoral impact on the living conditions of affected populations in the region, in areas already experiencing humanitarian crises and in all West and Central African countries,” said Charles Bernimolin, Head of OCHA’s office for the region.
“This requires the collective deployment of multisectoral approaches based on the needs expressed by the population putting West and Central Africa people at the centre,” he added.
“Sudan has already endured so much pain and suffering. The fighting is born out of power games and personal interests that only serve to alienate the democratic aspirations of the population,” said Mr. Türk, adding, “Do those responsible not understand that the civilian population now only craves a peaceful life?”
The Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces have been locked in intense fighting for four days. The unrest erupted as Sudan appeared to be returning to the path towards democratic transition following three decades of military rule.
International media reported that the sides have agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire, which is set to begin at 6pm, local time.
In the interim, 270 people have been killed, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the authorities. Three staff members from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) working in Darfur were among the victims.
Another 2,700 people have been injured, and humanitarian operations in many states in the country have come to a halt.
“Thousands upon thousands of civilians are trapped in their homes, shielding from the fighting, with no electricity, unable to venture out and worried about running out of food, drinking water and medicine,” Mr. Türk said.
‘Common sense must prevail’
He urged the warring sides to remind their fighters of their obligation to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, as stated under international law.
The UN rights chief also said he was appalled by reports of attempted rape. He called for prompt, thorough and independent investigations into the killings of civilians, including the WFP staff, along with other reported violations, adding that those responsible must be held to account.
“Only a few weeks ago, Sudan appeared to be on the right path towards an agreement that would restore civilian rule,” said Mr. Türk. “Common sense must prevail, and all parties must act to de-escalate tensions. The shared interests of the Sudanese people must come first.”
Vote on Revision of the Regulation on the trans-European transport network (TEN-T)
Major EU transport infrastructure projects should focus more on sustainable transport, avoid delays and establish links with Ukraine and Moldova, say transport MEPs.
On Thursday, the Transport and Tourism Committee adopted its position on the review of trans-European transport (TEN-T) rules. This is the EU’s plan to build a network of railways, roads, inland waterways and short sea shipping routes connected through ports and terminals across the European Union. Current TEN-T projects range from Rail Baltica, connecting Helsinki and Warsaw, to Brenner Base Tunnel, linking Austria and Italy, or the Lisbon–Madrid high-speed rail line.
Sustainable transport
The Transport and Tourism Committee advocate for unified technical and operational standards for each transport mode and stress that intermodal transport should be primarily done by rail, inland waterways or short-sea shipping, while any initial and/or final legs can be carried out by road. This should translate into fully electrified railways in the core TEN-T network, running with at least of 160 km/h passenger and 100 km/h cargo trains, which could cross internal EU borders in less than 15 minutes by the end of 2030.
MEPs ask member states to adopt sustainable urban mobility plans by the end of 2025 to integrate different transport modes, including cycling or active mobility, reduce congestion and improve road safety. This plan should become one of the conditions to get EU funding.
No delays
MEPs reaffirm a need to complete major transport infrastructure projects by the end of 2030 on the core TEN-T network, and by the end of 2050 on a comprehensive network focussed particularly on eliminating bottlenecks and missing links and better empowering 11 European Coordinators. To incentivise a quick roll-out of these projects, MEPs support the introduction of an intermediary deadline of 2040. In the event of a significant delay, MEPs suggest the Commission should immediately launch an infringement procedure and reduce or terminate funding.
Partnership with third countries and military mobility
Following Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Transport Committee backed cutting transport infrastructure projects with Russia and Belarus and enhancing instead the partnership with Ukraine and Moldova. MEPs also want EU governments to exclude non-EU businesses from participating in major TEN-T projects, if the Commission deems them to be a security risk.
When constructing or upgrading TEN-T infrastructure, EU countries would have to ensure seamless transfer of military troops and material within the EU, say MEPs. Within one year after the new rules enter into force, the Commission would conduct a study on short-notice large-scale movement to facilitate military mobility planning.
Quotes
Co-rapporteur Barbara Thaler (EPP, AT) said: “Everybody is talking about shifting transport to rail. However, while cars, trucks or planes can cross EU borders without any problems, trains, especially cargo ones, are forced to stop at borders, sometimes for hours, to adapt to the requirements of different member states. That is why it is particularly important to ensure that rail border crossings should take no more than 15 minutes, and there should also be slots for freight trains allocated across borders. It is ambitious, but necessary if we want to succeed in shifting traffic from road to rail.”
Co-rapporteur Dominque Riquet (Renew, FR) added: “Transport infrastructure is essential, serves as the backbone of our economy and prosperity, while increasing cohesion and contributing to achieving the Union’s climate targets. However, we are facing too much delay on the ground; Europe is starting to lag behind our international competitors, and the Union is suffering from too little investment and a lack of political will from the member states. As such, Parliament will make sure that we have a TEN-T regulation which works and delivers for our businesses and citizens.”
Next steps
The draft negotiating mandate was approved by 44 votes in favour, none against and one abstention. Transport Committee MEPs also unanimously (44 votes in favour) backed a decision to start talks with member states on the final shape of the legislation, once plenary gives its green light next week.
Vitaly Merinov, a four-time world kickboxing champion, died last week in hospital as a result of leg injuries sustained while fighting for the Ukrainian armed forces in Luhansk. The athlete joined the Ukrainian army as a volunteer just days after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. During the war, he was assigned to Ivano-Frankivsk.
Mayor Ruslan Marcinkov confirmed the death of 32-year-old Merinov, who leaves behind a wife and a small child.
The authorities in Kiev estimated that 262 Ukrainian athletes died defending their homeland against Russian aggressors.
For this reason, the Ukrainian government has asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from the upcoming Olympic Games to be held in Paris next year.
Merinov is not the only kickboxer who died fighting the Russians – Ukrainian world kickboxing champion Maxim Kagal died in March last year in the battle for Mariupol as part of the special forces of the dreaded “Azov Battalion”.
Mykola Zabchuk, also a kickboxer, died during the Russian invasion. Among the other famous Ukrainian athletes who lost their lives are the football player Sergey Balanchuk, Ludmila Chernetska (bodybuilding), Alexander Serbinov (athletics), reports the magazine “Sports Angels”. This is a magazine that was created last year with the help of the Sports Committee of Ukraine to report on the situation of athletes in the country, and which has so far published all cases of dead Ukrainian athletes.
Official data, published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA), confirm that the economic recovery in 2021 increased the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions but their level remained lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the EU has reduced its emissions by 30% since 1990.
The emission inventory shows that EU greenhouse gas emissions increased considerably, by 6.2%, from 2020 to 2021 but remained at lower level than before the pandemic. According to the EEA analysis, the main reasons for the emission increase from 2020 to 2021 were the overall economic recovery after the 2020 lockdowns, increased coal use in the power sector and higher transport demand.
Considering the entire 1990-2021 period, there is still a clear, long-term trend of decreasing emissions in the EU. The total net greenhouse gas emissions of the 27 EU Member States have decreased by about 30% from 1990 to 2021 while the EU economy has grown by 61%, the EEA report notes.
Main contributing factors to the long-term decrease include the growing use of renewables, burning less coal, improving energy efficiency, structural changes in the EU economy and milder winters. Despite the increase of 2021, the use of coal in public electricity and heat production has been halved in the EU since 1990.
Most economic sectors in the EU have reduced their emissions from 1990 to 2021, with biggest cuts in public electricity and heat production. Emissions have increased in transport and cooling sectors, and net removals have decreased in forest land due to increased harvesting and aging and slower growth of forests.
Later this year, the EEA will publish its annual ‘Trends and projections’ analysis on the EU progress towards its climate and energy goals, and the approximated greenhouse gas emission data for 2022. The EU has committed to an at least 55% reduction in net emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050.
