Brussels/Netherlands, September 23 – New research released today shows for the first time the extent of damage being caused by the European Union’s increasing use of biofuels [1]. The research focuses on the massive expansion of palm oil in the Indonesian district of Ketapang and reports on the deforestation, illegal operations and social conflicts caused …
World’s Biggest Palm Oil Trader Shamed
2 reports revealing that Wilmar, the world’s biggest trader in palm oil, is illegally logging rainforests, setting forests on fire and violating the rights of local communities in Indonesia. Policy, practice, pride and prejudice: Review of legal, environmental and social practices of oil palm plantation companies of the Wilmar Group in Sambas District, West Kalimantan …
Compromise cars legislation is dead-end for environment
Brussels, 2 December 2008 – Commenting on the agreement reached last night by European decision-makers on a new regulation on cars and CO2, Jeroen Verhoeven, car efficiency campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe said: “This is a profoundly wrong outcome on a vital piece of climate legislation. Instead of making the car industry put …
Compromise cars legislation is dead-end for environmentRead more
New research reveals European land grab in developing countries
Brussels, 28 November 2008 – New research published today reveals that the increasing demand for animal feed and agrofuels in the European Union is resulting in the loss of unique forests, serious climate emissions and rural conflict in developing countries [1]. The EU now uses over 16 million hectares of farmland every year to feed …
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EU risks ‘climate time bomb’ on biofuels
Brussels, 26 November – As negotiations over new EU targets for biofuels enter a critical final phase, environment and development campaigners have warned of a ‘climate time bomb’ if so-called ‘sustainability criteria’ are not dramatically improved. The EU’s proposed renewable energy directive (RED) calls for 10 per cent of transport fuel to come from renewable …
EU raw materials initiative: industry interests undermine sustainable resource use
Brussels, 5 November 2008 – Friends of the Earth Europe has expressed severe concerns about the ‘Raw Materials Initiative’ announced today by the European Commission [1] which it says will have a detrimental effect on the environment and developing countries. The plan outlines ways that the European Union, member states and industry could avoid raw …
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