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Euractiv
07-07-2025
- Business
- Euractiv
Green groups uneasy as EU bets on market to drive nature restoration
The European Commission believes a market for nature credits will unlock private financing to fund ecosystem restoration and biodiversity protection, but critics are sounding the alarm over what they fear may become another greenwashing tool. Months after Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen floated the idea of a cash-for-nature scheme, the EU executive has developed the idea further with the publication of a nature credits roadmap. 'This not about turning nature into a commodity, but about recognising and rewarding actions that restore and sustain nature," environment commissioner Jessika Roswall told reporters on Monday. "Nature credits are emerging as a promising tool to change how we value nature,' she said. The Commission envisages a scheme to reward farmers and landowners for environmental actions and sustainable management that goes beyond legal obligations, thus reconciling the economics of farming and forestry with nature preservation. According to the roadmap, a nature credit is 'a unit that represents a nature-positive outcome, derived from a certified and independently verified action'. The fungible units would be generated in two steps. A given action, such as the restoration of drained wetland, must first pass a 'high-quality' standards test and be certified. The project must then be monitored, with the issuance of nature credits linked to demonstrable results. '[W]e face a €37 billion annual gap in biodiversity financing across the EU. To close it, we must unlock private finance to complement public support,' Roswall said. At a time when there is growing awareness that biodiversity loss leads to financial and economic risks – with 75% of European businesses dependent in some way on ecosystem services – the new market-based tool is presented as complementary to public funding. With the finance gap estimated globally at $200 billion a year until the end of the decade, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity calls for increased and diversified flows of money into nature restoration. Greenwashing risks To lay the groundwork for a future EU nature credits market, the Commission plans to launch an expert group tasked with developing initial criteria and methodologies over the coming year. In parallel, an EU-wide pilot project is slated to run from 2025 to 2027, after the Commission tested the concept in two national pilot projects in Estonia and France. 'To avoid greenwashing is key,' Roswall said, adding that it was 'crucial that we can trust nature'. But warnings have already emerged about a lack of demand for nature credits, even before the scheme gets off the ground. The Commission's efforts to avoid accusations of greenwashing – which have previously dogged the market for carbon credits used to outsource climate action – have not staved off criticism that it is promoting a false, possible even destructive, solution. 'It is absurd that discussions around nature finance are relying on a pilot that increases environmental destruction,' said Siim Kuresoo, a campaigner with the forest protection group Fern. Specifically, the NGO claims that one of the nature credits pilot projects, in Estonia, has led to 27 hectares of forest being clear-cut, some of it in ecologically sensitive areas. Roswall declined to answer when asked by Euractiv whether she was aware of or acknowledged this criticism. 'Nature credits are a cover for inaction, a greenwashing shortcut that allows corporations to keep destroying nature as long as they pay for it," said Clara Bourgin, a nature campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe. "This is not the time for market schemes that benefit only a few while putting nature at risk," Bourgin said. (rh, aw)
RTÉ News
04-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Ryanair cancels 400 flights due to French ATC strike
Ryanair has cancelled 400 flights affecting 70,000 passengers over the last two days due to a nationwide air traffic controller strike in France, the airline's CEO said today. Michael O'Leary described the strike as "recreational", adding French unions are "struggling to find reasons to go out on strike". As of 7am, 14 flights scheduled to fly in/out of Dublin Airport today have been cancelled by airlines. This follows the cancellation of 20 flights yesterday. Frencg civil aviation agency DGAC told airlines to cancel 40% of flights at the three main Paris airports today because of the strike, which the air traffic controllers say is over staff shortages and ageing equipment. Up to half of flights at France's other airports, mostly in the south, were also affected, DGAC added. French transport minister Philippe Tabarot called the strike unacceptable. "The idea is to disturb as many people as possible," he said in an interview with CNews. Even with the cancellations, DGAC warned that passengers could be affected by delays and significant disruptions. The Airlines for Europe (A4E) lobby group said last night that 1,500 flights had been cancelled over the two-day strike, affecting 300,000 passengers and causing cascading delays. Passengers due to fly to or over mainland Europe today are advised to check directly with their airline for latest updates on the status of their flight. Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said the "biggest issue" with the ATC strike is overflights. He said that in most European countries, such as Spain and Italy and Greece, overflights are protected when there is an air traffic controller strike. "In other words, the flights crossing over the country are protected and can operate," he said. Mr O'Leary said Ryanair and other airlines across Europe "have been calling on Ursula Von der Leyen, the President EU Commission, for about five years now to take steps to protect overflights". "They won't stand up to the French and therefore every June, July, thousands of people and their families have their flights disrupted by a tiny number of French air traffic controllers," he said. "When the Brexit negotiations were going on Ursula Von der Leyen was telling everybody the single market is at the core of Europe," he said. "But when the French closed the sky and protect their local French flights, she sits by idly doing nothing while they cancel all the overflights," she added. French air traffic controlloers holding countries to ranson - Jacobs The chief executive of Dublin and Cork Airports operator daa has said that French air traffic controllers are holding other countries to ransom, which they do annually, with their strikes. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Kenny Jacobs said that in addition to the flights that have been cancelled, there will also be significant delays due to the strike. "This is the annual ransom by a very small group of French air traffic controllers. About 50 air traffic controllers in Paris have disrupted the plans of over half a million European travellers on the big exodus where everyone goes on their holidays and it's simply unacceptable," he stated. "It happens every year. They only strike on Fridays and it's unacceptable. Europe needs to do something and it's very unfair to the Irish families flying from Dublin to Faro wondering why they're suffering a four-to-six-hour delay because they're not going to France, but they're flying over France," he said. "The key thing that Europe needs to do is say to the French, flights over France cannot be disrupted if you're having a strike, that's your problem," he said. Mr Jacobs said that Ryanair has over 1,000,000 signatories and the airline is calling for legislation to be passed at the EU. "I think it's absolutely up to the EU to tackle the French government and say, look, we have a single Europe. We want a single Europe on many different fronts. Why can't we have a single European Sky," he said. "Dublin-based air traffic controllers could run French airspace so Europe can fix this. They're the ones who need to tackle it, and it's about time that that happens," he said. In relation to the number of visitors coming through Dublin airport, the daa CEO said traffic was flat in the first quarter of 2025 due to the passenger cap but in the second quarter there was a 4% increase. "Europeans in June are up 6% and Americans coming here is up 4% and overall Dublin is for the month of June is up 5.5%, while Cork is up is 'stonking' 15%". "We're very dependent on tourism as a small island economy and that creates a lot of jobs. We want to keep people coming to Ireland and we want to keep Irish people connecting with Europe and the rest of the world," he stated. On the Dublin Airport passenger cap, Mr Jacobs said the airport have two applications in with Fingal County Council - one for a cap of 36 million and one for 40 million. "I actually think the Irish Government will fix the situation and find a solution for the passenger cap. I think that will come in the autumn. I hope it comes in the autumn because this is a unique Irish problem," he said. He said the passenger cap had caused uncertainty, which creates a problem for airlines. "This week we just saw TUI pulling two aircraft out of Dublin, partly because of that uncertainty," he added. "We want to create an environment where we can grow again. We want to get planning permission granted because the team at Dublin are doing a great job," Mr Jacobs said. "This is going to be a very strong summer, but we need more space and we need to add more piers and stands that will allow us to continue to grow," he added.
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
US tariffs, Gaza ceasefire, economy & dynamic pricing on gigs – Michael McGrath speaks on big issues facing Ireland
THE Irish Sun sat down with European Commissioner Michael McGrath in his office in the Berlaymont building in Brussels last week. 3 European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen Credit: AFP 3 Proposals will be taken forward next year to help protect consumer rights in an online environment Credit: EPA The wide-ranging brief sees him deal with everything from gangland At the same time, the Commission is dealing with a trade dispute with the Here, Michael McGrath gives The Irish Sun's Head of Content, Mark May, his assessment of some of the current issues facing Ireland and the EU. ON TARIFFS AN agreement is needed as soon as possible and we're doing everything we can to get one. The US side is very clear on what the EU position is, what our expectations are. READ MORE IN NEWS We are a trusted partner, a very reliable partner. Businesses crave certainty, predictability and stability and we want that as quickly as possible. Negotiating comprehensive trade agreements or settlements can take a long time. So it may not be possible to have a level of detail that you would normally have in a trade agreement completed by July 9, but hopefully we can have the outline of an agreement that can provide the stability we need. Most read in The Irish Sun ON OTHER MARKETS WE are finding the EU is being reached out to increasingly by countries all over the world who view us as a reliable partner, a tough negotiator but one that honours deals once they are made. Others want that certainty so we are in negotiations with a number of countries in We are always expanding the network of trade agreements we have. It's in the region of 44 trading agreements with about 76 countries and we are confident that will be extended. It's not possible to replace the US as a trading partner nor is that the objective. But we also have to look at opportunities elsewhere and we're pursuing every option. ON BIG TECH THE Digital Services Act is our digital rule book. There are various actions underway against companies in areas such as product safety, So we defend the DSA as vital for our overall architecture of the digital space and we continue to uphold and apply it without fear or favour. It doesn't just apply to American companies (as has been claimed by the The DSA does not target companies from any particular country. It is equally applied. We reserve the right to set legislation in the European Union and to apply it in an objective and even-handed manner. ON GAZA WE need an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. We need the full restoration of access for humanitarian aid, including by the international organization. We also need the What we are witnessing in Gaza is abhorrent and it is untenable. The international community has to work together to find a solution. We need an urgent ceasefire and we need the trucks that are waiting at the border to be allowed to enter Gaza. It is unconscionable that we are watching scenes of children who are clearly malnourished and emaciated while thousands of trucks of food and medicine are waiting at the border. ON THE ECONOMY I KNOW from my previous role there are a range of economic forecasts published by member states, including by the Irish government, which is forecasting continued growth, for the economy. Similarly we recently had the commission forecasts for the European economy which are predict growth. We would like it to be higher growth and that's why we are a very serious around the competitiveness agenda. The issues of trade have been to the fore and are complex and changing, but there are levers that are within our control and that is maximizing the potential of the EU single market. Although a recession is not forecast, you never know what can happen with an economic shock. But maximizing the potential in the market is largely within the control of the EU and its members. ON DYNAMIC PRICING I WILL be developing the Digital Fairness Act. We will bring forward proposals next year to help protect consumer rights in an online environment and also focus on the protection of minors. It will look at issues such as addictive design, dark patterns, the role of social media influencers, and child protection issues in the context of certain video games. MEPs have raised the issue of dynamic pricing and we have given a commitment that we will examine it. It doesn't mean it was necessarily lead need to a ban but, at a minimum, more information is needed for consumers joining a queue to buy concert tickets. 3 European Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath has vowed to develop the Digital Fairness Act Credit: EPA
France 24
06-06-2025
- Politics
- France 24
EU backs 'cornerstone of international justice' after US sanctions ICC judges
The EU gave its backing on Friday to the International Criminal Court after Washington imposed sanctions on four ICC judges, and EU member Slovenia said it would push Brussels to use its power to ensure the US sanctions could not be enforced in Europe. EU member France also said it was renewing its call on the US to withdraw all sanctions against the court. 'The ICC holds perpetrators of the world's gravest crimes to account and gives victims a voice. It must be free to act without pressure,' European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said on social media platform X. Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, which represents national governments of the 27 member states, called the court 'a cornerstone of international justice' and said its independence and integrity must be protected. US President Donald Trump 's administration imposed sanctions on four judges at the ICC in retaliation for the war tribunal's issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a past decision to open a case into alleged war crimes by US troops in Afghanistan. The US order names Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin and Beti Hohler of Slovenia. The US sanctions mean the judges are now on a list of specially designated sanctioned individuals. Any US assets they have will be blocked and they are put on an automated screening service used by not only American banks but many banks worldwide, making it very difficult for sanctioned persons to hold or open bank accounts or transfer money. Trump's initial order announcing sanctions on the ICC also said that US citizens who provide services for the benefit of sanctioned individuals could face civil and criminal penalties. France said on Friday it backed the International Criminal Court after Washington imposed sanctions on four ICC judges, and said it was renewing its call on the United States to withdraw all its sanctions against the court. "France expresses its solidarity with the judges targeted by this decision, and reaffirms its unwavering support for the ICC and its staff, whose role is essential in the fight against impunity," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Slovenia urges EU to block sanctions Slovenia urged the EU to use its blocking statute, which lets the EU ban European companies from complying with US sanctions that Brussels deems unlawful. The power has been used in the past to prevent Washington from banning European trade with Cuba and Iran. 'Due to the inclusion of a citizen of an EU member state on the sanctions list, Slovenia will propose the immediate activation of the blocking act,' Slovenia's foreign ministry said in a post on social media site X late on Thursday. ICC president Judge Tomoko Akane had urged the EU already in March this year to bring the ICC into the scope of the blocking statute. The new sanctions have been imposed at a difficult time for the ICC, which is already reeling from earlier US sanctions against its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, who last month stepped aside temporarily amid a United Nations investigation into alleged sexual misconduct. The court's governing body, which represents its 125 member states, on Friday condemned the US government's decision to retaliate against judges. 'These ... are regrettable attempts to impede the Court and its personnel in the exercise of their independent judicial functions,' the Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties said.
Straits Times
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
EU backs International Criminal Court after US sanctions judges
FILE PHOTO: The International Criminal Court building is seen in The Hague, Netherlands, January 16, 2019. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo BRUSSELS/THE HAGUE - The EU gave its backing on Friday to the International Criminal Court after Washington imposed sanctions on four ICC judges, and EU member Slovenia said it would push Brussels to use its power to ensure the U.S. sanctions could not be enforced in Europe. "The ICC holds perpetrators of the world's gravest crimes to account and gives victims a voice. It must be free to act without pressure," European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said on social media platform X. Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, which represents national governments of the 27 member states, called the court "a cornerstone of international justice" and said its independence and integrity must be protected. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration imposed sanctions on four judges at the ICC in retaliation for the war tribunal's issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a past decision to open a case into alleged war crimes by U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The U.S. order names Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin and Beti Hohler of Slovenia. The U.S. sanctions mean the judges are now on a list of specially designated sanctioned individuals. Any U.S. assets they have will be blocked and they are put on an automated screening service used by not only American banks but many banks worldwide, making it very difficult for sanctioned persons to hold or open bank accounts or transfer money. Trump's initial order announcing sanctions on the ICC also said that U.S. citizens who provide services for the benefit of sanctioned individuals could face civil and criminal penalties. Slovenia urged the EU to use its blocking statute, which lets the EU ban European companies from complying with U.S. sanctions that Brussels deems unlawful. The power has been used in the past to prevent Washington from banning European trade with Cuba and Iran. "Due to the inclusion of a citizen of an EU member state on the sanctions list, Slovenia will propose the immediate activation of the blocking act," Slovenia's foreign ministry said in a post on social media site X late on Thursday. ICC president Judge Tomoko Akane had urged the EU already in March this year to bring the ICC into the scope of the blocking statute. The new sanctions have been imposed at a difficult time for the ICC, which is already reeling from earlier U.S. sanctions against its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, who last month stepped aside temporarily amid a United Nations investigation into alleged sexual misconduct. The court's governing body, which represents its 125 member states, on Friday condemned the U.S. government's decision to retaliate against judges. "These ... are regrettable attempts to impede the Court and its personnel in the exercise of their independent judicial functions", the Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
