Commercial flights in and out of Europe will continue to be exempt from the EU's carbon emission controls, heading off a potential confrontation with the airline industry.

MEPs today approved a report by ECR Environment Co-ordinator Julie Girling which extends the exemption until 2021, when the International Civil Aviation Authority is due to introduce a global carbon offsetting scheme for the sector, capping emissions at 2020 levels.

In the meantime the EU's aviation Emissions Trading Scheme will continue to cover only internal EU flights.

Frankfurt/Brussels, 13 September 2017

Thilo Brodtmann, Executive Director of the German mechanical engineering association VDMA, comments on the proposal by the European Commission regarding controls on foreign investment in Europe:

Forests are the lungs of Europe, covering 42% of the EU land surface, and they can play a crucial role in fighting climate change. This is why today the European Parliament voted on a report to include greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) in the 2030 climate and energy framework*.
 

Automotive supply industry showcases innovation at IAA Frankfurt

Sergei Stanishev, president of the Party of European Socialists, welcomed President Juncker's commitment to European solidarity and democracy in today’s State of the Union address - but highlighted the lack of significant progress in protecting social rights.

Mr Stanishev said:

"President Juncker was right to speak of unity and solidarity as a major source of strength for the European Union. We are a Union of south and north, west and east, and we can only face the challenges of the 21^st century when we stand together.