By Federica Attianese As Europe advances its twin transitions –the shift to green energy and towards the digital economy– it is becoming evident that reaching these goals depend on a precarious base: the availability of critical raw materials (CRMs). Whether it is lithium or rare earth elements, the demand for such resources is increasing. Yet,Continue reading “Critical Raw Materials: A Fragile Foundation in Europe’s Green Transition? “
Category Archives: Climate
Trade Diversification Should Not Come at the Cost of Climate Action
By Elina Leybold Trump’s return to aggressive protectionism turned the clock back a century for United States trade policy. After months of uncertainty and repeated threats by Trump to raise tariffs to as much as 50%, the European Union and the U.S. finally reached a deal. Both parties agreed on a 15% tariff on EUContinue reading “Trade Diversification Should Not Come at the Cost of Climate Action”
Whose Sustainability? The Global Costs of Europe’s Green Transition
By Claudia Lebiecka Brussels is actively expanding its green trade network. Following its December 2023 decision for a modernised association agreement with Chile, with a particular emphasis on critical raw materials, the European Union and the United Arab Emirates began formal negotiations for a free trade agreement on April 10. The emphasis on renewable energy,Continue reading “Whose Sustainability? The Global Costs of Europe’s Green Transition”
Italy Has Violated the Right to Life: European Court of Human Rights Ruling on Pollution from Illegal Waste Dumping
By Victoria Acheson On 30 January 2025, the European Court of Human Rights, in the case of Cannavacciuolo and Others v. Italy, unanimously found that Italy had violated Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights by failing to protect the right to life of residents in the provinces of the Campania region, knownContinue reading “Italy Has Violated the Right to Life: European Court of Human Rights Ruling on Pollution from Illegal Waste Dumping”
Keeping Cool in a Warming World: COOLTORISE’s Policy Recommendations to Combat Summer Energy Poverty
By Danai Kyrkou and Anneta Kampouridou Did you know that 19% of the total population of the EU is unable to keep their homes comfortably cool during summer? Traditionally, energy poverty has been associated with the inability of households to meet their heating needs during the winter months, a problem exacerbated by low household incomes,Continue reading “Keeping Cool in a Warming World: COOLTORISE’s Policy Recommendations to Combat Summer Energy Poverty”
The EU’s Acceleration Towards Climate Neutrality: A Hopeful Future?
By Federica Attianese On April 29th, 2024, the European Parliament approved the text of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the new due diligence directive requiring companies to reduce their negative impact on the environment and human rights, and the new Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standards for non-listed Small and Medium Enterprises (ESRS VSME) areContinue reading “The EU’s Acceleration Towards Climate Neutrality: A Hopeful Future?”
European Studies Review 