Oceans need to be managed sustainably in order to conserve our fragile marine ecosystems.

Although oceans are essential to us in many ways, the state of marine biodiversity remains little known. What we do know, however, is that human activities create a number of pressures such as (over-)exploitation, carbon emissions, and pollution, including marine litter. The European Union has been active in promoting the sustainable use of the seas. In early 2018, the European Commission presented a strategy to address the issue of plastics pollution, including microplastics in our seas.

Ocean protection (2019-2020)

Oceans need to be managed sustainably in order to conserve our fragile marine ecosystems.

Although oceans are essential to us in many ways, the state of marine biodiversity remains little known. What we do know, however, is that human activities create a number of pressures such as (over-)exploitation, carbon emissions, and pollution, including marine litter.

It is estimated that there are over 150 million tonnes of plastic in the world's seas and that, without significant action, there may be more plastic than fish (by weight) in the sea by 2050. Some marine litter consists of microplastics; these originate from the breaking down of larger plastic pieces or are released directly into the environment.

Ocean protection

EU countries are required to drastically reduce the use of the most common and polluting plastic bags under new rules voted by Parliament on 28 April 2015.

In 2010 EU citizens used an estimated 198 plastic carrier bags, some 90% of which were lightweight. Binding reduction targets were put in place. EU member states will be able to choose: either to take measures to reduce annual average consumption of plastic bags to 90 lightweight bags per citizen by the end of 2019 or 40 by the end of 2025. Since the end of 2018, no more light plastic bags are given to shoppers free of charge.

#EUelections2019 - Plastics bags

On 27 March 2019, Parliament approved a new law banning single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws and cotton buds.

A milestone success is the ban of single-use plastic products such as cutlery, cotton buds, plates, straws, beverage stirrers and balloon sticks which will be banned from the EU market from 2021.

#EUelections2019 - Single use plastics

Fuel Station, renewable E85 fuel , Fit for 55..

On 25 of March 2023, millions of people around the world will celebrate Earth Hour 2023, the world's largest grassroots movement for the environment. This year again, the European Parliament will participate by switching off the lights of its building in Strasbourg.

Earth Hour Day 2023 - the European Parliament switches off its lights on the occasion of the Earth Hour 2023 event

The European Commission’s proposal for a regulation establishing a general framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, repeals rules currently in force which concentrate on energy-related products only. The regulation would lay down rules that would apply to all products on the internal market, with the aim of making them more durable, reusable, reparable, upgradable, recyclable and generally less harmful to the environment. The regulation would include rules on a digital product passport, green public procurement and banning the destruction of unsold goods. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Ecodesign for sustainable products

Each of us produces almost 180 kg of packaging waste in a year. This is 20 % more than a decade ago. 40 % of all the plastics and 50 % of all the paper used in the EU goes into packaging. This emits more CO2 than an average-sized EU country. On 30 November 2022, the Commission proposed to revise the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. This review contributes to reaching the objective of the European Green Deal and the new circular economy action plan to ensure that “all packaging on the EU market is reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030”. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

6 facts about packaging waste

There are around 7 million trucks operating in the EU-28. Annual registrations of new trucks in the EU increased by 45 % from 2010 to 2016, to around 380 000. Around 70 % of EU freight is transported by road. The road freight and passenger transport sector consists of over 600 000 mostly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and employs almost 3 million people. Heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for 27 % of road transport CO2 emissions and almost 5 % of EU greenhouse gas emissions (2016 data). Since 1990, heavy-duty vehicle emissions have increased by 25 % – mainly as a result of an increase in road freight traffic – and, in the absence of new policies, they are projected to further increase. EU transport is heavily dependent on oil (accounting for nearly 94 % of the energy consumed by transport in 2015, of which 89 % is imported). Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - CO₂ emissions for new heavy-duty vehicles

EPRS identifies and frames some of the top key issues that might feature prominently in public debate and on the political agenda of the European Union this year. In times of crises and war, what are the challenges we must face and choices we have to make? Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Climate and socio-economic tipping points

In 2019, the European Parliament declared a climate emergency, calling for immediate and ambitious action to limit effects of climate change. What stage are we at today? In our video, Liselotte Jensen and Henrique Simões dig into the latest developments and expected impacts of climate change, as well as the required actions to fight this global emergency. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Climate emergency: what stage are we at ?

The Commission, on 24 February 2021, adopted the new EU strategy on climate change adaptation which aims at enhancing the EU’s and the world’s capacity to adapt to and minimise the impacts of climate change and at the same time further develop and accelerate actions across the economy and society. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Climate adaptation: how can we build resilience?

Climate change generates competition over diminishing natural resources, including food and water. It also causes weather-related disasters, which forced over 61 million people across the globe to flee their homes, in 2020 alone. These issues can exacerbate political instability, social tensions and poverty. The countries most vulnerable to climate change are located in fragile regions wracked by conflict. But the situation in Europe is also alarming! Almost one third of Europeans already face water stress in an average year. ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

environmental protection (T)

Videos

Earth Hour Day 2023 - the European Parliament switches off its lights on the occasion of the Earth Hour 2023 event

EPRS - Ecodesign for sustainable products

6 facts about packaging waste

EPRS - CO₂ emissions for new heavy-duty vehicles

EPRS - Climate and socio-economic tipping points

EPRS - Climate emergency: what stage are we at ?

EPRS - Climate adaptation: how can we build resilience?

EPRS - Peace and security: climate change

Photos

Fuel Station, renewable E85 fuel , Fit for 55..

Fuel Station, renewable E85 fuel , Fit for 55..

Fuel Station, renewable E85 fuel , Fit for 55..

Fuel Station, renewable E85 fuel , Fit for 55..

Fuel Station, renewable E85 fuel , Fit for 55..

Fuel Station, renewable E85 fuel , Fit for 55..

Fuel Station, renewable E85 fuel , Fit for 55..

Fuel Station, renewable E85 fuel , Fit for 55..

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Ocean protection (2019-2020)

Ocean protection

#EUelections2019 - Plastics bags

#EUelections2019 - Single use plastics

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