FoE Europe - Events



2006


ACTION 14 December 2006 European Parliament, Brussels			Make Europe the most resource and energy efficient economy in the world! Friends of the Earth Europe delivers policy advice to MEPs by bike Brussels, 14 December 2006 - Friends of the Earth Europe today made a bicycle delivery of the report "Factor X and the EU, how to make Europe the most resource and energy efficient Economy in the World - A guidebook to Policies and Legislative Initiatives within the European Union", to members of the European Parliament's Environment Committee and Industry, Research and Energy Committee. The report - written by Dr. Stefan Giljum, Kai Schlegelmilch and Dr. Martin Rocholl, the chairman of Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE), with the kind support of the Aachen Foundation - says that increasing the EU's energy and resource efficiency would boost innovation, save billions on energy imports, create jobs, improve the environment, contribute substantially to saving the climate, increase security and improve the EU's competitiveness on a global scale. Read the report and find more information

AWARD CEREMONY 13 December 2006 Brussels			Exxonmobil and DG Internal Market win Worst EU Lobby Awards 2006 Brussels, 13 December - ExxonMobil and DG Internal Market were left red-faced today when they topped the polls in the "Worst EU Lobby Awards 2006". The winners of the awards were publicly announced at a ceremony organised by Corporate Europe Observatory, Friends of the Earth Europe, LobbyControl and Spinwatch. In the "Worst EU Lobbying" category, ExxonMobil was the clear winner, gaining almost half of the votes cast. The oil giant continues to pay climate sceptics to manipulate the climate debate in Brussels, while keeping much of this funding away from public scrutiny. In the category for the public official or institution that has granted the "Worst Privileged Access", DG Internal Market got an even bigger share of the votes. This powerful European Commission department manipulated its stakeholder consultation process to legitimise its own controversial proposal for a single European patent system by marginalising critics from a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises. Over 9400 people took part in an online poll to decide the winners of the awards. More information and photos of the ceremony

ACTION 13 December 2006 Strasbourg, France			REACH: Alive but not kicking Strasbourg, France, 13th December - A plenary vote by Members of the European Parliament has left the new EU chemicals legislation REACH alive but in a critical condition, according to health, environment, consumer and women's advocacy groups. Friends of the Earth Europe reacted to the second reading REACH plenary vote with a small action. Dressed in hospital attire, the environmental NGO made the statement "Surgery completed. Patient barely alive". More information and photos of the action

RECEPTION 11 December 2006 Brussels			Fight to retain the spirit of the World Social Forum! Alternative Nobel Prize winner and co-founder of the World Social Forum Chico Whitaker visits Friends of the Earth Europe Brussels, 11th December - Chico Whitaker engaged with environmental NGOs at Friends of the Earth Europe's office. Mr Whitaker was recently awarded with an Alternative Nobel Prize from the Right Livelihoods Foundation, for his lifetime dedication to social justice and his role in the foundation of the World Social Forum. The World Social Forum was created in 2001 to provide an alternative discussion space to the World Economic Forum, focusing on social concerns in the face of globalisation. It has grown in size at each consequent annual event. Today Mr Whitaker stressed that the NGOs like Friends of the Earth Europe have a vital role in fighting to preserve the underlying principles of the World Social Forum into the future. He urged activists to denounce all attempts by parties, politicians and ideologic movements to hijack the WSF for their own political interests. More information

CONFERENCE 30 November 2006 Brussels			'Right to appeal': International Financial Institutions and accountability - on the way to independent compliance and appeal mechanism for the European Investment Bank Governance and accountability of international financial institutions (IFI) continues to suffer from a democratic deficit which ultimately undermines their effectiveness, credibility and legitimacy. One of important elements of the accountability is a right to appeal for those impacted by the IFIs activities. This conference, organised by CEE Bankwatch Network and other cooperating NGOs on 30 November 2006, discussed how an independent appeal and compliance mechanism could operationalise such a right. The central point of discussion was steps that can be taken by the European Investment Bank, as one of the biggest public financial institutions operating worldwide, to increase its accountability and operationalise the right to appeal on EIB-financed activities. The conference brought together speakers and participants from international financial institutions, EU institutions, independent researchers, NGOs and the media. More information

DEMONSTRATIONS 4 November 2006 Worldwide			International demonstrations on Climate Change On 4th November, thousands of people joined in demonstrations around the world to call on world leaders to take urgent action on climate change. The demos were strategically timed ahead of the UN climate negotiations which are taking place in Nairobi between November 6 th and 17 th. More information on the demonstrations organised around the world at: www.globalclimatecampaign.org Friends of the Earth groups from across Europe were involved in the organisation of the events taking place in their country, in Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden and UK. More information and photos about the activities that happened in your country

ACTION 23 October 2006 Luxembourg			Friends of the Earth Europe brings the voices of Europeans to Luxembourg to urge a strong position on the launch of post-2012 climate negotiations Luxembourg/Brussels, 23 October - Friends of the Earth Europe pushed European citizens' concerns about climate change directly under the noses of EU Environment Ministers today, just before their Council meeting in Luxembourg. More information and photos of the action

ACTION 17 October 2006 Unice Day, Place Flagey, Brussels			EU Commissioners in Bed with Business - Campaigners demand a cut to corporate power over the EU Brussels, 17th October – Today, Friends of the Earth Europe and the Seattle to Brussels Network demanded that the European Union stops making policy decisions biased towards business interests. Trade and environmental campaigners staged an action outside the annual back-pat of the Confederation of European Business (UNICE) today [1], attended by six European Commissioners and called "Why do companies care about Europe?". An activist disguised as Commission President Barroso had a cosy meeting with a cigar-smoking “businessman”. They sipped champagne in a double bed outside the UNICE day, as attendees of the meeting entered the building. The action highlighted the inappropriately close relations between the EU Commission and the corporate lobby. More information and photos of the action

PRESS CONFERENCE 16 October 2006 Brussels			"Why should Europe care about lobby transparency?": New report: Campaigners denounce damaging impacts of corporate lobby on trade policies Brussels, 16th October 2006 - The Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation at the EU (ALTER-EU) and the Seattle to Brussels Network today demanded mandatory lobbying disclosure and an end to privileged access, as a new report reveals the disastrous impacts of the enormous influence of corporate lobbying on EU trade policy. The demands were made at a press conference the day before European industry interests get together with EU Commissioners for their annual back pat, this year under the slogan "Why do companies care about Europe?" More information

ACTION 10 October 2006 European Parliament, Brussels			MEPs, cure REACH now! Friends of the Earth Europe sent a visual appeal to MEPs on the European Parliament's Environment Committee, urging them to vote for strong chemicals legislation. The "REACH" legislation was designed to increase protection for health and the environment from dangerous chemicals, but it has been significantly watered down since the first proposal. Following the vote, Friends of the Earth Europe, together with environmental, health, consumer and women's NGOs, welcomed the MEPs support for substitution of toxic chemicals wherever safer alternatives are available. More information and photo of the action

ACTION 4 October 2006 European Parliament, Brussels			MEPs make personal pledges and demands on climate change Members of the European Parliament's Environment Committee made personal pledges and demands on climate change today as part of FoEE "Climate Deal" campaign. Each MEP was asked to make a personal pledge to fight climate change, either by altering their lifestyle or using their own political power. In return, they demanded real policy change by national governments to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The action took place shortly before the MEPs voted to recommend a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 and to recommend that negotiations on the next Kyoto period should be finalized by 2008. More information and photos of the action

ACTION 28 July 2006 Geneva			Giant WTOpoly game outside WTO Building - "Next time, don't send the poor and the environment directly to jail!" Geneva, 28 July - Friends of the Earth played a giant game of "WTOpoly" - based on the famous Monopoly - outside the WTO building in Geneva. Their game delivered a strong message to the WTO Council to research a whole new approach to multinational trading following the collapse of the Doha talks. The WTOpoly game demonstrates the flaws in the previous WTO system. Trade barriers such as environmental and social protections are banned from the game. Impoverished, developing countries, human rights and the environment are 'sent directly to jail' - the globalization trap. The winners of the game are transnational corporations who move around the world making money thanks to WTO policies, at the cost of the poor, the environment and human rights. More information and photos of the action

ACTION 12 July 2006 Brussels			"Think about REACH while on the BEACH..." Chemical Reaction - the joint project of Friends of the Earth Europe, EEB and Greenpeace - is calling on the Members of European Parliament to think about - and improve - the new chemicals policy over the summer break. REACH - the European Chemicals Policy reform - has just entered its second reading and the MEPs are expected to cast their final vote in the fall. Chemical Reaction delivered to MEPs towels made of organic cotton. These towels are perfect example of the principle of substitution at work. The NGOs urged the MEPs to back substitution principle in the second reading of REACH in the European Parliament. More information and photos of the actions

POLICY DIALOGUE 11 July 2006 Brussels			"After Hong Kong: The EU’s responsibility at the WTO: Environment, Gender and Development II " Friends of the Earth Europe and Women in Development Europe with support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation held a dialogue meeting “After Hong Kong: The EU’s Responsibility at the WTO: Development, Gender and Environment II” on 11 July 2006 at the European Parliament in Brussels. It aimed to contribute to a constructive dialogue between civil society representatives from the North and South, members of the European Parliament, the European Commission and other stakeholders that could feed into an EU trade policy that is consistent with social and gender justice and environmental sustainability. Read the report and find more information

PUBLICATION LAUNCH 27 June 2006 Brussels			"Toxic inheritance" publication launch Hazardous chemicals continue to contaminate our bodies and our children's bodies. This new report "Toxic inheritance - More than 300 pollutants in breast milk - time for a new chemicals policy" examines studies conducted by various scientific bodies to measure persistent pollutants in humans by analizing breast milk. It reveals that the contamination of women, men and children with toxic synthetic substances results from flawed chemicals policy. The European Chemicals Policy reform, REACH, could address this issue. However, it must be strengthened in the 2nd reading and then it must be implemented correctly. This new report was launched at the European Parliament with Mrs Avril Doyle MEP, together with health, environmental, breastfeeding and women's NGOs. Read the report

PRESS CONFERENCE 1 June 2006 Brussels			New Friends of the Earth report reveals loopholes in existing and proposed EU lobbying rules Brussels, June 1 2006 - Today, Friends of the Earth Europe launched their new report "Transparency in EU decision making: reality or myth?". The report analyses current codes of conduct for lobbyists and EU officials and reveals a worrying lack of transparency in several key areas. More information

ACTION 29 May 2006 Brussels			Big talk, big emissions: Barroso slammed for climate hypocrisy as EU Commission launches global warming campaign Global warming campaigners protested outside the Berlaymont, bashing European Commission President Barroso for his hypocrisy on the issue of climate change. They offered Mr Barroso a shame award for driving a gas guzzling car and for disregarding the need to set binding fuel efficiency standards for cars sold in Europe. Ironically, President Barroso today launched a European campaign to raise the awareness of EU citizens about their contribution to global warming. But Barroso himself drives a Volkswagen Touareg. This fuel-heavy 4x4 car has carbon dioxide emissions of at least 265g/km, over twice the EU's own original objective for new cars. More information and photos of action in Brussels

ACTION 23 May 2006 Brussels			Trade and transparency campaigners slam secret cocktail deals Trade and transparency activists offered protest cocktails to EU trade officials as they arrived for an exclusive closed-doors meeting with the European Services Forum, an association representing the European services industry. The protest highlighted the privileged access that the EU gives to the service industry and the negative impacts this has on the EU trade agenda for development and the environment. More information and photos of action in Brussels

ACTION ATTHE AGRICULTURE COUNCIL MEETING 22 May 2006 Brussels			Listen to your citizens: Stop genetic pollution! Friends of the Earth Europe staged a protest outside the Council building during the Agriculture Ministers' meeting on May 22, as EU Farm Ministers agreed measures that could allow food to be polluted by genetically modified crops. The Council Conclusions on "coexistence" fail to call for a stict EU law on genetic contamination and liability. Agriculture Ministers did however call for a decision on seeds thresholds. More information and photos of action in Brussels

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM 4-7 May 2006 Athens			Friends of the Earth speaking events at the European Social Forum Friends of the Earth is participating since the early days to the European and World Social Forum, and works actively on a further integration of the environmental concerns into the alter-globalisation debate. The ESF is one central arena for building the bridges and develop, with other partner organisations from the social movements, the joint work on the alternatives for that other world that we believe is possible! More information

ACTIONS 15 April - 7 May 2006 Worldwide			European Action Weeks against nuclear power - Cherbobyl Commemoration Around the Chernobyl Commemoration Day 2006, hundreds of local groups organised street actions between 15 April and 7 May 2006. The focus was to collect thousands of signatures for the European Petition against Nuclear Power. Actions took place all over Europe, from big demonstrations to small fun actions, or simply information stalls in city centres, where people signed the petition. Actions took place in Hungary, Finland, Croatia, Scotland, France, Spain, Belgium and Austria. More information and photos of actions all over Europe

DEMONSTRATION 8 April 2006 Worldwide			International GMOpposition Day A worldwide event was held on the 8th of April 2006 , with the twofold aim of informing people and demonstrating the front of more than 100 concerned organizations against Genetically Modified Organisms. Several Friends of the Earth Groups from Europe took part in this day, with information stalls and conferences, music bands and peasant markets, exhibitions, demonstrations, as well as original symbolic attractions. More information and photos of action in Brussels

NGO MARCH 5 April 2006 Vienna, Austria			NGO March for GMO-Free regions, Vienna Organised by a broad network of European environmental NGOs, farmers and regional movements against Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), the "March of GMO-free Regions" visualized the European-wide resistance against GMO. NGOs, politicians, farmers and citizens of the different European countries marched towards the EU-conference " Co-existence of genetically modified, conventional and organic crops: The Freedom of Choice", organised by the European Commission and the Austrian Presidency, in Vienna on 4-6 April 2006. Friends of the Earth Austria/Global 2000 are co-organisers of the March and Friends of the Earth Europe are invited as speaker at the EU Conference, to express the NGOs demand for a strict legal framework, that avoids contamination of food, farming and the environment, and which enables local or regional authorities to declare their territories as GMO-free regions. More information

ACTION AT THE EU ENERGY COUNCIL 14 March 2006 Brussels			Dinosaur and nuclear plant in front of the EU Energy Council Activists say: "new" EU energy policy backward and dangerous Friends of the Earth Europe protested in front of the EU Council building, against the energy policy of the European Union by setting up a 10m high inflatable dinosaur depicting dirty energy technologies as well as an inflatable nuclear power station. FoEE believes that the EU's top priority should be to cut energy waste and massively invest in renewables energies like solar and wind, rather than deepening Europe's dependance on dirty fossil fuels and dangerous nuclear energy. Activists distributed to officials entering the Council building edible mini power stations made from pastry, to "phase out" dirty energy. More information and photos of actions

PROTEST against nuclear power 11 March 2006 Europe			Revival: Europe-wide protests against nuclear power Kick-Off for 2006 actions of the campaign "1 Million against Nuclear" On Saturday March 11, the Campaign "1 Million Europeans against Nuclear Power" protested in the streets of 10 countries in Europe to counter lobby efforts for a nuclear comeback. The spectrum of activities ranged from starting a tour through Germany against nuclear power via a big signature collection action in Vienna to Dutch and Bulgarian protest against the government plans for new nuclear plants producing more nuclear waste. This campaign, carried out by one of the biggest coalitions of anti-nuclear groups Europe has seen for a long time , wants to challenge the EU leaders: Will they phase-out nuclear power and scrap the nuclear promoting instrument, the "Euratom treaty", if 1 million EU citizens demand it with their signature? More information

PRESS CONFERENCE 10 March 2006 Brussels			EU Funds in Central and Eastern Europe: 6 billion euros for damaging projects? Brussels, Belgium, March 10, 2006 - Billions of euros of taxpayers' money are in danger of being used to fund controversial infrastructure projects in the new member states of the European Union, according to a new map launched at a press conference today by CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth Europe. The warning is issued as the EU gears up to pour EUR 157 billion in Structural and Cohesion Funds into its new member states and accession countries between 2007 and 2013. The map, entitled "*EU Funds in Central and Eastern Europe: Cohesion or Collision?", highlights 22 environmentally damaging, economically unjustified or socially controversial projects with a total cost of roughly six billion euros. More information*

SNOWMEN ACTION DAY 28 February 2006 Northern Europe			Snowmen action day against climate change! In eight European countries, countless snowmen and snowwomen demonstrated across Northern Europe against global warming -- that is threatening them as well as most other inhabitants of planet Earth. Snowmen are being made by organisations and citizens worried about lack of action against climate change. The action was co-ordinated by our Finnish member group, Friends of the Earth Finland. More information and photos of actions

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