Category Archives: Sustainability

European militarism impedes climate action

by Atiaf Alwazir* “Zero pollution for healthier people and planet,” was the theme of the EU Green Week. Yet one of the largest sources of carbon pollution in Europe remains hidden from view and was barely mentioned all week.  As

European militarism impedes climate action

by Atiaf Alwazir* “Zero pollution for healthier people and planet,” was the theme of the EU Green Week. Yet one of the largest sources of carbon pollution in Europe remains hidden from view and was barely mentioned all week.  As

Why using the language of war is counterproductive in our global public health crisis: some reflections from self-isolation

Clémence Buchet–Couzy is Peace Programme Assistant at QCEA. One of the things that has really struck me in today’s peculiar times is the rhetoric of war used by many political leaders to talk about the COVID-19 situation. Such rhetoric seems

Why using the language of war is counterproductive in our global public health crisis: some reflections from self-isolation

Clémence Buchet–Couzy is Peace Programme Assistant at QCEA. One of the things that has really struck me in today’s peculiar times is the rhetoric of war used by many political leaders to talk about the COVID-19 situation. Such rhetoric seems

Hey Siri, how peaceful is my phone?

“I come from one of the richest countries on the planet. Yet the people of my country are among the poorest of the world. The troubling reality is that the abundance of our natural resources – gold, coltan, cobalt and

Hey Siri, how peaceful is my phone?

“I come from one of the richest countries on the planet. Yet the people of my country are among the poorest of the world. The troubling reality is that the abundance of our natural resources – gold, coltan, cobalt and

CETA: always in TTIP’s shadow

In the wake of the recent TTIP leaks and their fallout, including Francois Hollande’s threat to block those negotiations, there is a risk that discussions at the European Council on the very similar deal between the European Union and Canada,

CETA: always in TTIP’s shadow

In the wake of the recent TTIP leaks and their fallout, including Francois Hollande’s threat to block those negotiations, there is a risk that discussions at the European Council on the very similar deal between the European Union and Canada,

Five reasons to ban fracking in the EU

Did you know that eleven European Union countries are involved with fracking? A recent EU study shows that Austria, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom have already authorised or plan to authorise

Five reasons to ban fracking in the EU

Did you know that eleven European Union countries are involved with fracking? A recent EU study shows that Austria, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom have already authorised or plan to authorise

TTIP threatens success of Paris climate agreement

It is a month after the Paris agreement to tackle climate change was finalised, but the debate has yet to die down. The deal has been welcomed by many – indeed the fact that 195 countries reached an at least

TTIP threatens success of Paris climate agreement

It is a month after the Paris agreement to tackle climate change was finalised, but the debate has yet to die down. The deal has been welcomed by many – indeed the fact that 195 countries reached an at least

Conferences and consultations: making your voice heard on the circular economy

On the 25th June, QCEA joined the European Commission’s stakeholder conference on the Circular Economy, entitled “Closing the loop, Circular Economy: boosting business, reducing waste”. This star-studded event featured three European Commissioners (including two vice-presidents), Ellen MacArthur (along with various

Conferences and consultations: making your voice heard on the circular economy

On the 25th June, QCEA joined the European Commission’s stakeholder conference on the Circular Economy, entitled “Closing the loop, Circular Economy: boosting business, reducing waste”. This star-studded event featured three European Commissioners (including two vice-presidents), Ellen MacArthur (along with various

The European Parliament votes for closing the loop

In amongst a packed European Parliament (EP) plenary session in Strasbourg this week, MEPs found time to vote on Thursday (9 July) on their position on the circular economy. Thanks to pressure from NGOs and individual citizens (including those who

The European Parliament votes for closing the loop

In amongst a packed European Parliament (EP) plenary session in Strasbourg this week, MEPs found time to vote on Thursday (9 July) on their position on the circular economy. Thanks to pressure from NGOs and individual citizens (including those who

The 4 pillars of the Circular Economy

With the European Commission hard at work on the new circular economy proposals, QCEA has joined with 11 other European NGOs to lay out a vision for an ambitious European circular economy package. The circular economy addresses materials (everything from

The 4 pillars of the Circular Economy

With the European Commission hard at work on the new circular economy proposals, QCEA has joined with 11 other European NGOs to lay out a vision for an ambitious European circular economy package. The circular economy addresses materials (everything from

The Circular Economy and “better regulation”

On Tuesday the 16th of December 2014 the European Commission announced its work plan for 2015. This College of Commissioners has only been in office since the start of November, and given President Jean-Claude Juncker’s stated aim of being bigger

The Circular Economy and “better regulation”

On Tuesday the 16th of December 2014 the European Commission announced its work plan for 2015. This College of Commissioners has only been in office since the start of November, and given President Jean-Claude Juncker’s stated aim of being bigger