European Parliament’s Post

After considering claims by David Potter and Tuhi-Ao Emily Bailey, the Waitangi Tribunal has decided to hold a ‘priority’ inquiry into the government's “climate change” policies. Bailey's claim argues the government's failure to adequately legislate against major polluters and protect communities from climate impacts, asserting a lack of Treaty of Waitangi obligations fulfilment. The Crown has defended its efforts by highlighting its commitments under the Paris Agreement and various national plans aimed at emission reduction and “climate adaptation”. The Tribunal emphasises the existential threat of “climate change” and the importance of Māori consultation in policy development, integrating this inquiry into a broader debate on Natural Resources and Environmental Management. This is why the tribunal needs to be reviewed. https://lnkd.in/gkCqXfpz

Sobering reading from the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) on progress made towards restoring the UK's natural environment. The UK is not on track with any of its committments and has little prospect of meeting its legally binding targets for the environment. The chair of the OEP, Dame Glenys Stacey, says: "Deeply, deeply concerning adverse environmental trends continue. With the depleted state of our natural environment and the unprecedented pace of climate change, it does seem to many that we are at a crossroads. It is not easy for us as a nation to choose the right path, the right trajectory and to travel together at the pace needed, but we simply must." On transport the report highlights: > Active travel budget cuts and the 2030 vision for 50% of all journeys in towns and cities to be on foot or by bike is unlikely to be realised. > The lack of a nationally coordinated communications campaign on air pollution. > That existing plans to improve air quality will see some sites exceeding legal limits for air pollution until at least 2030. > Policies to address pollution from towns, cities and transport are missing from plans to deliver cleaner water. #transport #environment #nature Read the full report here 👇 https://lnkd.in/dFWT6itW

Do you want to get all the news on environmental policy, biodiversity and climate change in one place? The ELC's News Bites brings quick links to all things environmental policy and climate change, here on our social media handles. Here are some news bites for you today! The Provincial Court of Manitoba has fined Jeffery Ross a total of $20,000 after pleading guilty to four counts of violating the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA). https://lnkd.in/gSUn_uSR The Government of Canada is making big moves by investing over $650m in the next 10 years and launching the Canada Water Agency. https://lnkd.in/dP9cpzit The Government of Alberta announced the creation of the Alberta Carbon Capture Incentive Program. It plans to give incentives for the development and integration of CCUS infrastructure and technology. https://lnkd.in/gxWBtKH4

BREAKING NEWS: A UNESCO report has declared the Great Barrier Reef is under serious threat, urging the Federal Government to cut greenhouse gas emissions. As we head into a dangerous, hot, and almost certain El Niño period for Australia, the Great Barrier Reef will once again be under threat from marine heatwaves and the mass bleaching events that follow. That would make it an unprecedented and catastrophic fifth bleaching event since 2016. The government can act now to stop new polluting projects going ahead by reforming our outdated environmental laws this term of Parliament. Read the report here: climc.nl/3qaVKDY

Yes, what if..... we simply commit to water as an opportunity to act more sustainably? Make it a habit to focus on SDG6 and nurture awareness and knowledge around all things water. It is much easier to build good habits if you have an anchor to hold on to. So let water become the anchor for your sustainable contributions. Water is related to everything else. #WaterWiseEU #FrauBlau #SDG6 #SDG14

🌍 40% of people worldwide already feel the effects of water scarcity. The European Commission Directorates-General for Environment (DG ENV) has launched the campaign #WaterWiseEU 💧 to raise awareness about the critical water issues and increasing stress placed on Europe's water systems. Together with our customers, our partners and colleagues, we can work to transform how we manage, use and value water. This is a call to action to see water differently and act to create a better more sustainable future together.🌱 EU Environment and Climate

Climate Change and Water: NSW case shows the way on legal obligations. The NSW Government has settled a case with the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, agreeing to "considering the future impacts of climate change on water flows, including extraction limits and allocations. Importantly, the Ministers have committed to obtaining independent reviews of this work". My interpretation is that the NSW Government has agreed that the Water Management Act 2000 (NSW) legally obliges the Government to take into account the impacts of climate change in its water resources planning and allocation. Western Australia needs modern water legislation that creates similar obligations on the WA Government to ensure we adapt to the impacts of climate change on the dwindling water resources of SW Western Australia. https://lnkd.in/g7kFGd7F

Surrounded by nine countries including Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Russia, the Baltic Sea’s relatively shallow, low-saline, brackish enclosed water makes it a unique marine environment. These properties also mean it is especially vulnerable to pollution and changing environmental conditions. The third HELCOM holistic assessment (HOLAS 3) provides a comprehensive overview of the Baltic Sea’s ecosystem health during the assessment period from 2016 to 2021. Jannica Haldin, the deputy executive secretary of HELCOM - Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission and coordinator of the report, said: “The findings serve as a sobering reminder that the Baltic Sea faces critical challenges stemming from human activities. The importance of transboundary cooperation, a shift towards genuinely environmentally sustainable practices and long-term commitment cannot be overstated.” We cannot agree more! 🤝💙🌊 Download the full report here 👇 https://lnkd.in/dqxZfmXh

⚠💧 Our rivers and freshwater habitats are at crisis point and we need urgent action. Join the Great UK WaterBlitz this June! 👉 https://lnkd.in/e5GVxhpE 📢 A worrying new report from The Office for Environmental Protection shows that the Government is not on track to meet environmental objectives set under the Water Framework Directive. The report highlights "Gaps in monitoring" as a key barrier to progress in meeting objectives. Our Director of Science and Policy at Earthwatch Europe, Sasha Woods, has summarised the findings from the report in this blog: https://lnkd.in/eKg2XQab 🔎💧 Over the weekend of 7-10 June, we’re asking people across the UK to go out and measure the water quality of their local rivers. With this data we can build a national picture of water quality across the UK - and fight for real change. Sign up to the Great UK WaterBlitz here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e5GVxhpE #FreshWaterWatch #waterpollution #riverpollution #watertesting #citizenscience

❌ 30% of Europeans face water stress each year, ❌ 60% of EU surface waters are in a bad ecological status. The current water management statistics are concerning. This is why cities and regions in the EU are calling on the European Commission to: 💧 Make water an EU top priority for its new term 2024-2029, 💧 Adopt a Water Strategy that restores the water cycle, 💧 Introduce measures to ensure water security, sustainability, and resilience for all. Read more in the factsheet 👇 #EUGreenDeal #EUBlueDeal #WaterWiseEU