Copyright Directive: how competing big business lobbies drowned out critical voices

December 10th 2018The power of lobbies
Lobbying around the EU Copyright Directive has been intense: big-budget tech platforms led by Google as well as tech industry trade associations on one side, historically important collecting societies, the creative industries and publishers on the other. The interests and opinions of citizens have become sidelined in the resulting turmoil.

The 'innovation principle' trap

December 5th 2018The power of lobbies, Environment
A seemingly innocent concept, the “innovation priniciple” has been invented by some of the dirtiest industries in Europe. They have carefully and strategically inserted it into the EU system, where it could have a significant impact on the shaping of new EU legislation or policies, and those under revision.

Conflict of interest policy and caution on gene drives at UN biodiversity talks

December 5th 2018Environment
Climate change and biodiversity losses loom large on the list of global environmental concerns. Both UN processes for adressing these issues – the UNFCCC for climate change and the UN CBD for biodiversity – are closely followed by corporate lobbyists. Now the UN Biodiversity Convention finally features conflict of interest rules – a step still not matched by the UNFCCC.

Big Polluters bankrolling COP24

December 2nd 2018Climate and energy, Environment
The slogan of this year's climate talks is “black to green” -  appropriate, given the dirty energy companies that are bankrolling the conference. While the sponsors hide behind green branding, their core business models depend on coal, oil and gas, and are therefore absolutely incompatible with the Paris Agreement, let alone a planet still habitable in the future.

Coal is king at UN climate talks in Poland

November 30th 2018Climate and energy, Environment
Concerns about corporate co-option at the upcoming climate meeting COP24 in Poland are growing as the sponsors are revealed. Many are dirty energy companies, among them several from Poland's state-owned coal industry. A repeat of the 2013 COP at which the Polish presidency allowed coal and gas privileged access to the meeting? It looks likely.

 

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Press release

Food safety transparency: breakthrough vote in EU Parliament

December 11th 2018

Getting a good data transparency legislation for food safety in the EU is now within reach, following EU Parliament vote on General Food Law reform.

Jakub Patočka: It’s not just Babiš.

December 9th 2018EU in crisis

Czech journalist and Corporate Europe Observatory board member Jakub Patočka explains what the rise of oligarchs and the demise of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe have to do with EU funding.

Bolkestein returns: EU Commission power grab over services

November 29th 2018The power of lobbies, Economy & finance

The EU institutions are currently negotiating new single market rules that could have a severe and distinctly negative impact on decision-making in parliaments, regional assemblies and city councils across Europe. Read Corporate Europe Observatory's Questions & Answers on the proposal to give the Commission new powers to annul local decisions.

Press release

EU 2050 Climate Strategy puts gas industry before climate

November 28th 2018

The new EU Climate Strategy aims to make the EU climate neutral by 2050. But there is a clear thumbs-up to the gas industry - a result of heavy lobbying.

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