Primary and old-growth forests in the EU are rare, small and fragmented. They make up less than 3% of Europe’s total forested area. They are untouched natural ecosystems, where there are few or no signs of human impact and wildlife thrives as it has for centuries. These forests play a key role in conserving biodiversity, absorbing and storing carbon, providing fresh water, regulating local climate conditions and keeping humans healthy. They’re also home to many endangered species. 
Protecting Europe’s forests is not just the responsibility of individual Member States. It is a shared commitment at EU level. The European Parliament is at the centre of these efforts as a strong advocate for preserving primary and old-growth forests.

Safeguarding Europe’s ancient forests for future generations

The aim of the legislative proposal for a Union certification framework for carbon removals initiative is to ensure high-quality EU certified carbon removals, through a transparent and credible governance framework. In doing so, this would open up the possibility for further investments towards carbon removal activities and increased deployment.

EPRS podcast policy - A Union certification framework for carbon removals

MEPs review the new US administration’s recent decision to pull back from a number of international organisations and agreements.

Following his inauguration on 20 January 2025, President Trump signed a large number of executive orders setting the priorities of the new US administration, including the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation. Alongside Commission representatives, MEPs will discuss the impact of these decisions internationally and on the EU’s future involvement in these global initiatives.

Background

This is the second time the US has initiated the process of withdrawing from both the WHO and Paris Agreement.

During the first Trump administration (2017-2021), the US gave formal notice of withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in November 2019 (which then took 12 months to take effect). Shortly after taking office, President Biden revoked the decision, with the US formally rejoining the agreement in February 2021. President Trump also started the withdrawal process from the WHO in 2020, but it was never finalised and the decision was reversed by the Biden administration.

Debate on the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, WHO and USaid

EP Plenary session - US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid

EP Plenary session - Heat record year 2024 - the need for climate action to fight global warming

EP Plenary session - Union certification framework for carbon removals

Trilogue on the ' Fit for 2030 ' package on CBAM

Trilogue on the ' Fit for 2030 ' package.on EU ETS

Press conference on the 6th Trilogue on the EU Climate law

6th Trilogue on the EU Climate law

Plenary session - Climate change

Plenary session week 24 2015 in Strasbourg - Climate change

Towards the 2030 framework: reconciling climate action with economic competitiveness

Martin SCHULZ - EP President, Mary ROBINSON

Martin SCHULZ - EP President meets with Mary ROBINSON - special envoy for Climate Change.

Plenary Session Week 6- 2014-Explanations of votes-A2030- framework for climate and energy policies

Plenary session week 6 2014 - A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies

Following his inauguration on 20 January 2025, President Trump signed a large number of executive orders setting the priorities of the new US administration, including the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation. Alongside Commission representatives, MEPs discuss the impact of these decisions internationally and on the EU’s future involvement in these global initiatives.

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: MEPs debate (part 1)

Following his inauguration on 20 January 2025, President Trump signed a large number of executive orders setting the priorities of the new US administration, including the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation. Alongside Commission representatives, MEPs discuss the impact of these decisions internationally and on the EU’s future involvement in these global initiatives. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: Closing statement by Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality, and European Commissioner for Preparedness

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: Opening statement by Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality, and European Commissioner for Preparedness

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: MEPs debate (part 3)

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: MEPs debate (part 2)

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: extracts from the debate

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

The US Inflation Reduction Act is a huge investment bill pouring over US$369 billion into the American economy. It favours clean energy and technology made in the US or in countries America has a trade agreement with, which is not the case for the European Union. Considering how to integrate its climate, energy and industrial policies, so as to contribute towards climate goals and energy security while retaining the global competitiveness of its economy, the EU proposed a Green deal industrial plan. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - EU response to the US Inflation Reduction Act

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 ?

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.

EPRS - Peace and security: climate change

On 19 November 2020, the European Commission published an EU Strategy to harness the potential of offshore renewable energy for a climate neutral future. The Offshore Renewable Strategy was widely anticipated as part of the European Green Deal. The Offshore Renewable Strategy aims to dramatically increase the EU's production of electricity from offshore renewable energy sources from the current 12 gigawatts (GW) to 60GW by 2030 and 300GW by 2050. MEPs say that a net-zero emissions economy requires renewable energy to be deployed on an unprecedented scale. MEPs highlight that the cost of offshore wind has fallen dramatically in the last two decades (declining by 48% between 2010 and 2020), making it one of the most competitively priced sources of energy. This illustrative footage shows regular and aerial drone views of traditional wind energy as well as aerial drone views of an offshore wind energy.

Infoclip: Renewable energy – wind turbines

This infoclip illustrates the directive that establishes common principles and rules to remove barriers, stimulate investments and drive cost reductions in renewable energy technologies, and empowers citizens, consumers and businesses to participate in the clean energy transformation. Views of offshore wind energy installation; residential solar power panels, industrial fermentation conversion of organic products into methane biogaz; production site of pellets; hydrogen hybrid power plant; heats pumps using the water of the river. Rights restriction: at 00:00:57:00 : copyright Monnaie-Groupe Decube.

Infoclip: Renewable Energy Directive

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the role of development policy in the response to biodiversity loss in developing countries: closing statements by Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur and by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships.

The role of development policy in the response to biodiversity loss in developing countries: closing statements by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships and by Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the role of development policy in the response to biodiversity loss in developing countries: opening statements by Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur and by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships.

The role of development policy in the response to biodiversity loss in developing countries: opening statements by Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur and by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the role of development policy in the response to biodiversity loss in developing countries.

The role of development policy in the response to biodiversity loss in developing countries: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss the Fit for 2030 Package, which aims to align climate and energy policies with the new objectives of the European Climate Law to the EP Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). The package comprises, inter alia, legislative proposals for the revision of the EU ETS and for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), amendments to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Directives, as well as a revision of the CO2 standards for cars, LULUCF and Effort Sharing Regulations.

Exchange of views on the European Green Deal - Fit For 55 in 2030 Package: MEPs debate

Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR), ENVI Chair, reacts to the Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, and Commissioner for Climate Action Policy presentation of the upcoming climate legislative package to the members of the EP Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). The new legislation aims to align climate and energy policies with the new objectives of the European Climate Law.

European Green Deal - Fit for 55 in 2030 package: statement by Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR), ENVI Chair - ENVI committee

Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, and Commissioner for Climate Action Policy, presents the Fit for 2030 Package, which aims to align climate and energy policies with the new objectives of the European Climate Law to the EP Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). The package comprises, inter alia, legislative proposals for the revision of the EU ETS and for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), amendments to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Directives, as well as a revision of the CO2 standards for cars, LULUCF and Effort Sharing Regulations. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Exchange of views on the European Green Deal - Fit For 55 in 2030 Package: opening statements by the Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR), Chair of ENVI Committee, and by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission

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