Nyheder – Europe

All bananas in Lidl to be Fairtrade: In Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, the Supermarket chain Lidl has decided that every banana they sell must be Fairtrade certified.

New record for wind turbines: The world’s biggest offshore wind farm is now operational between England and Ireland. A Danish company has provided the 102 turbines to power 600,000 homes.

Ireland allows limited abortion: The Irish parliament has voted to allow legal abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, if the woman’s life is in danger or if the foetus is not viable.

Renewable energy cheaper than coal: Kosovo has been refused a loan to build a new coal fired power plant because renewable energy sources are now cheaper than coal.

Less CO2 emission from vans in EU: Vans registered in the EU in 2017 emitted 4.7% less CO2/km on average than the year before, due to new EU legislation.

Cleaner air in Madrid: Starting in November, all non-resident vehicles will be barred from central Madrid. A fine of 90 euros will be enforced against cars breaking the rule.

EU to fight plastic waste: The EU Commission wants to ban a range of disposable plastic. Single-use plastic waste accounts for 50 percent of trash in the ocean.

Poison ban to benefit bees: The EU will now ban a type of pesticides that harms bees. The number of bees has dropped dramatically in recent years, harming nature and agriculture.

Fewer plastic bags in British waters: New research shows that there are now significantly fewer plastic bags in the seas around England, compared to 2010.

A stop for problem cups: The supermarket chain Waitrose is to stop using disposable coffee cups. The cups are a problem for the environment, because they cannot be recycled.

Fewer traffic deaths in the EU: The number of traffic deaths in the EU has dropped by 20 percent since 2010.

Fewer traffic deaths in the EU: The number of traffic deaths in the EU has dropped by 20 percent since 2010.

A stop for problem cups: The supermarket chain Waitrose is to stop using disposable coffee cups. The cups are a problem for the environment, because they cannot be recycled.

German cities fight air pollution: The German cities of Stuttgart and Düsseldorf will ban older diesel vehicles in a bid to improve air quality.

These boots are made by chewing: Special recycling bins for chewing gum have been installed in several spots across England. The plastic gum can be turned into things like new soles for shoes.

Free water to save plastic: To cut down on plastic bottles, shops, cafes, and businesses will offer free water refill points in every major city and town in England by 2021.

Scotland to ban plastic straws: From the end of 2019, producing and using plastic straws will be banned in Scotland. The ban aims to protect the environment, especially the sea.

Good news in demand: The English newspaper The Guardian has realised that their readership increases by 10 percent when the articles also point to solutions to the world’s problems.

Electric ferry rocks the boat: The first electric ferry in Norway has been shown to emit 95% less CO2, and it’s also 80% cheaper to operate. An additional 53 electric ferries have been ordered.

Mallorca and Ibiza to ban plastic: The Balearic Islands will ban single-use plastics from 2020, to keep beaches clean and attract more tourists.