Blue flag with yellow stars representing the European Union.

Von der Leyen moves to cut EU green compliance rules

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is pushing to simplify environmental reporting laws, a move critics say could weaken European Union climate policies.

Marianne Gros reports for POLITICO.

In short:

The European Commission plans to reduce reporting obligations for companies under its environmental rules, aiming to ease compliance costs and boost economic competitiveness.
The proposal targets laws requiring businesses to report greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and supply chain impacts, with potential revisions to the EU Taxonomy for green investments.
Environmental groups warn that scaling back these regulations could undermine the EU Green Deal and set a precedent for further deregulation.

Key quote:

“This could be an extremely problematic precedent” and a possible “first step in the deregulation wave across Europe.”

— Tsvetelina Kuzmanova, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Why this matters:

The EU has long been at the forefront of climate regulation, with policies that often set the standard for other nations. A rollback now could signal a retreat from that role, raising questions about whether other global powers might follow suit. With key environmental goals on the line, the outcome of this debate could shape the future of corporate climate responsibility far beyond Europe’s borders.

www.politico.eu

Von der Leyen moves to cut EU green compliance rules

Trump White House tells agencies to ignore climate costs when writing rules

Trump’s energy strategy backfires as oil falters and renewables stall

Political promises collide with a century-old grid as the Pacific Northwest struggles to build green energy

Massachusetts battery startup takes major step toward making gas cars obsolete

Church leaders launch guide to challenge fossil fuel financiers through faith and law

Intensive farming depletes European and UK soils, weakening climate defenses

Shell plastic plant's nighttime flaring alarms Pennsylvania residents and draws regulatory scrutiny

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.