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EU coal emissions rose 6% from 2010 to 2013, contributing to 18% of total EU CO2 emissions. This increase was driven by fuel-switching from gas to coal in Germany, the UK, and Poland, which together account for 66% of coal-based emissions. While renewables and falling demand reduced overall fossil generation by 4.3% per year, the low carbon price under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) failed to prevent coal's resurgence. The report warns that the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) may not force expected closures because of cheaper compliance technologies and the introduction of capacity markets, particularly in the UK and Poland, which risk locking in high-carbon infrastructure into the 2030s. Modelling suggests that if coal remains cheaper than gas, emissions will fall only 3% by 2016, though the potential for fuel-switching will increase by 2020. Sandbag recommends urgent ETS reform, mandatory carbon intensity reporting, and targeted CCS funding.

The text proposes a 'third pathway' for the EU that avoids both a federal state and renationalisation by integrating national and European parliaments and strengthening participatory democracy. It calls for a new Convention to redefine EU legislation and suggests that the European Parliament should have a suspensive veto to prevent the dominance of powerful member states like Germany. The author critiques current citizen engagement efforts as mere 'communication' and advocates for more substantive tools, such as citizen panels and consensual conferences, to ensure citizens have a genuine voice in decision-making.

The text advocates for a new fundamental law for the EU, created via an open constituent assembly, to redefine its missions and decision-making processes. It proposes strengthening the role of national parliaments by integrating them with the European Parliament, particularly regarding budgetary rights, to prevent the dominance of powerful states like Germany. Additionally, it calls for the expansion of participatory democracy tools, such as the European Citizens' Initiative, petitions, and citizen panels, arguing that current efforts by the European Commission have often been reduced to mere communication exercises rather than genuine levers for policy influence.

The author contends that the eurozone is facing a critical risk of deflation due to flawed austerity policies and the failure of the European Central Bank's conventional monetary tools. The text argues that standard quantitative easing (QE) is ineffective because it primarily benefits the wealthy and fails to stimulate lending during a 'liquidity trap'. As a solution, the document proposes 'overt money financing' or 'quantitative easing for the people' (QEP), which would involve the central bank providing debt-free money directly to governments to fund public works, tax cuts, or an unconditional basic income, thereby boosting demand without increasing public debt.

The author contends that Greece's current tourism strategy, characterized by unplanned infrastructure and the legalization of illegal developments, is eroding the natural landscapes that attract visitors. The text criticizes recent legislative efforts to promote large holiday compounds and remove protections from forests, while proposing an alternative model based on the renovation of abandoned buildings and the sustainable management of natural and cultural heritage.

The author contends that EU member states are responding to the financial crisis with austerity and environmental deregulation, which risks creating a deeper long-term environmental crisis. Using Greece as a primary example, the text highlights the collapse of protected areas and a shift toward 'dirty' projects like hydrocarbon exploration. It advocates for a new development paradigm that integrates sustainable development targets into economic adjustment programmes to ensure a transition toward a low-carbon, socially equitable economy.

This collection of articles from the Green European Journal examines the instability of the current financial system, the risks posed by fossil fuel asset bubbles, and the need for a 'green' economic transition. It critiques the role of private bank money creation, the impact of austerity in the EU periphery, and the influence of banking lobbies on regulation, while proposing alternatives such as sovereign money, debt jubilees, and mandatory climate risk accounting for financial institutions.

The text advocates for degrowth to counter ecological collapse and social inequality, proposing a shift from GDP-driven growth to a model based on an Unconditional Autonomy Allowance (UAA). This UAA would provide non-monetary drawing rights on resources and local currencies rather than standard monetary allocations. The authors suggest three implementation scenarios: leveraging existing local alternatives, reducing working time to share labour, or establishing a basic income coupled with a Maximum Acceptable Income (MAI) and debt cancellation. The goal is to relocate production locally to make environmental and social externalities visible and to transition from 'recession by necessity' to 'degrowth by choice'.

The document updates the 2011 subsidy estimates for EU biofuels, reducing the total estimated support from €9,272–€10,653 million to €5,515–€6,896 million. This correction stems from an overestimation of the volume of biofuels eligible for fuel excise tax exemptions. While budgetary support figures for bioethanol and biodiesel were lowered, other support elements, such as market transfers, remain unchanged. The report also details the calculation methodologies for excise tax exemptions and market price support via blending mandates.

The text criticizes the austerity strategies implemented in Portugal following its request for international aid, asserting that these policies have failed to reduce debt while causing severe economic recession and social distress. It highlights catastrophic outcomes, including a 4% GDP drop in early 2013, mass unemployment, and unprecedented emigration. The author calls for a political solution through debt renegotiation and a transition toward a green and socially just alternative to protect the welfare state.

The document advocates for an EU based on 'hospitality' and international solidarity, moving beyond trade agreements to ensure freedom of movement and access to services for all citizens. It highlights the challenges posed by austerity and the rise of xenophobic nationalism, while calling for a Common Asylum System and recognition of climate change's role in migration.

The author contends that current forms of solidarity, such as charitable aid to migrants and the poor, are insufficient and should be replaced by political action. Specifically, the text calls for the amendment of the Dublin II treaty to relieve Greece of a disproportionate burden regarding asylum seekers and urges Northern European citizens to pressure their governments to oppose austerity measures imposed by the Troika. Finally, it argues that Europe must take responsibility for the exploitation of wealth, child labor, and wars in Asia and Africa to eliminate the root causes of migration.

The report examines the systemic failures of conventional finance, specifically citing the Enron bankruptcy, the subprime mortgage crisis, and the Greek debt crisis, as evidence of the dangers of excessive leverage and opaque derivatives. It proposes Islamic finance as a sustainable alternative, grounded in Sharia principles such as the prohibition of riba (interest), gharar (uncertainty), and maisir (speculation). The author argues that the Islamic requirement for asset-backed financing and profit-loss sharing aligns financial incentives with the real economy, potentially preventing the types of market failures seen in conventional banking.

The text is a speech by Cohn-Bendit delivered in Athens on June 16, 2013, which critiques the 'neo-liberal technocracy' and austerity measures imposed on Greece. It argues that individual nation-states are powerless against the globalised economy, finance, and climate deterioration, asserting that only a united European Union can preserve social justice and democratic values. The author calls for a 'radical and responsible drive' to transform politics through energy transition, ecological transformation, and a shared European sovereignty to avoid the alternative of financial bureaucracy or populist rage.

The author contends that individual European nation-states are powerless against globalized finance and climate degradation, citing the devastating impact of austerity in Greece as a primary example. The text calls for a shift away from neoliberalism and national interests toward a shared European project focused on energy transition, ecological transformation, and the reclamation of democratic space to ensure the survival of European values and social justice.

The author contends that austerity policies in Portugal have led to a 'social emergency,' characterized by rising poverty, historic unemployment, and an exodus of young people. The text claims these measures increased public debt to over 126% of GDP while causing a recession and the 'uncontrolled exploitation of the natural resources.' It advocates for a debt renegotiation led by the Portuguese State, citing the 1953 London Agreement as a precedent, to prioritize citizens over financial markets.

The author describes the devastating impact of austerity measures imposed on Portugal via a Memorandum of Understanding, noting that these policies have led to record unemployment, mass emigration, and increased poverty. The text highlights the failure of the 'Troika's' economic forecasts and calls for the Portuguese state to lead a debt renegotiation, similar to the 1953 London Agreement, to prioritize human rights and the welfare state over financial market interests.

The report examines the draft CETA Investment Chapter, highlighting concerns over the broad definition of 'investment' and 'investor', the inclusion of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), and the potential for 'treaty shopping'. It critiques the shift toward a negative listing approach for market access and the lack of clear, closed-list definitions for 'fair and equitable treatment'. The author argues that the proposed frameworks for indirect expropriation and general exceptions provide insufficient protection for legitimate public welfare objectives, such as health and environmental regulations, potentially exposing Canada and EU member states to excessive legal risks.

The document advocates for a 'cultural and social revolution' in food systems to replace the industrial agro-industry, which it links to environmental degradation and public health crises. It critiques the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for favoring large-scale production over small farmers and biodiversity. Through various regional case studies—including France's 'malbouffe' crisis, land-grabbing in Hungary, and organic farming in Spain—it promotes short supply chains, agro-ecology, and the reconnection of consumers with producers. It also highlights specific Green political initiatives in Belgium and Germany aimed at promoting organic and GMO-free agriculture.

The Luxembourg Greens oppose the Fiscal Treaty, asserting that its debt brake mandates austerity and deepens social inequalities by ignoring the revenue side of public budgets. The document argues that austerity has failed to trigger economic recovery and instead proposes a Green New Deal focused on green infrastructure and environmental industrial transition. It suggests that a genuine European solution requires a minimum tax base to stop tax competition and the use of Eurobonds or a common sinking fund to manage national debt burdens.