😮💨 2024 WRAPPED

What a decade, huh? Captain, it's 2024. It’s hard not to feel a little dizzy looking back at everything that’s happened this year. Half the world went to the polls, climate disasters intensified (most recently Cyclone Chido devastating Mayotte), and war crimes and human rights violations sent shockwaves across the globe.

The EU sees out 2024 with a new Commission and Parliament setting sail into stormy waters, navigating fragile majorities internally and hostile geopolitics externally.

But hey, it wasn’t all doom and gloom! There were plenty of bright moments and wins that show why we keep fighting for positive, systemic change. This newsletter will give you plenty of reasons to feel smug (in the best way) when your tricky uncle starts quoting his favourite anti-science memes at the Christmas dinner table. 

For now, this is META’s final sermon of the year. It’s time to close the laptops, recharge, and enjoy a well-deserved break —whether that’s with friends, family, nature, or just a mountain of chocolate. But first, join us for this final smooth ride.

🏆 2024 WINS

🌱 First Nature Restoration Law – In June this year we saw the EU officially adopt the much-anticipated Nature Restoration Law! After enduring one of the most tumultuous journeys in the history of EU legislation, EU Member States approved the NRL. This requires all countries to restore at least 20% of the EU's terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by 2030, with even more ambitious goals for 2050. The EEB is proud to be part of the #RestoreNature campaign, alongside partner environmental NGOs. Now, time for its implementation!   

🌞 Renewables boom – Wind and solar reached ‘new highs’ in the EU, overtaking fossil fuels in electricity production for the first time ever. Historic, right? Countries like Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands are leading the charge. The EU’s push to reduce fossil fuel dependency is already showing great results. If Member States keep up the momentum on wind and solar deployment, in a nature-positive and participatory way, freedom from fossil power reliance will truly start to come into view. Let’s keep it rolling! 

🚜 Consensus on agriculture's future – Remember the tractor protests? Well, they sparked a historic 'Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture'. After seven months of debate, collaboration and compromise, this process brought together green NGOs, consumer groups, farmers’ unions and industry actors, and ended with consensus: everyone agreed that "business-as-usual is no longer an option". With the EU's new Commissioner for Agriculture & Food promising to implement the recommendations in this concluding report, we have reason to hope for a brighter future of EU agriculture, for farmers, consumers, nature and animals.  

🛠️♻️ Greener products – In 2024, the EU agreed on a new Ecodesign law that sets minimum standards for efficiency, durability and recyclability for nearly all EU market products. The law bans the destruction of unsold textiles. Producers must also trace harmful substances in products. On top of this, new EU laws to bolster repair, reduce packaging waste and ban greenwashing claims are all contributing to making sustainable products the norm and helping us find the greenest options. 

🌬️ Better air quality rules – Breathe easy, Europe! In 2024, the EU adopted stronger air quality rules under the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD). Since air pollution remains Europe's biggest environmental health risk (causing asthma, heart disease, and even premature deaths) this is no small victory. The new rules set stricter limits on harmful air pollutants, pushing countries to clean up their air faster and ensure a healthier future for everyone. Read more. 

💸 Accountability for big corporations – In May, we celebrated a major milestone: the adoption of a new law requiring large companies to identify and address human rights abuses and environmental damage in their supply chains. The Corporate Sustainable Due Diligence Directive is the result of a hard-fought campaign by civil society against years of industry lobbying and political backsliding. While not perfect, this law is a significant step toward preventing corporate abuse of people and the planet.

This is just a glimpse of what was achieved during a busy 2024. Highlights include the revision of the industrial emissions law and the adoption of an ambitious directive on energy performance in buildings, among many others. Want to share these wins with your loved ones this Christmas? Check out the Green Fix tips!

✊ PERSISTENTS, LIKE PFAS 

Nothing lasts forever, except PFAS and our efforts to ban them! We kicked off 2024 with a bang, by testing high-level European politicians for PFAS, the notorious "forever chemicals". From the highest mountains to the deepest oceans, these toxic chemicals have infiltrated our environment and lives —even reaching the world of influencers and content creators. 

Your voice matters – This year, we teamed up with eight content creators from France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands to test their bodies for PFAS, proving that no one is immune to the toxic grip of these chemicals. And guess what? They’re all on board, supporting our petition (with over 140,000 signatures already!) calling for urgent action to ban PFAS and make polluters accountable.

We're closing 2024 with a bold message: it’s time to stop the poisoning. PFAS are a violation of our right to a clean environment and a healthy body. The only way forward? Ban them once and for all. Last week, we even mapped PFAS-contaminated water in Europe to remind the new EU Commission that these toxics are literally everywhere; including their hometowns. Let’s keep up the fight for a toxic-free future in 2025! 

⚖️ HO HO HO: LITIGATION GIFTS

EU wins – Our Member, Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe secured two major EU Court of Justice rulings. One to ensure that countries use the most recent scientific knowledge before allowing pesticide products on the market (stopping the widespread practice of disregarding recent scientific consensus) and the other for ensuring they assess the pesticide product for endocrine-disrupting properties (which interfere with hormones). A big step for health and environmental protection! 

Germany – Our Member Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) successfully held the German government accountable for failing to meet climate protection targets in the land use (LULUCF) sector. The court ordered action to supplement the 2023 Climate Protection Programme. 

Denmark – The Danish Vegetarian Society won a case against global meat giant Danish Crown for misleading “climate-controlled” claims about pig products, shining a spotlight on an appalling example of greenwashing. 

For more legal wins, check out our litigation Christmas list here!

🚀 FOLLOW US

Don't stay delulu, deal with the pollulu. This year, our digital community has skyrocketed! We've joined Bluesky, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts—and have already gone viral several times. Plus, we just hit a huge milestone: 50.000 followers on LinkedIn! 

Stay connected. Dive into our Bluesky Starter Packs and follow us across platforms for the latest updates on green policies and our work across the EU and beyond. Don’t miss out!

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Work with us. We’re always looking for passionate individuals to strengthen our team. Could it be you?Explore our current vacancies on our website, and come make a difference with us! Are you our next Events Assistant?  

By: Alberto Vela. Special thanks to the EEB's editorial team: Ruby Silk, Ben Snelson, and Roi Gomez. Editor: Christian Skrivervik