Land

Carbon farming can be a “major contributor” to the EU’s climate change targets while providing a whole range of other environmental benefits, including promoting biodiversity, a European Commission study suggests.

EU agriculture ministers have indicated they support a compromise position proposed by the Portuguese government that would phase in minimum spending requirements for eco-schemes under the reformed Common Agricultural Policy.

Approval for Portugal’s largest prospective lithium mine has moved closer after the Portuguese environment agency agreed to open a public consultation on the controversial project, the UK-based mine-owner Savannah Resources reported last Friday.

A cross-party group of MEPs is calling on the European Commission “to open and amend” the bioenergy provisions in the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive.

Scandinavia aims to strengthen its position as an EU mining powerhouse as part of the bloc’s sustainable raw materials drive, but industry has warned ‘red tape’ is hindering a rapid expansion.