Ariel Brunner
@arielbrunner.bsky.social
Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia with @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social
EU institutions deal last night on the "simplification" of the CAP dropped the looniest EP amendments, like exempting farmers in protected areas from env requirements that would still apply in un-"protected" land.
CAP remains money (to the rich) for nothing. But without the surrealist twist.
CAP remains money (to the rich) for nothing. But without the surrealist twist.
November 11, 2025 at 7:51 AM
EU institutions deal last night on the "simplification" of the CAP dropped the looniest EP amendments, like exempting farmers in protected areas from env requirements that would still apply in un-"protected" land.
CAP remains money (to the rich) for nothing. But without the surrealist twist.
CAP remains money (to the rich) for nothing. But without the surrealist twist.
Reposted by Ariel Brunner
“The Omnibus fails to meet the constitutional standards the EU’s own legal order demands”.
That’s the conclusion reached by legal opinion endorsed by 100+ academics warning the Parliament about this dangerous precedent.
Read the opinion 👇 #Omnibus #CSRD #CSDDD
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
That’s the conclusion reached by legal opinion endorsed by 100+ academics warning the Parliament about this dangerous precedent.
Read the opinion 👇 #Omnibus #CSRD #CSDDD
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
November 10, 2025 at 6:33 AM
“The Omnibus fails to meet the constitutional standards the EU’s own legal order demands”.
That’s the conclusion reached by legal opinion endorsed by 100+ academics warning the Parliament about this dangerous precedent.
Read the opinion 👇 #Omnibus #CSRD #CSDDD
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
That’s the conclusion reached by legal opinion endorsed by 100+ academics warning the Parliament about this dangerous precedent.
Read the opinion 👇 #Omnibus #CSRD #CSDDD
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
On health, as on environment, the intensive farming lobby is at the forefront of dismantling EU democracy.
“No meeting minutes have been shared, no stakeholder consultation has been opened [..]. For those who work to reduce alcohol-related harm, [..] the message it sends is unmistakable: the interests of producers matter more than the wellbeing of citizens.”
euobserver.com/eu-political...
euobserver.com/eu-political...
Lack of transparency of EU's new wine proposals will cause a hangover
The EU Wine Package — a broad reform of the rules for how wine should be produced, marketed, and labelled across the EU — is moving forward with unusual speed and limited transparency.
euobserver.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:57 AM
On health, as on environment, the intensive farming lobby is at the forefront of dismantling EU democracy.
Reposted by Ariel Brunner
Emptying the sky: #Malta’s commitment to #bird #conservation is in decline.
From #trapping disguised as “research” to weakened enforcement and plans to constitutionally protect hunting, policies continue to favour exploitation over preservation.
Read more: www.independent.com.mt/articles/202...
From #trapping disguised as “research” to weakened enforcement and plans to constitutionally protect hunting, policies continue to favour exploitation over preservation.
Read more: www.independent.com.mt/articles/202...
Emptying the sky: Malta’s declining commitment to bird conservation - The Malta Independent
Malta's strategic position along the central Mediterranean flyway makes it a vital stopover for migratory birds. Yet over the past decade, a succession of policy decisions has gradually eroded
www.independent.com.mt
November 9, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Emptying the sky: #Malta’s commitment to #bird #conservation is in decline.
From #trapping disguised as “research” to weakened enforcement and plans to constitutionally protect hunting, policies continue to favour exploitation over preservation.
Read more: www.independent.com.mt/articles/202...
From #trapping disguised as “research” to weakened enforcement and plans to constitutionally protect hunting, policies continue to favour exploitation over preservation.
Read more: www.independent.com.mt/articles/202...
The added value of Dutch agriculture is €13.3 billion, but env damage leads to net impact estimated at a negative €5.3 billion per year.
Essential read at a moment when the intensive farm lobby is leading an all out assault on EU environmental legislation
www.deloitte.com/nl/en/Indust...
Essential read at a moment when the intensive farm lobby is leading an all out assault on EU environmental legislation
www.deloitte.com/nl/en/Indust...
The hidden bill | Deloitte Netherlands
The scale and intensity of Dutch agriculture brings positive economic impact while at the same time generates environmental and social costs. Transitioning to a smarter, lower-impact system can, howe...
www.deloitte.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The added value of Dutch agriculture is €13.3 billion, but env damage leads to net impact estimated at a negative €5.3 billion per year.
Essential read at a moment when the intensive farm lobby is leading an all out assault on EU environmental legislation
www.deloitte.com/nl/en/Indust...
Essential read at a moment when the intensive farm lobby is leading an all out assault on EU environmental legislation
www.deloitte.com/nl/en/Indust...
Reposted by Ariel Brunner
🔥 What happens after Europe’s NGOs are dismantled?
Last week, @alemanno.bsky.social mapped how civic space in Europe is being suffocated – how NGOs die.
This week, we asked the next question: what happens when they do?
🧵👇
euobserver.com/eu-political...
Last week, @alemanno.bsky.social mapped how civic space in Europe is being suffocated – how NGOs die.
This week, we asked the next question: what happens when they do?
🧵👇
euobserver.com/eu-political...
What happens after Europe's NGOs are dismantled?
What does Europe look like when independent civil society is silenced, sidelined or slowly starved out of existence? This is not dystopian fiction. It is the logical end-point of a trend already visib...
euobserver.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:40 AM
🔥 What happens after Europe’s NGOs are dismantled?
Last week, @alemanno.bsky.social mapped how civic space in Europe is being suffocated – how NGOs die.
This week, we asked the next question: what happens when they do?
🧵👇
euobserver.com/eu-political...
Last week, @alemanno.bsky.social mapped how civic space in Europe is being suffocated – how NGOs die.
This week, we asked the next question: what happens when they do?
🧵👇
euobserver.com/eu-political...
So the EP Agri committee, so adamant that consumers would be confused by labels saying VeggyBurger or Vegeterian sausage, have voted to allow booze producers to replace health indications with a QR code
Transparency seems is a one way street. Leading away from healthier and more sustainable diets.
Transparency seems is a one way street. Leading away from healthier and more sustainable diets.
November 6, 2025 at 4:10 PM
So the EP Agri committee, so adamant that consumers would be confused by labels saying VeggyBurger or Vegeterian sausage, have voted to allow booze producers to replace health indications with a QR code
Transparency seems is a one way street. Leading away from healthier and more sustainable diets.
Transparency seems is a one way street. Leading away from healthier and more sustainable diets.
Part of the tragedy of our time is that so many are ready to attack the bits of governance and democracy that annoy or get in their way, while ignoring the risk of the whole house coming down crashing on their heads.
This is a must read piece.
This is a must read piece.
“What does Europe look like when independent #civilsociety — the organisations that exist to protect the public interest — is silenced, sidelined or slowly starved out of existence?” really important piece
What happens after Europe's NGOs are dismantled?
What does Europe look like when independent civil society is silenced, sidelined or slowly starved out of existence? This is not dystopian fiction. It is the logical end-point of a trend already visib...
euobserver.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Part of the tragedy of our time is that so many are ready to attack the bits of governance and democracy that annoy or get in their way, while ignoring the risk of the whole house coming down crashing on their heads.
This is a must read piece.
This is a must read piece.
Reposted by Ariel Brunner
⚠️In a few weeks, the European Commission will present a package, called environmental omnibus, that could roll back laws protecting our air, water, and wildlife... all to please powerful polluters.
It's time for the Commission to listen to people, not polluters.
#HandsOffNature
It's time for the Commission to listen to people, not polluters.
#HandsOffNature
November 3, 2025 at 11:08 AM
⚠️In a few weeks, the European Commission will present a package, called environmental omnibus, that could roll back laws protecting our air, water, and wildlife... all to please powerful polluters.
It's time for the Commission to listen to people, not polluters.
#HandsOffNature
It's time for the Commission to listen to people, not polluters.
#HandsOffNature
The road to hell: let’s burn more fossile fuels if we mismanage our forests....
The European Union should weaken its next climate target if its forests sequester less carbon dioxide than planned, according to a draft agreement on the bloc's 2040 emissions-cutting goal.
EU countries poised to demand weaker climate target if forests fail to absorb CO2
Ministers are rushing to strike a deal on EU emissions ahead of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil.
www.politico.eu
November 3, 2025 at 11:22 AM
The road to hell: let’s burn more fossile fuels if we mismanage our forests....
Reposted by Ariel Brunner
The @ec.europa.eu confirms it has not endorsed Malta’s so-called research derogation for finch trapping, reinforcing that the previous ruling still stands.
👉 Read more: birdlifemalta.org/2025/11/euro...
👉 Read more: birdlifemalta.org/2025/11/euro...
European Commission confirms that finch-trapping derogation is not in line with the European Court of Justice ruling | BirdLife Malta
EU clarifies it has not endorsed Malta’s finch-trapping derogation, warning of possible legal action if EU Birds Directive rules are breached.
birdlifemalta.org
November 1, 2025 at 11:57 AM
The @ec.europa.eu confirms it has not endorsed Malta’s so-called research derogation for finch trapping, reinforcing that the previous ruling still stands.
👉 Read more: birdlifemalta.org/2025/11/euro...
👉 Read more: birdlifemalta.org/2025/11/euro...
Reposted by Ariel Brunner
Join our webinar for the launch of the African-Eurasian Flyway Initiative! ✨
The African-Eurasian Flyway is one of the world’s great migratory routes, used by over 2 billion birds, connecting ecosystems and people across Africa, Europe and Asia. 🌍
Learn more here www.worldbank.org/en/events/20...
The African-Eurasian Flyway is one of the world’s great migratory routes, used by over 2 billion birds, connecting ecosystems and people across Africa, Europe and Asia. 🌍
Learn more here www.worldbank.org/en/events/20...
October 31, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Join our webinar for the launch of the African-Eurasian Flyway Initiative! ✨
The African-Eurasian Flyway is one of the world’s great migratory routes, used by over 2 billion birds, connecting ecosystems and people across Africa, Europe and Asia. 🌍
Learn more here www.worldbank.org/en/events/20...
The African-Eurasian Flyway is one of the world’s great migratory routes, used by over 2 billion birds, connecting ecosystems and people across Africa, Europe and Asia. 🌍
Learn more here www.worldbank.org/en/events/20...
Reposted by Ariel Brunner
A coordinated assault on civil society is unfolding with surgical precision (...) EU institutions and national governments are deploying a 5-step playbook to eliminate independent organisations that stand between corporate power and public interest
euobserver.com/eu-political...
euobserver.com/eu-political...
How NGOs die — Europe's playbook for dismantling democracy
The playbook is brutally efficient: fabricate a scandal, delegitimise and defund organisations into dependency on philanthropic support, then criminalise their new funding as foreign influence — all w...
euobserver.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:49 PM
A coordinated assault on civil society is unfolding with surgical precision (...) EU institutions and national governments are deploying a 5-step playbook to eliminate independent organisations that stand between corporate power and public interest
euobserver.com/eu-political...
euobserver.com/eu-political...
One of a new generation of landscape level #RestoreNature projects we've been developing with our national Partners.
Bringing nature at scale requires bold vision, inclusive work with communities, factoring in climate change, imagining sustainable local economies.
Stay tuned.
Bringing nature at scale requires bold vision, inclusive work with communities, factoring in climate change, imagining sustainable local economies.
Stay tuned.
💪𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗻 🌊
Lemnos Island, Greece, is a stunning landscape shaped by volcanic forces, where coastal and marine ecosystems, wetlands, grasslands, ancient forests, and farmlands converge.
Lemnos Island, Greece, is a stunning landscape shaped by volcanic forces, where coastal and marine ecosystems, wetlands, grasslands, ancient forests, and farmlands converge.
October 29, 2025 at 3:10 PM
One of a new generation of landscape level #RestoreNature projects we've been developing with our national Partners.
Bringing nature at scale requires bold vision, inclusive work with communities, factoring in climate change, imagining sustainable local economies.
Stay tuned.
Bringing nature at scale requires bold vision, inclusive work with communities, factoring in climate change, imagining sustainable local economies.
Stay tuned.
Dear @eppgroup.bsky.social please check up the regimes that have been following the Russian play book on anti-NGOs repression and ask yourselves if those are the models you want to follow:
www.ipsnews.net/2025/10/fore...
Standard play book: defunding=>foreign agent labelling=>judicial repression.
www.ipsnews.net/2025/10/fore...
Standard play book: defunding=>foreign agent labelling=>judicial repression.
Foreign Agent Laws: The Latest Authoritarian Weapon Against Civil Society
When thousands of Georgians filled the streets of Tbilisi in 2023 to protest against their government’s proposed ‘foreign agents’ law, they understood what their leaders were trying to do: this wasn’t...
www.ipsnews.net
October 29, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Dear @eppgroup.bsky.social please check up the regimes that have been following the Russian play book on anti-NGOs repression and ask yourselves if those are the models you want to follow:
www.ipsnews.net/2025/10/fore...
Standard play book: defunding=>foreign agent labelling=>judicial repression.
www.ipsnews.net/2025/10/fore...
Standard play book: defunding=>foreign agent labelling=>judicial repression.
When you put together the attempts to defund NGOs defending public goods, and the private interests lobby-fest driving the roll back of EU legislation, you start seeing the pattern.
It is not about simplifying life for the man on the street and the struggling SME.
It is not about simplifying life for the man on the street and the struggling SME.
The European Ombudsman "has opened an inquiry into whether the European Commission acted secretively in its dealings with industry before launching a series of business-friendly initiatives".
The Ombudsman was acting on a complaint by the Corporate Europe Observatory
www.politico.eu/article/ombu...
The Ombudsman was acting on a complaint by the Corporate Europe Observatory
www.politico.eu/article/ombu...
October 29, 2025 at 9:38 AM
When you put together the attempts to defund NGOs defending public goods, and the private interests lobby-fest driving the roll back of EU legislation, you start seeing the pattern.
It is not about simplifying life for the man on the street and the struggling SME.
It is not about simplifying life for the man on the street and the struggling SME.
Reposted by Ariel Brunner
🚨 Across Europe, farmland that once echoed with birdsong and buzzing life is falling silent, poisoned by the overuse of harmful pesticides.
These chemicals contaminate soil and water, kill the insects that birds depend on, and weaken the ecosystems that make farming possible.
These chemicals contaminate soil and water, kill the insects that birds depend on, and weaken the ecosystems that make farming possible.
October 28, 2025 at 1:34 PM
🚨 Across Europe, farmland that once echoed with birdsong and buzzing life is falling silent, poisoned by the overuse of harmful pesticides.
These chemicals contaminate soil and water, kill the insects that birds depend on, and weaken the ecosystems that make farming possible.
These chemicals contaminate soil and water, kill the insects that birds depend on, and weaken the ecosystems that make farming possible.
Reposted by Ariel Brunner
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.
Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:31 AM
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Reposted by Ariel Brunner
As the single most important news story this year, I can't wait to see the detailed and central coverage this will get in every media outlet we have
‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head
Exclusive: ‘Devastating consequences’ now inevitable but emissions cuts still vital, says António Guterres in sole interview before Cop30
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:00 AM
As the single most important news story this year, I can't wait to see the detailed and central coverage this will get in every media outlet we have
You are right.
We can do a lot to simplify things for companies and citizens, while enforcing our good laws- unified data bases, digitalisation, remote controls, proper staffing of agencies.
Weakening EU laws, as the most polluting industries and sectors ask for, is not simple. It's simply wrong.
We can do a lot to simplify things for companies and citizens, while enforcing our good laws- unified data bases, digitalisation, remote controls, proper staffing of agencies.
Weakening EU laws, as the most polluting industries and sectors ask for, is not simple. It's simply wrong.
Doing things simpler may be a good idea. Deregulating may leave people behind and incentivise 27 different answers to replace the common one.
www.ft.com/content/adba...
www.ft.com/content/adba...
Developing countries at risk from EU’s simplification drive, UN warns
Bid by Brussels to cut red tape is too dominated by politics, top officials say
www.ft.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:14 PM
You are right.
We can do a lot to simplify things for companies and citizens, while enforcing our good laws- unified data bases, digitalisation, remote controls, proper staffing of agencies.
Weakening EU laws, as the most polluting industries and sectors ask for, is not simple. It's simply wrong.
We can do a lot to simplify things for companies and citizens, while enforcing our good laws- unified data bases, digitalisation, remote controls, proper staffing of agencies.
Weakening EU laws, as the most polluting industries and sectors ask for, is not simple. It's simply wrong.
Reposted by Ariel Brunner
Weather radar results show an average of 11.2tn insects during daytime hours, just over 5tn at night
Insect abundance was higher over woodlands, grasslands, even urban areas – but dropped in intensively farmed regions & where artificial lighting was high.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Insect abundance was higher over woodlands, grasslands, even urban areas – but dropped in intensively farmed regions & where artificial lighting was high.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Night-flying insects over UK in decline, weather radar study reveals
Study of Met Office data one of first to show how nocturnal insects affected by factors such as light pollution
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Weather radar results show an average of 11.2tn insects during daytime hours, just over 5tn at night
Insect abundance was higher over woodlands, grasslands, even urban areas – but dropped in intensively farmed regions & where artificial lighting was high.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Insect abundance was higher over woodlands, grasslands, even urban areas – but dropped in intensively farmed regions & where artificial lighting was high.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Ariel Brunner
🚨 Today, Agriculture Ministers are meeting to discuss the future of Europe’s Agriculture policy, and one crucial topic is on the table: nature.
We call for dedicated funding for the environment and climate.
👉 Read our vision: www.birdlife.org/wp-content/u...
We call for dedicated funding for the environment and climate.
👉 Read our vision: www.birdlife.org/wp-content/u...
October 27, 2025 at 9:47 AM
🚨 Today, Agriculture Ministers are meeting to discuss the future of Europe’s Agriculture policy, and one crucial topic is on the table: nature.
We call for dedicated funding for the environment and climate.
👉 Read our vision: www.birdlife.org/wp-content/u...
We call for dedicated funding for the environment and climate.
👉 Read our vision: www.birdlife.org/wp-content/u...
Water hemmoraging from Natura2000 peatbog in Belgium's Haute fagne. Deep drainge, bad for biodiversity, floods, summer droughts. For the sake of uneconomic spruce plantations.
A priority for RestoreNature
A priority for RestoreNature
October 26, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Water hemmoraging from Natura2000 peatbog in Belgium's Haute fagne. Deep drainge, bad for biodiversity, floods, summer droughts. For the sake of uneconomic spruce plantations.
A priority for RestoreNature
A priority for RestoreNature
But of course when done by blond people, it doesnt count as deforestation.
(*sarcasm alert)
(*sarcasm alert)
WWF uncovered that Europe’s last primary and old-growth forests are still being logged in some countries.
These eco-systems are irreplaceable, and we must protect what little remains❌🪓
Read more👇
wwf.eu?16616441/WWF...
These eco-systems are irreplaceable, and we must protect what little remains❌🪓
Read more👇
wwf.eu?16616441/WWF...
October 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM
But of course when done by blond people, it doesnt count as deforestation.
(*sarcasm alert)
(*sarcasm alert)