Mike Walker
@maerkelig.bsky.social
Doing amazing things by lunch time (while supporting winning #environment campaigns, organisations and actors) - Transparency registry: http://bit.ly/2JvozAh - powered by loud passionate #music, 🏃🏽 & 🍺
"Europe needs what only the [@ec.europa.eu] commission can provide: the capacity to articulate and defend a common European interest that transcends the competing imperatives of 27 national governments." ✊
The Dogeization of Europe: the plan to 'rollback' the EU's own institutions
The Dogeization of Europe: the plan to 'rollback' the EU's own institutions
What distinguishes the current review is its conceptual ambition — floating the idea of ending lifelong civil-service status for new hires, a move that, if extended to the whole institution, would signal a shift from a permanent, independent bureaucracy to a flexible, temporary workforce aligned with shifting political priorities, warns Alberto Alemanno.
euobserver.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:40 PM
"Europe needs what only the [@ec.europa.eu] commission can provide: the capacity to articulate and defend a common European interest that transcends the competing imperatives of 27 national governments." ✊
"We need to continue with at least the same pace [of #simplification] ... we know that actually there is a strong demand for this, including from member states ... There are also strong expectations from industry, from the business side, so certainly we will continue to work.” 🤦
EXCLUSIVE: EU ‘simplification’ czar vows to keep pace on cutting red tape
EXCLUSIVE: EU ‘simplification’ czar vows to keep pace on cutting red tape
Amid mounting pushback, Valdis Dombrovskis tells Euractiv that his scythe will continue to sweep away red tape
dlvr.it
December 2, 2025 at 12:55 PM
"We need to continue with at least the same pace [of #simplification] ... we know that actually there is a strong demand for this, including from member states ... There are also strong expectations from industry, from the business side, so certainly we will continue to work.” 🤦
"In a screeching U-turn after five years of high-intensity regulating, the @ec.europa.eu is rewriting its own rules at a blistering pace under pressure from #EU leaders [e.g. #Merz & #Macron] who fear the bloc’s economic woes won’t abate without unshackling businesses." a valuable read
Counterinsurgency: How Europe’s business lobby retook the Berlaymont
Counterinsurgency: How Europe’s business lobby retook the Berlaymont
The EU’s 'simplification' drive is turning into a bonanza for corporate lobbyists
dlvr.it
December 2, 2025 at 12:51 PM
"In a screeching U-turn after five years of high-intensity regulating, the @ec.europa.eu is rewriting its own rules at a blistering pace under pressure from #EU leaders [e.g. #Merz & #Macron] who fear the bloc’s economic woes won’t abate without unshackling businesses." a valuable read
Reposted by Mike Walker
We are deeply concerned by the potential reopening of the #PPWR as part of the upcoming Omnibus.
That's why we signed a joint call to @steph-sejourne.bsky.social and @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu to protect the integrity of the PPWR!
The joint statement 👇
rethinkplasticalliance.eu/news/rethink...
That's why we signed a joint call to @steph-sejourne.bsky.social and @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu to protect the integrity of the PPWR!
The joint statement 👇
rethinkplasticalliance.eu/news/rethink...
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧!
We are deeply… | Rethink Plastic Alliance
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧!
We are deeply concerned by the potential reopening of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation ...
www.linkedin.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:24 AM
We are deeply concerned by the potential reopening of the #PPWR as part of the upcoming Omnibus.
That's why we signed a joint call to @steph-sejourne.bsky.social and @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu to protect the integrity of the PPWR!
The joint statement 👇
rethinkplasticalliance.eu/news/rethink...
That's why we signed a joint call to @steph-sejourne.bsky.social and @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu to protect the integrity of the PPWR!
The joint statement 👇
rethinkplasticalliance.eu/news/rethink...
"The leaders of Europe’s center-left and liberal groups [@reneweurope.bsky.social & @socialistsanddemocrats.eu] say the @eppgroup.bsky.social has gone too far in working with the #farright. They also say there’s nothing they can do about it." that is a pretty damning admission 🤦
The leaders of Europe’s center-left and liberal groups say the European People’s Party has gone too far in working with the far right.
They also say there’s nothing they can do about it.
They also say there’s nothing they can do about it.
‘It’s an abusive marriage’: EPP’s far-right flirtation leaves its centrist allies stuck
“They betray us, but we keep going back to them,” a Socialist lawmaker said.
www.politico.eu
November 26, 2025 at 11:44 AM
"The leaders of Europe’s center-left and liberal groups [@reneweurope.bsky.social & @socialistsanddemocrats.eu] say the @eppgroup.bsky.social has gone too far in working with the #farright. They also say there’s nothing they can do about it." that is a pretty damning admission 🤦
"This [inquiry] comes despite his own group, the European People's Party [@eppgroup.bsky.social], having in the past voted down measures to shed light on how big industry influences MEPs." = gross #hypocrisy
Parliament to expand NGO-funding probe to think-tanks and consultancies, says MEP
Parliament to expand NGO-funding probe to think-tanks and consultancies, says MEP
The European Parliament's controversial probe into EU funding of climate advocacy groups will be expanded to think-tanks, consultancies and others dealing with migration, according to a key MEP.
euobserver.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:07 AM
"This [inquiry] comes despite his own group, the European People's Party [@eppgroup.bsky.social], having in the past voted down measures to shed light on how big industry influences MEPs." = gross #hypocrisy
fantastic piece last night on #publictransport & public representatives failure to commit to even trying it, also serves as a scary indictment of #Ireland's commitment to meaningfully tackling #climatechange - @sadhbhoneill.bsky.social
On tonight's show: Asylum Proposals, Victims of Sexual Violence Bill, Climate Change
Join us live at 10pm 📻
Panel: Ruairí Ó Murchú, Sinn Fein TD
Paula Butterly, Fine Gael TD
Tadgh McNally, Political Reporter Irish Examiner
Sadhbh O’Neill, Irish Times contributor.
Join us live at 10pm 📻
Panel: Ruairí Ó Murchú, Sinn Fein TD
Paula Butterly, Fine Gael TD
Tadgh McNally, Political Reporter Irish Examiner
Sadhbh O’Neill, Irish Times contributor.
November 26, 2025 at 9:40 AM
fantastic piece last night on #publictransport & public representatives failure to commit to even trying it, also serves as a scary indictment of #Ireland's commitment to meaningfully tackling #climatechange - @sadhbhoneill.bsky.social
"If #civilsociety is truly a “pillar of #democracy”, as the strategy claims, the #EU must prove it with multi-annual, independent, politically protected funding. This is not charity. It is a democratic infrastructure." ✊
The EU's so-called Civil Society Strategy: a band-aid on a gaping wound
The EU's so-called Civil Society Strategy: a band-aid on a gaping wound
The EU Commission’s new Civil Society Strategy, promised by Ursula von der Leyen in 2024, aims to protect civic space, strengthen participation, and secure funding for NGOs. On paper, it sounds promising. But in practice, it is deeply undermined by the recent commission’s own actions.
euobserver.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:58 PM
"If #civilsociety is truly a “pillar of #democracy”, as the strategy claims, the #EU must prove it with multi-annual, independent, politically protected funding. This is not charity. It is a democratic infrastructure." ✊
"... why does Europe seem so powerless? The deficits that are most often pointed to are military and financial ... The bigger problems are structural, political and even psychological ... it [🇪🇺] is incapable of acting quickly and ruthlessly like the European great powers of the past ..." that's good
November 18, 2025 at 12:48 PM
"... why does Europe seem so powerless? The deficits that are most often pointed to are military and financial ... The bigger problems are structural, political and even psychological ... it [🇪🇺] is incapable of acting quickly and ruthlessly like the European great powers of the past ..." that's good
"In none of the nine countries surveyed did a majority of voters believe their national government was representing their views well ... [but they] backed action to protect #democracy, especially laws and enforcement to combat corruption, protecting the independence of the courts ..." #civilsociety
Nearly half of Western voters think democracy is broken, international poll finds
Ipsos finds that disappointment with electoral politics, and fears for its future, dominate voters’ views of democracy in nine countries.
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 12:27 PM
"In none of the nine countries surveyed did a majority of voters believe their national government was representing their views well ... [but they] backed action to protect #democracy, especially laws and enforcement to combat corruption, protecting the independence of the courts ..." #civilsociety
"We’re looking at four more years of #deregulation [#simplification 💩]. They have accepted that rolling back much of the green deal is their mandate, and when you’re holding a hammer, everything looks like a nail” #Weber #EPP
EU conservatives join far-right to gut green rules
EU conservatives join far-right to gut green rules
The European Parliament’s biggest political group, the centre-right European People’s Party, has teamed up with the far right to roll back major parts of the EU’s green corporate rulebook.
euobserver.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:52 AM
"We’re looking at four more years of #deregulation [#simplification 💩]. They have accepted that rolling back much of the green deal is their mandate, and when you’re holding a hammer, everything looks like a nail” #Weber #EPP
"The #Parisagreement would be impossible to negotiate today, because of #Trump. It was always going to be more of a diplomatic triumph than a scientific victory. It has made a difference, but it is not yet nearly enough." time for aggressive #politics to match the environmental & human need
The Paris agreement is not perfect but don’t write it off
Despite limits of multilateralism the world would be much worse off without the historic climate accord
on.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:03 AM
"The #Parisagreement would be impossible to negotiate today, because of #Trump. It was always going to be more of a diplomatic triumph than a scientific victory. It has made a difference, but it is not yet nearly enough." time for aggressive #politics to match the environmental & human need
“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 7:15 AM
“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
young people take #politics to the left
In the US, young Democrats' rebellion spreads across many states
New York, Maine, Missouri, Florida, Texas… In opposition to candidates backed by the party leadership, progressive youth are striving to bring forward a new generation of elected officials, focusing o...
www.lemonde.fr
November 5, 2025 at 6:42 AM
young people take #politics to the left
Understanding the tensions and dynamics of domestic #China 🇨🇳 #politics is as important and consequential as those of the #US 🇺🇸
'Pessimism has taken hold in a once-optimistic China'
COLUMN. China's economy is having difficulty advancing. Le Monde journalist Harold Thibault describes civil society as increasingly prone to doubt after the stop-and-go approach of Xi Jinping's author...
www.lemonde.fr
November 3, 2025 at 11:04 AM
The health and longevity of the German 🇩🇪 coalition, the GroKo, impacts all #EU politics, and the influence of the #farright
www.politico.eu
October 31, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The end of a #EUGreenDeal era, #Timmermans retires ... and the #Netherlands 🇳🇱 looks like it is moving leftwards (even if the next government ends up being centrist 🙌 #welcomeback
Geert Wilders faces shutout as centrists hail huge gains in knife-edge Dutch election
Far right is neck-and-neck with liberal D66 but all major mainstream parties have ruled out working with anti-Islam firebrand
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The end of a #EUGreenDeal era, #Timmermans retires ... and the #Netherlands 🇳🇱 looks like it is moving leftwards (even if the next government ends up being centrist 🙌 #welcomeback
there is a lot 💩 in our water 💧, "The @ec.europa.eu has based its findings on an evaluation of scientific studies that found that the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries are responsible for 66 percent and 26 percent, respectively, of toxicity in urban wastewater." and they don't agree 🤔
An E.U. Plan to Slash Micropollutants in Wastewater Is Under Attack
Earlier this year, a European Union directive mandated advanced treatment of micropollutants in wastewater, with the cost to be borne by polluters. But the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, whi...
e360.yale.edu
October 27, 2025 at 9:14 PM
there is a lot 💩 in our water 💧, "The @ec.europa.eu has based its findings on an evaluation of scientific studies that found that the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries are responsible for 66 percent and 26 percent, respectively, of toxicity in urban wastewater." and they don't agree 🤔
brilliant piece by the @eurcorrespond.bsky.social on the cost of #climatechange elaine.mayoris.com/go/wco5p8q4c...
October 24, 2025 at 6:47 PM
brilliant piece by the @eurcorrespond.bsky.social on the cost of #climatechange elaine.mayoris.com/go/wco5p8q4c...
A report going in the opposite direction of #politics - #planetarycrisis @worldresources.bsky.social
State of Climate Action 2025
Published ahead of COP30, the State of Climate Action 2025 translates the Paris Agreement temperature goal into actionable targets for 2030, 2035 and 2050 across the world’s highest-emitting sectors –...
www.wri.org
October 23, 2025 at 5:34 PM
A report going in the opposite direction of #politics - #planetarycrisis @worldresources.bsky.social
Offshore renewable energy is having a rough time, "This has predominately driven by rising costs, but also an overarching political climate where the fight against #climatechange and the drive for decarbonisation and energy transition has somewhat slowed down ... ” Oct. 22 #dublinoceandinner
Offshore wind buffeted by economic and political storms
Higher interest rates, supply chain strains and Trump opposition stifle industry’s boom
www.ft.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Offshore renewable energy is having a rough time, "This has predominately driven by rising costs, but also an overarching political climate where the fight against #climatechange and the drive for decarbonisation and energy transition has somewhat slowed down ... ” Oct. 22 #dublinoceandinner
it will happen, but before then there will be an exciting & very topical #dublinoceandinner at the end of January
Grrrh. 👇🏼 Yet another #DublinOceanDinner I miss. Working hard to convince @maerkelig.bsky.social to have one in April, when @blueactionfund.org has its annual board meeting in Dublin 🇮🇪
Oct. 22 the next #dublinoceandinner on the contentious issue of #ORE, offshore renewable #energy, it is going to be a good one, you won't want to miss it
October 19, 2025 at 7:35 PM
it will happen, but before then there will be an exciting & very topical #dublinoceandinner at the end of January
indeed, ending or withdrawing is very rare, but getting locked into a sort of path dependency with follow up grants with non-performing projects is all too common
"Exit" like ending contractual agreement earlier? Usually this is only foreseen for very limited cases like bad faith, force majeure... (Check you last grant agreements ⚖️👩🏼⚖️). Very different question for follow up grants.
October 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
indeed, ending or withdrawing is very rare, but getting locked into a sort of path dependency with follow up grants with non-performing projects is all too common
of course the other funder behaviour is failure to exit from non-performing projects i.e. eyes closed, fingers crossed keep funding and hope it delivers despite all evidence
Oooh this is an interesting piece. Thank you for the share @maerkelig.bsky.social @oceanknigge.bsky.social.
October 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
of course the other funder behaviour is failure to exit from non-performing projects i.e. eyes closed, fingers crossed keep funding and hope it delivers despite all evidence
#China 🇨🇳 extraordinary growth in renewable #energy infrastructure is having global impact … come learn how that is affecting 🇮🇪 offshore renewable energy build-out #dublinoceandinner Oct. 22
October 19, 2025 at 9:14 AM
#China 🇨🇳 extraordinary growth in renewable #energy infrastructure is having global impact … come learn how that is affecting 🇮🇪 offshore renewable energy build-out #dublinoceandinner Oct. 22