On 17 November, the European Commission adopted three new initiatives necessary to make the European Green Deal [1] a reality. The Commission is proposing new rules to curb EU-driven deforestation, as well as introducing new regulations to facilitate the shipment of waste within the EU, with the aim of promoting a circular economy and addressing the problems associated with illegal waste exports to third countries. The Commission is also launching a new soil strategy, which aims to achieve the restoration, resilience and adequate protection of all European soils by 2050. With today's proposals, the Commission is offering tools for the transition to a circular economy, nature protection and the raising of environmental standards in the European Union and worldwide.

To curb EU-driven deforestation and forest degradation [2], the Commission is proposing a new regulation. Between 1990 and 2020, the world lost 420 million hectares of forest – an area larger than the European Union itself. The proposed new rules would guarantee that the products that EU citizens buy, use and consume on the EU market do not contribute to global deforestation and forest degradation.

Further information: New proposals to halt deforestation, for innovative and sustainable waste management and to improve soil health for the benefit of people, nature and the climate (europa.eu) [3]
1. https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_lv
2. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/publications/proposal-regulation-deforestation-free-products_en
3. https://latvia.representation.ec.europa.eu/jaunumi/jauni-priekslikumi-mezu-izcirsanas-apturesanai-novatoriskai-un-ilgtspejigai-atkritumu-2021-11-17_lv