Photo : REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze
09 April 2024, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #803
By Alka Bala and Rosemary Kurian
FRANCE
French assembly approves bill to reduce wastage from fast-fashion
On 08 April, according to Deutsche Welle, the French National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, approved the fast-fashion bill unanimously, especially targeting fast-fashion enterprises like Shein and the online platform Temu, both Chinese manufacturers. Major companies with a certain per day production are required to indicate the environmental impact of their products and urge recycling among customers on their websites, else face a fine up to EUR 15,000. The government is planning to ban publicity for fast-fashion by 2025 with a penalty of up to EUR 100,000. The bill will become law only after approval from the French Senate. Several experts on sustainable fashion welcomed the bill as the victory of a “cultural battle” that addressed “an environmental, social and cultural disaster”. However, others argue that those who can’t afford fashion could be adversely affected, stating that the thresholds shouldn’t be too low. The implications of the bill depends on the threshold set by the government. (Lisa Louis, “Fast fashion: France seeks to slow down wasteful industry,” Deutsche Welle, 08 April 2024)
French company ramps up production to meet demand of military drone radar
On 08 April, according to Politico, the French defence equipment manufacturer Thales, which Emmanuel Macron, France’s President, listed as one having significantly ramped up manufacturing, is planning to further expand production. Thales manufactures the high-demand radar system, which is capable of detecting air threats and identifying fighter jets, helicopters and missiles. Located in Limours, the company’s radar can differentiate drones from birds and its GM400 Alpha can detect aircrafts 500 kilometres away. The company is jointly controlled by the French state and fighter jet manufacturer Dassault Aviation, and is the leading radar manufacturer in Europe. The beginning of the war in Ukraine has prompted the French government to urge increased manufacture of defence equipment that is cheaper and faster. Thales is expected to double its production of its radars but faces logistical challenges. (Laura Kayali, “France has a military drone radar everyone’s desperate to get,” Politico, 08 April 2024)
GEORGIA
Protestors take to streets against controversial “foreign agent” bill
On 08 April, according to Politico, several demonstrators gathered in the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, after the passing of the first stage of the controversial bill that brands civil society groups as “foreign agents”. Several groups have termed the law akin to Putin’s Russia, which aims to crack down on freedom of speech and funding for civil society groups. A version of the bill was dropped in March 2023 after a public outcry and international condemnation, which was brought back on agenda by the ruling Georgian Dream party, without changes made to the text. Under the law, organisations that receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad will be labelled as those with foreign influence, leading to considerable administrative rules and substantial fines. Humanitarian organisations could also face the risk of being slapped with the label. The proposal has created strained relations with the EU, with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, noting that its “chilling effect” will have “negative consequences for the many Georgians benefiting from their (civil society) work”. He added that the law was “incompatible with EU values and standards”. (Gabriel Gavin, “Protests begin in Georgia against ‘Russian law’,” Politico, 08 April 2024)
GREECE
Government declares “high risk” alert amid early wildfires
On 07 April, according to Deutsche Welle, the wildfire season in Greece started earlier than usual after a record warm winter, after at least 70 forest fires were reported. Several regions have been declared as “high-risk,” the second-highest kind, as the level of wildfire alert. Most of the fires except for the one on the island of Crete were brought under control. Strong winds up to 60 kph are expected till 09 April especially in Athens, the Cyclades islands and Crete, which could make “the situation extremely dangerous for the outbreak of fires,” according to Greece’s Civil Protection Ministry. The wildfire could be a result of five weeks of no rain in Greece, leading to dry conditions favourable to forest fires. Several experts have stated that the wildfire season in Greece, set to begin in May will instead begin progressively earlier due to the human-led phenomenon of climate change. (“Greece raises wildfire alert amid early blazes,” Deutsche Welle, 07 April 2024)
LITHUANIA
Germany sends the first soldiers part of its permanent Lithuania force
On 08 April, according to Deutsche Welle, Germany sent the first group of soldiers who will be part of its permanent military base in Lithuania with 5000 troops by 2027, in an effort to prevent further attacks from Russia. An advance staff of 20 members is planned to set up the base, with the brigade named as Panzerbrigade 45. Boris Pistorius, the German Defence Minister marked the first time they have “permanently stationed such a unit outside Germany.” Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, stated that the move could only escalate tensions. (“Germany sends first soldiers for permanent Lithuania force,” Deutsche Welle, 08 April 2024)
THE UK
Separate UK and EU systems for carbon-heavy import worry Northern Ireland
On 07 April, Northern Ireland is in another post-Brexit row, as the EU and the UK decided to develop separate systems to tax carbon-heavy imports. According to experts for Northern Ireland, this would disrupt trade, increase business costs and could even lead to job losses. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), is the import tax to be levied on carbon-intensive products from high-carbon emitting industries such as steel and cement. EU’s CBAM is presently in its transitional phase and will be fully implemented by 2026, whereas the UK government plans to introduce its CBAM only in 2027. Currently, the carbon price rates for the EU stand at 56 GBP, for the UK it stands at 40 GBP. EU fears that unless the UK implements its own CBAM aligning the prices with the EU, post-2026, Northern Ireland could become the point of entry for high-carbon goods to enter the EU bloc by paying a lower carbon tax, or no tax at all. EU might aim to extend and apply its carbon tax to the rest of the UK and Northern Ireland, which means that the latter would have to face compliance costs in its trade of carbon goods with the Republic of Ireland. (Abby Wallace and Jon Stone, “Revealed — the next Brexit headache on the Irish border,” Politico, 07 April 2024)
SWITZERLAND
Bern and Zurich pledge to reinforce integration of migrants
On 08 April, according to Swissinfo, Swiss cities such as Bern, Zurich and Geneva are taking welcoming measures to integrate migrants and refugees into the cities. Zurich offered to accommodate more refugees than what was allocated to them by the federal and cantonal governments. Bern announced itself as a “safe harbour” for refugees, whereas in 2017 and 2018, Geneva provided permits for undocumented migrants. International cities have launched a Call to Local Action, supported by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to implement the Global Compact for Migration and the Global Compact on Refugees. Zurich has also joined this initiative and aims to improve municipal public services for irregular migrants. It has already been successful in guaranteeing healthcare to all, even to non-health insurance holders. Zurich aims to launch the Züri City Card in 2026, which would allow all residents to open a bank account or purchase a mobile subscription. (Annegret Mathari, “What cities like Geneva are doing to welcome migrants and refugees,” Swissinfo.ch, 08 April 2024)
REGIONAL
Russian threats on Finland’s NATO accession appear unsuccessful
On 08 April, according to Politico, Russian threats over Finland’s NATO accession and subsequent stationing of Russian troops on Finland’s border as attempts for intimidation are likely to be unsuccessful. Russia would require a large number of troops, which it does not currently have at its disposal if it aims to avenge Finland’s NATO accession. According to Major General Pekka Tovery, former Finnish Military Intelligence Chief and Finnish Parliament member, “The Russians won’t have the resources to build infrastructure, produce new heavy weaponry and recruit considerable numbers of forces to our border before the 2030s.” He also indicated how Finland’s operation environment requires special training and equipment which Russia lacks. Russia also struggles with mobilising recruits to fight in Ukraine and has ordered to increase in its armed forces to a total of 1.32 million by 2026 from the present 1.15 million. Given Russia’s struggle with its armed forces, a threat over Finland’s NATO accession does not hold real consequences, at least in the short run. (Elizabeth Braw, “Putin miscalculated on Finland’s border,” Politico, 08 April 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
Germany’s supply of weapons to Israel accused of breaching UN genocide convention
On 09 April, the BBC reported on Nicaragua’s appeal to halt the sale of German weapons to Israel as Germany also faces accusations of breaching the UN genocide convention and ending the funding of the UN’s aid agency. Germany rejects the accusation and is set to present its defence in the International Court of Justice on Tuesday. Nicaragua stated that Germany’s arms sales, mostly comprising of air defence systems and communication equipment to Israel increased tenfold in 2023 compared to 2022, amounting to USD 326.5 million. Germany had also ceased funding the UN's Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), over allegations that some of its staff were involved in the attacks on Israel on 07 October. Along with a halt in weapons supply to Israel, Nicaragua also wants Germany to resume its funding of the aid agency. Wolfgang Buechner, a German government spokesperson dismissing these claims stated, “We note Nicaragua's lawsuit and we deny the allegations as unjustified.” (Matt Murphy, “Germany faces genocide case over Israel weapon sales,” BBC, 09 April 2024)
US and EU put pressure on China to contribute funds for climate change
On 08 April, according to Politico, western governments increasingly mount pressure on China to commit funding for poorer countries to adapt to climate change. Beijing is not subjected to pay under the 1992 UN Climate Treaty. The Chinese taxpayers, exempted from paying for climate causes have grown wealthier over the last three decades whereas China has become the third largest contributor to climate change after the US and the EU. John Kerry, US climate envoy stated that the upcoming COP would focus largely on finance and would deal with the expansion of the donor base. The EU signalled that they are expecting “much greater transparency” from China regarding its funding to poorer nations. Although China had made a voluntary pledge of USD three billion to a China South-South Climate Cooperation Fund, however, the exact amount disbursed is still unclear. In March, foreign ministers from all EU countries stated that “all countries should contribute to the new climate finance goal according to their financial capabilities, including emerging economies.” According to the Western nations, along with China, they also expect wealthy Gulf countries to contribute to the climate causes. (Karl Mathiesen, “EU and US push China to help them write big new climate check,” Politico, 08 April 2024)