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The EU Timber Regulation: Three years of ineffective implementation1
- Environment and Energy, Op-ed
- 30/06/2016
The EU tends to be a credible force in fighting the illegal logging and related trade issues. For that reason, the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR) in its essence fights illegal logging matters by prohibiting the placement of any illegally sourced timber and timber products on the European market. Three years after it entered into force, the regulation seems to be ineffective by failing to prohibit illegally logged wood products from entering the EU market. On top of that, the regulation could have a detrimental effect in developing countries by potentially harming their progress.
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Janice Perlman: “There are so many things in Rio that are never talked about and that are absolutely heroic.”2
For this month’s Special Report, Dr. Janice Perlman, founder and CEO of the Mega-Cities Project, joined us to share her wide expertise on public policy, mega-events and the Rio Olympics. Since her last book Favela. Four decades of living on the edge in Rio de Janeiro hit the shelves, six years have passed. It’s time to take a step back and have a look at what has happened.
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What’s the deal with Russian gas in Georgia?0
- Environment and Energy, Op-ed
- 28/06/2016
A potential natural gas delivery deal from GAZPROM to Georgia went bust, but not without causing quite a stir as well as calling into question Georgia’s motivation for starting talks to begin with. However, the entire discussion has overlooked the more glaring problem of a seriously outdated energy policy on the Georgian side.
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Politheor’s Special Report on RIO 2016: Perspectives beyond the mega-event11
Over the past decade Rio has hosted the Pan-American Games (2007), the World Cup (2014), and now, on the 5th of August, the Rio Olympics will kick off. Not only is Rio de Janeiro the first Latin American city to host the Games, but it also differs vastly from Barcelona and Los Angeles in size, economy and society. It’s a mega-city with a metropolitan area that counts over 12 million people, that copes with a stubbornly persisting social divide, and that is already one of the tourist hot spots on the globe.
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Relearning democracy: At the crossroads of Spanish elections0
- Analysis
- 24/06/2016
Facing the forthcoming parliamentary elections this Sunday, Spain continues to be immersed in a moment of uncertainty and ideological redefinition, with little time for reflection and even less for reaction.
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What would Brexit (actually) mean for the UK’s migration policy0
- Human Rights and Migration, Op-ed
- 22/06/2016
No matter where you’re residing, chances are you have heard of the impending doom or glory (depends how you look at it) facing the UK in the name of Brexit. Arguably, the main issue concerning Brexit is the current buzzword in British politics today, migration.
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Should Sweden abandon its neutrality policy?0
- International Relations and Global Affairs, Op-ed
- 22/06/2016
Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 as well as Russian verbal threats and provocations towards NATO and non-NATO members, have put European leaders on edge. Talks of a new Cold War have revitalized the role of NATO and made Sweden question its neutrality. But is the threat from Russia towards Sweden substantial enough for Sweden to abandon its neutrality policy? No, and here is why.
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The European Pillar of Social Rights: towards a fairer Europe?0
- Op-ed, Social and Economic Policy
- 20/06/2016
On 8 March 2016, the European Commission presented a first preliminary outline of the European Pillar of Social Rights, as part of the on-going work for a deeper and fairer Economic and Monetary Union. But does this first draft actually present the potential to meet the existing expectations on the social field for a fairer Europe?
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Brexit: The bigger environmental picture0
- Environment and Energy, Op-ed
- 20/06/2016
UK environmental organisations are urging a vote to stay in the upcoming Brexit referendum. They believe it will be better for nature. If we look at the bigger picture and consider the UK government’s record on environmental issues; is the conclusion that they might be wrong? Or might a last ditch effort to secure a stay vote actually turn things around?
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