Dave Keating
Europe grapples with policy patchwork to tackle air pollution
The patchwork of measures to fight air pollution currently in place across European cities is not only inefficient but sometimes counter-productive, said participants at a EURACTIV event on Tuesday (26 June).
MEPs and governments at standoff over energy efficiency
Mandate of Bulgarian presidency unclear after government changes in Italy and Spain.
Palm oil to be phased out in EU by 2030
The use of palm oil as fuel should disappear in Europe by 2030 under a reform of the bloc’s renewable energy laws agreed this morning after all-night negotiations.
EU strikes deal on 32% renewable energy target and palm oil ban after all-night session
Talks on renewable energy policy in Europe reached un unexpected breakthrough early this morning after negotiators from the European Parliament and EU member states were able to reach a compromise on a 32% headline objective and a complete phase out of palm oil use in transport by 2030.
Video highlights: Spain and Italy may stoke clean energy shakeup today
The degree to which member state positions on the EU’s clean energy package have shifted was on display on Monday (11 June) when energy ministers met for a council meeting in Luxembourg. EURACTIV brings you a video compilation from the public debate.
Netherlands sees an opening for more ambitious car CO2 limits
The European Commission’s proposal for new car CO2 limits left many disappointed. But a spate of new governments in Europe – and shifting positions in Berlin – means those who want higher targets and an electric vehicle mandate have everything to play for.
Truck industry braces for their first CO2 limits in Europe
The automotive industry is warning that an EU proposal set to be adopted on Wednesday (16 May) does not give enough lead time before limits will be required. But the US and China have had limits in place for several years.
The future of packaging: It’s all about recyclability
The plastics industry is changing fast, and the way our food and products are packaged could look totally different in just a few years.
Katainen: ‘We need to change the fundamentals of the plastics market’
The European Commission is looking at different types of fiscal incentives to increase demand for recycled plastics, which are currently more costly than virgin materials, Jyrki Katainen told EURACTIV in an interview.
A plan for plastics
The EU is losing 95% of the value of the plastics it produces. But the European Commission has a strategy to make plastic packaging more sustainable, both environmentally and economically.
Life in plastic: Is it fantastic?
Plastic has become increasingly unpopular with the public. But life without it might look very different.
Trans-Europe Express: European hypocrisy on tax havens
EU national governments say harbouring dodgy money is wrong - unless you’re European. After months of intense negotiations, the 28 EU finance ministers finally published their much-awaited blacklist of tax havens this week. And it landed like a damp squib.
EU given oversight of national car approval
Negotiators from the European Parliament and the 28 member states have agreed a deal for EU oversight of national car approval authorities to prevent another Dieselgate scandal, despite resistance from Germany.
Agreement close on EU supervision over national car regulators
Despite German opposition, member states have consented to letting Brussels oversee their national car authorities to avoid another Dieselgate. But the oversight could be very light.
EU power generators pledge carbon neutrality ‘well before 2050’
Under new leadership since last year, industry association Eurelectic has committed to making European power generation carbon neutral well before 2050. But getting agreement within the group remains difficult.
Can energy governance replace binding targets?
Lawmakers will vote on Thursday (7 December) on a new energy regime that is meant to ensure the European Union meets its Paris Agreement goals. But much disagreement remains.
Member states’ answer to low renewables ambition: Interim targets
The European Parliament says the EU’s proposed 2030 target for renewable energy needs to be raised in order to speed up deployment early in the next decade. But EU member states have a different idea.
New EU car CO2 limits in danger amid German automaker lobbying
While the Dieselgate scandal still roars on, the European Union may be about to water down new CO2 limits for cars at the behest of German automakers.
The key to reducing EU cancer deaths
The European Commission is on track to miss its target of decreasing cancer deaths by 15% by 2020. But a focus on thrombosis, the subject of a global awareness campaign today, could turn things around.
The economic crisis has exacerbated the EU’s regional differences
Despite four decades of a cohesion policy designed to shrink economic gaps between EU regions, differences remain stark and may have been exacerbated by the 2008 economic crisis, it was heard as the European Union presented its seventh 'cohesion report' on Monday (8 October).
Can an ‘EU of the regions’ offer an alternative to Catalan secession?
On Monday, local government officials from across the European Union will converge in Brussels for the ‘European Week of Regions and Cities’. As they meet, they will be well aware of the turmoil taking place in one region in particular - Catalonia.
European Union to get a single public prosecutor
A Luxembourg-based chief prosecutor, first envisioned in the 2009 Lisbon Treaty, will start work next year after getting final approval from the European Parliament today.
Healthy food offers healthy returns to all
Experts say all companies can benefit from encouraging healthier food choices, but businesses are still hesitant to make the investments needed.