Florence Schulz
MPs call for proceedings against Germany over uranium exports
Two German MPs are calling on the European Commission to initiate infringement proceedings against their home country for exporting depleted uranium to Russia, possibly in violation of EU law. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU Climate Law: ‘In nobody’s interest for Germany to ‘fall flat on its face’, says Renew MEP
After long negotiations, MEPs voted on Tuesday (6 October) in favour of further increasing the bloc's emissions target to 60% by 2030. In a double-interview with EURACTIV Germany, two German MEPs discuss what this could mean for the EU and Germany, as well as how the new target could be achieved.
‘Urban Farming’: Are rooftop fields the future?
Large cities offer millions of square meters of unused roof space. Why aren't they being converted to cultivate crops? The potential seems enormous, but "urban farming" is still in its infancy. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Berlin and Brussels mull forest protection as climate change takes its toll
The German Forest Days, which started on Friday (18 September), are intended to draw attention to the fact that forests are threatened by climate change. At the same time, Berlin and Brussels are developing strategies to protect them. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German industry sceptical of EU’s new 2030 climate goals
The European Commission will present today (17 September) detailed proposals to reduce carbon emissions in the EU by 55% below 1990 levels by 2030. While German industry officially welcomes the new ambitions, it is also clearly sceptical. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Franco-German team-up aims to drive hydrogen production forward
France and Germany intend to become the world champions for green hydrogen together and are already planning to set up a "gigafactory" with state support. But the two could butt heads over nuclear power. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU lawmakers up the ante, vote for 60% climate target for 2030
The European Parliament's environment committee has voted for a new EU-wide target to reduce carbon emissions 60% by 2030, setting the stage for tough negotiations with EU countries and the European Commission, which is expected to propose a 55% goal next week. EURACTIV Germany reports.
CDU/CSU seek new ‘climate man’ as Greens rise in polls
Germany's conservative CDU/CSU Union has admitted to its own shortcomings when it comes to climate policy and is now searching for a new chairman and candidate for the chancellor's spot, which will shape the union's course on environmental policy. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany’s updated renewable energy act lacks ambition, critics say
The official draft for an amendment to Germany's Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) has been made public. It contains incentives for more wind energy in southern Germany and measures for ageing turbines, but critics say there is still a lot of room for improvement. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany plans transformation for more animal-friendly stables
The German state and federal agriculture ministers agreed to extensively restructure livestock farming on Thursday (27 August). In parallel, a national animal welfare label is to be introduced soon. On Monday (31 August), EU agriculture ministers will discuss a similar project at EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany begins allocating €40 billion to coal regions to start phase-out
By 2038, Germany's last coal-fired power plants are expected to be shut down. To reorient the regions economically, however, they are to be replaced by research institutions and companies. A coordination committee will now begin allocating the funding, EURACTIV Germany reports.
German Social Democrats gear up for a climate election campaign
Finance Minister Olaf Scholz will lead the German Social Democrats (SPD) into the campaign for federal elections in 2021. Not an easy task for a party that faces strong competition from the Greens for number two position, behind the CDU/CSU conservatives. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Global emergency plan needed to save planet, says international alliance
This Saturday (22 August) will be "Earth Overshoot Day", the day on which Earth's ecosystems will be exhausted, and humanity's demand for the planet's resources for the rest of the year can no longer be regenerated, EURACTIV Germany reports.
Despite Covid-19, EU agricultural firms want to expand further
Declines in production, cancelled orders, closed borders - the food industry has been faced with major logistical problems due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, many companies are planning to expand internationally, according to a study published on 11 August. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Criticism of Germany’s new laws in the meat and food industry
Two new laws are to put an end to exploitation and poor working conditions in the German meat industry. But critics are concerned that these laws don't go far enough. EURACTIV Germany reports.
MEPs warn of insufficient control over EU climate spending
The European Parliament rejected on Thursday (23 July) the hard-won decisions of the EU Council. MEPs criticised, among other things, cuts to climate programmes and voiced fear that billions of euros could fall into the wrong hands. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU recovery deal: the summit that will cement Merkel’s legacy
At the EU summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel made a U-turn as German advocated for the assumption of joint debts and dissociated itself from the donor countries for the first time and not just for economic reasons. This time, Merkel is fighting for her legacy as a shaper of the EU. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU Commission criticised for its reporting on nuclear energy’s sustainability
The European Commission is looking into whether nuclear energy can be classed as a sustainable green investment. But the EU executive's decision to task its research centre with the assessment has already prompted criticism. EURACTIV Germany reports.
MEPs push for uniform EU concept on energy storage
The energy network of the future will be equipped with a wide variety of storage methods, although constructing storage facilities, in itself, comes with many obstacles. The lack of a uniform concept on the matter is something which some MEPs want to change. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU lawmakers divided over inclusion of natural gas in Just Transition Fund
The European Parliament's Regional Affairs Committee will vote Monday (6 July) on the EU's proposed €40 billion Just Transition Fund, which aims to support the bloc's 108 coal-producing regions in their transition to a low-carbon economy. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Berlin refuses to disclose details of €4bn coal phase-out deal with energy firms
German energy companies LEAG and RWE are set to receive over €4 billion for closing their lignite-fired power plants. But nobody knows how the compensation was calculated and the German economy ministry refuses to provide details, citing procedural matters. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Only slight improvements in German nitrate levels
This week, Germany must report the nitrate levels of its groundwater to the European Commission. According to media reports, the trend is slightly positive but even the Commission admits that a comparison with other EU countries is difficult. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German cabinet approves final ‘Coal Phase-out Act’
The German cabinet put the finishing touches to its Coal Phase-out Act on Wednesday (24 June), aiming for the draft package of laws to clear the Bundestag before the summer break, unless the European Commission decides to strike it down. EURACTIV Germany reports.