Air Pollution
New EU rules for lower power plant emissions take effect
The European Commission on Thursday (17 August) published tighter new standards for the bloc's most polluting power plants, including many large coal-fired power stations, giving them four years to meet the lower emission standards.
US renewable energy growth helped prevent thousands of deaths
New research has revealed that up to 12,700 deaths were prevented over a nine-year-period in the United States, thanks to an increase in renewable energy use and tighter regulation.
The EU and Switzerland link their carbon markets
The world’s first carbon trading system has found a new partner in Switzerland. EURACTIV France reports.
Schulz uses dieselgate to invigorate his campaign
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief challenger in a September election, Martin Schulz, launched a stinging attack on the country's dieselgate-tainted car industry on Sunday (13 August) as he sought to turn around a flagging campaign.
German financial watchdog probing carmakers’ ‘cartel’
Germany's financial regulator confirmed on Monday (7 August) it is investigating whether Volkswagen and Daimler failed to notify investors properly following reports that they informed cartel authorities of secret talks with other carmakers that could amount to collusion.
UK government adviser warns electric cars are not total air pollution solution
Cars must be driven out of cities to tackle the UK’s air pollution crisis, not just replaced with electric vehicles, according to the UK government’s top adviser. EURACTIV's partner The Guardian reports.
Dieselgate: How and where it all started
German government officials and automakers met in Berlin on Wednesday (2 August) to discuss the future of diesel vehicles, after a nearly two-year saga of scandal spread from Volkswagen to others in the sector. Here's a reminder of how it all started.
UK roads could be covered with ‘tunnels’ to fight air pollution
Major roads in the United Kingdom could be turned into tunnels covered with pollution-absorbing material in an effort to cut emission fumes and improve air quality. EURACTIV's partner The Guardian reports.
German environment minister: Better transport can keep people in rural areas
German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks called for a fundamental change in policy in order to promote emissions-free mobility. In interview with EURACTIV’s partner Der Tagesspiegel she also warned about competition from China.
Dawn of new EU emissions rules could sound death knell for coal power
New EU rules formally agreed on Monday (31 July) mean power plants will have to cut pollutants, with the cost of compliance estimated to be over €15bn. Environmental groups predict that the logical next step is widespread closures of the most polluting coal-powered plants.
Fossil fuel subsidies racking up trillions in health costs
Health costs related to fossil fuel use outweigh taxpayer-funded subsidies by 600%, according to a new study that insists governments should stop pumping money into dirty energy sources.
UK to reward green consumers, ban dirty vehicles
British consumers could enjoy savings worth billions of pounds as a result of major changes to electricity generation, usage and storage, under new plans by the UK government. Westminster also intends to ban sales of new diesel and petrol cars by 2040.
India wants every car to be electric by 2030
India is hoping to become the first big world power where all cars on its roads are electric, as part of its efforts to combat severe atmospheric pollution. 1.8 million deaths are caused by it every year on the subcontinent. EURACTIV’s partner Italia Oggi reports.
Denmark disputes ‘highly unfair’ air pollution limits on agriculture
Copenhagen voted against an EU decision to endorse an amendment to the Gothenburg Protocol on transboundary air pollution, saying it is being unfairly penalised for having taken early action to reduce ammonia emissions from its agriculture sector.
EU slapped for breaching Aarhus Convention on access to environmental justice
The European Union has accepted a UN ruling that found the bloc in breach of international laws requiring the general public to have access to justice on environmental matters, a decision applauded by green activists.
International flights to stay free from EU carbon fees until 2021, MEPs vote
International flights to and from the EU will remain free from paying CO2 emissions permits but the exemption will cease in 2021 unless EU bodies meanwhile decide otherwise, the European Parliament's environment committee agreed on Tuesday (11 July).
Dutch watchdog says Jeep, Suzuki may have violated emissions rules
Dutch prosecutors said on Monday (10 July) they will investigate possible misuse of vehicle emissions software by Suzuki and Fiat Chrysler's Jeep.
Daily emissions of cruise ships same as one million cars
Cruise ships can emit as much particulate matter as a million cars every day and the air quality on deck can be as bad as the world’s most polluted cities, according to a new investigation.
Commission eyes fuel efficiency rules for trucks as road transport looks set to grow
Europe lags behind the major world economies in regulating fuel efficiency standards for the fast-growing truck transport sector and the Commission is moving to address the issue with legislative proposals, a panel on the Future of Road Freight Transport was told on Monday (3 July).
Grenfell Tower blaze reignites EU debate on fire health and safety rules
EU policymakers are unlikely to agree to Europe-wide rules on toxic smoke from burning building materials despite years of lobbying from fire fighters and safety experts, according to a draft report ordered by the region's executive seen by Reuters.
Does car sharing really reduce car use?
Concerns that sharing schemes do not deliver a net reduction in car use are not supported by evidence, writes Greg Archer. Now, digitisation and the sharing economy provide an opportunity to reduce the number of vehicles in our cities even further, he contends.
Western Balkans holds breath for better air quality
In the Western Balkans, air pollution can be a fatal problem, made worse by some of those countries’ energy policies. Ioana Ciuta sheds light on the region’s developing crisis, which is claiming lives at an alarming rate.
Will EU ministers heed Macron’s call to #Makeourplanetgreatagain?
Europe’s proposed 30% energy savings objective means less savings in the period 2020-2030 than in 2010-2020 and are in direct contradiction with the spirit of the Paris Agreement, writes Yamina Saheb as EU energy ministers prepare to meet on Monday (26 June).
Poor housing linked to rising asthma cases in Europe
One in six Europeans – equivalent to the entire population of Germany – live in a damp or mouldy building, which increases their chances of getting illnesses such as asthma, according to a new study.
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