Climate change
49% of world’s GDP now covered by net-zero targets, study says
Just under half of the world's annual GDP is now covered by nations, regions and cities that are legislating for a net-zero emissions target, a new study has revealed. EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
FIFA commits to carbon-neutral 2022 football World Cup
FIFA aims reach carbon neutrality at the next World Cup, to be hosted by Qatar in 2022, in spite of the numerous environmental challenges linked to the location of the event, according to a recently released sustainability strategy.
The EU is ignoring AI’s effect on the climate crisis
The relationship between climate change and Artificial Intelligence is one of the biggest blindspots in the European Commission ‘leaked’ white paper on AI, writes Fieke Jansen.
Climate emergency requires real action now, not building new LNG terminals and gas pipelines
With the so-called fourth PCI List of energy infrastructure projects now approved in the European Parliament, the battle for a future-proof EU energy policy continues, write MEPs Jutta Paulus and Marie Toussaint.
Ombudsman opens inquiry into EU Commission’s gas stance
The EU Ombudsman announced on Thursday (13 February) it has opened an inquiry into the European Commission’s catalogue of priority energy projects, after green activists lodged a complaint about the inclusion of new gas infrastructure on the list.
Europe’s airports risk watery grave, as ‘cost of inaction’ debate heats up
More than 20 of Europe’s airports could be underwater by the end of the century if current climate trends continue. The prospect of economic and even security chaos is starting to drive home the message that the cost of doing nothing will outweigh the price of climate action.
Last month was hottest January on record globally: US climate service
Last month was the hottest January on record, surpassing a previous high recorded in 2016, the US climate service said Thursday (13 February).
Parliament urges ECB to put climate at heart of strategy review
EU lawmakers have called on the European Central Bank (ECB) to put climate change at the centre of the bank’s review of its monetary policy strategy this year, endorsing the bank’s chief vision for “gradually eliminating” carbon assets. EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
Committee of the Regions welcomes Green group for the first time
For the first time, the EU's Committee of the Regions has enough Green members to form their own group. The group, who already met on Tuesday (11 February), is keen to have good relations with the other groups but also wants to "exert pressure". EURACTIV Germany reports.
Oil giant BP seeks to ‘reinvent’ itself with 2050 zero carbon goal
BP set one of the oil sector’s most ambitious targets for curbing carbon emissions on Wednesday (12 February) as new chief executive Bernard Looney began the biggest revamp in the company’s 111-year history.
EU starts to chart shipping’s new green course
The shipping industry will soon have to pay for its environmental impact in the EU, as both the European Commission and Parliament are moving forward with plans to include vessels in the bloc’s flagship carbon market. But there are choppy waters ahead.
MEPs urge reviewing EU list of energy projects in light of Green Deal
Members of the European Parliament have written to the European Commission, voicing concern that EU spending on LNG and other gas projects “may not be in line with the Union’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement”.
EU working on plans to expose climate impact of natural gas
The European Commission is preparing a strategy to curb methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, including fracked LNG imported from the US. But the timing is uncertain because officials are still busy collecting data on which to base...
‘There is overlap’ between EU’s green trillions, says EIB energy chief
The European Investment Bank decided to scrub its loan books of fossil fuels in 2019 but the lender's head of energy policy, Andrew McDowell, insists that there is more to the change of direction than ditching coal and gas.
EU way off the mark on energy savings goal, latest figures show
The EU’s statistical office, Eurostat, published new figures on energy consumption for 2018 this week (4 February). As expected, they weren’t good, with the EU as a whole set to miss its 2020 energy efficiency objective by a margin of up to 5%, in what campaigners called the "biggest miss" of all EU climate targets.
EU’s anti-climate-dumping tool worries Russia
In a sign that Moscow has taken note of the EU’s plan to deploy a carbon border tax, a top Kremlin adviser has urged Russia’s business giants to start adapting now if they want to continue selling their wares in the single market.
‘Flight shame’? Europeans have never flown as frequently
Many people claim they are flying less to protect the environment but the figures say otherwise. The aviation industry is doing better than ever and its emissions have more than doubled since 1990. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Danish MEP: ‘Sector coupling is absolutely key for Europe’s climate and energy ambitions’
When it comes to energy regulations, the EU tends to legislate in silos, writing directives on renewables, energy efficiency or electricity and gas markets. But with the upcoming sector coupling strategy, it needs to do exactly the opposite, says Morten Petersen.
This is how Europe is opening the floodgates to ‘green’ money
The European Commission launched on Wednesday (6 February) a consultation with member states, the European Parliament and other stakeholders to review the EU's fiscal rules, the Stability and Growth Pact.
Europe plans to harness ‘power of data’ in support of Green Deal
The EU Green Deal “needs digitalisation as an enabler for decarbonisation” in all sectors of the economy, including transport and energy, the European Commission says in a draft policy document, seen by EURACTIV.
Greens, socialists back meat tax to cover environmental costs of livestock
A new report commissioned by the Dutch True Animal Protein Price Coalition (TAPP) suggests that retail price of meat does not reflect the environmental costs associated with its production, and calls for a “sustainability charge” on meat.
Ryanair’s green claims branded ‘misleading’ by UK regulator
A British regulator on Wednesday (5 February) banned advertisements by Ryanair that gave "misleading" claims over the Irish airline's "low" level of carbon emissions - a move welcomed by environmental campaigners.
Ewald Lienen: Football Rebel for Future
German football veteran Ewald Lienen is convinced that football is political and bears social responsibility. Today, the Technical Director of FC St. Pauli is committed to climate protection - not only on the pitch.