Climate change
China, EU reaffirm Paris climate commitment, vow more cooperation
China and the European Union on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris climate change pact and called other signatories to do the same, saying action against rising global temperatures had become more important than ever.
Ireland commits to divesting public funds from fossil fuel companies
Ireland committed to divesting public funds from fossil fuel companies on Thursday after parliament passed a bill forcing the €8.9 billion Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) to withdraw money invested in oil, gas and coal.
On climate change, ‘red alert is on’, says COP21 president Laurent Fabius
The world community has taken action against climate change but it must "triple its efforts" to reduce emissions and Europe needs to take the lead, COP21 President Laurent Fabius said ahead of the crucial United Nations’ annual conference (COP24) in December.
Soil ‘completely underestimated’ in EU climate strategy
While climate change takes a toll on agriculture and land use contributes to warming the planet, soils still find little attention from policymakers in their climate strategies.
In Central Europe, activists fight for ‘just transition’ away from coal
As Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic start phasing out coal, campaigners argue that all actors – including small entrepreneurs, communities and civil society – must be part of the process.
Equinor: Oil majors have ‘muscle’ to join renewables race
International oil companies have “the financial muscle, the experience, the technical skills, and the supply chain” necessary to take part in the global renewable energy revolution, argues Eirik Waerness of Equinor.
German coal trounced by renewables for first time
Renewable energy sources satisfied more of Germany’s power demands than coal during the first half of 2018, marking a shift towards clean power as the Bundesrepublik continues to debate how best to phase out coal.
EU should aim for net-zero emissions by 2040 to fight global warming
Keeping global temperature rise to 1.5°C is critical - and still possible. But it means the EU should aim to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, writes Andrea Kohl.
Higher shares of renewables for higher levels of electrification
A deep decarbonisation of the European economy is doable, but it will rely heavily on an increased uptake of electricity – even if the challenges are very different across the individual use sectors, writes Kristian Ruby.
China and EU can lead on climate action
An upcoming EU-China summit in Beijing will be yet another moment for both economies to show leadership on climate action, following the United States' surrender of influence under Donald Trump, writes Professor Zou Ji.
Mayors urge EU to aim for net-zero emissions by 2050
The mayors of ten major European cities –including Paris, London, Milan and Barcelona – have issued a joint call for the EU to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement.
France’s contradictory climate ambitions
While French President Emmanuel Macron fights the corner of climate diplomacy, actions carried out by the French government led by Edouard Philippe mainly defend industrial interests. EURACTIV.fr reports.
‘Super Grids Silk Road’ takes shape in Kazakhstan
A series of conferences dedicated to the China-promoted One Belt One Road initiative are taking place in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana. Plans to launch a gigantic renewable energy project with the potential to supply the EU were also mooted.
Spain to lead the energy transition in Europe?
The creation of the new ministry for ecological transition in Spain brings fresh air not only at the national level but also at the EU level as Spain can give a push in the fight against climate change, writes Ana Barreira.
The Brief – Migration crisis? You ain’t seen nothing yet
Europe sure has reached new lows if the recent arrival of thousands of often needy and desperate people could prompt the circus that was this week’s migration-dominated EU summit. It’s only a tiny taste of what faces this continent in the coming years.
Warming of 2C ‘substantially’ more harmful than 1.5C – draft UN report
The latest version of major UN science report concludes the upper temperature goal of the Paris Agreement does not represent a climate safe zone. EURACTIV's media partner, Climate Home News, reports.
Berlin divided over cars’ CO2 limits, hindering EU decision
The German parliament, the Bundestag, is hosting a public hearing on Wednesday (27 June) on the European Commission's proposal on cars' CO2 emission limits for 2025/30 in a bid to find a consensus between the different ministries.
14 European countries call for stronger EU climate action
A group of European countries known as the “Green Growth Group” have called on the European Commission to update the EU’s pledge at the United Nation’s next annual climate meeting in December this year, and chart a pathway consistent with a 1.5°C global warming scenario by 2050.
Global warming will affect global electricity production
Global warming threatens global electricity production, according to a report released by four organisations on 19 June. As many as 270 power plants could face an increased risk of flooding by 2050. EURACTIV’s partner Le Journal de l’environnement reports.
EU charting wrong course on LNG in shipping, study warns
EXCLUSIVE / Europe has little to gain from trying to decarbonise the unwieldy shipping sector with liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to a new study that looks into how the EU could cut emissions over the next three decades.
Climate action should be a condition for future EU trade deals
The European Union should support France’s proposal to add compliance with the Paris Agreement as an essential element of EU trade accords, writes Steve Herz.
Poland’s anti-emissions trading bid struck down by EU court
Poland’s bid to scupper the EU’s recently-updated Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) was thrown out by the bloc’s highest court, which ruled on Thursday (21 June) that the advantages of the new system far outweigh the disadvantages.
Cañete: EU ‘de facto’ upping carbon reduction pledge to -45%
The EU's top energy and climate official revealed on Wednesday (20 June) that the bloc is now set to increase its emissions reduction pledge from 40% by 2030 to 45%, after EU negotiators sealed agreements on three clean energy laws in the past fortnight.