Climate change
Europe stuck on climate ambition at COP24
With the UK entangled in Brexit, France mired in the "Yellow Vest" movement, and Germany stuck in political quagmire, Europe is not ready to lead global climate talks as the decisive political phase of the UN climate conference opens on Tuesday (11 December).
Poland increasingly deporting activists from COP24
Poland has already deported 14 people from Central Europe since the beginning of COP24, including two members of the Georgian delegation. Many NGOs are questioning the legality of these bans on entering Polish territory. EURACTIV France reports.
COP24: ‘Yellow vest’ crisis weakens French position
In the midst of the ‘yellow vest’ movement in France, criticisms made by heads of state – such as Trump, Salvini and Erdoğan – fuel mistrust towards climate action, notably that carried out by France. EURACTIV France reports.
Is populism bad for climate change?
The violent response to the French carbon tax in Paris demonstrates good climate policy is dependent on a fair, just and managed transition writes Sanjeev Kumar. Far from stalling, climate change action is becoming a major issue in elections globally, he says.
EU talks to set CO2 emission limits for cars founder
The European Union failed on Tuesday (11 December) to reach a compromise over how sharply to curb carbon dioxide emissions from cars and vans as car-producing countries and more environmentally conscious lawmakers could not find a compromise.
COP24 dairy – day #9
Over this special series on COP24, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on of the UN climate conference in Katowice and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: An update on the negotiations, postponing climate ambition, 415 institutional investors, a climate damages tax, and more.
‘Loss and Damage’ emerges as crunch item at COP24
There is still no clear picture in Katowice on how to provide a readily available funding mechanism for developing countries affected by extreme weather events.
Truck makers tone down criticism of Europe’s CO2 regulation
Under pressure from regulators, truck makers have softened their criticism of Europe’s first-ever regulation on CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, focusing their comments on the lack of recharging infrastructure in cities and motorways.
Climate change and development aid: The economic case for prevention
Climate change affects developing countries more heavily, with broad impacts on the environment and the economy, insurers say, highlighting the need to act before damage is done.
Ex-chemicals agency chief: ‘Courage’ needed to rethink EU laws
Europe's chemical management rules, REACH, are over a decade old and the man seen as the architect of the legislation still thinks it is the most modern of its kind in the world. But the former boss of the European Chemicals Agency says the EU could do with going back to the drawing board.
Three ways to navigate the risks along low-carbon transition pathways
Risks lurk along the whole pathway of low-carbon transitions, writes Stefan Bößner. Things might get worse before they get better. But, given the climate urgency, there is no time to wait, he argues.
Leading on innovation for a climate neutral Europe by 2050
Innovation will be required across all sectors of the economy in order to steer Europe towards climate neutrality. This will also be good for the EU’s competitiveness, write Jakop Dalunde and Peter Sweatman.
COP24 diary – day #5
Over this special series on COP24, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on of the UN climate conference in Katowice and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: An update on the negotiations, climate denialism, South America, costs of global warming, and more.
How will oil producing countries meet the challenge of climate change?
As the United Nations COP24 gets underway in Poland, leading oil and gas players – countries and companies – are confronted with the challenge of mapping out their share of the new energy economy, writes Robin Mills.
Tackling climate change will require ‘transforming the whole economy’, financiers warn
The global economy has to prepare for a profound transformation in the coming decades as the impact of climate change becomes more tangible, Zurich insurance experts told EURACTIV.com.
Polish coal aid sinks EU power market reform bid
Poland’s determination to continue providing financial assistance to coal power plants beyond 2030 has sunk an attempt to reform Europe’s electricity market, negotiators have said.
COP24 diary – day #4
Over this special series on COP24, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on of the UN climate conference in Katowice and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: An update on the negotiations, Bulgaria, Canada, open letters, the shipping and car industry, and more.
Sustainable finance now tops industry’s agenda
The climate targets of the EU and UN have moved sustainable financing to the top of the agenda of the finance industry. This means banks and investors are called upon to provide green incentives and become more involved in saving the planet, writes Karl Ludwig Brockmann.OpinionPromoted content
COP24: We have solutions, now we need to stand united on climate action
This month, all eyes are on the Polish city of Katowice, where the global climate community is meeting for COP24. Katowice is an important step to make the Paris Agreement a success by defining a robust transparency and accountability system to track progress towards the long-term goal.
Macron makes U-turn on fuel-tax increases in face of ‘yellow vest’ protests
France's prime minister on Tuesday (4 December) suspended planned increases to fuel taxes for at least six months in response to weeks of sometimes violent protests, the first major U-turn by President Emmanuel Macron's administration in 18 months in office.
COP24 diary – day #3
Over this special series on COP24, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse in the goings on of the UN climate conference in Katowice and what drives conversation there. In this edition: An update on the negotiations, green finance, just transition, climate risk index, and more.
German anti-coal demonstrations: ‘We’re running out of time’
In the run-up to the UN climate conference, which began in Katowice in Poland on 2 December, many thousands of people demonstrated to support accelerating the phasing out of the coal industry. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions
In a world already impacted by climate change, the global community still falls short of meeting the Paris Agreement’s goal on curbing climate change under the well-below 2°C target. Countries gathered at the COP24 will have to roadmap how to shift trillions of euros to turn the economy from brown to green.
Finance for climate action is rising, but still a long way to go
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC (SR15), an additional 1.5% in global investment is needed to limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Yet, if already...