Climate change
Poland says virus fallout makes it ‘even more difficult’ to hit EU climate goal
Poland, which relies heavily on coal-fired power stations, will find it even tougher to achieve the European Union’s climate goals because of the impact of the coronavirus epidemic on the economy and companies, the government said on Wednesday (25 March).
Governments urged to attach green strings to long-term coronavirus recovery plans
Governments and financial institutions are under growing pressure to make economic bailouts designed to counter the coronavirus pandemic dependent on climate action in the longer term. EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
Coronavirus redraws battle lines on airline emissions
European airlines crippled by the coronavirus have demanded lasting relief from environmental taxes - in a move that pits their immediate survival against longer-term emissions goals.
Emergence from emergency: The case for a holistic economic recovery plan
If you think the coronavirus is scary – it’s only the training day for what will happen if we don’t stop the climate crisis: Global warming is far more dangerous, write members of The Club of Rome.
EU carbon market ‘the first victim’ as electricity demand collapses
Every country in Europe has seen electricity demand decrease by 2 to 7% week-on-week as coronavirus-related confinement measures were enforced, according to new research by Ember, a climate think tank. Some analysts are now calling for urgent measures to prevent the EU carbon market from collapsing.
COVID-19 stimulus should address health, economy and climate together
Governments around the globe are quickly designing some of the biggest economic stimulus plan ever seen in peacetime in response to the COVD-19 pandemic. But while the health crisis has forced all concerned to take swift action, we are still moving too slowly when it comes to the climate crisis, writes María Mendiluce.
EU cost-benefit study seen backing 55% emissions cut by 2030
In the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak, the European Commission published last week what would have otherwise been a high-profile initiative: the launch of a cost-benefit analysis of increasing the EU’s climate ambition for 2030 in view of reaching net-zero emissions by mid-century.
German CO2 emissions dive amid coronavirus slump
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a dramatic impact on Germany's demand for electricity. According to initial projections, Germany could emit between 50 and 120 million tons less CO2 this year, meaning it could even exceed its climate target. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Heavy-emitting firms ‘off-track’ from 2C climate target
More than 80% of the highest-emitting listed companies are failing to deliver emissions reductions aligned to the Paris Agreement's 2C global warming limit, with many of them also failing to account for climate mitigation and risk strategies. EURACTIV's media partner, edie.net, reports.
Big tech could do better at protecting the environment
Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft, known as 'GAFAM' in France, say they are protecting the environment, but that's not the point. Partly responsible for the carbon impact of digital technology, these multinationals are mainly trying to minimise damage. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.
EU should scrap emissions trading scheme, Polish official says
The European Union should scrap its Emissions Trading System or exempt Poland from the scheme, which helps combat global warming, to free up funds for Warsaw to fight the effects of the coronavirus, a senior Polish official said.
Climate change will still be a threat after COVID-19 is gone
Governments around the world are demonstrating – all too evidently – that they are unable to tackle two major crises at once, writes Jonathan Gornall.
Europe warned about virus impact on clean tech
Governments across Europe should keep clean energy top of mind as they consider measures to protect their economies against a likely recession caused by the coronavirus, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said.
Why number crunching can make or break Europe’s climate ambition
After the EU committed to climate neutrality by mid-century, the European Commission is now busy performing a detailed cost-benefit analysis of raising the bloc’s climate target for 2030. Brook Riley peaks into the EU's modelling engine room to decipher the assumptions behind the figures.
Energy ‘sector coupling’ requires 75% more electricity, study says
Direct and indirect electrification of transport, buildings and industry could deliver a 60% reduction in carbon emissions across Europe by 2050 – but that will require a massive upsurge in clean power output, according to BloombergNEF, a research company.
Football’s ‘mini cities’ offer prime green testing ground
Stadiums are a great environment in which to trial sustainability measures because of the number of people who regularly attend sporting and entertainment events, according to those involved in their day-to-day running.
Greenpeace proposes 70% meat consumption reduction by 2030
Three burgers a week: that's the maximum amount of meat Europeans should get used to eating, according to NGO Greenpeace, which has been looking at Europe's eating habits. EURACTIV France reports.
Europe’s agricultural sector struggles to reduce emissions
Europe's agricultural sector has barely managed to reduce its emissions since 2018, according to a report by the European Environment Agency published on Tuesday (10 March). EURACTIV France reports.
Coronavirus delays UN climate and biodiversity talks
UN Climate Change said it won’t hold any physical meetings until the end of April amid efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic. EURACTIV’s media partner Climate Home News reports. The spread of coronavirus across the world is disrupting climate and...
Can EU’s new industrial strategy accelerate Germany’s green transition?
With its new industrial strategy, the European Commission wants to promote climate-friendly innovations, unlocking billions in investment into clean technologies. However, it remains unclear how companies will be supported in the transition. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU announces ‘Clean Hydrogen Alliance’ for launch in the summer
Plans for an EU-wide hydrogen alliance were confirmed on Tuesday (10 March) when the European Commission unveiled its new industrial strategy.
Why is the EV rollout at risk of stalling?
Ensuring a swift transition to electric vehicles is one of the clearest ways for governments to make significant progress on emissions reductions, writes Helen Clarkson. However, governments risk holding it back, she adds.
Funding the Just Transition Fund: additional money is needed
PGE is ready to actively contribute to EU climate ambitions by investing heavily in low-carbon power generation technologies as evidenced by our investment plans. However, we will need adequate support in the process.