Climate change
EU environment ministers strike deal on climate law, leave out 2030 target
European Union environment ministers struck a deal on Friday (23 October) to make the bloc's 2050 net-zero emissions target legally binding, but left a decision on a 2030 emissions-cutting target for leaders to discuss in December.
Europe needs laws to stop import of deforestation-linked products, lawmakers say
The European Parliament on Thursday (22 October) called for the European Union to introduce laws to prevent the import of commodities and products linked to deforestation and human rights abuses.
Official: EU taking first steps to bring forestry into carbon market
The first step to bring forestry under the EU’s emissions trading scheme is to ensure that every tonne of carbon dioxide in the forest is counted so that a certification system for carbon removals can be put in place, Artur Runge-Metzger told EURACTIV.
Forestry’s climate impact ‘invisible’ under UN rules, experts say
Forests are the planet’s biggest carbon “sink” – absorbing more CO2 from the atmosphere than they emit – but their contribution to cooling the earth’s climate are currently not fully accounted for under UN rules, experts point out.
‘Tipping point’: biodiversity on a knife edge in Europe and beyond
Biodiversity is in critical decline across Europe and the world, which will have a devastating impact on ecosystems and economies.
EU’s Sefcovic: Europe must be ‘much more strategic’ on raw materials
The European Union “cannot achieve” climate neutrality without critical raw materials like lithium and rare earths, says Commission vice-president Maroš Šefčovič. It now needs to be “much more strategic” in relations with supplier countries in order to ensure the bloc's “strategic autonomy,” he argues.
The Brief, powered by ECPC – And the band played on
If you still haven’t seen ‘A life on our planet’, Sir David Attenborough’s latest (and quite possibly last, given his advanced age) documentary, please find the time to do so. It will give you pause, regardless of whether you are...
Let scientists guide us in the fight against climate change
Scientists have proved vital in the push to control COVID-19. We should also use them to tackle climate change, argues Alina Averchenkova.
EU to push new standards for ‘greenest’ car batteries on earth
The European Commission will table new EU-wide regulations this autumn to ensure that batteries manufactured or imported into Europe are “the greenest on this planet,” a top EU official told EURACTIV.
High stakes for Earth’s climate future in US vote
The United States presidential election will be "make or break" for the planet after four years during which Donald Trump frustrated global efforts to slash emissions, climate experts warn, fearing his re-election may imperil the world's chances of avoiding catastrophic warming.
India and the EU are natural partners for the green economy
India and the European Union are natural partners in the quest for environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, and green growth and development, writes Santosh Jha.
EU countries urged to build on Renovation Wave to fix failing efficiency targets
Twenty-five of the EU's 27 member countries have been told to boost provisions for building renovation in their national energy and climate plans in order to meet the bloc's elusive efficiency targets.
Bulgaria calls for EU help to phase out coal
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has asked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a "plan" to support the country coal phase-out, saying Bulgaria's own capacity was insufficient to achieve the bloc's 2030 climate goals.
EU leaders to decide tougher climate goal in December
EU leaders on Thursday (15 October) said they will decide on a more stringent climate target for 2030 at a summit in December, leaving more time to forge a united European response to climate change.
The Brief, powered by logos – Faltered carbon
EU leaders will talk climate policy at today’s Council summit, but the big moment will come at December’s meeting when they will likely agree on new emissions-busting measures. It is worth asking: is the EU fundamentally equipped to tackle climate breakdown?
Czechs drop opposition to 2030 climate goal ahead of EU summit
The Czech Republic said it was ready to back the EU’s proposed 2030 target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55%, provided that the objective is a collective one and that EU state aid rules do not hamper its nuclear ambitions.
Greta Thunberg urges EU to do ‘as much as possible’ on climate
Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg on Wednesday urged EU leaders to "do as much as possible" to step up the bloc's ambitions to reduce carbon output at this week's summit.
Europe: Time to Paris!
Today is the last European summit where EU leaders will meet before the Paris Agreement's 5th birthday party, and there is still no agreement on the table to increase the EU's contribution to the UN, write Parents for Future Germany.
Timmermans calls for greater urgency to tackle biodiversity crisis
Voters and the general public need to increase pressure on politicians to act more urgently in order to protect biodiversity, European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans argued on Tuesday (13 October).
Electric trucks, green hydrogen ‘ripe for investment’ by EU recovery fund
Green hydrogen, low-carbon aviation fuel and electric trucks are among 55 clean technologies that can help the European Union to reach its goal of climate neutrality by mid-century, new research showed on Wednesday (14 October).
EU strategy is failing to tackle the biggest methane emitter: agriculture
No reduction targets, no mandatory actions to cut methane emissions at farm level, no coherence with existing climate and air quality objectives: these are some reasons why the European Commission’s Methane Strategy will fall short, writes Margherita Tolotto.
IEA outlines global path to net-zero emissions by 2050
For the first time, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has set out what would need to happen this decade to reach net zero emissions globally by 2050. EURACTIV's media partner, Climate Home News, reports.
The future of cities: sustainable or bust
European leaders need to recognise that direct investment in cities is the best way to address the immediate needs of our citizens, whilst also responding to the causes of the climate crisis, writes Rafał Trzaskowski.