Climate change
Europe’s largest floating solar plant opens in France
The most powerful floating solar PV plant in Europe was inaugurated in southern France on Friday (18 October), marking another milestone in the development of solar energy.
UK airline industry calls on government to spur sector to net-zero
The industry body for UK airlines believes that a renewed partnership with the Government can help the sector achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, as long as investment opportunities into green technologies are created. EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
Poland wants fresh EU money to back climate neutrality goal
Achieving climate neutrality requires “significantly larger” amounts of funding than what is currently on offer in the EU’s long-term budget proposal for 2021-2027, Warsaw said in a memo circulated ahead of an EU leaders’ summit opening today.
Velux CEO: ‘If you want the most energy efficient home, live in a cave’
Companies and lawmakers must take more responsibility in helping to solve issues related to buildings, including reducing carbon emissions and improving health standards, according to Velux CEO David Briggs.
Gas industry storms into EU green finance taxonomy debate
Industry executives argue fossil gas should be considered green when it displaces coal in power generation, sparking fresh controversy around an upcoming EU sustainable finance taxonomy aimed at rewarding investments in clean technologies.
EU bank kicks climate can down road to November
The European Investment Bank decided on Tuesday (15 October) to delay a decision on updating its energy lending policy until November. Germany and the European Commission are still pushing for controversial changes to the bank’s original fossil-fuel-free proposal.
Juncker Commission stalls EU climate bank in starting blocks
While the European Investment Bank is making efforts to end fossil fuel funding, the Juncker Commission is doing its best to frustrate it – and to undermine Ursula von der Leyen, writes WWF’s Sébastien Godinot.
International alliance of cities commits to tackling air pollution
Poor air quality causes 422,000 premature deaths deaths each year in Europe and EU member states have repeatedly been singled out for exceeding pollution thresholds. At the C40 Summit on Friday (11 October), 35 cities decided to take the matter into their own hands. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Exposed: Europe’s accounting tricks on energy savings
A growing number of EU member states are planning to use accounting tricks, including changes in fuel taxes introduced in the past, to claim “additional” energy savings as part of their EU climate obligations, EURACTIV can reveal.
Deutsche Bahn’s credit rating boosted thanks to German climate law
Germany’s railway service has had its credit rating score raised in response to a new climate law that will levy air and road travel, while cutting VAT for train journeys, in what has been hailed as a first in Europe.
Fourteen mayors sign declaration to promote sustainable food policies in their cities
Fourteen cities announced on Thursday (10 October) that they would pay particular attention to the sustainable and healthy food supply in their cities in the future. This way, they aim to save 60% of the carbon emissions in the food sector. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Cities will be key in the fight against climate change, UN chief says
Mayors from all over the world are meeting in Copenhagen this week for the C40 World Mayors Summit. They have gathered to fight the so-called 'climate urgency' and are calling for a "Green New Deal" to be implemented worldwide. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Timmermans gets broad support at Parliament hearing: the main points
Frans Timmermans passed his European Parliament hearing with flying colours on Tuesday evening (9 October) and was confirmed the following day as Ursula von der Leyen’s climate paladin from 1 November. Here are the main talking points.
A clear, credible climate protection law is good for business, German expert says
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Karsten Neuhoff, a climate expert and professor, spoke about Germany's hotly-debated climate protection bill, stressing that a clear regulatory framework with "clear and credible paths for reducing emissions" is attractive for businesses.
Paris Agreement architect: ‘Carbon neutrality is the target to go for’
In an interview with EURACTIV, Paris Agreement key architect Laurence Tubiana gives her take away of the UN Climate Action Summit and the role of the European Union ahead of the next European Council meeting 17-18 October.
Climate activists to block European cities for the week
Protests by climate activists took place in 60 cities around the world on Monday (7 October). The Extinction Rebellion movement has announced its intention to block Berlin for a week as it wants to urge politicians to do more to protect the climate. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Increasing Europe’s R&I budget is critical to grow the economy and fight climate change
Without an increased investment in research and innovation, the European Union will be unable to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and will lose out to economic rivals on the competitive advantage this could present, writes Connie Hedegaard.
Germany shuns EU letter calling for higher climate goals
A group of eight EU countries has sent a letter to the incoming European Commission of Ursula von der Leyen, calling on the bloc to raise its climate ambition from a current 40% emissions reduction to a 55% cut by 2030, EURACTIV has learned.
German government wants to weaken country’s proposed climate protection goals
Although many have called for improvements to the German climate package, the government wants to impose a weaker formulation of the core climate protection goals. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
EU ministers fudge 2030 climate target lines
Environment ministers agreed on Friday (4 October) to “update” the EU’s current emission reduction pledge next year but fell short of saying by how much. Ten countries blocked attempts by the others to commit outright to an increase there and then.
UN agency vote complicates EU’s aviation emission efforts
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a United Nations agency, decided on Friday (4 October) to press ahead with plans to make its emissions offsetting scheme the only global option available to its 193 member states, teeing up a dilemma regarding the EU's own system.
Denmark calls for EU plan to phase out diesel and petrol cars
Denmark, backed by 10 other European Union countries, on Friday (4 October) called for a strategy to phase out diesel and petrol cars, including allowing the ban of sales at national-level by 2030 to combat climate change. Denmark made the...
European cities share heating decarbonisation tips
Cities with decades-old combined heat and power systems are emitting less carbon than others, and EU policymakers are looking at how to emulate this across the bloc.