Climate change
Green recovery led by industry or government – America’s choice between two futures
With the American presidential election next week, the climate policy of Joe Biden and lack of policy from Donald Trump has come into the spotlight: America will have to adapt to green technologies to keep up with the world and the question is whether its administration will dig its heels in or not.
EU should put more gloss on climate diplomacy in Southeast Asia, experts say
As the EU's climate goals become increasingly ambitious, it should engage more proactively with Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN) to reassure them that the bloc's green targets are not trade protectionism in disguise and ensure a sustainable COVID recovery globally.
South Korea mirrors European Green Deal with net-zero pledge for 2050
President Moon Jae-in has announced South Korea will commit to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 as part of a "Green New Deal" that closely mirrors commitments made by the European Union. EURACTIV's media partner, Climate Home News, reports.
No wine left behind: How Germany wants to adapt to climate change
Winegrowers are facing unprecedented challenges from climate change, like hot summers or water shortages, but the warmer climate also favours certain types of cultivation. The German government's adaptation strategy is designed to help the winegrowing sector, but to what extent does it help them in practice? EURACTIV Germany reports.
Europe urged to align budget with green finance rules
The EU’s sustainable finance taxonomy should be systematically applied to track green investments in the bloc’s next long-term budget and coronavirus recovery fund, which together amount to €1.8 trillion over the next seven years, according to a new report launched on Wednesday (28 October).
Brussels ‘won’t stand in the way’ of new nuclear plants, says EU climate chief
The European Commission “will not stand in the way” of countries that choose to build new nuclear power stations, said EU climate chief Frans Timmermans, who warned however about the life-cycle costs of the technology, “which means that you will be stuck with it for a long, long, long time”.
Japan matches EU climate pledge with net-zero carbon goal for 2050
Japan will join the EU in aiming for net zero emissions by 2050, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced on Monday (26 October).
Delivering a net-zero economy
Mid-century climate targets are feasible but decisive action needs to be taken in the 2020s to put the world onto the right trajectory, writes Sandrine Dixson-Declève.
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?