Climate change
EU leaders claim victory on 2050 climate goal, despite Polish snub
EU leaders claimed to have sealed a deal on an ambitious climate plan for 2050 early Friday morning (13 December) but Poland still maintained its objections and refused to endorse the climate-neutral target.
No EU funds for Poland if climate goals aren’t agreed, Macron warns
Poland would not be eligible for funds available under the European Green Deal if it does not sign up to the EU’s climate objectives, French President Emmanuel Macron warned at the closure of an EU summit on Friday (13 December).
UK’s Brexit election explained: ‘There will be one less pro-climate vote in the EU’
With Germany’s dwindling leadership on climate, Britain’s departure from the European Union could have “potentially huge” consequences for climate policy, says Sandrine Dixson-Declève.
The indispensable second wave of the Green Deal: A Green Industry Strategy
The upcoming EU Industry Strategy must be a cornerstone of the Green New Deal, making it possible for the EU to both meet its climate goals and strengthen its global industrial leadership in a fast-changing global economy, write Adair Turner and Sandrine Dixson-Declève.
Rift between negotiators and civil society at COP25 becoming very obvious
As civil society pushes for more ambition in fighting climate change, the slow pace of negotiations at the COP25 climate summit in Madrid is frustrating activists. EURACTIV France reports.
COP25: Europe must decide faster, climate doesn’t wait, says Danish Energy Minister
As member states are pressed to agree on Europe’s 2050 carbon neutrality target, Denmark is the star of the show at COP25 after the country’s Parliament adopted a legally binding emissions reduction target of 70% by 2030. Danish energy minister Dan Jørgensen explained to EURACTIV what’s behind the country’s new climate act.
France, UK block green finance deal in setback for climate goals
Led by France and Britain, EU states yesterday (11 December) blocked a set of new rules governing which financial products can be called "green" and "sustainable", fearing it would prevent investments in nuclear and gas projects.
EU leaders offer money to reluctant east to push 2050 climate neutrality
European Union leaders on Thursday (12 December) will push an agreement to make their bloc climate neutral by 2050, luring reluctant eastern member states with promises of extra money for their heavily-polluting economies.
COP25 news and views: What’s happening in Madrid (part 3)
As UN climate negotiations enter their second and decisive week, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on of the 25th climate conference in Madrid (COP25) and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: Badges taken away, German satisfaction, French absence, and fighting in Tokyo.
Decision time for the EU’s 2050 climate strategy
European leaders gathering today for an EU summit in Brussels will try to persuade Poland, Czechia and Hungary to rally the bloc's proposed carbon neutrality goal for 2050. Brook Riley explains why this is both a moment of drama and anticlimax.
European Green Deal gives COP25 a ‘breath of fresh air’
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen jolted the COP25 conference in Madrid when she presented her European Green Deal yesterday (11 December). But many observers, including young people, are calling for more ambition. EURACTIV France reports.
EU Green Deal to tune up car CO2 rules
The European Commission will revise car CO2 standards and move towards zero-emission vehicles in the 2030s, according to the EU’s new Green Deal, unveiled on Wednesday (11 December). Every other mode of transport can expect attention over the next five years too.
EU Commission unveils ‘European Green Deal’: The key points
The European Commission unveiled its hallmark European Green Deal on Wednesday (11 October), outlining a long list of policy initiatives aimed at putting Europe on track to reach net-zero emissions, and a pollution-free environment, by 2050.
COP25: Major developing countries still reluctant to amend Paris Agreement to ‘foot climate bill’
Countries such as Brazil, China and Saudi Arabia, are criticising Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement and its carbon offsetting mechanism even though they are currently not footing the "climate bill". A stance which climate advocates fear will weaken the entire treaty. EURACTIV France reports.
Banning single-use plastics in France by 2040 is far too late, environmentalists say
The French National Assembly has voted to ban all disposable plastics by... 2040, which would be far too late for many environmental advocates. EURACTIV France reports.
Capturing the untapped benefits of deep energy renovation
As the European Green Deal takes shape, it bears repeating that the state of EU buildings holds the potential to make or break whatever energy, emissions and environmental targets are set in the coming months, writes Adrian Joyce.
COP25 news and views: What’s happening in Madrid (part 2)
As UN climate negotiations enter their second and decisive week, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on of the 25th climate conference in Madrid (COP25) and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: ambition, carbon pricing, dunce cap, and getting mad for climate.
Europe’s solar PV sector reports 104% growth in 2019
With a growth rate of 104%, Europe’s solar photovoltaic industry is experiencing a “boom in installations,” according to statistics published on Tuesday (10 December) by SolarPower Europe, an industry association.
COP25: Connecting the dots on climate finance
As negotiators in Madrid are trying to break the impasse on global climate finance governance, tectonic shifts in the real economy are signaling changing tides for the oil & gas industry. Far from being separate adjustments, these changes are part of a one, large movement where Europe is at the fore-front. MEP Bas Eickhout explained to EURACTIV why.
24 Turkish cities oppose Erdogan, support Paris Climate Agreement
Within the framework of the current COP25, 24 Turkish cities and municipalities committed themselves to the Paris Climate Agreement yesterday (9 December). Turkey is the only G20 country that has not yet ratified the Paris Agreement. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU pressured to do more in negotiations at COP25 climate summit
The fate of the climate negotiations at the COP25 climate summit in Madrid depends heavily on Europe. And civil society, the financial and private sector are asking for more. EURACTIV France reports.
Luxembourg to deploy carbon tax from 2021
Luxembourg will implement a levy of €20 per tonne of carbon from 2021, as part of its efforts to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by the end of the next decade.
COP25 news and views: What’s happening in Madrid
As UN climate negotiations enter their second and decisive week, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on of the 25th climate conference in Madrid (COP25) and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: train ride, ray of the day, reality check-point, and climate finance big time.
Worries over ‘fresh money’ as EU cooks up energy transition fund
Eastern EU countries, backed by trade unions, are putting pressure on EU leaders to come up with “fresh money” to support the energy transition in coal-dependent regions as part of a Green Deal due to be unveiled this week.