European Green Deal
Beyond the strategy review: the ECB must act on climate
The European Central Bank (ECB)'s new monetary policy is a positive step, but it needs more ambition to tackle its climate problem, warns a group of European lawmakers, environmental activists and economists.
Poland gears up for fight over EU climate cash
Poland wants more EU money to finance its green transition. But getting its hands on EU cash will require the government to put forward a credible roadmap for the country’s energy transition, which is currently lacking. EURACTIV’s media partner, Wysokie Napięcie, reports.
EU industry shuns carbon border levy, calls for export rebates
European industries covered by the EU's future carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) have expressed doubts about the proposal, tabled last week. In addition to border measures, they are calling for an export rebate scheme to help green EU products compete on global markets.
EU ministers attack plans to extend carbon pricing to heating, transport
EU environment ministers expressed "quite a lot of reservations" about European Commission plans to set up a second emissions trading scheme for road transport and buildings at their first meeting since Brussels tabled the proposal last week.
EU’s green hydrogen plans hailed as ‘true game-changer’ by industry
The European Commission boosted regulatory support for green hydrogen in its proposed overhaul of climate legislation published last week, with the renewable hydrogen coalition calling it "a true game changer" for the nascent EU industry.
Seeing the woods: EU lays out plan to capture more carbon from forests
The European Commission on Wednesday (14 July) unveiled plans to build up carbon sinks, like forests and wetlands, as part of a broader package of climate legislation aimed at achieving a 55% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
EU energy tax plan seeks to end ‘hidden advantage’ for fossil fuels
A proposed new EU-wide fuel taxation system based on energy content rather than volume seeks to end incentives for petrol and diesel, aiming instead to support the uptake of green biofuels, renewable hydrogen and synthetic fuels.
Climate-focused investors give warm welcome to EU masterplan
A European Union climate masterplan to raise the cost of pollution and eliminate emissions is a step towards a single carbon price that many investors striving to make companies more sustainable say can help to engineer deeper change.
Europe fiddles while forests burn
The European Commission's approach to using forest wood for energy could prove a faux pas ahead of the COP26 UN climate summit in November, a dangerous move which contradicts the findings of the EU executive's own research department, writes Peg Putt.
France sceptical about extending carbon pricing to buildings, transport
France expressed "reservations" about the social consequences of extending the carbon market to the building and transport sectors, a proposal put forward by the European Commission on Wednesday (14 July). EURACTIV France reports.
German industry worried about EU carbon market reform, sceptical of CBAM
Industry in Germany watched the presentation of the European Commission’s new package of energy and climate laws with bated breath on Wednesday (14 July), expressing worries about a reform of the EU’s carbon market that could see free CO2 pollution...
EU unveils plan to increase renewables share in energy mix to 40% by 2030
The European Union must increase the amount of renewable energy it uses and cut energy consumption by 2030 under proposals the bloc's executive Commission published on Wednesday (14 July) to help meet a more ambitious goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
EU’s Timmermans defends new ETS in front of sceptical lawmakers
EU climate chief Frans Timmermans faced lawmakers in the European Parliament on Wednesday (14 July), hours after the European Commission presented a new legislative package aimed at reaching the EU's 2030 climate goals.
Green MEP: Voluntary schemes have failed biodiversity in forests
Voluntary schemes have not been enough to protect biodiversity in Europe's forests and more coordinated measures are needed to protect nature in the EU, according to Green lawmaker Ville Niinistö.
Green package unleashes criticism against von der Leyen inside the college
Some EU Commissioners expressed concerns on Wednesday (14 July) about the landmark ‘Fit for 55’ climate legislation package and criticised the way the massive initiative to transform the European economy was handled by the Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, various officials told EURACTIV.com.
EU unveils plan to cut emissions 55% by 2030, wave fossil fuels goodbye
The European Commission tabled a root-and-branch review of the EU’s energy and climate laws on Wednesday (14 July), aiming to cut carbon emissions by 55% before the end of the decade and initiate a decisive break away from fossil fuels.
‘Fit-for-55’ package: Squaring the circle
With its 'Fit for 55' climate package, the European Union finds itself at the centre of a three-dimensional puzzle. Burdens need to be shared between 450 million citizens and 25 million businesses, as well as between member states, in a way that is acceptable to enough of them, writes Georg Zachmann.
The Green Brief: EU lessons from Germany’s carbon tax row
A row in Germany over a carbon tax on heating and transport fuels has revealed some of the issues that Europe may soon be confronted with when extending its own carbon market to road transport and housing.
EU throws open courtroom doors for new wave of citizen climate litigations
The scope of legislation that can be challenged in court for breaching environmental rights has been widened following a deal struck by lawmakers in the European Parliament and representatives from EU capitals.
Finnish MEP: Sustainable forest management must be supported by EU climate legislation
Sustainable forest management is key to keeping Europe's forests healthy and must be supported by EU legislation in order to help meet the bloc's 2030 climate goals, according to Finnish MEP, Petri Sarvamaa.
LEAK: New EU fund aims to cushion social impact of climate policies
The European Commission will launch a social fund to help alleviate the societal costs of its climate legislation, particularly its plan to expand the emissions trading scheme (ETS) to buildings and road transport, according to a leaked draft seen by EURACTV.
EU, Ukraine sign ‘strategic partnership’ on raw materials
Kyiv will be invited on Tuesday (13 July) to join EU industrial alliances on batteries and raw materials, with a view to develop an entire value chain of the extraction, refining and recycling of minerals in Ukraine to supply the EU market for electric cars and digital equipment.
EU plan puts spotlight on carbon sinks to tackle climate change
Europe will need to increase the amount of carbon stored by its forests and wetlands to meet a new, more ambitious target for carbon removals in Europe, according to a leaked policy draft seen by EURACTIV.