European Green Deal
Social justice and climate action are two pieces of the same puzzle
Politicians attending the Porto Social Summit this week must understand that social justice and climate action go hand in hand and are key to preventing the loss of a generation, writes Tea Jarc and Adélaïde Charlier.
Bringing nature back to life
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that biodiversity needs a Paris Agreement - COP15 in autumn this year is the world's chance to achieve that, writes Bas Eickhout.
Green transition impossible without ‘blue economy’, EU says
The transition to a greener, more sustainable economy will be impossible without the support of industries based around the ocean and coasts – known as the blue economy – according to the European Commission.
Transition of cities – an opportunity for people and planet
Mayors and city leaders can play a double role in the green transition – as ambassadors for the European green deal locally, and as representatives of people’s concerns and interests to other levels of government, writes Dario Nardella
Eleven EU countries call to ban fossil fuels from trans-European energy infrastructure
Eleven EU countries have signed a declaration calling on the European Union to stop funding fossil fuels under its trans-European energy infrastructure regulation (TEN-E), which is currently under revision.
Germany’s onshore wind expansion continues to struggle
Attempts by the German authorities to attract investment in wind power fell flat, marking another episode in a series of unpopular tenders for wind power, according to the results of tenders for renewables, published on Friday (30 April).
Nature is the missed opportunity of the EU’s recovery plans
Post-COVID recovery plans are the perfect moment to reset Europe's economy and become more sustainable, but current plans show that Europe is failing to embrace a systematic change in how it views nature, writes Sandrine Dixson-Decleve and Simon Zadek.
Union leader: ‘With more social ambition, climate ambitions will also become higher’
European trade unions welcome ambitious EU climate policies, but warn that they need to be implemented alongside an equally ambitious social transition plan or risk sowing the seeds of a backlash, says Judith Kirton-Darling.
EU sets plan to promote rapid green transition of key industries
The European Union aims to help industries slash greenhouse gas emissions by promoting a rapid expansion of investment in low-carbon technologies, partly through schemes with easier state aid rules, according to a draft policy plan seen by Reuters.
Germany hatches plan to attract green investment capital
The German government is planning a new green financing strategy to steer capital towards environmental projects and developing Germany into a leading hub for sustainable finance, plans seen by Reuters show.
LEAK: EU’s draft renewables law confirms 38-40% target for 2030
An early draft of the EU’s upcoming renewable energy directive confirms the bloc’s objective of sourcing 38-40% of its energy from renewables by 2030, roughly doubling the share of solar, wind and other renewables in Europe’s energy mix by the end of the decade.
EU’s industry alliances need stricter oversight, say green critics
Ahead of the European Commission’s new industrial strategy proposal, expected on Wednesday (5 May), Friends of the Earth has compiled a report exposing the influence of business associations in shaping policy through industrial alliances.
A tale of three countries: how Czechia, Germany, and Poland plan to ditch coal
For decades, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic have been at the heart of Europe's so-called "lignite triangle" which produces most of the continent's coal-based electricity. But with climate change now a top political priority, the priority is shifting to renewables.
Brazilian Amazon released more carbon than it absorbed over past 10 years: study
International team of researchers also found that deforestation rose nearly four-fold in 2019. EURACTIV's media partner The Guardian, reports.
Redirect harmful subsidies to benefit the planet, UN urges governments
Head of the Kunming biodiversity summit asks nations to review destructive support for fishing, agriculture and other industries. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
Consumers will only renovate their homes if it’s easy and affordable
Consumers are willing and ready to play their part in the green housing transition, but they will need guidance and support along the way, writes Monique Goyens.
Mainstream parties block ECR resolution to force vote on Nord Stream 2
An attempt by right-wing Polish MEPs to force a plenary vote on the controversial gas pipeline between Russia and Germany was blocked for a second time by the two largest groups in the European Parliament on Thursday (29 April), Parliament...
Carbon border levy should start with steel, cement and fertilisers, says Poland
Steel, cement and fertilisers should be among the first sectors protected by the upcoming carbon levy to safeguard European business from cheaper, CO2 intensive imports, according to Poland.
The Green Brief: The US is back. Should Europe rejoice?
After four year of Trumpism, the United States made its big comeback on the green diplomacy stage last week by organising a virtual climate summit in Washington.
From coal and steel to carbon-free and digital: EU reaches turning point
Years from now, 2021 may be seen as the moment the European Union took a leap forward from its post-World War Two birth as a coal and steel bloc to a modern green and digital economy.
Saving the planet from space: how satellite observation can help tackle climate change
A defining moment in space exploration is the first image of Earthrise – watching the Earth come over the horizon – taken by an astronaut on Apollo 8 as it ventured on its historic trip to circle the moon.
Greece confirms last coal plant will be shut in 2025
“We are saying goodbye to the coal age,” Greece’s energy state secretary told EURACTIV following last week's announcement that the country’s last lignite plant will be shut down in 2025, three years earlier than planned.
Time for global cooperation on industrial emissions
Current cooperation on green innovation with countries such as Japan, South Korea, India and, of course, the United States should be significantly strengthened, writes Mats Engström.