Climate strategy 2050
Von der Leyen pressed to deliver on climate after winning EU vote
The European Parliament confirmed Ursula von der Leyen as the first women president of the European Commission in a nail-biting vote on Tuesday (16 July) that put climate change centre stage. EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
In a moment of urgency, put energy efficiency first
Steps can be taken to improve energy efficiency. This is the surest route to achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, write Kim Fausing and Rachel Kyte.
How to fix Eastern Europe’s problem with 2050 climate neutrality
A radical, one might say populist, solution to solve the Eastern blockade on climate neutrality would be to set up a European Climate Solidarity Fund, writes István Bart.
EU Commission nominee backs 50% carbon cut by 2030, fails to win Greens’ support
Ursula von der Leyen said Europe should become the world’s first climate neutral continent, as she sought lawmakers’ backing for the top job on Wednesday (10 July). EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
Russia readies to ratify Paris Agreement, warns about renewables ‘absolutism’
The Russian government will submit legislation to ratify the Paris climate agreement by September, but president Vladimir Putin warned against the perils of “absolutist” renewable energy. EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
EU clarifies funding scope for CO2 capture technology
The European Commission has clarified how it intends to support carbon capture and storage (CCS), a key technology in the fight against global warming, which supporters say will enable deep emission cuts in heavy industries such as cement, steel and petrochemicals.
German coalition divided over carbon pricing
Should Germany put a price on carbon emissions from transport, buildings or agriculture, which are currently not covered by the EU emissions trading scheme? The question is dividing members of the ruling coalition. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Finland kicks off EU presidency with bid to tackle ‘unfin[n]ished business’
"A sustainable Europe - a sustainable future". This is Finland's motto to kickstart its presidency in the European Council for the next six months. The Finnish programme seeks to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest, expand the digital internal market and strengthen military cooperation. EURACTIV Germany reports.
UN Climate Fund to make funding green projects easier
The board of the UN Green Climate Fund is meeting from 6 to 8 July in Songdo, South Korea. The board is set on heralding a "paradigm shift" in climate financing and intends to accelerate the decision-making process to boost the fund's replenishment. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU research ‘moonshots’ focus on climate crisis
The European Commission unveiled five flagship research and innovation “missions” yesterday (4 July), two of which are directly aimed at addressing the climate crisis.
Germany’s coal phase-out bill to be ready by end 2019
The federal economic ministry has followed the German coal commission's recommendation by preparing a draft bill to phase-out coal power generation. However, things are going too slowly, according to the Greens. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU top jobs leave big questions hanging on climate policy
Ursula von der Leyen has been nominated to lead the EU’s executive at a critical moment for climate policy, but she has no record on the issue. EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
EU ‘climate leaders’ praised on goal-setting but falling short on detail
Finland, Sweden, Portugal, France and Germany are often seen as “climate leaders” when it comes to setting ambitious carbon reduction objectives for 2050. However, they lack concrete measures to achieve them, according to fresh analysis published today (4 July).
Finnish PM calls for ‘heroic act’ to solve climate crisis
"Solving the climate crisis could be Europe's next heroic act,“ Finland's Antti Rinne wrote in a blog post marking the start of his country's EU presidency, suggesting a deal on the bloc's 2050 climate objective could be reached in the coming six months.
Brussels ministerial shows US still isolated on climate change
Ministers from China, Canada and the EU met for a third annual climate summit in Brussels on Friday (28 June), in a format meant to demonstrate that the world continues the climate fight even if America is retreating.
Pittsburgh mayor: Europe should be proud of its climate action
In an interview with EURACTIV France, Bill Peduto speaks about Europe's good track record on climate protection, despite the decision by US President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
EU leftists demand ‘climate emergency’ Parliament committee
The European Parliament’s leftist group (GUE/NGL) has proposed setting up a special climate emergency parliamentary committee to shift the spotlight on to green issues even more over the next five years.
German environment chief seeks dialogue with Poland over climate neutrality
German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze announced that she will be holding talks with representatives of all states that have so far refused to join the EU's carbon neutrality objective for 2050. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU takes stock after climate deal disappointment
EU environment ministers met on Wednesday (26 June) to take stock of how a landmark climate deal fell short of a final agreement last week. Signs now suggest that the European Council will stick to its end-of-year deadline and Poland will finally get on board.
France is a ‘good student with bad results’ when it comes to climate policy
France's independent advisory council on climate has highlighted the relevance of the country's carbon neutrality objective but considered it far from being a concrete reality as carbon emissions continue to be on the rise. EURACTIV France reports.
New Danish government puts climate change centre stage
Only a few days after the European Union failed to agree on 2050 carbon neutral climate target, Denmark’s Social Democrats and their three center-left allies agreed on Wednesday (26 June) on a political program that aims at promoting one of the most ambitious climate policies in the world.
Europe’s airports target carbon-neutrality by 2050, planes not included
Nearly 200 European airports in 45 countries pledged on Wednesday (26 June) to drastically slash their greenhouse gas output by 2050. However, the target only includes airport infrastructure and not aircraft.
Investors with $34 trillion demand urgent climate change action
Investors managing more than $34 trillion in assets, nearly half the world’s invested capital, are demanding urgent action from governments on climate change, piling pressure on leaders of the world’s 20 biggest economies meeting this week.
Sefcovic points to trade as next priority for EU climate diplomacy
Europe must look for ways of incorporating the carbon content of imported products while avoiding import dependence on key technologies for the energy transition, said Maros Šefčovič, the European Commission’s Vice-President in charge of the Energy Union.
