European Green Deal
Timmermans kicks off debate over landmark EU ‘Climate Law’
The European Commission launched a public debate about the EU’s upcoming Climate Law on Tuesday (28 January), with a view to enshrining the bloc’s 2050 “climate neutrality” target into binding legislation before the UN climate conference in Glasgow later this year.
What will Germany’s coal phase-out mean for the EU carbon market?
When Germany eventually closes its coal-fired power plants, millions of CO2 pollution credits will be flushed into the EU emissions trading system, threatening to send the EU carbon market crashing. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU could use carbon border tax against Brexit Britain, warns MEP
The EU could deploy a carbon border tax against the UK after Brexit, according to the head of the European Parliament’s environment committee, if Westminster diverges from bloc rules on issues like carbon markets.
A net-zero emissions future to guide Europe through turbulent economic times
Climate action can be the polestar guiding EU leaders through turbulent economic waters, writes Pascal Lamy, calling on politicians to put climate policy at the heart of a coherent industrial strategy.
Piecing together Europe’s climate finance puzzle
The climate neutrality puzzle is massive. As EU affairs ministers meet in Brussels today (27 January), they should ensure €260 billion are invested annually to lead a fair and just transition away from fossil fuels, campaigners write.
EU’s Timmermans detects hints of US shift on climate
There are signs US President Donald Trump is starting to engage more seriously on climate change and listening to the concerns of corporations, the European Commission's vice-president and head of its 'Green Deal' said on Thursday (23 January).
EU clarifies fossil fuel stance: ‘No lock-in into natural gas’
When European Union leaders signed off on a pledge to reach “climate neutrality” by 2050, they also eventually rang the death knell of the natural gas industry as we know it.
EU’s creeping clean energy efforts risk missing 2020 goal
Renewable energy made up 18% of the EU’s power consumption in 2018, according to statistics compiler Eurostat. But the slow pace of development may leave the bloc short of its 2020 target.
Carmakers renew calls for recharge revolution, as grim sales figures loom
Some of the EU’s most powerful auto players called once again on Wednesday (22 January) for a mass rollout of recharging points and refuelling stations for fuels like hydrogen, as the industry offered up more clues as to how it intends to lessen its climate impact.
Extending EU carbon market must not hinder more urgent reforms
The European Commission’s proposal to include new sectors in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is not expected to significantly reduce emissions but could risk the stability of the EU’s carbon market and the decarbonisation of the power sector, argue Outi Haanperä and Verena Graichen.
EU Green Deal can help set the tone for CEOs in Davos
The European Green Deal gives CEOs a major opportunity to lead their companies in ways that can build their brands while also cutting carbon. So what, exactly, should they do? Thomas Pellerin-Carlin and Peter Sweatman have three suggestions.
EU to name and shame climate plan laggards ‘in the coming days’
Just over half of European Union countries have submitted their final national energy and climate plans (NECPs) to the European Commission by the 1 January deadline, a senior official has said, warning that the EU executive will soon publish the full list of countries online.
A Green Deal that works for everyone – Making the renovation wave a reality
The European Commission’s announced renovation wave offers an opportunity to bring the EU back on track when it comes to energy efficiency measures in buildings, write Marion Santini and Jan Rosenow.
EU’s Breton looking into ‘non-conventional’ measures to finance Green Deal
The EU's internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton, suggests tapping into the ECB's "easy money" and issuing long-term bonds of up to 50 years in order to unlock the €1,000 billion needed to finance the European Green Deal. EURACTIV France reports.
‘Jury is still out’ on EU’s carbon border tax, Hogan says
The European Commission will not reveal its approach on the EU’s proposed carbon border tax until late 2020 or early 2021, when it concludes a detailed feasibility analysis, said Phil Hogan, the EU’s trade commissioner.
Air pollution-busting ship fuel in climate backlash
New rules aimed at reducing air pollution from shipping may end up worsening the sector’s climate impact, according to new research, which warns that low sulphur fuels could end up producing more climate-bashing emissions, known as black carbon.
Billions to be wasted on ‘unnecessary’ gas projects, study says
Europe does not need new gas infrastructure to safeguard security of supply, according to a new study by industry consultants Artelys, which warns that there is a risk of €29 billion being wasted on 32 mostly “unnecessary” gas projects.
Plastic waste and recycling: France among EU’s ‘poor performers’
While the EU's plastic recycling rate has seen a slight increase of 1.4% between 2016 and 2018 amounting to 32.5% total according to Plastics Europe, France has been dragging the average down with a 24.2% recycling rate in 2018. EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'Environnement reports.
Industrial decarbonisation and the EU Green Deal: The case for bold action
The green deal is a credible first step to decarbonise energy-intensive industries such as steelmaking and chemicals. However, the transition to climate neutrality will also depend on the development of a comprehensive, integrated industrial strategy, writes Gauri Khandekar.
Oil and gas sector ‘losing its social licence to operate’, UK boss warns
Tim Eggar, chairman of the UK's Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), sent shockwaves through the industry on Wednesday (15 January) when he said growing public awareness about climate change was putting the sector's very survival at stake.
Germany’s new coal phase-out plan: Lots of money, little climate ambition
An agreement reached in the early hours of Thursday (16 January) between the federal government and representatives of the four German coal states won't bring the country much closer to reaching its climate goals, analysts said.
Shipping to splash out on ammonia in green bid
A shipbuilder and engine maker are among leading companies looking to develop a vessel that can run on ammonia as part of efforts to speed up carbon reductions in shipping through cleaner fuel options, officials said on Wednesday (15 January).
EU plans ditching carbon cost refund for seven industrial sectors
The European Commission has proposed removing mining activities and fertiliser manufacturing from a list of heavy industries eligible for state aid, arguing EU climate policies no longer puts them at risk of relocating production outside Europe.
What’s the hold up on ambitious climate action?
Some point to fossil fuel and heavy industry workers as a reason for delaying climate action. As the head of the world's largest trade union federation, Sharan Burrow says “not in our name”.
