Emissions trading scheme
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.
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.
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.
Aviation and shipping set to face differing fortunes under EU Green Deal
While planes, trains, and automobiles can expect particular attention under the EU’s upcoming Green Deal, the new Commission has already set its sights on cleaning up the transport industry - the only sector of the European economy where emissions are still growing.
European coal power output sees ‘unprecedented’ decline
Electricity production from coal is on track to fall by around 3% globally in 2019 – the largest drop on record – with Western European countries leading the charge, according to fresh data published on Monday (25 November).
Time to steer shipping into the EU carbon market
The UN shipping body’s failure to agree on immediate climate measures means the incoming European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, must make good of her promise to include the maritime sector under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), aruges Sam Van den plas.
German ministers urge EU to lead the way at COP25 in Madrid
At a Berlin conference to prepare for the UN's annual climate summit (COP25), Environment Minister Svenja Schulze and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stressed the EU's responsibility in closing the Paris Climate Agreement's remaining gaps, particularly by raising the targets at EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU bank tees up fossil fuel compromise ahead of crucial vote
The European Investment Bank will decide on Thursday (14 November) whether or not to purge its loan books of fossil fuel projects. All signs point to the EU lender striking a compromise with Germany and Italy which want more leeway for new gas projects.
US airlines attack Germany’s planned air ticket tax
A group of US airlines has insisted that Germany’s plan to tax air tickets undermines a UN agreement on offsetting emissions from international aviation, a line of argument that is also casting doubt on the EU’s flagship emissions trading scheme (ETS).
Carbon levy should fund cleaner shipping fuels, say top executives
Executives at some of the world’s top shipping groups are advocating a levy on carbon emissions on shipping in an effort to shape tightening rules on greenhouse gas emissions while providing a means to fund development of cleaner fuel sources.
Timmermans gets broad support at Parliament hearing: the main points
Frans Timmermans passed his European Parliament hearing with flying colours on Tuesday evening (9 October) and was confirmed the following day as Ursula von der Leyen’s climate paladin from 1 November. Here are the main talking points.
Germany’s steel industry in transition
Germany's energy-intensive steel industry needs to reinvent itself so that it can meet European climate targets and remain competitive. However, there is still a long road to go before the sector goes green. EURACTIV Germany reports.
UN agency vote complicates EU’s aviation emission efforts
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a United Nations agency, decided on Friday (4 October) to press ahead with plans to make its emissions offsetting scheme the only global option available to its 193 member states, teeing up a dilemma regarding the EU's own system.
EU climate official: Innovation fund will help decarbonise metals production
The production of non-ferrous metals such as aluminium is very energy-intensive, but new technologies are being developed to decarbonise the process and the European Commission is ready to finance them, says Mauro Petriccione.
Germany expects tough EU talks on energy taxes to counter climate change
Germany expects tough negotiations on the introduction of new energy taxes in the European Union, a senior official said on Thursday (19 September), as the bloc considers higher prices for carbon emissions as a way to achieve its climate protection targets.
‘Coal bubble’ puts EU carbon market under threat, watchdog warns
As coal-fired power stations close down across Europe, unused carbon pollution permits are slowly building up in the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme, creating a “coal bubble” that could send carbon prices crashing, campaigners warn.
Aluminium sector illustrates close link between trade and climate policy
New production methods and uses are making aluminium a material of choice for European policymakers looking to decarbonise the economy. But a flood of cheap carbon-intensive aluminium from China could complicate these efforts.
Expert: German carbon budget not compatible with current targets
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Julia Hertin, the managing director of SRU, the German government's advisory board on environmental matters, spoke about the country's plans to introduce a climate protection bill, a carbon border tax and a trading scheme for carbon certificates. And she wants things to progress quickly.
Switzerland pledges climate neutrality by 2050
The Swiss government announced on Wednesday (28 August) that it will cut its greenhouse gas emissions to a net-zero level by 2050, taking heed of a landmark UN report on climate change.
Von der Leyen’s French inspiration on climate protection
Ursula von der Leyen has great plans for environmental protection. Some of her ideas have long been propagated by France, but have been ignored by Germany so far. Can the new European Commission President change that? EURACTIV Germany reports.
Official EU petition calls for minimum carbon price
The European Commission registered an official petition on Wednesday (7 July) that calls on the EU executive to set up a minimum carbon price, “discourage the consumption of fossil fuels” and keep global warming to below 1.5 degrees.
Paying our way out of purgatory: Is carbon pricing enough?
After the Pope backed a carbon tax to stem global warming earlier this month, Louise Sunderland argues carbon taxes will be efficient and cost-effective enough only when coupled with a strategic use of the revenues.
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.