Energy & Environment
LEAK: EU countries urged to prepare for Russian gas ‘supply shock’
In a policy document due to be adopted on Wednesday (18 May), the European Commission urges EU member states to step up preparations for a “full disruption of Russian gas supplies” by considering emergency measures like a temporary cap on gas prices.
Isolate Putin. Insulate homes.
As part of the plan to break away from Russian fossil fuels, due to be tabled on Wednesday (18 May), Europe needs new action on energy efficiency, energy savings and the renovation wave writes Ciarán Cuffe.
Heating neglected in EU plan to ditch Russian fossil fuels, industry says
The European Commission is due to table plans on Wednesday (18 May) to break free from Russian fossil fuels but, apart from a renewed push for heat pumps, there are major oversights when it comes to decarbonising heating and cooling, according to industry representatives.
Iran considering gas exports to Europe: official
Iran is considering the possibility of exporting gas to Europe, an oil ministry official said Sunday (15 May) against the backdrop of soaring energy prices due to Russia's war in Ukraine.
EU lawmakers soon to vote half the bloc’s flagship climate package
The European Parliament's environment committee (ENVI) will vote on Monday and Tuesday (16-17 May) on half the texts in the European Commission's flagship Fit for 55 package aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030.
Academic: We are probably entering a long period of high gas prices
With Russia’s war in Ukraine, the European Union is probably entering a long period of high gas prices, warns Ilaria Conti, saying the EU should use the crisis to mandate a storage obligation on EU member states and push for higher targets on renewable energy. VideoPromoted content
Media Partnership: Can the EU foster a global green transition? The international implications of achieving the EU Green Deal
At this launch event, the Open Society European Policy Institute, The Club of Rome and SYSTEMIQ presented the core findings and implications of their new report. An expert panel then reacted to the report and discussed its consequences for European policy.
New EU laws risk promoting ‘downcycling’ of plastic bottles, industry warns
European Commission plans to include mandatory recycled content targets for all plastics in a makeover of packaging laws expected this summer risk derailing attempts by plastic bottle manufacturers to reach closed loop recycling, the industry has warned.
Slovakia to develop geothermal energy to lower Russian energy dependency
Efforts to lower dependence on Russian energy is speeding up local geothermal projects in Slovakia that had been gaining traction before the invasion of Ukraine. The pilot project of a geothermal power plant in Central Slovak town Žiar nad Hronom...
EU court condemns Italy for breaching bloc pollution rules
The Court of Justice in Luxembourg condemned Italy on Thursday for failing to comply with the EU’s air quality directive as some of its cities exceeded the allowed nitrogen dioxide levels. The court found that Italy had done little or nothing...
Bulgaria launches full investigation into Turkish Stream
Bulgaria will launch a full investigation into the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project that stretches through Bulgaria as it showcases how Russia uses corruption as a foreign policy tool, announced Prime Minister Kiril Petkov on Thursday. The section of the...
Poles ready for Russian shutdown of Yamal gas pipeline
The Polish government says it is ready to disconnect Poland from Russian gas, as no Russian gas has arrived since 27 April via the Yamal pipeline that runs through the country. As part of the counter-sanctions imposed on Western countries,...Editor's picks
Idea of carbon price ‘corridor’ resurfaces in France
The recent surge in CO2 prices on the EU carbon market has revived the idea of introducing a "price corridor", with a maximum and a minimum, in order to ensure greater market stability. EURACTIV France reports.
To get rid of Russian fossil fuels, the EU needs to put energy savings first
The biggest potential for massive energy savings lies in the decarbonisation of the EU building stock. But to be effective, measures must be accompanied by a strong EU policy and regulatory framework, write Monica Frassoni and Harry Verhaar.
Berlin inches closer to expropriating Gazprom assets
Following the Russian announcement of sanctions against 31 European utilities, including Gazprom Germania, the German government is inching closer to expropriating the German Gazprom subsidiary and related assets.
Lawmakers back EU-wide ban on new fossil fuel cars from 2035, despite strong lobbying
Lawmakers in the European Parliament’s environment committee voted to uphold a proposed ban on the sale of polluting vehicles from 2035 but narrowly rejected proposals for stricter 2030 targets on cars and vans that would have made the transition smoother.
Germany may be able to withstand winter without Russian gas, Habeck says
Germany may be able to cope with a boycott of Russian gas imports as soon as the coming winter, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck told WirtschaftsWoche weekly on Thursday (12 May).
Experts urge rethink of energy metrics to fully decarbonise buildings
Primary energy consumption is a metric that is commonly used worldwide, including by the European Commission. Most experts agree though that the metric is not fit for purpose when it comes to measuring energy use in buildings.
Romania to ease Black Sea gas extraction conditions
Romanian senators on Wednesday (11 May) passed a bill the government hopes will encourage gas extraction in the Black Sea as the European Union looks to reduce its dependency on Russian gas.
‘Politically-driven’ EU carbon market needs more transparency, analysts agree
The European Union’s flagship climate policy instrument, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), needs more monitoring and transparency in order to prevent “speculation about speculation” and restore political confidence in the market, analysts have said.
Croatia could become Central Europe’s energy hub, says PM
Croatia could become an “energy hub in the northern Adriatic” as Europe seeks to wean itself off Russian energy, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said during a visit to Cyprus on Wednesday. Croatia’s floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the...
Bulgaria to replace Russian gas supply with cheaper US LNG
Bulgaria will receive supplies of US liquefied natural gas (LNG) at prices lower than Gazprom’s starting in June, according to a deal struck between Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and US Vice President Kamala Harris, the government’s press service said on...
Czechia plans LNG imports from the Baltic Sea by train
Czech state fuel distributor Čepro is ready to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the country, so gas could be transported from the Baltic Sea by train. In the future, ship transport is also possible if the navigability...