Energy & Environment
July 2019 hottest month on record for planet, US agency finds
July 2019 temperatures were the hottest ever recorded globally, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said Thursday (15 August), confirming earlier observations by the European Union.
EU slaps anti-subsidy duties on Indonesian biodiesel
The European Commission on Tuesday (13 August) imposed countervailing duties of 8% to 18% on imports of subsidised biodiesel from Indonesia, saying the move aimed to restore a level playing field for European Union producers.
Climate crisis reducing land’s ability to sustain humanity, says IPCC
The climate crisis is damaging the ability of the land to sustain humanity, with cascading risks becoming increasingly severe as global temperatures rise, according to a landmark UN report compiled by some of the world's top scientists. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
EU opens antitrust investigation into PKN’s bid for rival Lotos
Polish oil refiner PKN Orlen's bid for rival Lotos may reduce competition in Poland and neighbouring countries and push up prices, EU antitrust regulators said on Wednesday (7 August) as they opened a full-scale investigation.
Greta Thunberg: World leaders must prove they’ve listened to climate activists
World leaders must prove that they have listened to young climate activists after a year of protests has not led to any progress in the reduction of greenhouse emissions, leading activist Greta Thunberg said on Monday (5 August).
Mediterannean is Europe’s most waste-polluted sea, study says
The Mediterranean Sea is the most waste-polluted sea in Europe, according to a 20-year study conducted by the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer). EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'Environnement reports.
Russia says second leg of Turkish Stream will go via Bulgaria, not Greece
The second leg of the Turkish Stream pipeline will go through Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday (26 July).
Nord Stream 2 takes unusual legal step against the Commission
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline company has taken an unusual legal step in its dispute with the European Commission by asking the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) to annul the amendments to the Gas Directive which the Gazprom-led...
EU continues to fund coal and steel research
A relatively unknown EU fund supports coal and steel research projects. Among other things, the money is used to purchase highly toxic gases and optimise processes in the coal industry. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Five reasons to be optimistic about the environment
Let's face it, when it comes to the environment, there isn't much to rejoice about. So to spare you a long summer of eco-anxiety, we looked for some glimmers of hope. Here are five reasons to be optimistic.
Is the EU-Mercosur deal being highjacked by premature criticism?
Almost a month ago, the European Commission signed a free trade agreement with the South American trade alliance Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). Since then, criticism has hailed, and not only from protectionists. EURACTIV Germany reports.
How Trump’s climate U-turn exposed the limits of European power
America's decision to pull out from the Paris Agreement has put European diplomats in an awkward position, EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
Heat wave smashes European records
Belgian zookeepers fed tigers with chickens encased in giant ice cubes on Wednesday (24 July) as northern Europe baked in record temperatures during another heat wave that climate experts believe could become the new normal.
German Greens want to ban domestic flights by 2035
Germany's Greens plan to make domestic flights 'largely obsolete' by 2035. To this end, they want to introduce a tax on kerosene and gradually increase rail traffic. The EU, however, is far from finding a solution on how to tax air travel. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany eager to become global leader in developing hydrogen technologies
Germany intends to invest €100 million annually into the research of hydrogen technologies. This could be the business of the future, as well as the country's next top export. However, the future of green gas is still extremely shaky. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Transport committee chair: The aim is to put climate on political agenda in all sectors
In an interview with EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'Environnement, the newly elected chair of the European Parliament's committee on transport and tourism (TRAN), French Green MEP Karima Delli, spoke about her new priorities. These include relaunching the rail system, regulating transport in a climate-friendly manner and reducing car pollution.
Bad water management makes drought worse, study finds
As Europe is facing a new heatwave this week, drought emergency measures will be back on the table. According to a study EU member states do a lot to worsen the impacts of drought.
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.
Dutch urge swift EU hydrogen push to cut industry, transport emissions
The European Commission should create an EU-wide market for hydrogen “as soon as possible” rather than wait for renewable energy-based varieties to be commercially available, a top Dutch ministerial envoy has said.
Nord Stream 2, EU drifting towards legal arbitration
The European Commission and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline company are heading toward legal arbitration in their dispute, with a risk of huge fines for EU taxpayers and uncertainties for the Gazprom-led company that are even more difficult to evaluate.
EU energy portfolio attracts member states’ attention
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. /// The Polish government has said ensuring a “good post” in the next European Commission was a...
Poland set to delay EU deal on 2050 ‘climate neutrality’ target
European leaders will struggle to broker a stronger climate package before December, experts say, as Warsaw prepares to play hard for funding. EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
Oil tanker investments at risk from climate action, report says
Strong action on climate change would shrink demand for vessels by a third, impacting investment decisions being made now, analysts say. EURACTIV’s partner Climate Home News reports.