Energy & Environment

The EU’s industrial strategy needs more action on climate

A change of attitude is needed if the EU is to hit its Green Deal goals, argue Henrike Hahn, Rosa D’Amato, Damien Carême, and Ignazio Corrao, who say the European Commission must get its priorities in order and accept its climate responsibilities, rather than delegate strategic choices to industries and companies themselves.

How the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive risks destroying Europe’s forests

If the Europe Union doesn’t want an explosion in the amount of wood being harvested for “renewable heat”, it’s essential that the bugs in the Renewable Energy Directive are fixed, write Samuel Thomas, Dominic Scott and Dr Jan Rosenow.

Why a carbon tax is the most effective price signal for the building sector

A carbon tax on the fuel used to heat Europe's buildings is the most effective price signal to decarbonise Europe's building stock, which is in desperate need of renovation to meet the EU's climate ambition, writes Oliver Rapf.

All words, no action: CAP funding ineffective at combatting climate change, say auditors

EU agricultural funding for combating climate action has so far been ineffective, according to a damning new European Court of Auditors report which criticises inaction on livestock farming and calls for a “polluter pays” principle.

Green hydrogen: robbing ‘electricity Peter’ to pay ‘transport Paul’?

An upcoming EU Delegated Act should stipulate that green hydrogen be produced from additional renewables, argues Geert De Cock.

‘Hydrogen valley’ projects sprout up across Europe

Projects to create a full hydrogen value chain combining production, infrastructure and use all in one region are sprouting up across Europe, but more needs to be done to accelerate their development, according to supporters.

Climate finance remains a stumbling block on way to COP26

As world leaders prepare for the COP26 climate summit hosted by the UK in November, international finance to help poorer countries tackle climate change remains a key barrier – and the recent summit between the world's seven richest nations did not bring a solution.

France fails to adopt clear position on future gas funding

As EU energy ministers agreed last week to phase out gas-hydrogen blending projects, France did not adopt a clear position on the matter even if this means prolonging the bloc’s reliance on fossil fuels. EURACTIV France reports.

Digital industry afraid of being seen as a polluter, says Commission adviser

Digitalisation must be part of the solution and not a part of the problem, EU lawmaker Geese said at a EURACTIV event on Tuesday (15 June), where the participants deliberated on the complex relationship between digitalisation and sustainability.

EU eyes tighter rules for ‘renewable’ biomass energy

The European Union is considering tightening rules on whether wood-burning energy can be classed as renewable and count towards green goals, according to a draft document seen by Reuters on Wednesday (16 June).

The Green Brief: International summit blues

After a flurry of summits, little has actually been achieved in increasing climate ambition. But the conversations behind closed doors will be the clincher as the world looks ahead to COP 26 and beyond.

Opportunity for whom: The EU-Africa partnership and sustainable energy transitions

The new EU-Africa partnership should focus on strengthening African governments and working with them on their renewable energy strategies, argues Jesse Ovadia.

NGOs take Norway to European Court over Arctic oil exploration

Two NGOs and six young climate activists have decided to take Norway to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to demand the cancellation of oil permits in the Arctic, Greenpeace announced on Tuesday (15 June).

Portugal’s Galp moves to green hydrogen at refinery, eyes €1bn investment

Portugal's Galp Energia plans to install a 100-megawatt electrolyser to power its refinery in Sines with green hydrogen by 2025, a project which could be expanded to up to 1,000 MW and be worth €1 billion, Chief Executive Andy Brown said on Monday (14 June).

EU energy ministers support doubling renovation rates by 2030

Europe’s 27 energy ministers on Friday (11 June) backed calls to double Europe’s building renovation rates by 2030 in order to repair their crisis-hit economies, tackle energy poverty and “create green buildings for the future”.

EU, US eye ‘Green Technology Alliance’ at Brussels summit

The United States and European Union pledged closer cooperation on fighting climate change but steered clear of setting a date to stop burning coal, at a bilateral summit on Tuesday (15 June).

EU countries clash over scale of future hydrogen imports

The EU has historically been a major energy importer, with a majority of its oil and gas coming from Russia or the Middle East. Now, as Europe decarbonises its industry, some countries fear it could increasingly become dependent on imported hydrogen.

An ETS for transport and buildings is essential

An EU-wide emissions trading system for the transport and building sectors would secure the financing of low carbon solutions and support lower-income households and member states through the redistribution of carbon pricing revenues, argue Matthias Buck and Andreas Graf.

Media Partnership – Towards Zero Pollution: Measuring Citizens’ Health and Well-Being

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the interlinkages between the degradation of our environment and the health of our societies.

Rare earth metals at the heart of China’s rivalry with US, Europe

What if China were to cut off the United States and Europe from access to rare minerals that are essential to electric vehicles, wind turbines and drones?