Energy & Environment
Poland to seek EU approval for state aid to build nuclear plant
Poland will ask the European Commission to approve state aid for the construction of a nuclear power station, the minister responsible for energy infrastructure said on Thursday (22 October). “It is impossible these days to build a nuclear power plan...
CAP will remain part of biodiversity’s myriad of funding, despite past issues
The Common Agricultural Policy, voted on this week in the European Parliament and Council, will remain by far the biggest funding source for biodiversity protection schemes at EU level, despite criticisms it has encouraged intensive and damaging farming.
EU bank urged to put brakes on Germany’s motorway millions
The European Investment Bank’s decision to loan Germany €264 million to build a new stretch of autobahn has provoked outcry from environmental activists and raised doubts about whether the Luxembourg-based lender can yet claim to be the ‘EU climate bank’.
Agroecology in Poland: A thorny path for farmers
You can read this article in Croatian, Spanish, Polish, Bulgarian, and Romanian. The aim of agroecology, according to the declaration of the International Forum for Agroecology, is to find ways to recover the food system destroyed by industrial agriculture. But...
Official: EU taking first steps to bring forestry into carbon market
The first step to bring forestry under the EU’s emissions trading scheme is to ensure that every tonne of carbon dioxide in the forest is counted so that a certification system for carbon removals can be put in place, Artur Runge-Metzger told EURACTIV.OpinionPromoted content
Financing the energy transition should take into account regional differences between Member States
An increased EU’s emission reduction target by 2030 is currently a hotly debated topic in Brussels. Regardless of whether the target will be 55% or 60%, reaching EU’s ambitious climate change targets requires significant investment outlays. Paweł Strączyński is PGE’s...
Forests and climate change
With its 2030 climate plan last month, the European Commission has put the spotlight on forests as Europe's main "carbon sink," saying their ability to store carbon dioxide must be preserved in order to reach the bloc's climate goals.
Forestry’s climate impact ‘invisible’ under UN rules, experts say
Forests are the planet’s biggest carbon “sink” – absorbing more CO2 from the atmosphere than they emit – but their contribution to cooling the earth’s climate are currently not fully accounted for under UN rules, experts point out.
Fixing plastic collection seen as vital to success of chemical recycling
Two billion people worldwide do not have access to proper waste collection services, leading to ever-growing plastic pollution in oceans and waterways, particularly in the global south.
Against the odds, family hotel champions sustainability in Croatia
At the entrance to the Adriatic town of Omiš, right next to the picturesque canyon of the river Cetina, a cosy family hotel is perched on a cliff. But Villa Dvor is not your run-of-the-mill seaside villa. It is a trailblazer of sorts, relying on organic farming and the concept of self-sufficiency.
Will the Renovation Wave benefit the energy poor?
A wave of much-needed housing renovations could soon be sweeping through Europe, according to European Commission plans published last week. This Renovation Wave must ensure a quick and locally supported transition in order to support those who need it most, writes Martha Myers.
EU’s Sefcovic: Europe must be ‘much more strategic’ on raw materials
The European Union “cannot achieve” climate neutrality without critical raw materials like lithium and rare earths, says Commission vice-president Maroš Šefčovič. It now needs to be “much more strategic” in relations with supplier countries in order to ensure the bloc's “strategic autonomy,” he argues.Editor's picks
Romania’s forests – source of biodiversity, resource for ‘wood mafia’
Romania has the largest area of virgin forests in the whole of the EU. Home to a large number of animal and plant species, they are endangered by illegal logging, as seen in a recent documentary starring ultramarathon runner Andrei Roșu.
French dairy giant accused of polluting country’s rivers for years
Investigation alleges Lactalis breached environmental regulations at several plants and released milk derivatives that killed fish. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
The Brief, powered by ECPC – And the band played on
If you still haven’t seen ‘A life on our planet’, Sir David Attenborough’s latest (and quite possibly last, given his advanced age) documentary, please find the time to do so. It will give you pause, regardless of whether you are...
Let scientists guide us in the fight against climate change
Scientists have proved vital in the push to control COVID-19. We should also use them to tackle climate change, argues Alina Averchenkova.
Preserving biodiversity in Europe: Is sustainability the answer?
While most of the world is focusing on climate change and the steps needed to curb it, another critical environmental aspect - that of biodiversity - is failing to get the attention it deserves.
Kaliakra: a showcase of environmental illiteracy in Bulgaria
Kaliakra is probably the most beautiful Black Sea cape of Bulgaria. But it has also become an illustration of the hectic way in which the government tries to balance the interests of big business, local communities and environmentalists.
High stakes for Earth’s climate future in US vote
The United States presidential election will be "make or break" for the planet after four years during which Donald Trump frustrated global efforts to slash emissions, climate experts warn, fearing his re-election may imperil the world's chances of avoiding catastrophic warming.
India and the EU are natural partners for the green economy
India and the European Union are natural partners in the quest for environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, and green growth and development, writes Santosh Jha.
Social investment cannot be left behind in the Just Transition Fund
As policymakers, our task is to ensure that no one will be left behind in the energy transition and that the effort of transition will be fairly shared, writes Mounir Satouri. Mounir Satouri is a French Member of the European...
EU countries urged to build on Renovation Wave to fix failing efficiency targets
Twenty-five of the EU's 27 member countries have been told to boost provisions for building renovation in their national energy and climate plans in order to meet the bloc's elusive efficiency targets.
Bulgaria calls for EU help to phase out coal
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has asked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a "plan" to support the country coal phase-out, saying Bulgaria's own capacity was insufficient to achieve the bloc's 2030 climate goals.