Energy & Environment
Three women to steer France’s new ‘super’ green ministry
Ecological Transition Minister Amélie de Montchalin and Energy Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher will be working under the newly appointed Prime Minister in charge of 'ecological and energy planning'. EURACTIV France reports.
No Russia oil embargo discussion at EU summit, says Hungary’s Orbán
Hungary will not drop its opposition to an EU embargo on Russian oil any time soon, and so EU leaders should not discuss the issue at next week’s summit in Brussels, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told European Council President Charles... VideoPromoted content
Media Partnership: Achieving the energy transition through active energy efficiency
Heating and cooling account for half of the gross final energy consumption in Europe. Most of it is still based on fossil fuels. Decarbonising thermal needs will therefore contribute massively to addressing both, the energy and the climate challenge. From...
How new rules to define renewable hydrogen could shape the market
Late on Friday 20 May, the European Commission published rules for calling transport fuels of non-biological origin, including hydrogen, renewable. The criteria is strict, despite industry lobbying, write Corinna Klessmann, Felix von Blücher, and Malte Gephart.
Fearing Russian supply cuts, Berlin puts oil and coal power plants on standby
The German ministry for economy and climate action is ensuring that significant coal and oil power plant capacities are at the ready in case the country's Russian gas supply is cut, according to a government plan seen by EURACTIV.
EU oil embargo ‘in days’ as Ukraine isolation drives Russia closer to China
The EU will likely agree an embargo on Russian oil imports "within days," according to Germany, as Moscow said it saw its economic ties growing with China after being isolated by the West over its invasion of Ukraine.OpinionPromoted content
Fair play out of REACH? The EU’s approach to restricting ammunition
A case of EFSA’s maladministration has disadvantaged the public consultation phase concerning the ongoing restriction procedure on lead in ammunition and it risks undermining the resulting legal framework with unreliable data.
Toxic particles from brakes to be included in ‘Euro 7’ emission rules
Ultra-fine particles from brake pad abrasion will for the first time be covered under an EU regulation to curtail vehicles’ contribution to air pollution, a move aimed at reducing the high level of the toxic particles in urban areas.OpinionPromoted content
Simply the Best: How to Make a Circular Economy Work for Buildings
EU thinkers and policy makers love to talk about Best Practice. As Europe looks for ways to cut carbon emissions in a circular economy, it is important to remember that “practice” here doesn’t mean rehearsal. It means action.
Russia halts gas supplies to Finland
Russia on Saturday (21 May) stopped providing natural gas to neighbouring Finland, which has angered Moscow by applying for NATO membership, after the Nordic country refused to pay supplier Gazprom in rubles. Following Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine, Moscow...
Germany and Italy approved Russian gas payments after nod from Brussels
Germany and Italy told companies they could open ruble accounts to keep buying Russian gas without breaching sanctions against Moscow following discussions with the European Union, sources said.
EU urges quicker phase-out of gas boilers in bid to halt Russian energy imports
Government incentives for the installation of new fossil fuel boilers should be stopped “much more quickly” because of Russia's war in Ukraine, an EU official explained, saying the current 2027 end date is “far too late” and must be brought forward.Editor's picks
Campaigners hail ‘historic breakthrough’ on revised EU biomass rules
Environmental groups claimed victory earlier this week after the European Parliament's environment committee voted on new rules clarifying what can be counted as "sustainable biomass" under the revised renewable energy directive. Others were more cautious though, saying the battle is far from over.
Namibia comes to Europe to sell its sunshine
As Europe struggles to decarbonise its economy and wean itself off Russian oil and gas, one of the world's sunniest and most arid nations is pitching itself to the continent as an answer to its problems.
Is nuclear the overlooked solution for Europe’s energy woes?
Following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, Germany sped up plans to shut down all its nuclear plants. Given the current energy crisis, such decisions should be revisited,writes Timur Tllyaev.
Incoming Czech EU presidency to focus on green buildings law
The EU’s building stock is responsible for about 40% of the EU’s total energy consumption and 36% of its greenhouse gas emissions. The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) wants to tackle the issue for real.OpinionPromoted content
Insulating Europe Against Energy Dependency
The war in Ukraine has brought the European Union’s energy dependency issue front and centre. Driven by a commitment to reduce imports from Russia, which currently makes up nearly 45% of the bloc’s total gas demand, the EU must look at alternative means for securing its energy supply.
German LNG accelerator law under fire by environmental NGOs
The German government, rushing to reduce its reliance on Russian gas, is about to enact a law that will accelerate the construction of liquified natural gas infrastructure. Germany will then be able to import LNG from anywhere, causing concern among environmental NGOs about extending its dependence on fossil fuels even longer.
Trust in carbon market ‘undermined’ by EU’s Russia plans, analysts warn
Analysts have slammed European Commission plans to raise €20 billion from the EU’s carbon market stability reserve as a way of financing a €300-billion effort to wean Europe off Russian fossil fuels.
Farming sector cautious about using CAP funds to drop Russian energy imports
Europe's farming community gave a lukewarm reception to the possibility, suggested by the European Commission, of transferring up to €7.5 billion from the EU’s farming subsidies to the support measures aimed at overcoming dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
Energy industry’s cybersecurity awareness rises, defence lags
Representatives of the frequently targeted energy industry are more concerned about the risk of cyber attacks than before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a new DNV report found. Apprehension also increased regarding insufficient investments and activities of their organisations.
Lawmakers vote to end free CO2 pollution permits by 2030
Lawmakers in the European Parliament’s environment committee agreed a major overhaul of the EU’s carbon market on Tuesday (17 May), including ditching free permits to pollute by 2030 and expanding the EU's carbon pricing scheme to the maritime sector.
Most automakers fall short on climate goals: report
Only two of the world's 12 top automakers plan to make enough electric vehicles by 2030 to stay in step with Paris Agreement climate goals, experts said Wednesday (18 May).