Energy & Environment
Velux CEO: ‘If you want the most energy efficient home, live in a cave’
Companies and lawmakers must take more responsibility in helping to solve issues related to buildings, including reducing carbon emissions and improving health standards, according to Velux CEO David Briggs.
French MP: ‘We try to bring method to the madness of building renovation’
The Yellow Vest movement has actually boosted France's ambition to be a building renovation champion as it positioned the economy front and centre in the debate, the government's 'co-pilot' for the project told EURACTIV.
MEP Larrouturou: ‘Entire S&D group wants guarantees on financing European Green Deal’
Incoming EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen should take an extra month or two to negotiate a coalition agreement with the European Parliament, including a new finance-climate pact to support the energy transition, says Pierre Larrouturou, adding he will not vote for the new Commission without additional climate cash.
A clear, credible climate protection law is good for business, German expert says
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Karsten Neuhoff, a climate expert and professor, spoke about Germany's hotly-debated climate protection bill, stressing that a clear regulatory framework with "clear and credible paths for reducing emissions" is attractive for businesses.
Paris Agreement architect: ‘Carbon neutrality is the target to go for’
In an interview with EURACTIV, Paris Agreement key architect Laurence Tubiana gives her take away of the UN Climate Action Summit and the role of the European Union ahead of the next European Council meeting 17-18 October.
Gas expert: ‘IPCC is clear – we don’t have the option of waiting’
Switching from coal to gas in power generation is the single most important action Europe can take to get on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050, argues Simon Blakey, a European gas expert.
Austria committed to preserving environment, says sustainability minister
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Austria's Minister for Sustainability and Tourism, Maria Patek, spoke about her country's involvement in the European Green Belt Initiative, as well as her country's role as mediator for the various European environmental projects.
Academic: Higher carbon price needed to ramp up EU biomethane production
The price of CO2 credits on Europe’s emissions trading scheme needs to rise to around €50 per tonne in order to drive the long-term development of Europe’s biomethane industry, says Marc-Antoine Eyl-Mazzega, a French researcher.
Finnish official: ‘Heating is far from being just a local issue’
Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 requires decarbonising the whole economy, including the energy-hungry heating sector, says Finland's Riku Huttunen. And that will involve cooperation at all levels of government, including local and EU authorities, he argues.
EIB’s Werner Hoyer: ‘We aim for climate in everything we do’
In July, the European Investment Bank (EIB) published a draft of its proposed new lending policy for energy projects, which includes extra money for poorer EU countries, greater focus on renewables and phasing-out support for fossil fuel infrastructure after 2020. Werner Hoyer explains what this implies.
Nigerian tree planter: Europe, US must help Africa fight climate change
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Mohammed Baba Baituna, the founder of Green Sahel, spoke about conflicts in his home country Nigeria, where his organisation and other local activists have been trying to cushion the effects of climate change, which are strengthening the jihadist terror group, Boko Haram.
Expert: German carbon budget not compatible with current targets
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Julia Hertin, the managing director of SRU, the German government's advisory board on environmental matters, spoke about the country's plans to introduce a climate protection bill, a carbon border tax and a trading scheme for carbon certificates. And she wants things to progress quickly.
Scientist: ‘I’m pretty sure we will need carbon removal technologies’
Sucking CO2 from the air to mitigate global warming may sound silly at first, but it’s likely to be necessary nonetheless, says Nils Røkke. And the more we delay it, the higher will be the demand for carbon removal technologies in the future, he warns.
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.
Chizhov: Washington chose to act unilaterally to abrogate nuclear arms treaty
In a wide-ranging interview, Russia's Ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov, speaks about nuclear arms control, the EU elections and top jobs, the situation in Ukraine, including the MH17, and America's bid to challenge Russian gas.
Pittsburgh mayor: Europe should be proud of its climate action
In an interview with EURACTIV France, Bill Peduto speaks about Europe's good track record on climate protection, despite the decision by US President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
Statistics are at the heart of achieving SDGs, says gender equality advocate
In an interview with EURACTIV France, Fatiha Hassouni, head of the gender equality unit of the intergovernmental organisation Union for the Mediterranean, spoke about statistics being a crucial tool for assessing sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially with regards to gender equality.
Researcher: Lowering electricity taxes is cheapest way of meeting EU climate goals
The energy transition will hit the poor hardest unless it's balanced by a shift in taxation, says Christian Egenhofer. The EU needs to acknowledge this and get started by lowering taxes on electricity to achieve the EU’s carbon reduction goals at least cost, he argues.
Sustainable financing can no longer operate as a niche, German finance expert says
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Deutsche Börse Group's head of sustainability management, Kristina Jeromin, spoke about the increasing involvement of shareholders in the activities of their respective companies and explained why she considers 'Greenwashing' accusations to be destructive.
German conservatives from the CDU/CSU will face difficult times, says former MP
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, former Green member of the Bundestag Hans-Josef Fell spoke about Angela Merkel's climate heritage, record CO2 emissions and why Germany should become carbon neutral by 2030.
Kazakhstan calls EU’s new Central Asia strategy ‘visionary’
Kazakhstan welcomes the EU's new vision for a stronger partnership with Central Asia, particularly as it took into account the country's proposals, its deputy foreign minister told EURACTIV and called the document, due to be adopted next month, "visionary".
Bas Eickhout: EU carbon market needs alignment with 2050 goal
The next European Commission will have to reopen the Emissions Trading Scheme directive if it is serious about reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, argues Bas Eickhout, warning the next Commission chief will need to find a broader majority in the European Parliament than his predecessor.
Manfred Weber: ‘Environmental issues are one of my areas of expertise’
The lead candidate for the centre-right in this week’s European elections says “Europe must move towards net-zero emissions by 2050,” voicing his belief in innovation and new technologies to drive the decarbonisation agenda if he becomes the next president of the European Commission.