Energy & Environment
Air France’s promise to nix domestic flights: Not good enough for the environment
Air France's pledge to end some of its domestic flights in return for billions of euros in government aid is a weak contribution to climate action, as weak railway infrastructure stands in the way of a plane-to-train shift. EURACTIV France reports.
EU unveils blueprint for a more efficient energy system
The European Commission on Wednesday (8 July) unveiled its “energy system integration strategy” which aims to link different energy carriers, infrastructure and consumption sectors together in order to boost renewables and reduce carbon emissions.
ECB’s Lagarde to pursue ‘every avenue’ to fight climate change
European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde on Wednesday (8 July) said she would consider "every avenue available" to tackle climate change, signalling that the bank could use its massive stimulus scheme to target green bonds.
Airbus ponders hydrogen’s flying future
European aerospace giant Airbus sees hydrogen power as “one of the most promising technologies available” to decarbonise air travel and is looking to utilise it as part of plans to roll out a zero-emission aircraft by 2035.
EU Commission charts path towards 100% renewable hydrogen
The European Commission unveiled plans on Wednesday (8 July) to promote hydrogen based entirely on renewable electricity like wind and solar, but said low-carbon hydrogen derived from fossil fuels will also be supported in order to scale up production in the short term.
VW to ditch petrol and diesel cars manufacturing at key factory
Volkswagen is set to remove production lines for all internal combustion engine vehicles from one of its key factories this year, replacing them with electric vehicle production capacity. EURACTIV's media partner, edie.net, reports.
EU, China and Canada renew pledge for climate action, despite virus
In spite of the economic crisis posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the EU, China and Canada sent “a clear political signal” on Tuesday (7 July) that they are still committed to the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Virus crisis threatens to set back oil platform decommissioning
Oil companies are being forced to cut spending due to a fall in global oil prices, threatening funds earmarked to dismantle dated off-shore rigs, despite environmental risks.
Siberian temperatures hit June record, fires spread
Temperatures in Arctic Siberia soared to a record average for June amid a heat wave that is stoking some of the worst wildfires the region has ever known, fresh EU data showed on Tuesday (7 July).
North Sea countries vow closer cooperation on offshore wind
Ministers of the North Seas countries have called for an EU framework to tackle barriers to the deployment of multinational “hybrid” offshore wind energy projects.
Commission chews over changes to aviation emissions rules
The European Commission revealed on Friday (3 July) details about how it plans to adapt climate policy to the aviation sector, by integrating a global offsetting scheme into EU rules and slashing free pollution permits.
French government reshuffle: Environment to be key priority
France's post-municipal election reshuffle was announced on Monday (6 July) by the Secretary-General of the Elysée Palace, Alexis Kohler. The new Prime Minister Jean Castex from conservative party Les Républicains (LR) confirms his right-wing orientation while signalling he will put the environment at the centre of his priorities. EURACTIV France reports.
MEPs ban nuclear from green transition fund, leave loophole for gas
The European Union is split over which fuels deserve support from the bloc's flagship green transition fund, after lawmakers on Monday (6 July) called for rules that could allow the money to be spent on some fossil gas projects.
IEA: Most technologies needed to achieve net-zero aren’t yet mature
Some 75% of the emissions reductions necessary to meet net-zero emissions are dependent on technologies which have not yet reached commercial maturity, new analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) has found. EURACTIV's media partner, edie.net, reports.
Gas boom risks ‘perfect storm’ for climate, economy: report
Global natural gas capacity under construction has doubled in a year according to new analysis that warned Tuesday (7 July) the investment boom in the world's fastest-growing fuel risks a "perfect storm" of climate chaos and stranded assets.
LEAK: ‘Efficiency first’ is top priority of draft EU energy strategy
Efficiency must be at the core of Europe’s energy policy, the European Commission says in a draft policy document outlining its vision of a more agile, low-carbon energy system powered chiefly by renewable electricity.
LEAK: ‘European Clean Hydrogen Alliance’ ready for take-off
The European Commission will seek to position Europe as a global leader on hydrogen with a new industry-led alliance set to be unveiled on Wednesday (8 July).
EU lawmakers divided over inclusion of natural gas in Just Transition Fund
The European Parliament's Regional Affairs Committee will vote Monday (6 July) on the EU's proposed €40 billion Just Transition Fund, which aims to support the bloc's 108 coal-producing regions in their transition to a low-carbon economy. EURACTIV Germany reports.
MEPs set to navigate shipping into the EU’s carbon market
Members of the European Parliament’s environment committee will vote on Tuesday (7 July) on a package of measures intended to clean up the maritime sector and include shipping in the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS).
EU opens bidding for €1 billion from clean technology fund
Clean technology projects are in line for a billion-euro slice of support from the European Union, which on Friday (3 July) launched its flagship scheme for funding breakthrough low-carbon technologies.
Six months to reflect on the new world we want
Decision makers should ‘take a breath’ and come up with a comprehensive plan to achieve the digital and green future we want in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis, officials and experts said.
EU experts to assess nuclear power’s green credentials
The European Commission has mandated its in-house research body, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), to assess whether nuclear power should be considered as a “green” technology under the EU’s sustainable finance taxonomy.
NGOs call for moratorium on controversial ‘gene drive organisms’
After over 78 environmental and agricultural organisations signing a letter this week calling for a moratorium on gene drive technology, EURACTIV took a closer look at the controversial technology to find out about what it is and the implications it holds.