Energy & Environment
Dutch urge swift EU hydrogen push to cut industry, transport emissions
The European Commission should create an EU-wide market for hydrogen “as soon as possible” rather than wait for renewable energy-based varieties to be commercially available, a top Dutch ministerial envoy has said.
Nord Stream 2, EU drifting towards legal arbitration
The European Commission and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline company are heading toward legal arbitration in their dispute, with a risk of huge fines for EU taxpayers and uncertainties for the Gazprom-led company that are even more difficult to evaluate.
EU energy portfolio attracts member states’ attention
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. /// The Polish government has said ensuring a “good post” in the next European Commission was a...
Poland set to delay EU deal on 2050 ‘climate neutrality’ target
European leaders will struggle to broker a stronger climate package before December, experts say, as Warsaw prepares to play hard for funding. EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
Oil tanker investments at risk from climate action, report says
Strong action on climate change would shrink demand for vessels by a third, impacting investment decisions being made now, analysts say. EURACTIV’s partner Climate Home News reports.
Greens want four EU Commission jobs in return for von der Leyen support
The Greens in the European Parliament have spelt out their conditions for backing future legislative proposals coming out of the new Commission that will take office on 1 November. EURACTIV's media partner Ouest-France reports.
Reducing car traffic could be the only solution to reduce air pollution
The massive reduction of car traffic could be the best solution to sustainably improving air quality, according to a report published by France's health and food safety agency (Anses) on Tuesday (16 July). EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'Environnement reports.
100% renewable power requires radical EU market fix, Poles argue
Polish energy officials have called for a major overhaul of EU power markets, saying the deployment of up to 100% renewables will require a decentralised way of trading electricity, based on local “nodes” rather than regional bidding zones defined at European level.
Von der Leyen pressed to deliver on climate after winning EU vote
The European Parliament confirmed Ursula von der Leyen as the first women president of the European Commission in a nail-biting vote on Tuesday (16 July) that put climate change centre stage. EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
How vulnerable is Europe to conflict in the Strait of Hormuz?
NEWS ANALYSIS / The involvement of a British tanker in the latest military incident with Iran in the crucial oil shipment choke point has pulled Europe into the fray.
French environment minister quits over spending criticism, lobsters
France's environment minister resigned on Tuesday (16 July) following a week of reports by an investigative website about his high spending on private lobster dinners and costly renovations of his ministerial residence.
EU asserts ‘right to regulate’ as part of energy charter treaty reform
EU member states gave the European Commission a mandate yesterday (15 July) to revise the Energy Charter Treaty, saying the legally-binding charter must reinstate Europe’s “right to regulate” in areas like climate change and workers’ rights.
Large companies fail to disclose impact on deforestation
Almost three out of four companies with a significant footprint on the world's forests have failed to provide data on their impact on global deforestation in 2018, according to a study published by environmental non-profit organisation CDP on Tuesday (16 July).
EU co-finances new arch for Chernobyl
Reactor 4 of the Ukrainian Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been covered with a new arch and is the largest mobile structure ever built by humans. This time, it has been co-financed by the EU. EURACTIV's media partner Euroefe reports.
Rome prepares to ship its rubbish across Europe, raising environmental concerns
The exit strategy from Rome’s current garbage crisis involves re-routing thousands of tonnes of junk to Sweden and other EU countries, with a huge financial and environmental cost in terms of CO2 emissions.
Emission-busting aviation taxes gain ground, despite airline pushback
Ryanair in April became the first airline to be included among Europe’s top ten polluters, with some calling the airline company ‘the new coal’ industry. Large economies like France and Germany have begun seeking impact-reducing alternatives to air travel by imposing new taxes.
Why we are far from imposing a tax on kerosene
France introduced a tax on airline tickets this week. However, this does not really replace a tax on kerosene, which continues to be tax-exempt across Europe. But why is the EU not introducing such a tax? EURACTIV Germany reports.
Poland firms up gas, nuclear plans to fill green power gap
Replacing Poland’s obsolete coal power fleet is a top political priority for the country, both for environmental and energy security reasons. But even as it steps up renewable energy plans, Warsaw is also pushing hard for new gas and nuclear plants to fill in the gap.
EU threatens Turkey with sanctions over Cyprus drilling
The European Union is set to curb contacts and funding for Ankara in retaliation for what it calls Turkey’s “illegal” drilling for gas and oil off Cyprus and stands ready to ramp up sanctions further, according to a draft statement....
The Brief – The art of the climate deal
Commission president hopeful Ursula von der Leyen tried her hand at a spot of climate diplomacy on Wednesday (10 July) but her efforts fell flat. Finland’s EU presidency showed her how it’s done today.
Cat videos, online porn branded ‘an ecological disaster’
Clicking through videos on YouTube, watching porn online or binge watching shows like Game of Thrones are growing threats to climate goals, according to a French study published today (11 July).
European airline chiefs push back against flight shaming, carbon taxes
The heads of some of Europe’s largest airlines hit back on Wednesday (10 July) against efforts to discourage Europeans from flying, arguing the industry was making huge strides in cutting its carbon footprint and that there was no shame in air travel.
‘rescEU’: A European fleet to fight forest fires
More than 200 people were killed in forest fires across Europe in 2017 while more than 100 perished in flames last summer. This year, a new EU-backed fleet of fire-fighting planes is getting ready to prevent further disasters.