Energy & Environment
Case against Tesla: Are German environmental groups abusing their rights to sue?
Two environmental associations have brought a case against the clearing of forests for a new Tesla factory in Brandenburg, saying they want to protect the environment. But is it possible that these associations are not seeing the bigger picture and are acting against their own cause? EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany needs more LNG to complement renewables, IEA says
The International Energy Agency has praised Germany's push for wind and solar power but urged the country to increase LNG imports in order to reach its 65% renewable energy target for 2030. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Biggest battery in Europe set to land on British shores
Oil and gas giant Shell has plans for a 100 megawatt grid storage battery in the west of England. It is slated to be the biggest battery in Europe once it is completed later this year and will be crucial to the UK's quest to remain the continent's top wind power player.
Climate-friendly stocks are moving markets away from short-termism, EU watchdog says
Climate-friendly stocks have outperformed the broader market in the past two years and could also help to combat "short-termism" in financial markets, the European Union's securities regulator said on Wednesday (19 February).
North Macedonia wins EU praise for pioneering coal-to-solar shift
The European Union energy watchdog praised North Macedonia on Wednesday (19 February) for a pioneering project among EU aspirants to transform an ageing coal mine into two solar power plants, in line with goals to cut pollution and tackle climate change.
The commission‘s digital strategy: More competition, less emissions
In its digital strategy published on Wednesday (19 February), the European Commission committed itself to fostering 'Technology that works for the people' by increasing the digital prowess of European citizens and companies, doubling down on the market power of tech giants and tapping into ICT’s potential for sustainability.
The French MEP bashing football clubs over their flying habit
Green MEP Karima Delli has latched out at football clubs for their contribution to climate change as big teams prefer flying for short distances instead of using alternative, more sustainable modes of transport.
Carbon levy, plastic tax hailed as potential game-changers for EU budget
Proposals to allocate 20% of revenues from carbon trading to the EU budget, combined with a new tax on plastic waste, could help plug the hole left by Britain’s departure from the European Union, as leaders meet tomorrow to agree on the bloc's first post-Brexit budget.
Pressure mounts on EU leaders to reach MFF deal within days
The tight calendar, the urgent priorities awaiting the EU and the risk of post-Brexit talks affecting the negotiations are adding pressure on EU leaders to reach an agreement within days on the bloc’s long-term budget. Otherwise, a senior EU official warned, Europe risks facing a “horror scenario” in January next year.
49% of world’s GDP now covered by net-zero targets, study says
Just under half of the world's annual GDP is now covered by nations, regions and cities that are legislating for a net-zero emissions target, a new study has revealed. EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
Fact-check: Germany is EU’s fifth-worst offender, with 76 infringement proceedings
Last week, the European Commission initiated three new infringement proceedings against Germany for failing to implement EU law, bringing the total to 76. But even though this may seem like a lot, Berlin is by far not the EU's worst offender. EURACTIV Germany reports.
FIFA commits to carbon-neutral 2022 football World Cup
FIFA aims reach carbon neutrality at the next World Cup, to be hosted by Qatar in 2022, in spite of the numerous environmental challenges linked to the location of the event, according to a recently released sustainability strategy.
Poland’s just transition bonus cut 50% under latest EU budget proposal
Poland would see its €2 billion share of the EU’s Just Transition Fund cut in half under a new EU budget proposal published on Friday (14 February), which penalises countries that have not signed up to the bloc’s 2050 ‘climate-neutrality’ goal.
The Kremlin is pushing Belarus to merge with Russia: Lukashenko
The Kremlin is pushing Belarus to merge with Russia in exchange for cheap energy, the Belarusian leader said Friday (14 February), as Russian strongman Vladimir Putin is believed to be maneuvering to extend his stay in power.
Ombudsman opens inquiry into EU Commission’s gas stance
The EU Ombudsman announced on Thursday (13 February) it has opened an inquiry into the European Commission’s catalogue of priority energy projects, after green activists lodged a complaint about the inclusion of new gas infrastructure on the list.
Europe’s airports risk watery grave, as ‘cost of inaction’ debate heats up
More than 20 of Europe’s airports could be underwater by the end of the century if current climate trends continue. The prospect of economic and even security chaos is starting to drive home the message that the cost of doing nothing will outweigh the price of climate action.
Last month was hottest January on record globally: US climate service
Last month was the hottest January on record, surpassing a previous high recorded in 2016, the US climate service said Thursday (13 February).
Parliament urges ECB to put climate at heart of strategy review
EU lawmakers have called on the European Central Bank (ECB) to put climate change at the centre of the bank’s review of its monetary policy strategy this year, endorsing the bank’s chief vision for “gradually eliminating” carbon assets. EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
Committee of the Regions welcomes Green group for the first time
For the first time, the EU's Committee of the Regions has enough Green members to form their own group. The group, who already met on Tuesday (11 February), is keen to have good relations with the other groups but also wants to "exert pressure". EURACTIV Germany reports.
Oil giant BP seeks to ‘reinvent’ itself with 2050 zero carbon goal
BP set one of the oil sector’s most ambitious targets for curbing carbon emissions on Wednesday (12 February) as new chief executive Bernard Looney began the biggest revamp in the company’s 111-year history.
EU starts to chart shipping’s new green course
The shipping industry will soon have to pay for its environmental impact in the EU, as both the European Commission and Parliament are moving forward with plans to include vessels in the bloc’s flagship carbon market. But there are choppy waters ahead.
Europe’s Southern Gas Corridor ‘almost ready’, says Azebaijan’s SOCAR
A 25-year supply contract has been signed with Italy, and the first Azeri gas is expected to start flowing before the end of 2020, said Vitaly Baylarbayov, deputy vice president of SOCAR, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan.
Parliament backs EU list of energy projects, ignoring Greens
The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday (12 February) against a motion to reject a proposed list of priority energy projects, ignoring the demands of Greens and leftists who warned against funding new gas infrastructure that risks being stranded as Europe moves to a zero-carbon economy.