Energy & Environment
No EU funds for Poland if climate goals aren’t agreed, Macron warns
Poland would not be eligible for funds available under the European Green Deal if it does not sign up to the EU’s climate objectives, French President Emmanuel Macron warned at the closure of an EU summit on Friday (13 December).
AS IT HAPPENED: EU leaders discuss budget, climate change
EU27 leaders meet in Brussels on 12-13 December to discuss the bloc's next seven-year budget and ways to financially sweeten its 'green component', in order to meet the new European Commission's top priority of making the EU climate-neutral by 2050.
Coke and nickel keeping EU steel industry up at night
The European Commission is considering removing coking coal from a list of critical raw materials. The steel industry, already facing difficulty importing the raw materials it needs, says this could spell disaster.
European Green Deal vague on pesticides, genetic engineering
The Green Deal presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday (11 December) avoided two controversial agricultural issues: genetic engineering and pesticide limits. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Four green policy concerns Boris Johnson needs to address immediately
After delivering a Conservative Party majority, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will now forge ahead with his Brexit plans, but with climate and environmental standards listed throughout the party's manifesto he'll to address some key green policy concerns. EURACTIV's media partner, edie.net, reports.
EU Council chief takes over budget negotiations
The European Council handed over the negotiation of the next EU long-term budget to its president, Charles Michel during the first round of the December summit on Thursday (12 December).
EU leaders claim victory on 2050 climate goal, despite Polish snub
EU leaders claimed to have sealed a deal on an ambitious climate plan for 2050 early Friday morning (13 December) but Poland still maintained its objections and refused to endorse the climate-neutral target.
Rift between negotiators and civil society at COP25 becoming very obvious
As civil society pushes for more ambition in fighting climate change, the slow pace of negotiations at the COP25 climate summit in Madrid is frustrating activists. EURACTIV France reports.
COP25: Europe must decide faster, climate doesn’t wait, says Danish Energy Minister
As member states are pressed to agree on Europe’s 2050 carbon neutrality target, Denmark is the star of the show at COP25 after the country’s Parliament adopted a legally binding emissions reduction target of 70% by 2030. Danish energy minister Dan Jørgensen explained to EURACTIV what’s behind the country’s new climate act.
Germany tells US to ‘mind its own business’ over Nord Stream 2
Germany on Thursday (12 December) warned Washington to mind its own business after US lawmakers gave initial approval to a bill that would sanction contractors working on a Russian pipeline to Germany. The EU also opposed sanctions against ‘companies doing...
The Brief, powered by BP – A green bridge over the EU’s East-West divide?
A grand bargain is on the table to persuade Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic to sign up to the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal. It’s an offer they would be foolish to refuse. Here’s why.
Biofuel expert calls on EU to revisit RED II to avoid ‘impetus of oil’
The EU should look at how countries across the world promote biofuels in their national policies and, following the announcement of the Green Deal, basically “revisit” the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) on road transport decarbonisation, a biofuel expert told...
France, UK block green finance deal in setback for climate goals
Led by France and Britain, EU states yesterday (11 December) blocked a set of new rules governing which financial products can be called "green" and "sustainable", fearing it would prevent investments in nuclear and gas projects.
EU leaders offer money to reluctant east to push 2050 climate neutrality
European Union leaders on Thursday (12 December) will push an agreement to make their bloc climate neutral by 2050, luring reluctant eastern member states with promises of extra money for their heavily-polluting economies.
COP25 news and views: What’s happening in Madrid (part 3)
As UN climate negotiations enter their second and decisive week, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on of the 25th climate conference in Madrid (COP25) and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: Badges taken away, German satisfaction, French absence, and fighting in Tokyo.
European Green Deal gives COP25 a ‘breath of fresh air’
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen jolted the COP25 conference in Madrid when she presented her European Green Deal yesterday (11 December). But many observers, including young people, are calling for more ambition. EURACTIV France reports.Promoted content
Huawei is key to Europe’s Green Deal
Europe will find it difficult to achieve many of its goals, such as the Green Deal, without AI. And without a fully developed, multi-party 5G ecosystem, Europe will fall further behind, writes Abraham Liu.
EU Green Deal to tune up car CO2 rules
The European Commission will revise car CO2 standards and move towards zero-emission vehicles in the 2030s, according to the EU’s new Green Deal, unveiled on Wednesday (11 December). Every other mode of transport can expect attention over the next five years too.
EU Commission unveils ‘European Green Deal’: The key points
The European Commission unveiled its hallmark European Green Deal on Wednesday (11 October), outlining a long list of policy initiatives aimed at putting Europe on track to reach net-zero emissions, and a pollution-free environment, by 2050.
Kyriakides: Curbing pesticide dependency to set a world sustainable standard
Currently renowned for producing safe, nutritious and high-quality foodstuffs, the European farming sector should also become a world standard for sustainability, according to the new Food Safety Commissioner Kyriakides.
COP25: Major developing countries still reluctant to amend Paris Agreement to ‘foot climate bill’
Countries such as Brazil, China and Saudi Arabia, are criticising Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement and its carbon offsetting mechanism even though they are currently not footing the "climate bill". A stance which climate advocates fear will weaken the entire treaty. EURACTIV France reports.
Banning single-use plastics in France by 2040 is far too late, environmentalists say
The French National Assembly has voted to ban all disposable plastics by... 2040, which would be far too late for many environmental advocates. EURACTIV France reports.
Europe waking up to raw materials ‘criticality’
Access to critical raw materials used in digital and clean technologies was labelled as "a strategic security question" in a European Green Deal unveiled today (11 December). A new industrial policy is expected to complete the picture next year.