Energy transition
West Poland subregion aims to be first in the country to hit net zero
In 2030, the last electricity produced from coal will flow in Greater Poland, the second-largest region in the country. By 2040, the area intends to achieve climate neutrality.
Avoid hydrogen for heating homes, urges energy efficiency coalition
A coalition of 33 business and civil society groups have urged the European Commission to prioritise renewables and energy efficiency over hydrogen as part of Europe’s efforts to decarbonise buildings.
‘Gas is over’, EU bank chief says
We need to face the reality that the future is no longer in fossil fuels and need to show credibility on that, said President of the European Investment Bank, Dr Werner Hoyer on Wednesday (20 January).
Competition or cooperation? EU, US enter new era of climate diplomacy
As Joe Biden takes the reins of a tumultuous America, analysts have tempered expectations about the ability of the new US administration to closely align with Europe on climate change.
Czech health minister backs coal mining phase-out ‘as soon as possible’
Czech health minister Jan Blatný is aware of the negative impacts of coal mining on the environment and human health. “Personally, I am in favour of a coal mining phase-out as soon as possible,” he told EURACTIV.cz.
Shift to renewables ‘significantly decreased’ emissions, EU agency says
Europe's shift from fossil fuel-based electricity to renewable sources has cut down on greenhouse gas emissions while tackling environmental problems, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said on Monday (18 January).
New tool to monitor energy transition progress of French regions
Climate Action Network France launched its observatory of regional climate-energy targets on Monday (11 January), a tool that makes it possible to visualise the progress of each French region in terms of energy and climate transition. EURACTIV France reports.
UK government won’t block first deep coal mine in three decades
Despite pressure from green groups, the UK Government has said it will not intervene in a county council's decision to approve a deep coal mine – the first facility of its kind to gain planning approval in 30 years, reports EURACTIV's media partner, edie.net.
Poland goes all out on coal rescue against EU’s higher climate goal
The Polish government is on the hunt for securing yet another stream of subsidies to its coal industry, two weeks after EU leaders agreed on an enhanced climate target by 2030. But the European Commission can stop this, Elif Gündüzyeli and Joanna Flisowska write.
Mind the gap: how EU countries perform on climate
EU member states will need to step up their efforts on renewables and energy efficiency in order to meet the bloc's updated climate and energy targets for 2030.
Poland eyes hard split with coal
Coal-dependent Poland aims to shut its last mine by the EU's 2050 target, but experts warn the move to go green comes late and faces many hurdles.
EU agrees its green transition fund will not support natural gas
The European Union's flagship fund to wean regions off fossil fuels will not finance natural gas projects, EU governments said on Wednesday (16 December), ending a debate over whether to make the fuel eligible for support.
EU shifts energy infrastructure funding away from gas, into electricity grids
The European Commission on Tuesday (15 December) proposed rules to restrict EU funding for natural gas infrastructure and instead funnel cash into electricity and low-carbon energy networks to meet climate goals.
LEAKED: EU’s trans-European energy infrastructure plan update
The European Commission will unveil plans on Tuesday (15 December) to finance cross-border energy infrastructure, as pressure builds on the EU executive to provide funding only to clean energy projects that will accelerate the transition to climate neutrality.
Energy efficiency: Secret ingredient that can make Turkey’s energy transition a success
Turkey has huge potential in energy efficiency with plans for a 14% reduction into total energy demand by 2023, compared to 2017. To meet that, innovation will need to tap into the knowledge and investments, writes Değer Saygın and Jan Rosenow.
Gas wins recognition as ‘transitional technology’ to climate neutrality
The lower carbon intensity of natural gas – which produces half the emissions of coal when burned in power plants – and the emergence of new technologies like hydrogen are setting gas apart from other fossil fuels in the clean energy transition.
EU capitals request framework for cross-border renewable energy
EU leaders have asked the European Commission to set up an “enabling framework” to promote renewable energy projects across borders in a move that could benefit offshore wind.
Five years after Paris: Where does Europe stand on climate change?
Five years on from the Paris Agreement, the EU is predicted to miss the 1.5°C global warming target and the bloc's fair share of carbon emissions reduction, according to independent research.
Fossil fuels axed from EU’s just transition fund, but loophole remains for gas
The European Parliament reached a provisional agreement with EU member states on Wednesday (9 December), which sees fossil fuels axed from the EU's just transition fund but finding their way back into EU regional development funding until 2025.
Worldwide coalition for carbon pricing is needed
Two-thirds of Paris Agreement signatories are using or considering carbon pricing schemes to achieve their emission reduction targets. The EU, China, and the USA should lead a worldwide “carbon pricing coalition” for the period 2030-2050, argue Jyrki Katainen and Karl-Henrik Sundström.
Which technologies should be in the EU’s climate action toolbox?
Experts disagree about which technologies should be used to meet the EU’s climate change targets.
Europe can hit climate neutrality goal at net-zero cost: report
Although cutting emissions to net-zero by 2050 will destroy jobs and push up the costs of doing business in some sectors, it will bring gains elsewhere that will make up for the difference, according to a new study by McKinsey & company.
On carbon pricing, policymakers are now thinking beyond emissions trading
Changes taking place in the UK and US could force a rethink of the EU’s flagship climate policy, the Emissions Trading Scheme.