Energy transition
Top French firms commit to climate change fight
The French Association of Private Companies (AFEP) updated on Wednesday (7 July) the Ambition 4 Climate platform, which brings together the projects of 64 large companies with the aim of reaching carbon neutrality. EURACTIV France reports.
Spain joins campaign to phase out coal by 2030
Spain on Wednesday (30 June) joined an international campaign to set a date for closing all coal plants by 2030, signing up to a target it looks well-placed to beat by a wide margin.
Portugal’s Galp moves to green hydrogen at refinery, eyes €1bn investment
Portugal's Galp Energia plans to install a 100-megawatt electrolyser to power its refinery in Sines with green hydrogen by 2025, a project which could be expanded to up to 1,000 MW and be worth €1 billion, Chief Executive Andy Brown said on Monday (14 June).
EU Commission joins Czechia in legal case over Polish coal mine
The European Commission has decided to join the Czech Republic in a bitter lawsuit against Poland over what plaintiffs say is an illegal extension of a license to operate the Turów coal mine near the Czech and German border.
Study: Peak oil moves closer as energy majors shift to renewables
The world’s largest oil and gas companies increased investment in clean energy by 23% compared to 2018, despite a 6% fall in global energy demand last year caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to new research published on Tuesday (8 June).
Shell ordered to slash emissions 45% by 2030 in historic court ruling
A Dutch court has ordered Royal Dutch Shell to cut its emissions 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, in a landmark ruling. EURACTIV's media partner, Climate Home News, reports.
We can’t burn our way out of the climate crisis
In its new Net Zero scenario, the International Energy Agency (IEA) maps a 60% increase in bioenergy by 2050. But Swapping burning wood for burning coal won’t save the climate, warns Peg Putt.
Poland will not comply with EU top court ruling on Turow, PM says
Poland will not comply with the ruling of the European Union's top court, which ordered Warsaw to immediately stop mining in the Turów lignite mine on the border with the Czech Republic, Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Monday (24 May).
Spain positions itself to be Europe’s green hydrogen hub
Spain has the “best conditions” to become Europe’s green hydrogen hub, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
Time for Paris-compatible coal phase-out plans in Central and Eastern Europe
Central and Eastern European countries need to set national coal phase-out dates by 2030 at the latest in order to fall in line with the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, environmental campaigners write.
Global hydrogen production from nuclear power would require 400 reactors, French report says
To produce low-carbon hydrogen on a global scale, 400 1GW nuclear reactors would be needed, according to a note published Tuesday (18 May) by the French parliamentary office for the evaluation of scientific and technological choices (OPECST). EURACTIV France reports.
Merkel rejects bringing forward Germany’s exit from coal
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday (15 May) rejected calls to bring forward the country's exit date for coal in power generation, currently set at 2038.
Spain to end fossil fuel production by 2042 under new climate law
Spain’s 2030 emission reduction target lags other EU countries but the government won praise for committing to end coal, oil and gas production. EURACTIV’s media partner, Climate Home News, reports. A decade after it was first called for, Spain has...
Energy security: Poland’s chief priority in the coal transition
The Turów coal mine and power plant complex is “strategic for ensuring the energy security of Poland,” says PGE, the state-owned enterprise at the centre of a dispute with the Czech Republic over the extension of mining operations there.
Eleven EU countries call to ban fossil fuels from trans-European energy infrastructure
Eleven EU countries have signed a declaration calling on the European Union to stop funding fossil fuels under its trans-European energy infrastructure regulation (TEN-E), which is currently under revision.
Spain’s green recovery plan among EU’s best, experts say
The contribution of Spain's recovery, transformation and resilience plan to the green transition is among the best in the EU, according to a report international climate experts highlighting the lack of European ambition to decarbonise the economy, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
France trailing behind EU renewable energy goals
The European Union is expected to soon raise its renewable energy target for 2030, and France, which has already largely missed its 2020 goal, could have difficulties in meeting the new objective. EURACTIV France reports.
Union leader: ‘With more social ambition, climate ambitions will also become higher’
European trade unions welcome ambitious EU climate policies, but warn that they need to be implemented alongside an equally ambitious social transition plan or risk sowing the seeds of a backlash, says Judith Kirton-Darling.
A tale of three countries: how Czechia, Germany, and Poland plan to ditch coal
For decades, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic have been at the heart of Europe's so-called "lignite triangle" which produces most of the continent's coal-based electricity. But with climate change now a top political priority, the priority is shifting to renewables.
Michal Kurtyka: Solar rooftop in Poland grew ‘100 times more’ in five years
In a video interview, Poland's climate and environment minister speaks about the government's efforts to phase out coal and develop a more diversified energy mix in Poland, saying solar rooftop has brought "a real revolution" in the way Polish people perceive the climate crisis and the energy transition.
Carbon border levy should start with steel, cement and fertilisers, says Poland
Steel, cement and fertilisers should be among the first sectors protected by the upcoming carbon levy to safeguard European business from cheaper, CO2 intensive imports, according to Poland.
Greece confirms last coal plant will be shut in 2025
“We are saying goodbye to the coal age,” Greece’s energy state secretary told EURACTIV following last week's announcement that the country’s last lignite plant will be shut down in 2025, three years earlier than planned.
Four key issues to watch in the EU’s carbon market reform
EU carbon market emissions experienced a record fall last year, but when it comes to heavy industry, the effect is likely to be short-lived, writes Agnese Ruggiero.