Energy transition
World’s first zero-emission cement plant takes shape in Norway
Norway is getting closer to building the world’s first carbon-free cement plant, a move that could reverberate across the globe as 197 countries meet for the UN's annual climate conference in Katowice, Poland.
Activist: Poland’s ‘just transition’ declaration is just posturing
The just transition declaration adopted at the COP24 in Poland sounds good but it is not connected to any kind of climate ambition or specific energy projects involving local communities, Alexandru Mustata told EURACTIV Slovakia.
Embracing the power of cheap renewables to deliver a carbon exit
Green steel, green ammonium, green plastics, green aluminium and green shipping can be within reach in a world with renewables at 3$ct/kilowatt hour and a carbon price of $50+/ton CO2, with limited costs to the global economy, argue Auke Lont...
Is populism bad for climate change?
The violent response to the French carbon tax in Paris demonstrates good climate policy is dependent on a fair, just and managed transition writes Sanjeev Kumar. Far from stalling, climate change action is becoming a major issue in elections globally, he says.
Biofuels and electromobility are key in Portugal’s transport decarbonisation
Portugal will use both electromobility and biofuels to decarbonise its transport sector by 2050, José Mendes, Portuguese First Secretary of State for Mobility - Environment and Energy Transition, told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Three ways to navigate the risks along low-carbon transition pathways
Risks lurk along the whole pathway of low-carbon transitions, writes Stefan Bößner. Things might get worse before they get better. But, given the climate urgency, there is no time to wait, he argues.
Leading on innovation for a climate neutral Europe by 2050
Innovation will be required across all sectors of the economy in order to steer Europe towards climate neutrality. This will also be good for the EU’s competitiveness, write Jakop Dalunde and Peter Sweatman.
How will oil producing countries meet the challenge of climate change?
As the United Nations COP24 gets underway in Poland, leading oil and gas players – countries and companies – are confronted with the challenge of mapping out their share of the new energy economy, writes Robin Mills.
German anti-coal demonstrations: ‘We’re running out of time’
In the run-up to the UN climate conference, which began in Katowice in Poland on 2 December, many thousands of people demonstrated to support accelerating the phasing out of the coal industry. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Making electricity rules fit for the integrated energy system of the future
When adopting new rules for Europe’s electricity market, EU policymakers shouldn’t lose sight of the bigger picture which involves an increasingly integrated energy system with multiple links between electricity, heat and gas, writes Hans Korteweg.
Nordics balk at EU plan to limit cross-border electricity trade
A proposal to limit cross-border electricity flows is one of the last sticking points in the EU’s proposed power market reform, as Berlin pursues a 75% limit on interconnector capacity made available for trading, lawmakers have said.
To beat back climate change, the EU must help China – and itself
In the fight against climate change, the EU must tackle two gigantic tasks: slash its own emissions, and help China do the same, writes Bernard Durand.
EU’s Cañete warns gas pipelines risk becoming ‘stranded assets’
Miguel Arias Cañete, the EU Commissioner for climate action and energy, had an unpleasant message for the gas industry when he presented the European Commission’s 2050 vision for a “climate neutral” economy earlier this week.
‘Yellow vests’ show limits of consumer acceptance on climate change
As the European Commission unveiled its long-term vision for greenhouse gas reduction on Wednesday (28 November), a yellow cloud hung over the grand pronouncements.
Making Horizon Europe a tool to truly achieve the Paris Agreement goals
The EU’s Horizon Europe for research and innovation provides an opportunity to unleash the potential of low-carbon technologies that will help Europe in the transition to a carbon neutral economy. This, however, is contingent on its design, writes Agnese Ruggiero.
Miguel Arias Cañete: EU’s climate caterpillar looks to seal legacy
"We will leave the European Union with a vision for the future," the commissioner told EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News as he prepared to fight for net-zero emissions.
Utilities see opportunity in EU’s 2050 climate strategy
Vienna’s energy and infrastructure utilities say the Commission’s long-term strategy unveiled this week is in line with own their forecasts and goals.
How Europe can lead the way to a prosperous, zero carbon economy
Committing to net zero emissions by 2050 is a unique opportunity for the EU to show its leadership in securing a sustainable future: a future that is good for the planet, people and business, writes Eliot Whittington.
Energy companies issue joint call for EU carbon price floor
A group of sixteen European energy companies including France’s EDF, Germany’s E.ON, and Denmark’s Ørsted, have proposed introducing a carbon price floor at European or regional level, as a way to the speed up the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Macron wants France to become carbon neutral by 2050
Emmanuel Macron has presented the main lines of his energy policy. In order to be carbon neutral in 2050, France will accelerate the development of renewable energies, while not giving up nuclear energy. EURACTIV France reports.
Germany heads to COP24 without coal-exit plan
Germany is likely to show up empty-handed to the COP24 summit in Poland in December as the country’s coal exit commission has decided to extend its work beyond the original end-of-2018 deadline. EURACTIV's media partner, Clean Energy Wire, reports.
‘Yellow vests’ spark EU debate about just transition to clean energy
Protests against high fuel prices in France have propelled climate policy to the forefront of the political debate, just days before Poland hosts the UN’s annual conference on climate change, with a focus on the “just transition” to low-carbon energy.
Environmental organisations: German-French climate partnership
Environmental organisations are calling on Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron to coordinate their countries’ climate and energy transitions. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Big business backs EU climate neutrality goal
Business leaders have urged the EU to scrap greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and increase climate ambition in time to stick to the Paris Agreement, in a letter seen by EURACTIV.
