Energy transition
Down in a hole: Bosnia miners fear green revolution
For years, life in Bosnia's Breza revolved around its coal mine, but the global shift from fossil fuels to renewables threatens the industry that was once the pride of communist Yugoslavia.
Austria ready to sue EU over nuclear’s inclusion in green finance taxonomy
Austria’s energy and climate minister Leonore Gewessler told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview that her country was ready to go to court if the EU decides to include nuclear power into the bloc's taxonomy on sustainable finance.
EU climate and infrastructure agency eyes end of fossil fuel projects
The director of CINEA, a recently-established EU agency managing €55 billion in EU funding for clean energy and transport, told EURACTIV about the challenge of ending fossil fuel projects entirely, saying coal and natural gas assets “are not simply going to go away” and need to be managed during the transition.
The Brief, powered by APPLiA — Stars align for nuclear
The current energy price spike is something of a storm. But it is also wind in the sails of nuclear energy in Europe, after many years of being given the cold shoulder.
The Brief, powered by APPLiA — Energising the EU bashing
The recent surge of electricity and gas prices to record heights across Europe has a huge potential for EU-bashing in member states, something the EU institutions should try to avert — if they can.
Countries are wasting money on energy sources they already know are history
With many countries facing an emerging fuel price crisis, the world has received a stark reminder of how important energy is to our everyday lives, and also how important government decisions are in keeping us well served, writes Maria Mendiluce.
Green policies not to blame for energy price surge, IEA says
Clean energy policies are not to blame for recent spikes in gas and electricity prices, and the soaring prices should not derail Europe's green transition, International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol said on Monday (27 September).
Critics say French state aid scheme will crush citizen energy projects
The European Commission has given the green light to a new French state aid scheme worth €5.7 billion aimed at supporting the production of electricity from small solar installations on buildings. But because the scheme cannot be coupled with other local and regional funding schemes, citizen solar panel projects will probably grind to a halt. EURACTIV France reports.
Sustainable living space in a world of limits: a need for dialogue
Challenges to ecological and social sustainability require us to integrate limits to resource consumption into all areas, including residential space, write Doris Fuchs, Sylvia Lorek, Pia Mamut and Nils Blossey.
Greek fires: Blaming climate change is only the start, phasing out fossil fuels is the rest
If Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is to help save Greece – and the planet – from the climate emergency, the changes his government must make are dramatic, writes Jonathan Gant.
It’s crunch time for France’s tumultuous renewable energy debate
As the debate on renewable energies and nuclear rages across France, nuclear proponents, environmentalists, scientists and politicians will have to set aside their differences in order to advance the energy transition. EURACTIV France reports.
Denmark, Costa Rica seek alliance to speed up the end of oil and gas
Denmark and Costa Rica are trying to forge an alliance of countries willing to fix a date to phase out oil and gas production and to stop giving permits for new exploration, government ministers said and documents showed.
NGOs urge Slovenia’s minister to propose EU exit Energy Charter Treaty
Slovenian environmental NGOs have called on infrastructure minister Jernej Vrtovec to use the country's EU presidency to propose a political discussion on the bloc exiting the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) at an energy ministers' meeting in September.
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.