Energy
EU climate chief warns against curbing carbon price rally
The European Union’s head of climate change policy warned against policymakers intervening in the carbon market on Friday (7 May), after the price of EU carbon permits soared this week to record highs.
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.
Using hydrogen fuel risks locking in reliance on fossil fuels, researchers warn
Using hydrogen-based fuels for cars and home heating risks locking in a dependency on fossil fuels and failing to tackle the climate crisis, according to a new analysis. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
UN methane report ups pressure on EU to tackle the planet-warming gas
The world must urgently cut its emissions of methane to rein in climate change, a UN report said Thursday (6 May) raising pressure on European Union policymakers who are drafting the bloc's first methane regulations targeting fossil fuels.
Green transition impossible without ‘blue economy’, EU says
The transition to a greener, more sustainable economy will be impossible without the support of industries based around the ocean and coasts – known as the blue economy – according to the European Commission.
Turow: the Polish coal mine at the centre of regional tensions
Tensions have mounted at the Polish, Czech and German border over a coal mine in Poland that Prague says is contaminating its water supplies and has been operating illegally for over a year.
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.
Germany’s onshore wind expansion continues to struggle
Attempts by the German authorities to attract investment in wind power fell flat, marking another episode in a series of unpopular tenders for wind power, according to the results of tenders for renewables, published on Friday (30 April).
The role of gas in Europe’s future energy mix and the transition to zero carbon of Europe’s power sector
The transition towards a net zero greenhouse gas economy puts the power sector in the spotlight. The clean energy transition should result in an energy system where primary energy supply would largely come from carbon free sources.
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.
EU carbon price hits record €50 per tonne on route to climate target
The European Union carbon price hit a record high of above €50 per tonne on Tuesday (4 May), a key milestone in what analysts say is likely a long-term climb towards the price levels needed to trigger investments in innovative clean technologies.
Expert: Limit living space to shrink building carbon footprint
Energy efficient building renovation is not enough to lessen the climate impact of residential buildings, according to one sustainability expert who is calling for a limit on the living space allocated per person in residential homes.
Unjust and environmentally damaging Turów mining licence prolonged until 2044
The European Commission needs to be more engaged in environmental disputes between EU countries, like the escalating tensions between Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic over the disputed open-pit mine in Turów, Poland, writes Martin Hojsík.
Consumers will only renovate their homes if it’s easy and affordable
Consumers are willing and ready to play their part in the green housing transition, but they will need guidance and support along the way, writes Monique Goyens.
Mainstream parties block ECR resolution to force vote on Nord Stream 2
An attempt by right-wing Polish MEPs to force a plenary vote on the controversial gas pipeline between Russia and Germany was blocked for a second time by the two largest groups in the European Parliament on Thursday (29 April), Parliament...
New EU buildings rules are crucial to deliver on climate targets
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) must recognise that buildings are a crucial energy infrastructure for Europe, writes Monica Frassoni. By being highly efficient, they can reduce energy demand but also manage, store, and generate renewable energy, she argues.
Poland prolongs Turow mine life despite international outcry
Poland's climate ministry has extended a mining concession for the open-pit coal mine in Turów until 2044, outraging environmental campaigners, who said the move would worsen the climate crisis.
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.
Global alliance for phasing out coal not fit for purpose, says NGO
An attempt by the UK government to encourage countries and businesses around the world to quit coal for power generation is failing to make an impact, and in danger of being used as “greenwash”, an assessment has found. EURACTIV media partner, The Guardian, reports.
Urgent methane cuts needed to rein in climate change, UN says
Deep cuts in methane emissions, including from the fossil fuel industry, are urgently needed to slow the rate of global warming and keep it beneath a threshold agreed by world leaders, according to a UN report due to be released next week.