Energy
Polish coal aid sinks EU power market reform bid
Poland’s determination to continue providing financial assistance to coal power plants beyond 2030 has sunk an attempt to reform Europe’s electricity market, negotiators have said.
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.
Truck makers tone down criticism of Europe’s CO2 regulation
Under pressure from regulators, truck makers have softened their criticism of Europe’s first-ever regulation on CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, focusing their comments on the lack of recharging infrastructure in cities and motorways.
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. InfographicPromoted content
Polish power sector contributions to COP24 in Katowice
On December, 6 during Power Sector Day at the COP24, the Polish Electricity Association presented the results of the report on the contribution of the Polish energy sector to the implementation of the global climate policy.
EU electricity rules on cusp of unlocking power of renewables
Work on revamping the EU’s electricity market could wrap up on Wednesday (5 December), when negotiators are set to finalise new rules that will help activate energy laws that have already been brokered.
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.
Why the EU shouldn’t ditch regulated energy prices just yet
If the energy market fails to deliver affordable prices for those in a vulnerable situation, it should not trample people’s right to live a decent life. A way to limit harm is to avoid prices going too high, writes Monique Goyens.
Decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions
In a world already impacted by climate change, the global community still falls short of meeting the Paris Agreement’s goal on curbing climate change under the well-below 2°C target. Countries gathered at the COP24 will have to roadmap how to shift trillions of euros to turn the economy from brown to green.
Finance for climate action is rising, but still a long way to go
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC (SR15), an additional 1.5% in global investment is needed to limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Yet, if already...
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.
Germany to back Nord Stream 2 despite Ukraine tensions
Germany will not withdraw its political support for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline with Russia, its foreign minister said on Monday (3 December), as some lawmakers suggested curtailing the project to punish Moscow for its seizure of Ukrainian ships and their crew.
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.
‘We are last generation that can stop climate change’ – UN summit
The UN climate change summit begins on Monday (3 December) with a warning that today's generation is the last that can prevent catastrophic global warming, as well as the first to be suffering its impacts. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
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.
Belgian nuclear plant may breach EU law, says top judge
A European Court of Justice (ECJ) advocate-general has cast doubt on Belgium’s decision to extend the life of one of its ageing nuclear power plants, suggesting environmental impact assessments may not have been carried out properly.
What a difference a week might make for Europe’s climate ambition
Progress in the Long Term Strategy for 2050 and at the climate conference in Katowice will be for nothing if European ministers allow disputes over the size of the next EU budget to roadblock important moves towards funding a zero-emissions energy transformation, write Raphael Hanoteaux and Markus Trilling. VideoPromoted content
BSEF at the Energy Storage Global Conference 2018
BSEF, The International Bromine Council, was a proud exhibitor at the 2018 Energy Storage Global Conference.
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.