Energy
Official: EU taking first steps to bring forestry into carbon market
The first step to bring forestry under the EU’s emissions trading scheme is to ensure that every tonne of carbon dioxide in the forest is counted so that a certification system for carbon removals can be put in place, Artur Runge-Metzger told EURACTIV.OpinionPromoted content
Financing the energy transition should take into account regional differences between Member States
An increased EU’s emission reduction target by 2030 is currently a hotly debated topic in Brussels. Regardless of whether the target will be 55% or 60%, reaching EU’s ambitious climate change targets requires significant investment outlays. Paweł Strączyński is PGE’s...
Forestry’s climate impact ‘invisible’ under UN rules, experts say
Forests are the planet’s biggest carbon “sink” – absorbing more CO2 from the atmosphere than they emit – but their contribution to cooling the earth’s climate are currently not fully accounted for under UN rules, experts point out.
Will the Renovation Wave benefit the energy poor?
A wave of much-needed housing renovations could soon be sweeping through Europe, according to European Commission plans published last week. This Renovation Wave must ensure a quick and locally supported transition in order to support those who need it most, writes Martha Myers.
EU’s Sefcovic: Europe must be ‘much more strategic’ on raw materials
The European Union “cannot achieve” climate neutrality without critical raw materials like lithium and rare earths, says Commission vice-president Maroš Šefčovič. It now needs to be “much more strategic” in relations with supplier countries in order to ensure the bloc's “strategic autonomy,” he argues.
EU to push new standards for ‘greenest’ car batteries on earth
The European Commission will table new EU-wide regulations this autumn to ensure that batteries manufactured or imported into Europe are “the greenest on this planet,” a top EU official told EURACTIV.
High stakes for Earth’s climate future in US vote
The United States presidential election will be "make or break" for the planet after four years during which Donald Trump frustrated global efforts to slash emissions, climate experts warn, fearing his re-election may imperil the world's chances of avoiding catastrophic warming.
India and the EU are natural partners for the green economy
India and the European Union are natural partners in the quest for environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, and green growth and development, writes Santosh Jha.
Social investment cannot be left behind in the Just Transition Fund
As policymakers, our task is to ensure that no one will be left behind in the energy transition and that the effort of transition will be fairly shared, writes Mounir Satouri. Mounir Satouri is a French Member of the European...
EU countries urged to build on Renovation Wave to fix failing efficiency targets
Twenty-five of the EU's 27 member countries have been told to boost provisions for building renovation in their national energy and climate plans in order to meet the bloc's elusive efficiency targets.
Bulgaria calls for EU help to phase out coal
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has asked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a "plan" to support the country coal phase-out, saying Bulgaria's own capacity was insufficient to achieve the bloc's 2030 climate goals.
EU leaders to decide tougher climate goal in December
EU leaders on Thursday (15 October) said they will decide on a more stringent climate target for 2030 at a summit in December, leaving more time to forge a united European response to climate change.
EU countries must match promises with policy on wind power, industry says
EU member states must introduce policies to support their wind power ambitions, according to industry lobby group WindEurope.
EU launches ‘renovation wave’ for greener, more stylish buildings
The European Commission launched a renovation wave and a “new European Bauhaus” on Wednesday (14 October), aiming to rally popular support behind plans to cut emissions from buildings and reduce energy bills.
Azerbaijan warns over pipelines as Nagorno-Karabakh tensions rise
Azerbaijan accused Armenia on Wednesday (14 October) of trying to attack its gas and oil pipelines and warned of a “severe” response as tensions rose sharply around a fraying ceasefire in the mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.
EU Commission paves way for regulating methane emissions in 2021
The European Commission has opted for a “holistic” approach to address the global warming impact of methane, putting the emphasis on international cooperation first before regulating emissions in sectors like energy and agriculture.
Electric trucks, green hydrogen ‘ripe for investment’ by EU recovery fund
Green hydrogen, low-carbon aviation fuel and electric trucks are among 55 clean technologies that can help the European Union to reach its goal of climate neutrality by mid-century, new research showed on Wednesday (14 October).
IEA outlines global path to net-zero emissions by 2050
For the first time, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has set out what would need to happen this decade to reach net zero emissions globally by 2050. EURACTIV's media partner, Climate Home News, reports.
Lawmakers vote to exclude fossil fuels from EU recovery fund
The environment committee in the European Parliament voted on Monday (12 October) to exclude fossil fuels from support under the EU’s €750 billion recovery fund intended to boost the bloc's economy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
How data can unlock Europe’s renovation revolution
By starting local and scaling up, data can be the greatest ally of Europe's upcoming renovation wave, writes Cristina Gamboda.
LEAK: EU’s draft methane strategy puts onus on data, reporting
A draft version of the European Commission’s methane strategy, expected to come out on Wednesday (14 October), doesn't set limits on methane emissions from fossil fuels, instead setting the stage for that to happen as of 2025.
France battles Brussels over separation of EDF’s nuclear arm
French plans to ring-fence EDF's nuclear arm from the rest of the power giant have triggered differences between Paris and Brussels over how it should be structured, according to a source close to the discussions.
Hydrogen transport costs will vary on a case-by-case basis, industry says
While natural gas pipelines can be used to carry hydrogen, the cost of retrofitting infrastructure combined with end-user requirements at the local level, will determine whether blended or pure hydrogen is delivered to the final consumer, industry experts say.