Energy
EU’s green hydrogen plans hailed as ‘true game-changer’ by industry
The European Commission boosted regulatory support for green hydrogen in its proposed overhaul of climate legislation published last week, with the renewable hydrogen coalition calling it "a true game changer" for the nascent EU industry.
How to reconcile the different interests in the “Fit for 55” package?
Though all Member States backed EU’s higher target of a net domestic reduction of greenhouse gases emissions by at least 55% until 2030 compared to 1990, recently proposed regulatory solutions may deepen a division between countries, when it comes to...
France to capitalise on ‘resounding success’ of green renovation
The government's MaPrimeRenov' scheme, which helps households make energy efficiency renovation of buildings is a "resounding success", France's ecological transition ministry said on Monday (19 July), hoping many more will apply to the scheme in 2021. EURACTIV France reports.
Poland gears up for fight over EU climate cash
Poland wants more EU money to finance its green transition. But getting its hands on EU cash will require the government to put forward a credible roadmap for the country’s energy transition, which is currently lacking. EURACTIV’s media partner, Wysokie Napięcie, reports.
EU industry shuns carbon border levy, calls for export rebates
European industries covered by the EU's future carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) have expressed doubts about the proposal, tabled last week. In addition to border measures, they are calling for an export rebate scheme to help green EU products compete on global markets.
US, Germany to vow action on Russia in Nord Stream 2 deal
The United States and Germany will take action against Russia if it uses the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to harm Ukraine or other Eastern European countries, according to sources familiar with a bilateral agreement expected on Wednesday (21 July).
EU ministers attack plans to extend carbon pricing to heating, transport
EU environment ministers expressed "quite a lot of reservations" about European Commission plans to set up a second emissions trading scheme for road transport and buildings at their first meeting since Brussels tabled the proposal last week.
Carbon market overhaul shifts EU’s climate policy focus on industry, fairness
With its proposed reform of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), the European Commission is bringing carbon pricing policies to new areas such as shipping, road transport, and buildings. However, it is the fate of industry and ordinary people that is getting all the political attention.
Europe’s hydrogen split: blue vs green and north vs south
The only element keeping blue hydrogen projects alive are subsidies and as green hydrogen declines in cost more government subsidies will be needed. This might be good for Shell and Exxon but is unlikely to be popular with voters, writes Mike Parr.
Analyst: EU carbon price on track to reach €90 by 2030
High gas prices, combined with a recent decision to raise the EU’s climate goals for 2030, have combined to form a “perfect storm” on the EU carbon market, according to a market analyst who predicts a carbon price of €90...
‘Enough with the burning’: EU executive accused of sacrificing forests
The European Commission has been accused of “sacrificing forests” after it published proposals that would allow trees to continue to be burned for fuel. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
EU energy tax plan seeks to end ‘hidden advantage’ for fossil fuels
A proposed new EU-wide fuel taxation system based on energy content rather than volume seeks to end incentives for petrol and diesel, aiming instead to support the uptake of green biofuels, renewable hydrogen and synthetic fuels.
Europe fiddles while forests burn
The European Commission's approach to using forest wood for energy could prove a faux pas ahead of the COP26 UN climate summit in November, a dangerous move which contradicts the findings of the EU executive's own research department, writes Peg Putt.
France sceptical about extending carbon pricing to buildings, transport
France expressed "reservations" about the social consequences of extending the carbon market to the building and transport sectors, a proposal put forward by the European Commission on Wednesday (14 July). EURACTIV France reports.
Biden, Merkel fail to resolve differences about Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline
US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel failed on Thursday (15 July) to settle their dispute over Russia’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline but said they agreed that Moscow must not be allowed to use energy as...
Germany loses OPAL gas pipeline appeal as court sides with Poland
Berlin lost its fight on Thursday (15 July) to overturn a ruling limiting Gazprom's access to the OPAL pipeline, which links the Russian gas producer's Nord Stream line to the existing pipeline grid in middle and western Europe.
EU unveils plan to increase renewables share in energy mix to 40% by 2030
The European Union must increase the amount of renewable energy it uses and cut energy consumption by 2030 under proposals the bloc's executive Commission published on Wednesday (14 July) to help meet a more ambitious goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.OpinionPromoted content
Oil and gas needs the courage to reinvent itself
By unveiling the ambitious climate package “Fit for 55”, the European Commission showed that the EU’s climate law adopted in April can have teeth. The proposed overhaul of the EU’s regulatory environment is necessary to deliver on the promise to...OpinionPromoted content
Upscaling hydrogen for 55: The EU should hedge its bets
On the eve of the publication of the highly anticipated Fit-for-55 Package, many questions remain unanswered about how the EU plans to approach hydrogen. Johannes Trüby is Director/ Economic Advisory at Deloitte. From costs and investments, to infrastructure, imports and...
LEAK: New EU fund aims to cushion social impact of climate policies
The European Commission will launch a social fund to help alleviate the societal costs of its climate legislation, particularly its plan to expand the emissions trading scheme (ETS) to buildings and road transport, according to a leaked draft seen by EURACTV.
EU, Ukraine sign ‘strategic partnership’ on raw materials
Kyiv will be invited on Tuesday (13 July) to join EU industrial alliances on batteries and raw materials, with a view to develop an entire value chain of the extraction, refining and recycling of minerals in Ukraine to supply the EU market for electric cars and digital equipment.
Fisheries may hinder Europe’s offshore wind expansion
Europe’s offshore wind industry has reported high growth rates in 2020, but now that EU member states are putting the finishing touches on their maritime spatial plans, fisheries could put the brakes on the expansion. The offshore wind industry recorded...
EU climate targets are undermined by ETS subsidies. They must end
Some industry groups have called to maintain free CO2 allowances in addition to the upcoming carbon border levy. Their addiction to subsidies must be brought to an end, otherwise Europe risks triggering a trade war that would also undermine the EU's climate leadership, write Connie Hedegaard and Pascal Lamy.
Ukraine and EU: it takes two to swing (at the same frequency)
Ukraine aims to couple its energy network with Europe by 2023, a move that would benefit both the EU and Ukraine, write Georg Zachmann and Lukas Feldhaus, warning, however, that more work is needed to make it happen.