Transport
Clearing chemical and conventional munitions from the sea
Tonnes of dangerous chemical and conventional munitions were dumped into Europe’s seas following the end of the world wars, which today pose a serious risk to marine life and seafarers. Lawmakers are pushing the EU to take urgent action to clean up seabeds and ensure Europe's waters are safe from hazards.
‘Battery arms race’: how China has monopolised the electric vehicle industry
Think of an electric car and the first name that comes to mind will probably be Tesla. The California company makes the world’s bestselling electric car and was recently valued at $1tn. But behind this US success story is a tale of China’s manufacturing might. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian Environment, reports.
EU moves to halt air travel from southern Africa over COVID variant
The European Union aims to halt air travel from the southern African region amid rising concern about a new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday (26 November).
Seabed activities raise risk of World War-era bombs detonating: Commissioner
Greater deep-sea economic activities have increased the risk of harm from munitions and chemical weapons dumped into European seas during the first and second world wars, EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius has said.
Media Partnership – Options for a sustainable Irish transport system: how to achieve carbon neutrality?
You can watch and find out about the best strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of the Irish transport sector, with panellists from Brazil, Ireland and Sweden.
New German government aims for at least 15 mln EVs by 2030
Germany aims to have at least 15 million electric cars on the roads by 2030 in its shift towards climate neutrality, up from a previous goal of 14 million, according to the coalition agreement of the incoming government published on Wednesday (24 November).
The Transport Brief, powered by SESAR JU – The electric car problem
Electric cars don’t produce tail-pipe emissions, and how quick they are to recoup the emissions expended in the manufacturing process depends on the type of electricity that is being used to charge them. However, there are serious problems with cars that go beyond their fuel source.
The Matosinhos Manifesto: Accelerating the use of space in Europe
The European Space Agency has taken a giant leap in launching the Matoshinhos Manifesto that will accelerate the use of space in Europe and tackle the urgent and unprecedented challenges faced by Europe and its citizens. Today, as a resolution, it was unanimously approved by the Council of Ministers, ushering in what it is hoped will be a new era for exploration and discovery.
EU Ombudsman corners Commission after denial to unveil used cooking oil data
The European Commission has until February 2022 to comply with the EU Ombudsman’s recommendation to provide data related to the origins of imported Used Cooking Oil (UCO) biofuel in the EU, amid concerns over alleged fraud cases.
Support for sector transformation discussed at European Tourism Forum
While there are reasons for the European tourism sector to be optimistic after a good summer season, there is still a long way until full recovery, speakers at the European Tourism Forum agreed in Brdo pri Kranju on Wednesday, noting...
How the Mercosur deal’s ethanol boost contradicts EU green promises
While the EU maintains that ethanol has a role to play in Europe’s shift to clean transport, the production of ethanol is damaging the environment and hurting local communities in South America, argues Audrey Changoe.
Zero emission vehicle declaration disappoints as manufacturers, countries abstain
A COP26 pledge to stop the sale of polluting vehicles by 2040 has been called insufficient by climate campaigners, who criticised the absence of major economies, including the US, Germany, and France, as well as leading car manufacturers, such as Volkswagen and Toyota.
US opens to (vaccinated) European tourists
As of 8 November, restrictions on travelling to the USA are lifted on 33 countries, including the 26 countries of the Schengen zone, Ireland, and the UK. The news is not only positive for those separated by the Atlantic - the rollback of restrictions represents a major boost to the aviation industry.
ISS astronauts return to earth in SpaceX craft
A SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts back to Earth after a busy six months on the International Space Station landed Monday (8 November) off the coast of Florida, a NASA live broadcast showed.
EU’s strict green criteria for biofuels will hinder supply, MEPs warn
The EU’s "restrictive" approach to biofuels sustainability criteria will harm producers’ ability to meet increased demand for green fuels coming from the transport sector, says Henna Virkkunen, a Finnish lawmaker in the European Parliament.OpinionPromoted content
Availability of advanced, second-generation biofuels increases – Policymakers asked to unleash their full potential
Energy prices are soaring and the Commission in its recent communication confirms its determination to stick to its proposed Fit-for-55-package. It concludes that “the clean energy transition is the best insurance against price shocks like the one the EU is facing today”.
EU’s buildings directive should give EV owners the right to a smart plug
Smart EV charging receives little attention in the debate around the energy performance of buildings. However, with a ‘right to plug’, buildings can spearhead the transition towards clean mobility, write Luka De Bruyckere and Jaap Burger.OpinionPromoted content
Greener shipping: how the EU can boost a global ambition
Progressive Industry leaders from the shipping sector stress that full decarbonisation of international shipping is urgent and achievable. Governments and international regulators must deliver the policies that will supercharge the transition and make zero emission shipping the default choice by 2030.
Thugs on a train
In Ireland, the National Bus and Rail Union are this week considering whether to call for work stoppages in protest against “anti-social behaviour and downright thuggery which has now gone well beyond a tipping point”.
Mining industry warns against Europe’s drive for raw material ‘autonomy’
Relying solely on raw materials sourced within Europe could incentivise the use of cheaper, non-recyclable batteries, increasing the need to mine virgin materials to power electric vehicles, industry has said.
Sustainable sourcing of battery raw materials
EV batteries are critical to achieving the EU´s climate change targets. Europe has therefore set itself the ambitious goal of establishing - within a very short time frame - a complete and competitive electric vehicle battery value chain.OpinionPromoted content
CEDR Research Call 2021 is open for bids!
CEDR Call 2021 is open as of 28 September 2021 with two research programmes: Climate Change Resilience and Remote Condition Monitoring of Physical Road Assets. A public briefing session will be held on 09 November 2021 at 10:30 - 12:00 CET.
The world’s most valuable carmaker
In case it wasn’t clear already that the future of the automotive industry is electric, the latest news from the financial markets should dispel any doubt. Tesla, arguably the world’s preeminent electric vehicle company, is now valued at over $1 trillion.