About: 2030 climate and energy targets
EU needs mandatory targets and means to save energy
The European Commission needs to bring in legally-binding energy efficiency targets to support building renovation and give member states the support they need to reach them, write Kamila Waciega and Ville Niinistö.
Czech nuclear expansion faces delay amid concerns of opposition, secret services
A tender to decide who builds a new unit at a Czech nuclear power plant may face delays after security services and opposition parties raised concerns about the possible participation of bidders from China and Russia, officials said.
Poland can contribute to the EU’s 55% target while solving its key problems
Poland is lagging behind cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but diversifying its energy mix, making heating clean and increasing traffic electrification could improve emission reductions and transform the economy for the future, writes Aleksandra Gawlikowska-Fyk.
Business groups clash over EU’s 2030 climate goal
Europe’s largest employer’s association, BusinessEurope, has questioned “the value and credibility” of the economic analysis underpinning the EU’s proposed climate target plan for 2030, triggering an immediate backlash from pro-climate corporate groups.
UN chief presses EU to agree tougher climate change target
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday (19 November) urged the European Union to lead global efforts to slash planet-warming emissions by setting a new climate change target next month.
Warsaw says ‘further analysis needed’ before EU’s 2030 climate target can be agreed
Further analysis into the impact of tougher climate goals on EU member states is needed before Poland can sign up to the European Commission’s proposed 55% greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030, a senior Polish minister has said.
Brussels ‘won’t stand in the way’ of new nuclear plants, says EU climate chief
The European Commission “will not stand in the way” of countries that choose to build new nuclear power stations, said EU climate chief Frans Timmermans, who warned however about the life-cycle costs of the technology, “which means that you will be stuck with it for a long, long, long time”.
Delivering a net-zero economy
Mid-century climate targets are feasible but decisive action needs to be taken in the 2020s to put the world onto the right trajectory, writes Sandrine Dixson-Declève.
EU environment ministers strike deal on climate law, leave out 2030 target
European Union environment ministers struck a deal on Friday (23 October) to make the bloc's 2050 net-zero emissions target legally binding, but left a decision on a 2030 emissions-cutting target for leaders to discuss in December.
Forests and climate change
With its 2030 climate plan last month, the European Commission has put the spotlight on forests as Europe's main "carbon sink," saying their ability to store carbon dioxide must be preserved in order to reach the bloc's climate goals.
Czechs drop opposition to 2030 climate goal ahead of EU summit
The Czech Republic said it was ready to back the EU’s proposed 2030 target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55%, provided that the objective is a collective one and that EU state aid rules do not hamper its nuclear ambitions.
Greta Thunberg urges EU to do ‘as much as possible’ on climate
Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg on Wednesday urged EU leaders to "do as much as possible" to step up the bloc's ambitions to reduce carbon output at this week's summit.
Europe: Time to Paris!
Today is the last European summit where EU leaders will meet before the Paris Agreement's 5th birthday party, and there is still no agreement on the table to increase the EU's contribution to the UN, write Parents for Future Germany.
The future of cities: sustainable or bust
European leaders need to recognise that direct investment in cities is the best way to address the immediate needs of our citizens, whilst also responding to the causes of the climate crisis, writes Rafał Trzaskowski.
EU Parliament votes for 60% carbon emissions cut by 2030
The European Parliament voted on Tuesday (6 October) to update the EU’s climate target for 2030, backing a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade, up from 40% currently.
EU energy ministers back 2030 climate goal update, leave deal for later
Germany's Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said talks on Tuesday (6 October) between energy ministers from the 27 EU members had shown that a majority want to update the emissions-cutting target by 2030 for the bloc, on its way to climate neutrality by 2050.
MEP Canfin: ‘Fighting the climate crisis is the challenge of our generation’
The European Parliament will vote Tuesday (6 October) on the EU’s proposed Climate Law, which seeks to put Europe on track to reduce emissions to net-zero by 2050. “I expect the vote to be very tight,” says lawmaker Pascal Canfin.
Poland agrees to shut coal mines by 2049
Poland moved closer to ending its heavy reliance on coal Friday (25 September) as the government and miners' unions agreed a landmark plan to phase out mines by 2049.
UN, Britain plan online climate summit in December
The United Nations and Britain will host an online climate summit in December, the fifth anniversary of the Paris climate agreement, in a last-ditch bid to have countries meet a deadline to upgrade their emissions-cutting pledges.
Meeting the 2030 emissions targets: Mission possible?
Meeting the European Commission’s proposed climate target for 2030 will require a step change in emission reduction – nearly trebling the existing effort – and a considerable ramp up in renewable energy production, write Mike Parr and Gabriel Benchetrit.
Iberdrola to create new business unit to develop green hydrogen
Spanish utility Iberdrola said on Monday (21 September) it would create a new business unit aimed at developing green hydrogen to supply industry and heavy transport.
Spend it well – the EU’s €1.8 trillion problem
Europe has to rethink how it allocates resources to reach its climate targets, says Kirsten Dunlop. We need to change the way we do innovation, she argues.
VW races to meet EU target with new pooling deal
Volkswagen has brokered an "insurance policy" agreement with MG Motor that will allow the German carmaker to count the firm’s electric car sales alongside its own, in what is seen as a last ditch effort to comply with the EU’s 2020 CO2 emissions target.