About: 2030 climate and energy targets
Fears for EU climate ambition as countries seek to weaken proposals
EU countries are seeking changes to a raft of new and revised climate policies, raising concerns these could be weakened and the EU could miss its 2030 emissions reduction target.
Czech EU Presidency ready to conclude on key climate legislation
Despite not being known for its ecological ambitions, Czechia wants to make climate and the environment the drivers of its upcoming EU Council presidency.
10 EU countries warn against watering down ambition in climate legislation
Climate ministers from ten EU countries have called on their fellow countries and the European Parliament not to lower the ambition of new climate legislation and to ensure that the overall package aims at reducing net emissions by at least 55% by 2030.
2030 land use targets need to reflect the complexities of different EU countries
The methodology for establishing 2030 net emissions and removal targets for EU countries in the ongoing revision of the land use directive (LULUCF) is too simplistic and must be changed to reflect the different circumstances of EU countries, writes Anna Zalewska.
No green and digital transition without raw materials, EU warns
Europe's transition to a sustainable and digital society is only possible with a strategic approach to the raw materials needed to manufacture chips, electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, the EU's internal market Commissioner Thierry Breton said on Monday (25 April).
Permitting issues risk derailing EU’s renewable energy targets, warns wind industry
Complex and slow permitting procedures are stalling the rollout of wind power in Europe, meaning the EU will likely miss its climate goals and be dependent on unreliable gas supplies for longer, the wind industry has warned.
Tracking progress to a well-being economy
Over time, the European Commission has developed many different sets of metrics to measure progress on economic, social or environmental objectives. The challenge now is to come up with a common narrative and a set of indicators that brings all of them together, writes Jonathan Barth.
Who will be the judge of countries’ climate plans?
Countries have until the end of next year to ensure their climate commitments meet the Paris agreement's cap on global warming. But who will check that their promises really do stack up?
Lawmakers slam EU support for fossil gas projects undermining Green Deal
Energy projects that are incompatible with Europe’s climate goals are about to be granted priority status by the European Commission, EU lawmakers warned on Thursday (11 November).OpinionPromoted content
Raise Your Glass: Decarbonising Production for the Container Glass Industry
Challenges that were unimaginable just a short while ago can be faced through human ingenuity and collaboration. Factories today are running around the clock to help meet the urgent demand for glass vials for Coronavirus vaccines. Container glass companies also face increasing market demand for a circular packaging solution that guarantees premium taste and quality preservation.
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.
Climate-focused investors give warm welcome to EU masterplan
A European Union climate masterplan to raise the cost of pollution and eliminate emissions is a step towards a single carbon price that many investors striving to make companies more sustainable say can help to engineer deeper change.
Finnish MEP: Sustainable forest management must be supported by EU climate legislation
Sustainable forest management is key to keeping Europe's forests healthy and must be supported by EU legislation in order to help meet the bloc's 2030 climate goals, according to Finnish MEP, Petri Sarvamaa.
EU plan puts spotlight on carbon sinks to tackle climate change
Europe will need to increase the amount of carbon stored by its forests and wetlands to meet a new, more ambitious target for carbon removals in Europe, according to a leaked policy draft seen by EURACTIV.
Make the Fit for 55 package fit for cities
Europe's new and revised climate legislation needs to enable cities to reach climate neutrality by mid-century, including by encouraging more building renovation and driving the transition to clean energy, European mayors write.
Europe’s ‘Fit for 55’ climate package: What to expect
On Wednesday (14 July), the European Commission is due to table a package of energy and climate laws aimed at reaching the EU's new, more ambitious climate goals. EURACTIV gives you the lowdown on the plan.
Why the renovation wave matters more than the EU knows
The unprecedented push for renovation across Europe needs to be in line with its climate ambition and work in synergy with the rest of the EU's climate legislation in order to fulfil its potential, writes Adeline Rochet and Pedro Guertler.
Spain joins campaign to phase out coal by 2030
Spain on Wednesday (30 June) joined an international campaign to set a date for closing all coal plants by 2030, signing up to a target it looks well-placed to beat by a wide margin.
The Green Brief: EU divisions loom over climate policy
With the EU’s new climate law passing in the European Parliament last week, there is now no doubt about whether EU lawmakers see the need to tackle climate change. Now they just need to answer the question of how to do this.
Why carbon capture on waste-to-energy facilities undermines climate action
Despite the initial impression that carbon capture and storage would be a good idea to reduce emissions from waste incineration plants, the climate will not benefit from this, argue Mick Wallace and Janek Vähk.
The EU needs to make its upcoming climate and energy legislative package ‘Fit for 1.5°C’
A post-covid Europe must make far more effort when it comes to tackling climate change. Even with its recently enhanced target of at least 55% emissions reduction by 2030, the EU still fails to keep us safe from a climate catastrophe, argues Wendel Trio.OpinionPromoted content
How an ambitious and rapid reform of the EU-ETS is essential to achieve the new climate objectives
2021 is a decisive year for climate action. Following the binding objective of carbon neutrality in the Climate Law, it is now urgent to align the various legislative texts with this ambition. Alexandre Perra is the EDF’s Group Senior Executive...
Greens join far-right in bid to stop EU climate law
The European Parliament on Thursday (24 June) gave its thumbs up to the EU's landmark climate law, despite opposition from the Greens who said the legislation didn't go far enough to protect people and the environment against dangerous climate change.