About: clean energy package
EU strikes early morning deal on energy governance bill
Negotiators from the European Commission, Parliament and Council struck a deal on the energy union governance regulation after an all-night session where they agreed to aim for a net-zero carbon economy "as early as possible," with a carbon budget and national strategies for 2050.
As it happened: Clean energy law hurdles cleared
EU negotiators meet once again this week for what promises to be final talks on two crucial energy files on energy governance and energy efficiency. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments, as well as to catch up on what has happened so far.
Claude Turmes MEP: A net-zero emissions target by 2050 will be our red line
Any country resisting an EU-wide objective to reduce emissions to net-zero by mid-century is essentially “in the same camp as Mr. Trump” when it comes to climate change, says Claude Turmes, the lead European Parliament negotiator on the Energy Union governance proposal.
Businesses, NGOs make joint plea for higher EU ambition on climate change
A unique coalition of businesses and investors representing over €21 trillion in assets have joined forces with local authorities and civil society groups to urge EU leaders to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy in order to keep global warming below 2°C.
Germany pours cold water on EU’s clean energy ambitions
Voters across Europe have lost faith in politics partly because of “unachievable targets” on renewable energy, said German Energy Minister Peter Altmaier, who rejected calls from a group of other EU countries to boost the share of renewables to 33-35% of the bloc’s energy mix by 2030.
Shifting politics offer fresh hope of EU deal on clean energy laws
The Bulgarian Presidency of the EU has tabled fresh options for the bloc’s energy ministers who are meeting on Monday (11 June) to finalise their position on three laws that will shape Europe’s energy and climate policy until 2030.
‘Mr Energy’ Claude Turmes quits as MEP
Greens/EFA MEP Claude Turmes will quit the European Parliament in June in order to join the Luxembourg government, it was confirmed today (29 May).
Clean energy innovation: How Europe can make a real difference
Public-private partnerships are vital to achieving the leap forward, deploying new clean technologies at scale and fast, writes Maroš Šefčovič.
Energy efficiency: Getting the full picture
The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), adopted in 2012 and currently under review, has been a key milestone to help deliver energy savings in Europe. But the reality is that we are not there yet in terms of primary energy savings, writes Hans Korteweg.
Energy transition goals lack ambition, local projects lead the way, study suggests
Energy transition in Europe is proceeding too slowly and Brussels is lacking ambition to fulfil the requirements of the Paris Agreement – those are the conclusions of the recently published "Energy Atlas" of the German Heinrich-Böll-Foundation. EURACTIV Germany reports.
New climate strategy will set out a pathway to meet higher targets
Last week, EU leaders sent a clear message to the European Commission to ramp up its work to implement the Paris Agreement and accelerate the ongoing transition away from fossil fuels, writes Wendel Trio.
Joint call for European ‘industrial leadership’ on renewables
A coalition of industries ranging from solar to geothermal and biomass has called on the incoming Austrian Presidency of the EU to support a target of “at least 35%” for renewable energies by 2030, saying it will provide a stable environment for investors.
Breaking the glass ceiling of EU climate policy
The request from EU leaders to see an update of the European Commission's 2050 low-carbon roadmap mandates a higher level of ambition from Europe on meeting climate goals also in 2030, writes Brook Riley.
Norway accepts EU energy rules, avoids dispute with Brussels
Norway's parliament approved the adoption of European Union energy rules on Thursday (22 March), over the objections of some centre-left parties, allowing the EU outsider to remain a full member of EU markets, the leader of the parliament said after the vote.
Fresh EU analysis makes case for higher renewables, energy saving goals
A new analysis by the European Commission’s energy directorate, seen by EURACTIV, updates existing scenarios for renewables and energy efficiency, taking into account the rapidly falling costs of solar and wind power.
Report: Green businesses double performance of fossil fuel peers
Clean energy investments have almost doubled the performance of fossil fuel energy stocks over the past year and a half, new figures have revealed. EURACTIV’s partner edie.net reports.
Brussels muddies waters on state aid for coal power
A European Commission decision on Wednesday (7 February) to approve state aid for emergency power plants – often gas or coal-fired – has been accused of complicating ongoing negotiations in the European Parliament.
EU lawmakers agree ‘flexible’ renewable energy targets for 2030
Political groups in the European Parliament have sealed an agreement Tuesday evening (16 January) on a proposed Energy Union governance bill, assigning a strict yet flexible timeline for EU countries to meet the bloc’s 2030 objectives on renewable energy, EURACTIV has learnt.
EU warned about ‘lost decade’ for renewables as costs continue to fall
The cost of generating electricity from renewable energies is set to reach new lows worldwide, according to projections by the International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA), published on Saturday (13 January).
People power? EU gets low marks on ‘energy communities’
When the European Commission tabled its Winter Package of clean energy laws in November 2016, there was a smell of revolution in the air, with Brussels pitching a future where citizens would be empowered to generate their own electricity, consume it locally and sell it back to the grid.
EU governments are self-sabotaging the clean energy drive
On Monday (18 December), the 28 European energy ministers will risk making the transition to a low carbon economy harder for themselves and more expensive for all of us, because of their self-sabotaging tendencies, warns Manon Dufour.
Corporate giants urge EU to back 35% renewables target
A coalition comprising some of the world’s biggest companies has urged EU energy ministers to back a 35% target for renewable energy when they meet in Brussels next Monday (18 December).
Energy Union vote opens EU Parliament rift
A partisan divide has emerged in the European Parliament over proposals to beef up the governance of the Energy Union, with conservative and centre-right lawmakers rejecting what they described as an “outdated”, “inflexible” approach supported by the Greens and left-wing parties.