About: Climate Change
Is nuclear the overlooked solution for Europe’s energy woes?
Following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, Germany sped up plans to shut down all its nuclear plants. Given the current energy crisis, such decisions should be revisited,writes Timur Tllyaev.
A united world order is needed to tackle the climate crisis
2022 has seen deepening divisions between countries, driven in part by the war in Ukraine and skyrocketing fuel and food prices. As policymakers look to tackle the climate crisis, they should focus on global, harmonised measures rather than bilateral decisions that could deepen divides, writes Carne Ross.
Europe should dream big and start the gas exit now
True energy independence means a complete phase out of natural gas from the energy system and its replacement with renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency, write Martin Dimitrov and Kostantsa Rangelov.
Climate impact of flying could be two thirds higher than thought
The EU's proposed green aviation law overlooks the true climate cost of flying, with the non-CO2 effects of air travel producing two to four times the impact of carbon emissions, a Greens MEP has said.
Soil conservation must be priority, says Indian leader of new global campaign
There is an urgent need to focus on soil conservation, a global campaign originating in India is arguing in an attempt to highlight the threat to one of nature’s greatest resources.
Germany’s global hydrogen plans could accelerate climate change
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck plans to import hydrogen from all over the world to satisfy Germany's hunger for energy despite a new study questioning the climate-friendliness of hydrogen transport. EURACTIV Germany reports.
FAO official: EU’s rethinking of food system fundamentals is legit amid Ukraine, COVID, climate crises
It is understandable that the EU is reorganising the fundamentals of its agricultural model in terms of strategic autonomy after the Ukraine war and the effects of both COVID-19 and climate crises, an official of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation told EURACTIV in an interview.
Brussels debate: Russia’s ‘Trojan horses’ need to break away from the Kremlin
When Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007, the Russian ambassador to NATO and the EU named it one of the Kremlin’s “Trojan horses”, referring to the power Russia could exert on the EU through its new ties to Brussels.
Europe needs to strengthen adaptative measures – new UN climate report
It is no longer enough for countries, including those in Europe, to lower emissions in the face of global warming, according to the UN's International Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which also recommended strengthening adaptive measures. EURACTIV France reports.
MEPs, Commission share concerns over ‘severe’ Iberian drought
As Spain and Portugal are hit by the worst drought in 15 years, MEPs have voiced worries over the situation. EU Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli raised hopes that support could come from funds in the EU's farming subsidies programme.
Open letter: EU must support a just rural transformation in Africa’s Sahel
Growing instability across Africa’s Sahel threatens the livelihoods of millions, promotes migration across the region and to Europe, and puts at risk the very survival of some states, argue H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou and Catherine Chabaud. H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou...
Protectionism is a dead-end street for Europe, climate neutrality is the key
Disruption, transition, transformation, structural change – Europeans today face several megatrends – climate change and the need to decarbonise our economies; digitalisation and the need to re-think workplace organisation; de-globalisation and the need to remain economically relevant, writes Sandra Parthie.
Extreme weather kills 140,000 Europeans in 40 years: report
Extreme weather events such as heatwaves and floods have cost Europe almost 510 billion euros and around 142,000 lives over the past 40 years, according to a new report published Thursday.
Drought prompts Portugal to order hydropower dams to limit water use
Facing a worrying winter drought, Portugal's government on Tuesday (2 February) ordered some of the country's hydropower dams to temporarily limit water use for electricity production and irrigation, prioritising human consumption instead.
Climate change is citizens’ main priority in EU reform agenda
Forty-four per cent of Europeans believe that climate change should be a priority topic at the Conference on the Future of Europe, according to a new Eurobarometer survey commissioned by the European Parliament and the European Commission.
The missing element of Europe’s energy and climate security policy
The implementation of the energy and climate security policies in Europe calls for the introduction of new evidence-based policy instruments for monitoring the progress of member-states, such as a EU Energy Security Risks Index, write Ruslan Stefanov and Martin Vladimirov.
No Nord Stream, no problem
With the Nord Stream 2 project, Gazprom’s goal to assert complete control over Europe’s gas supply is within reach because this geopolitically charged pipeline will destroy the existing transit ecosystem, writes Sergiy Makogon.
Polish Green MP: Sadly, the German Greens couldn’t stop Nord Stream 2
While the German Greens in the coalition government succeeded in blocking Nord Stream 2 at the certification stage, there are fears the SPD could prevail, and the pipeline becomes operational, according to Urszula Zielińska, a Polish MP in an interview with EURACTIV.
German ministers to push for end of agri-subsidies in Brussels
Environment Minister Lemke and Agriculture Minister Özdemir displayed unity at a joint appearance on Tuesday (18 January). The two Green ministers want to advocate an end to direct agricultural payments and increased organic production.
French CAP plan prioritises legumes, hedges and carbon farming
France's national strategic plan for the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), which was submitted to the European Commission at the end of 2021, prioritises legume production, the planting of hedges and carbon farming. EURACTIV France reports.
Put co-innovation at the heart of EU green external relations
The EU needs to intensify its cooperation on green innovation with other parts of the world, writes Mats Engström.
US gas stocks normalise, warm winter allows LNG exports to Europe
US natural gas stocks returned to normal by the end of last year as a result of an exceptionally mild start to the heating season and high prices, which encouraged coal-fired power generation rather than gas burning.
EU scientists say 2021 was world’s fifth-hottest year on record
Last year was the world's fifth hottest on record, while levels of planet-warming carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere hit new highs in 2021, European Union scientists said.