About: CO2

2020 was hottest year ever in Europe

2020 was the warmest year recorded in Europe, breaking the previous 2019 record by 0.4°C,  according Copernicus, the EU's satellite earth observation system. Globally, the year tied with 2016 as the hottest on record.

EU failed to properly assess climate risk of gas projects, watchdog says

The European Commission granted priority status to natural gas projects without properly assessing their impact on climate change, the European Union's Ombudsman said in a decision on Tuesday (17 November).

EU Climate Law: ‘In nobody’s interest for Germany to ‘fall flat on its face’, says Renew MEP

After long negotiations, MEPs voted on Tuesday (6 October) in favour of further increasing the bloc's emissions target to 60% by 2030. In a double-interview with EURACTIV Germany, two German MEPs discuss what this could mean for the EU and Germany, as well as how the new target could be achieved.

EU lawmakers up the ante, vote for 60% climate target for 2030

The European Parliament's environment committee has voted for a new EU-wide target to reduce carbon emissions 60% by 2030, setting the stage for tough negotiations with EU countries and the European Commission, which is expected to propose a 55% goal next week. EURACTIV Germany reports.

German cabinet agrees CO2 price of €25 from January 2021

Germany's cabinet agreed on Wednesday (20 May) on changes to the climate package launched last September, and it is now certain that from January 2021, a price of €25 per tonne of CO2 will apply to the heat and transport sectors in Germany. EURACTIV Germany reports.

German CDU/CSU climate paper: A stab in Merkel’s back?

In a position paper, Germany's conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group opposed increasing the EU's climate target to 55% by 2030. While this has been the cause for much criticism from other parties, Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats do not believe this contradicts her words. EURACTIV Germany reports.

What will Germany’s coal phase-out mean for the EU carbon market?

When Germany eventually closes its coal-fired power plants, millions of CO2 pollution credits will be flushed into the EU emissions trading system, threatening to send the EU carbon market crashing. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Germany’s official 2018 emission figures are better than expected

Germany has sent the EU Commission its official emissions figures for 2018, which are slightly lower than the previous year. Most reductions were made in the energy sector, while transport and agriculture still lag behind. Yet, Germany will not miss its climate targets for this decade as was initially anticipated. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Could bacteria help recycle greenhouse gases in the future?

Could bacteria assist in the recycling of greenhouse gases in the future instead of releasing them into the atmosphere? European researchers are working to reverse the metabolism of intestinal bacteria that feed on CO2 so that they form products that can be used at an industrial level. EURACTIV Germany reports.

COP25: Major developing countries still reluctant to amend Paris Agreement to ‘foot climate bill’

Countries such as Brazil, China and Saudi Arabia, are criticising Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement and its carbon offsetting mechanism even though they are currently not footing the "climate bill". A stance which climate advocates fear will weaken the entire treaty. EURACTIV France reports.

German ministers urge EU to lead the way at COP25 in Madrid

At a Berlin conference to prepare for the UN's annual climate summit (COP25), Environment Minister Svenja Schulze and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stressed the EU's responsibility in closing the Paris Climate Agreement's remaining gaps, particularly by raising the targets at EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Fourteen mayors sign declaration to promote sustainable food policies in their cities

Fourteen cities announced on Thursday (10 October) that they would pay particular attention to the sustainable and healthy food supply in their cities in the future. This way, they aim to save 60% of the carbon emissions in the food sector. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Germany’s steel industry in transition

Germany's energy-intensive steel industry needs to reinvent itself so that it can meet European climate targets and remain competitive. However, there is still a long road to go before the sector goes green. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Environmentalists want revision of Germany’s newly-proposed climate package

The German climate cabinet presented its long-awaited draft of Germany's first climate protection law on Friday (20 September). But environmental organisations are already calling for the revision of the proposed carbon price for the transport and construction sector. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Expert: German carbon budget not compatible with current targets

In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Julia Hertin, the managing director of SRU, the German government's advisory board on environmental matters, spoke about the country's plans to introduce a climate protection bill, a carbon border tax and a trading scheme for carbon certificates. And she wants things to progress quickly.

German environmental groups: PtX-tech not ‘necessarily’ climate-friendly

So-called Power-to-X (PtX) technologies are seen as a good way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions because their potential for storing energy could stabilise the electricity grid. However, German environmental groups BUND and the Öko-Institut have criticised the technology. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Why we are far from imposing a tax on kerosene

France introduced a tax on airline tickets this week. However, this does not really replace a tax on kerosene, which continues to be tax-exempt across Europe. But why is the EU not introducing such a tax? EURACTIV Germany reports.

Germany’s coal phase-out bill to be ready by end 2019

The federal economic ministry has followed the German coal commission's recommendation by preparing a draft bill to phase-out coal power generation. However, things are going too slowly, according to the Greens. EURACTIV Germany reports.

France is a ‘good student with bad results’ when it comes to climate policy

France's independent advisory council on climate has highlighted the relevance of the country's carbon neutrality objective but considered it far from being a concrete reality as carbon emissions continue to be on the rise. EURACTIV France reports.

Climate Summit opens in Bonn as EU edges closer to carbon neutrality deal

A few days before the EU Summit, climate diplomats are gathering in Bonn to agree on rules for trading CO2 certificates and financial mechanisms designed to support developing countries, two agenda items from the Paris Agreement that remain unresolved. EURACTIV Germany reports.

What follows from China tariffs and the Juncker-Trump LNG talks?

It is a bit surprising to see the Commission chief advocating additional imports in the EU of US LNG, a fossil fuel which produces a lot of greenhouse gas emissions, writes Danila Bochkarev.

Stricter CO2 standards for vehicles are not the reason for job losses

Despite negative media reports, environmental regulation cannot be blamed for the coming upheavals in the automobile sector. Daniel Rieger explains.

EU car emissions post 2020: lighter vehicles for less CO2

In November 2017, the European Commission presented a legislative proposal setting new CO2 emission standards for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles for the period after 2020.