About: CO2

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.

EU unveils proposal to clean up transport, boost electric vehicles

The European Commission proposed on Wednesday (8 November) a legislative package aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in road transport and encouraging the uptake of electric cars, in an attempt to help Europe's car industry remain competitive in the face of growing pressure from the US and China.

Vattenfall CEO: Decarbonising electricity can boost its use for transport, heating and cooling

Europe should accelerate the decarbonisation of electricity in order to encourage its use for transportation and other sectors. The end game is a fossil free system where we could use a lot more green electricity, Vattenfall CEO Magnus Hall told EURACTIV.com.

Does Brexit offer a ‘golden opportunity’ to pursue EU ETS alternatives?

As the British MPs this week waved through the bill to withdraw from the European Union, the debate surrounding the country’s future involvement in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) intensified with a lively debate in parliament. EURACTIV’s media partner Edie.net reports.

Paris withdraws plans for carbon tax on coal

Pressure from the miners' and energy workers' union CGT forced the French government to back down on extending the carbon tax to coal-fired power stations. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.

Paris set to miss COP21 commitments

The French capital cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 9.2% between 2004 and 2014. But this is not enough to reach its 25% target by 2020. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.

Biodiesel worse for the environment than fossil fuels, warn green campaigners

Instead of reducing emissions, using biodiesel in transport will increase polluting emissions by 4%, the same as putting an extra 12 million cars on the road in 2020, green campaigners have said.

Debate: The future of organic agriculture in the EU

Organic plays an increasing role in EU agriculture. There's also an ongoing trialogue negotiation on organic regulation review among the Parliament, Commission and the Member States.

Adjusting the EU’s climate targets to meet the Paris Agreement

There is no doubt that the Paris climate talks last December surpassed expectations, but we are running out of time to keep the global temperature change below 1.5°C, writes Bert Metz.

Poland goes to Court of Justice over ETS

The Polish government has decided to mount a legal offensive against the Emissions Trading Scheme reform. It contends that the market stability reserve (MSR) will be introduced too early, which would distort the market. EURACTIV Poland reports.

A brief history of emissions

As COP 21 edges towards its conclusion and as national delegations struggle to reach a final agreement, it is time to look back.

Scientists, space agencies race to be the first ‘climate cop’

Scientists from the United States, Japan, and China are racing to perfect satellite technology that could one day measure greenhouse gas emissions from space, potentially transforming the winner into the world's first climate cop.

Future carbon market: The Far East

SPECIAL REPORT / While the price of carbon remains low, support for pricing schemes is growing. Asia will soon overtake Europe as the home of the world’s biggest carbon markets. EURACTIV France reports.