About: CO2

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.

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.

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.

Nuclear energy is part of the solution to climate change

Nuclear energy can be considered a low carbon energy source which provides a solution to the challenge of meeting the increasing global demand for electricity, writes Jean-Pol Poncelet.

If COP21 cannot deliver a 2°C deal, what must it do?

With eight weeks until the close of COP21, it’s now clear how much more ambitious world leaders’ commitments must become in order to prevent irreversible climate change, writes Jeremy Woods.   

America is leading the CO2 reduction game

Europe needs to incentivise carbon capture and storage technology if it to keep up with the Americans on CO2 emissions reduction, argues Chris Davies.

Transport in the ETS? Still not a good idea

Car makers will not invest in low carbon technology while polluting is cheap. Strict emissions standards are the only way to decarbonise road transport and stimulate a modal shift, argues William Todts.

New partnerships will be required to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons

As nuclear power begins to take off in the developing world, the UN’s uranium bank in Kazakhstan will play an increasingly important role in preventing the spread of enrichment technology and ensuring security, writes Almaz Khamzayev.

The EU should wrest back leadership on climate change from the courts

A recent judgment by a Dutch court signals a trend towards the judiciary getting involved in setting climate policy. Lucas Bergkamp argues that this confuses the separation of powers, and that the EU should restore the balance.  

America’s challenge to European truck supremacy

American trucks have always lagged behind in terms of efficiency, but new US regulations will soon cause the tables to turn, argues William Todts. 

Decarbonising Europe: Fossil fuel subsidies must go

The Commission is organising a huge conference on decarbonising European transport this week, but remains unwilling to discuss government support for fossil fuels, writes Wendel Trio.

Higher international ambition needed on climate change

Ambitious national plans are needed to tackle climate change, but responsibility for change rests with all of us, not just with governments, writes Aileen McLeod.

EFSI must deliver a sustained and sustainable economic recovery in Europe

The Juncker Plan is a golden opportunity to deliver investment and prosperity to the areas that need them most, argues Ingrid Holmes.

EU climate package cannot be held hostage by shortsighted solutions

It is not possible for Western European countries to consider Central and Eastern Europeans on the same level of development, like it is not possible for them to reconsider common minimum targets on reduction of emissions, energy efficiency and the energy mix share of renewables, writes Floris Faber.

New climate rules for cars will save billions

Connie Hedegaard, the EU Climate Action commissioner, argues that tougher standards for automotive carbon emissions are good Europe’s long-term economic and environmental health.

Negotiate a world carbon price signal, now

Every country in the world should each make a commitment to introduce a carbon price aligned with a scientifically-validated international standard, say Stéphane Dion and Éloi Laurent.

The meaning of Europe’s energy dependency

While the EU is discussing the further steps to Europe’s 'greener economy' as a way to emerge from the financial crisis, its energy dependency on 'dirty fuels' has failed to be addressed, writes Elena Gerebizza of the Campaign for the Reform of the World Bank.