About: coal

EU Commission documents reveal fund that pays coal lobby staff

Internal EU documents show that a European Commission fund invests €40 million per year into coal research projects. The money also goes towards personnel costs for Europe's main coal lobby organisation.

Poland under pressure to ‘walk the talk’ on coal phase-out

Environmental activists are raising the pressure on Poland and other EU member states to clarify their coal phase-out plans, saying countries receiving EU energy transition funds cannot “have their cake and eat it”.

Western Balkans pump subsidies worth €1.2 billion into coal

Western Balkan countries, which have set their sights on EU membership, are still propping up coal power with large public subsidies worth more than €1.2 billion, a new report revealed on Monday (25 March). The subsidies are not in line with EU regulations or decarbonisation efforts.

The burden of coal at the doorstep of the Energy Union

At a time when the EU strives to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, coal still represents more than half of electricity across much of the Western Balkans and other EU neighbouring countries, writes Janez Kopač. Making things worse, coal plants are intensively supported by Chinese and US capital, without active opposition of the EU, he says.

Germany’s coal phase out plans must accelerate to meet Paris goals

Germany needs to phase out coal-fired power by 2030 in order to maximise the economic and social benefits of the zero-carbon transition, and deliver its commitment as part of the Paris Agreement, writes Nigel Topping.

Greece gives investors another week for coal plant bids

Greece has given investors another week to 15 January to submit binding bids for three coal-fired power plants and a licence to build another one, a senior energy ministry official told Reuters on Monday (7 January).

COP24: Return of king coal

Poland is hosting lobbying for coal and fossil fuels of a scale that has rarely been seen during an annual UN conference on climate (COP). The EU is turning a blind eye to this new facet of its ‘enfant terrible.’ EURACTIV France reports.

European public banks continue financing coal bonanza

The EIB and EBRD have been channelling billions of euros in public money to fossil fuels dependent companies, hampering the international community's efforts to tackle climate change, writes Anna Roggenbuck.

EU energy watchdog urges Bosnia not to accept Chinese loan

The EU energy watchdog urged a Bosnian regional parliament on Thursday (27 September) not to approve a government guarantee for a China Exim Bank loan that is designed to help power utility EPBiH add a new unit at its Tuzla coal-fired power plant.

Socially just energy transition for coal workers no pie in the sky, study finds

As the UN's climate chief called for more "urgency" from negotiators at the ongoing Bangkok climate talks, a new international report found that a socially just transition is already feasible for coal workers and communities, while a global decline in coal production is expected.

Poland’s ‘last coal power plant’ faces €1.7 billion loss, analysts say

The planned phase-out of state aid to fossil fuel power generation across the European Union could make the Ostrołęka C coal station project unprofitable within years, according to a new report by Carbon Tracker, a think tank.

Has Bulgaria’s coal industry hit rock bottom?

One of Bulgaria’s cornerstone coal mines has been forced to shut down, raising questions over the future of energy production and employment in the region, as well as coal’s future in the country, write Violeta Keremdchieva and Ellen Baker.

Germany launches coal commission in a bid to protect climate and jobs

After being postponed three times, Germany’s government has appointed the long-awaited commission which is to define a roadmap for the country’s coal phase-out. It will have a double mandate: to protect both the climate and jobs.

Leaked: Germany’s planned coal commission shows little interest for the climate

While Berlin has postponed for a third time the launch of the highly anticipated coal commission, a leaked document obtained by EURACTIV.com shows that the roadmap focuses more on the restructuring coal-dependent German regions than on reducing CO2.

China, the Western Balkans and the EU: Can three tango?

With China pouring loans into the Western Balkans, the EU must step in to ensure this money benefits the region, writes Wawa Wang.

Coal power decline ‘not fast enough’ to meet UN climate goals

The number of coal-fired power plants built worldwide fell steeply over the past two years, but emissions are too high to keep global warming within relatively safe levels, campaigners said on Thursday (22 March).

Believe it or not, the EU can look to the US for inspiration on ending coal subsidies

In January this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) of the United States unanimously rejected proposals by the Trump administration that would have allowed coal subsidies under the guise of energy "resilience". This is exactly the principle that should now guide EU legislators, writes Joanna Flisowska.

Germany’s energy and climate policy is taking shape

The coalition agreement between the German Conservatives and the Social Democrats outlines a relatively ambitious energy policy. EURACTIV’s partner Le Journal de l’environnement reports.

Bulgaria joins Poland in court case against Commission-led crackdown on coal

Bulgaria will join Poland in an appeal against a European Commission decision to impose stricter limits on toxic pollutants coal-fired plants emit, the government said on Wednesday (10 January).

Macedonian smog envelopes cities, emergency measures introduced

As 2017 ended and 2018 began, Macedonia took emergency measures against dense smog enveloping its cities, an annual winter scourge in the Western Balkans blamed on a mix of coal burning, ageing industry and high-polluting emissions from older vehicles.

UK government spells out plan to shut down coal plants

One of the UK’s eight remaining coal power stations is expected to cease generating electricity this year, the government has said as it laid out new rules that will force all the plants to close by 2025. EURACTIV's partner The Guardian reports.

EU must not burn the world’s forests for ‘renewable’ energy

A flaw in Europe’s clean energy plan allows fuel from felled trees to qualify as renewable energy when in fact this would accelerate climate change and devastate forests, warn a group of scientists from the world’s leading universities.

EU shouldn’t allow Greek violation of environmental legislation

It is no secret that the Public Power Corporation (PPC) heavily influences the Greek government, but the EU institutions should step in to prevent a violation of European environmental legislation, writes Nikos Mantzaris.