About: decarbonisation

Expert: Commission should expose weaknesses in national transport decarbonisation plans

The European Commission should ask member states to provide cost assessments of carbon abatement in their transport decarbonisation plans, but also to compare "alternative paths to decarbonisation" and look beyond Europe for inspiration, an international expert on agricultural issues told EURACTIV.com.

Study: No EU country has calculated transport decarbonisation costs

The EU risks missing its target to decarbonise transport by 2030, as in the current draft plans of member states, there is no cost-effectiveness calculation of the different proposed measures, a study has found.

EU climate official: Innovation fund will help decarbonise metals production

The production of non-ferrous metals such as aluminium is very energy-intensive, but new technologies are being developed to decarbonise the process and the European Commission is ready to finance them, says Mauro Petriccione.

Aluminium sector illustrates close link between trade and climate policy

New production methods and uses are making aluminium a material of choice for European policymakers looking to decarbonise the economy. But a flood of cheap carbon-intensive aluminium from China could complicate these efforts.

Greece vows €35 billion investment for energy transition

The Greek ministry of energy has finally submitted a new national energy and climate plan to the European Commission. It aims to reduce dependence on lignite power and increase the use of renewable energy. EURACTIV Greece reports.

Brussels remains guarded over ‘capacity mechanisms’ for power plants

The European Commission is trying to limit the development of so-called capacity mechanisms, which some member states have put in place as a way of ensuring electricity supply in situations of peak demand. EURACTIV France reports.

Future of gas: Decarbonise or go bust

Widely accepted as a “transition fuel” until 2030 to help wean Europe from coal, gas is also positioning itself as a clean fuel in its own right beyond that date. But meeting the EU’s 2050 climate goals will require a deep transformation of the sector, amid growing competition from solar and wind power.

Without carbon tax, we are heading for climate doom

A high tax on carbon emissions is strictly necessary to halt climate change, according to Gaël Giraud, chief economist in the French development agency (AFD). EURACTIV’s partner Journal de l’Environnement reports.

Scrapping old cars and boilers: Hulot’s first measures for decarbonising France

The French minister for ecological transition and solidarity fleshes out four measures of his climate plan. EURACTIV’s partner Journal de l’Environnement reports.

Germans ready to ditch cars in favour of buses, trains and bikes

German motorists are ready, in theory at least, to abandon their cars in favour of buses, trains and bikes, according to a new study. EURACTIV’s partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.

Commission and member states clash over capacity mechanisms

The European Commission fears that capacity mechanisms would just translate into subsidies for coal power plants. Therefore, installations exceeding emission limits should not take part in support schemes, according to a proposal under the Energy Union's Winter Package. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.

Germany’s ‘horror catalogue’ 2050 climate plan criticised from all sides

Environmental groups have criticised Germany's divisive 2050 climate protection plan for being too lax, whereas the country's ruling coalition think it is too stringent. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.

EU’s decarbonisation plans scrutinised by divided transport industry

EU Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc has to make good on a few promises she made before the summer break.

Norwegian gas giant insists on rapid coal phase out

A phase-out of coal has long been on the cards. Now, a study by Norwegian energy giant Statoil has shown that it needs to be done quickly if climate targets are to be met. EURACTIV’s partner WirtschaftsWoche reports.

NGO: Truck emissions limits crucial to achieving EU climate goals

Introducing EU-wide CO2 standards for trucks would bring significant savings and place Europe on track to fulfil its Paris climate commitments to cap global warming, a new study has found.

Palm oil production up, as forests pay the price

Palm oil biofuels are having a disastrous impact when it comes to deforestation and carbon footprint. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.

UN report: economic growth and decarbonisation ‘two sides of same coin’

The deep decarbonisation of developed economies, such as the EU, can go along with economic growth, according to a report published by the United Nations this week.

Power sector warns of costly ‘lost decade’ of energy, climate inaction

Without early investment signals, Europe faces a ‘lost decade’ of climate and energy policy inaction between 2020-2030, culminating in a mind-bogglingly expensive sprint to decarbonise in the last two decades before 2050, according to a new report by the European association of electricity producers, Eurelectric.

Energy budget cuts will hit EU’s low-carbon ambitions: Official

Cuts to the energy infrastructure package in the EU's new budget will increase costs and delays to the European Commission’s plans for a low carbon economy by 2050, Philip Lowe, the EU’s top energy civil servant said on Friday (8 February).