About: fossil fuel subsidies
‘Very big tasks ahead’ in EU climate law negotiations
There are still many outstanding issues, particularly on climate ambition, after the fourth round of negotiations on Europe’s climate law closed on Friday (12 March), according to Jytte Guteland, the lead negotiator from the European Parliament.
US plans to end fossil fuel finance overseas, mirroring EU
US President Joe Biden has pledged to end public funding of ‘carbon-intensive’ fossil fuel projects overseas, bringing America in line with EU plans. However, the wording may leave the door open to gas, writes EURACTIV's media partner, Climate Home News.
EU states spent more on fossil fuels than clean energy during the crisis, new data shows
France, Germany and Italy have collectively spent $44 billion on fossil fuels during the coronavirus crisis, compared to $29 billion for clean energy, according to fresh data released on Wednesday (15 July).
Germany to sit out decisive EIB vote as fossil fuel row continues
Germany is preparing to abstain from a vote on the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) future energy lending policy on Thursday (14 November). Internal government disputes continue to scuttle attempts to form a common position on scrapping fossil fuel funding.
EU countries have ‘no concrete plans’ to phase out fossil fuel subsidies: report
Not a single EU member state has so far spelled out a comprehensive plan to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, despite a commitment taken at the G20 ten years ago to eliminate them, according to a fresh analysis of the bloc’s 28 National Energy and Climate Plans.
G7 Leaders, take a stand for Africa!
Africa is still heavily reliant on coal. To protect the climate, leading industrialised countries should help Africa to invest in clean growth and leapfrog to renewables, says former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
EU fossil gas investments undermine bloc’s climate goals, campaigners say
The European Union's investment arm risks torpedoing the bloc's commitment to abide by the Paris climate goals by financing billions of euros worth of new natural gas infrastructure projects, new analysis said Thursday (13 June).
Time for EU bank to comply with EU’s climate objectives
As the European Investment Bank (EIB) holds a meeting in Brussels today (25 February) to consult the public on its new energy policy, Wendel Trio reflects on the role the EU’s bank should have in tackling the climate crisis.
UK revealed as EU champion of fossil fuel subsidies
The United Kingdom spends the most in the EU on subsidising fossil fuels, according to a new report by the European Commission, which also found that EU-wide payments have failed to decrease despite the bloc’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Greenpeace study throws light on Europe’s ‘hidden energy subsidies’
Figures compiled by the environmental pressure group Greenpeace highlight the lack of transparency about the amount of cash disbursed by national governments to support back-up power plants – mainly fossil fuels and nuclear.
G7 countries pour $100bn a year into oil, gas and coal: study
Each year, at least US$100 billion goes to support the production and consumption of oil, gas and coal, according to a major new study published on Monday (4 June). That is despite a promise from all G7 and G20 members to stop subsidising fossil fuels by 2025.
IEA scenarios ‘inconsistent’ with Paris climate goals, study warns
The International Energy Agency has wrongly guided governments into decisions about oil, gas and coal use that are inconsistent with the long-term climate objectives of the Paris Agreement, according to a new report out on Thursday (5 April).
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.
Room for hope at Macron’s One Planet Summit
French President Emmanuel Macron will this week welcome over 50 leaders from around the world, two years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement. Leaders and international financial institutions must seize this opportunity to ramp up their ambition and end support for fossil fuels, writes Maeve McLynn.
Europe is not fighting hard enough to keep out coal subsidies
To prevent coal subsidies, the European Commission proposed a CO2 threshold for power plants to receive public subsidies. However, due to last minute edits from current EU President, Estonia, the door will be open for existing high-carbon power plants to receive public money to stay online, writes Kathrin Gutmann.
Transport sucks up nearly half of Europe’s fossil fuel subsidies, report finds
European countries spend more than €112 billion per year subsidising oil, gas and coal production or consumption – including tax breaks on highly-polluting diesel – despite a pledge to phase out fossil fuels completely by 2020.
EU still divided over curbing power subsidies with CO2 cap
A European Commission proposal to put an emissions limit on what power plants can be subsidised continues to divide the member states but the EU executive and the European Parliament stand united in supporting the CO2 cap.
Fossil fuel subsidies racking up trillions in health costs
Health costs related to fossil fuel use outweigh taxpayer-funded subsidies by 600%, according to a new study that insists governments should stop pumping money into dirty energy sources.
Can the invisible hand guide us towards a decarbonised energy system?
Prices for many sources of energy do not reflect their true environmental and social costs, writes Thomas Nowak who proposes abolishing fossil fuel subsidies as one of four necessary measures to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy.
EU should pave the way for G20 fossil fuel subsidy phase-out
The EU must step up and lead the push for the world’s big economies to end fossil fuel subsidies, writes Maeve McLynn.
Backdoor for coal subsidies remains half open under new EU rules
While it may seem like a gesture to coal-dependent countries such as Poland, the Winter Package of EU energy market rules, presented yesterday (30 November), will make using coal subsidies more difficult, writes Izabela Zygmunt.
Leaked EU energy package subsidises fossil fuels, undermines renewables
EXCLUSIVE / The EU claims to be promoting an ambitious agenda at the Marrakesh climate conference, but its latest piece of energy legislation could subsidise new coal capacity and undermine market access for renewables. EURACTIV France reports.
Energy and climate change all-important to new EU
As the debate over priorities for EU reform post-Brexit ramps up, misguided attempts to avoid political tensions are undermining popular and necessary action on energy and climate change, writes Nick Mabey.