About: fossil fuels
France fails to adopt clear position on future gas funding
As EU energy ministers agreed last week to phase out gas-hydrogen blending projects, France did not adopt a clear position on the matter even if this means prolonging the bloc’s reliance on fossil fuels. EURACTIV France reports.
Shell ordered to slash emissions 45% by 2030 in historic court ruling
A Dutch court has ordered Royal Dutch Shell to cut its emissions 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, in a landmark ruling. EURACTIV's media partner, Climate Home News, reports.
Spain to end fossil fuel production by 2042 under new climate law
Spain’s 2030 emission reduction target lags other EU countries but the government won praise for committing to end coal, oil and gas production. EURACTIV’s media partner, Climate Home News, reports. A decade after it was first called for, Spain has...
NGOs claim Total CEO abused role on top university’s board
NGOs and the Ecole Polytechnique's sNGOs and the Ecole Polytechnique's student association have filed a complaint against Total CEO Patrick Pouyanné, alleging he abused his role on the university's board, which last year approved Total's plans to build a new research and innovation centre on its campus. EURACTIV France reports.tudent association have filed a complaint against Total CEO Patrick Pouyanné and X, alleging he abused his role on the university's board, which approved Total's plans to build a new research and innovation centre on its campus. EURACTIV France reports.
EU urged to keep ‘low-carbon fuels’ out of renewable energy mix
A group of 88 lawmakers in the European Parliament have joined environmental NGOs and the renewable energy industry to demand the exclusion of low-carbon fossil fuels from the upcoming revision of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive.
EXCLUSIVE: Brussels ties with fossil fuel industry revealed
Three top officials in Ursula von der Leyen's green-oriented European Commission – Josep Borrell, Stella Kyriakides and Adina Vălean – have until recently had ties with the fossil fuel industry, according to new research revealed exclusively by EURACTIV.
Hiding fossil fuel subsidies under clean energy targets?
To safeguard climate targets’ integrity against greenwashing measures, transparent rules should be in place, write Vlasios Oikonomou and Haris Doukas.
Portugal on track to become coal-free by year end
The Sines coal plant in Portugal went offline at midnight yesterday evening (14 January), leaving the country with just one remaining coal power station in operation, which is scheduled for closure in November.
Clean Gas Technologies: What opportunities for the EU?
According to the European Commission, renewable and low-carbon hydrogen is a key building block towards a climate-neutral and zero-pollution economy in 2050, by replacing most fossil fuels and feedstock. It can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions ahead of 2030...
While coal premiums soar, insurance groups still supports oil and gas
Insurance companies have accelerated their withdrawal from coal this year, making it costlier to secure insurance for new projects. However, the insurance industry is still underwriting oil and gas companies, according to new research.
IEA: States should invest $3 trillion in sustainable energy
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has presented its COVID-19 economic programme to facilitate the transition to an environmentally friendly energy economy. In doing so, it has distanced itself unusually clearly from the fossil market and is focusing entirely on renewables. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Merkel reaffirms support for raising EU’s 2030 climate target to 50-55%
Chancellor Angela Merkel has insisted that the European Green Deal must be the driving force behind Europe's economic recovery plan. However, Germany has, so far, bailed out its fossil fuel industry like no other EU member state - and it's still a long way away from presenting its national climate plan. EURACTIV Germany reports.
France calls for carbon price floor to counter oil crash
The COVID-19 crisis should strengthen Europe’s resolve to achieve the climate objectives of the Paris Agreement by triggering policies that maintain fossil fuel prices above a minimum level, French authorities have said.
Germany needs more LNG to complement renewables, IEA says
The International Energy Agency has praised Germany's push for wind and solar power but urged the country to increase LNG imports in order to reach its 65% renewable energy target for 2030. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Climate emergency requires real action now, not building new LNG terminals and gas pipelines
With the so-called fourth PCI List of energy infrastructure projects now approved in the European Parliament, the battle for a future-proof EU energy policy continues, write MEPs Jutta Paulus and Marie Toussaint.
Oil and gas sector ‘losing its social licence to operate’, UK boss warns
Tim Eggar, chairman of the UK's Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), sent shockwaves through the industry on Wednesday (15 January) when he said growing public awareness about climate change was putting the sector's very survival at stake.
COP25: Connecting the dots on climate finance
As negotiators in Madrid are trying to break the impasse on global climate finance governance, tectonic shifts in the real economy are signaling changing tides for the oil & gas industry. Far from being separate adjustments, these changes are part of a one, large movement where Europe is at the fore-front. MEP Bas Eickhout explained to EURACTIV why.
Green finance sector expected to discuss issue of climate justice at COP25
Just before the COP25, which will take place in Madrid from 2-13 December, France's leading financial institutions discussed the issue of climate justice and corporate social responsibility at the Climate Finance Day, which took place in Paris on 29 November. EURACTIV France reports.
Juncker Commission stalls EU climate bank in starting blocks
While the European Investment Bank is making efforts to end fossil fuel funding, the Juncker Commission is doing its best to frustrate it – and to undermine Ursula von der Leyen, writes WWF’s Sébastien Godinot.
UN climate summit, day #2: Few announcements in the end – ‘How dare you’
Over this special series on the UN climate action summit (23-25 September), EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on in New York and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: An angry Greta Thunberg, a technical Angela Merkel, a passive Donald Trump and four ambitious EU member states.
As the sun sets on oil, the sun will rise on solar power
When shares in Saudi Aramco eventually go public, there will doubtless be a feeding frenzy on what promises to be the largest initial public offering ever seen. More significantly, the move would also signal Saudi Arabia’s recognition that sunset for fossil fuel is just over the horizon, writes Jonathan Gornall.
Germany eager to become global leader in developing hydrogen technologies
Germany intends to invest €100 million annually into the research of hydrogen technologies. This could be the business of the future, as well as the country's next top export. However, the future of green gas is still extremely shaky. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Pope Francis calls for ‘radical energy transition’ to stem global warming
Pope Francis said on Friday (14 June) that carbon pricing is “essential” to stem global warming – his clearest statement yet in support of penalising polluters – and appealed to climate change deniers to listen to science.