About: fossil fuels
Germany could quit fossil fuels by 2035
Germany could shift all of its current electricity demand onto solar, wind and batteries within the next 10 years for just €35.2 billion per year and could be completely energy self-sufficient by 2035 for less than it currently spends on fossil fuels, writes Nafeez Ahmed.OpinionPromoted content
Energy-efficient heating and cooling is essential for a resilient future.
Heating & cooling account for half of the final energy consumption in Europe, and most of this is still based on fossil fuels. Energy efficiency is the foundation for decarbonizing this essential sector. To make it happen, we need strong political signals – now – says Jürgen Fischer, President at Danfoss Climate Solutions.OpinionPromoted content
Safe at Home: Cutting Fossil Fuel Imports Through Renovation
Fears of leaving Europeans unable to heat their homes have led to governments allocating billions of euros for energy bill rebates, in some cases even pledging to freeze gas and electricity tariffs. Spending on this scale will not be sustainable...
Cleaning Poland’s air: EU hopes for green heating from Warsaw
As fossil fuels continue to be burned to produce heat, Europe’s air quality suffers. With many of these fossil fuels coming from Russia, EU policymakers are seeing an opportunity to speed up their phase-out.
German study slams crop-based biofuels as ‘a cure worse than the disease’
Crop-based biofuels are as damaging to the climate as fossil fuels, a new study by environmental NGO Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has found. But industry has been quick to reject the study, dismissing its findings as “erroneous” and “misleading”.
The missing element of Europe’s energy and climate security policy
The implementation of the energy and climate security policies in Europe calls for the introduction of new evidence-based policy instruments for monitoring the progress of member-states, such as a EU Energy Security Risks Index, write Ruslan Stefanov and Martin Vladimirov.
EU decision makers can supercharge the shift to electric vehicles
Despite progress, barriers remain to electric vehicle (EV) uptake in eastern and southern Europe. But the right EU policies can speed up the electric mobility shift across the continent, benefiting consumers and the environment, argue Monique Goyens and Julia Poliscanova.
Pressure mounts as UN climate negotiations enter final day
Negotiators at the UN climate summit in Glasgow are expected to lock horns on Friday (12 November) for what is scheduled to be the final day of bargaining over how to stop global warming from becoming catastrophic.
Hedge fund billionaire calls for higher capital requirements for fossil fuel financing
Days before the Commission is expected to publish its proposal to change capital requirements rules, billionaire hedge fund manager Chris Hohn called for a stricter treatment of fossil fuel investments in banks’ balance sheets. His call is supported by activists and experts who fear the effects of climate change on financial stability
Planned fossil fuel output ‘vastly exceeds’ climate limits, says UN
Despite pledges of action from many nations, almost none have policies to wind down production, report says. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
Summer controversy illustrates polarisation of hydrogen debate
An August research paper by two US scholars, Robert Howarth and Mark Jacobson, cast doubt over the environmental merits of 'blue' hydrogen made from fossil gas with carbon capture technology, triggering fierce reactions from commentators and the industry.
Spain says EU rejects its request to change power pricing mechanism
The European Commission has rejected a Spanish request to change the rules that underpin member states' electricity markets as power prices in the country hit record highs, Spain's Energy and Environment Minister Teresa Ribera said on Thursday (12 August).
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.