About: fossil fuels
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.
Coal commission keeps out of lignite mine expansion dispute
Germany’s coal commission will not give any recommendation regarding mining-owner RWE’s plans to continue clearing forest for the planned extension of the Hambach lignite mine in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. In its third meeting, the commission heard experts’ views on the implications of the country’s climate goals for the coal sector. EURACTIV's media partner Clean Energy Wire reports.
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.
Ireland commits to divesting public funds from fossil fuel companies
Ireland committed to divesting public funds from fossil fuel companies on Thursday after parliament passed a bill forcing the €8.9 billion Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) to withdraw money invested in oil, gas and coal.
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.
Conducting the new energy orchestra – or is it a circus?
The decarbonisation of electric power, and the electrification of energy, is unstoppable. Whether it will be rapid enough to prevent the coming climate crisis is uncertain and will demand vision from politicians, industry leaders and energy providers, writes Andrew Steer.
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).
Double-counted renewables will increase dependency on fossil fuels
The EU Council's proposal for double or even multiple counting of advanced biofuels and green electricity consumption will increase Europe's dependency on fossil fuels to cover "real" energy needs, something which conflicts with the principal objective of the RED II legislation.
Pro-Gazprom bias detected in European Parliament vote on PCIs
A motion introduced by the Green group to oppose “projects of common interest” based on fossil fuels was rejected by a large majority of MEPs last week (March 14), but among those who supported it were MEPs who traditionally support Russia.
Synthetic fossil fuels: A dieselgate 2.0 in the making?
Audi, the German car manufacturer, is pitching ‘e-fuels’ as a clean alternative to produce petrol, diesel or gas, without having to extract fossil fuels. Sounds splendid but unfortunately too good to be true, warns Jonas Helseth.
To fill the climate finance deficit, French summit looks at its governance
Adapting rules instead of pledging millions: two years after the Paris Agreement, the fight against climate change has changed strategy. EURACTV France reports.
Scientists demand end to crop-based biofuels
A group of 177 Dutch scientist have signed a letter urging the Netherlands to back a complete phase-out of crop-based biofuels at European level, calling them a “false solution to climate problems”.
Fair fuel pricing: A test for Europe’s climate ambitions
Is the EU committed enough to increase taxes on fossil fuels? That is a question that needs to be raised now considering the long-running debate on the best measures, including energy taxation, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, write Kai Schlegelmilch and Zoltán Szabó.
World’s biggest sovereign wealth fund proposes ditching oil and gas holdings
The Norwegian central bank, which runs the country’s sovereign wealth fund – the world’s biggest – has told its government it should dump its shares in oil and gas companies, in a move that could have significant consequences for the sector. EURACTIV's media partner The Guardian reports.
‘Thou shalt not burn coal’: Catholic institutions abandon fossil fuels en masse
Forty Catholic institutions from across the world will pull money out of fossil fuels this week, in the biggest single divestment made by religious institutions, including banks, universities and even the Italian town where Saint Francis of Assisi was born.
John Cooper: On fossil fuels, the European public is ‘a little bit misled’
A lot is at stake for the energy security of Europe if political correctness was to dictate imposing one technology against the other, John Cooper, Director General of FuelsEurope told EURACTIV.com.
A reality check on power-to-liquids: How not to use renewable energy
By encouraging the use of clean energy sources to produce fossil fuel for cars, the proposed revision of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) opens the door to massive public subsidies for costly, inefficient and polluting ‘solutions’, warns Jonas Helseth.
The EU needs to meet decarbonisation targets at affordable prices
Nuclear is the only reliable source of low carbon energy, without which decarbonisation targets simply cannot be met at affordable prices, writes Tim Yeo,
Vattenfall CEO: Decarbonising electricity can boost its use for transport, heating and cooling
Europe should accelerate the decarbonisation of electricity in order to encourage its use for transportation and other sectors. The end game is a fossil free system where we could use a lot more green electricity, Vattenfall CEO Magnus Hall told EURACTIV.com.
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.
The end of coal: EU energy companies pledge no new plants from 2020
Companies from every EU nation except Poland and Greece sign up to initiative in bid to meet Paris pledges and limit effects of climate change. A report from EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian.
Reformed carbon market must no longer fund coal
As the Emissions Trading System (ETS) reform enters its crucial trialogue phase, it is up to the European Parliament to fight its corner and ensure that future funding only goes towards projects that contribute to the clean energy transition, writes Joanna Flisowska.
Study: Backing fossil fuels is economically and politically irresponsible
A shift away from fossil fuels to renewables is needed at international level if the targets of the Paris climate deal are to be met. The Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue wants to set an example by bringing plenty new to the table. EURACTIV Germany reports.