About: Frans Timmermans
Spain finally sends 2030 climate plan to Brussels
The Spanish government has submitted its energy and climate plan for 2030 to the European Commission, three months after the deadline, while five EU countries, including France, still need to turn in their strategies.
‘We won’t slow down’ on climate: EU reacts to COP26 postponement
The European Commission “took note” of the UK’s announcement to postpone this year’s UN climate summit but stressed its “strong commitment” to the global climate agenda, as nations grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite health crisis, EU presses on with 2030 climate agenda
As the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, the European Commission stays the course on green policies, launching a public consultation on Tuesday (30 March) to raise the bloc’s climate target for 2030.
Coronavirus-hit carmakers urge EU to pull legislative handbrake
Europe’s largest auto manufacturers have argued that the coronavirus outbreak will limit their ability to comply with EU rules aimed at cleaning up the sector’s carbon footprint.
Green Deal facing delays due to coronavirus, EU admits
The European Commission is having to re-order its priorities in the face of the coronavirus crisis, with “non-essential” initiatives like the biodiversity strategy and the farm-to-fork strategy likely to be delayed by several weeks, EURACTIV understands.
Exxon lobbyists urged Commission to tune down car CO2 rules
ExxonMobil officials urged the EU in November to weaken guidelines on vehicle emissions, according to information obtained through a Freedom of Information request.
EU’s next top climate model under scrutiny
The European Commission insisted on Wednesday (4 March) that in-depth climate number-crunching has to be finished before it can update an emissions-busting target for 2030. That impact assessment could make or break the EU’s green agenda.
EU’s Timmermans responds to Greta’s criticisms over European Climate Law
The European Commission wants to look at all greenhouse gases responsible for global warming and not just carbon dioxide, EU Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans said in response to criticism by teen activist Greta Thunberg.
EU debuts climate law ‘compass’, Greta dismisses it as ‘surrender’
The European Commission officially unveiled its Climate Law on Wednesday (4 March), aimed at making the EU carbon neutral by 2050. But Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg criticised the plan as "surrender".
LEAK: EU’s draft climate law leaves 2030 target up in the air
The European Commission’s Climate Law will confirm on Wednesday (4 March) that EU countries will need to become climate neutral by 2050. But plans for 2030 leaves Europe little time to get ready for the UN climate summit in November, with twelve EU member states pushing for an accelerated timeline.
EU’s just transition ambitions face acid test
The European Commission is due to release proposals this week to enshrine the EU's goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050 into hard legislation. But concerns remains over the size of a fund aimed at making the transition smoother for countries heavily dependent on coal and other polluting industries.
Ombudsman opens inquiry into EU Commission’s gas stance
The EU Ombudsman announced on Thursday (13 February) it has opened an inquiry into the European Commission’s catalogue of priority energy projects, after green activists lodged a complaint about the inclusion of new gas infrastructure on the list.
Europe’s airports risk watery grave, as ‘cost of inaction’ debate heats up
More than 20 of Europe’s airports could be underwater by the end of the century if current climate trends continue. The prospect of economic and even security chaos is starting to drive home the message that the cost of doing nothing will outweigh the price of climate action.
EU starts to chart shipping’s new green course
The shipping industry will soon have to pay for its environmental impact in the EU, as both the European Commission and Parliament are moving forward with plans to include vessels in the bloc’s flagship carbon market. But there are choppy waters ahead.
EU’s Timmermans detects hints of US shift on climate
There are signs US President Donald Trump is starting to engage more seriously on climate change and listening to the concerns of corporations, the European Commission's vice-president and head of its 'Green Deal' said on Thursday (23 January).
Poland, Germany get largest slices of Just Transition Fund
The European Commission’s €7.5-billion-strong Just Transition Fund (JTF) is set to allocate €2 billion to Poland and €877 million to Germany under a proposal sent to national governments on Wednesday (15 January).
Question marks raised over scale of EU’s new climate fund
The European Commission finally lifted the lid on its long-awaited just transition plans on Tuesday (14 January) but doubts have already been raised over the amount of funding on offer for the next decade compared to the bloc's Green Deal ambitions.
COP25: Major developing countries still reluctant to amend Paris Agreement to ‘foot climate bill’
Countries such as Brazil, China and Saudi Arabia, are criticising Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement and its carbon offsetting mechanism even though they are currently not footing the "climate bill". A stance which climate advocates fear will weaken the entire treaty. EURACTIV France reports.
EU pressured to do more in negotiations at COP25 climate summit
The fate of the climate negotiations at the COP25 climate summit in Madrid depends heavily on Europe. And civil society, the financial and private sector are asking for more. EURACTIV France reports.
Revolt brewing against EU’s ‘unrealistic’ climate goals
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has threatened to veto Europe’s goal of becoming the first climate neutral continent in the world by 2050, adding his voice to a growing chorus of discontent as EU leaders prepare for heated climate discussions at a summit in Brussels next week.
Behind-the-curtain of the EU’s 2050 climate plan, part II
In October 2018, EURACTIV revealed how the European Commission was planning to propose an ambitious new climate plan for 2050. Now the EU is on the cusp of agreeing to implement it. Here is how the pieces line up ahead of crunch talks later in December.
Implementing clean air rules the eternal problem, as EU countries told to raise game
Industry, agriculture and transport were asked to decrease air pollution at a high-level EU forum in Slovakia on clean air but the responsible ministers and new Commissioners were absent from the Bratislava event.
Timmermans sees ‘pivotal role for hydrogen’ in meeting EU climate goals
The European Commission’s upcoming vice president for the Green Deal received a standing ovation at a forum in Brussels last week after he declared, “I see a pivotal role for hydrogen” in Europe's efforts to achieve its climate goals.