About: Germany

Ministers highlight European divide over carbon price floor

While France is pushing for the implementation of a carbon price floor at EU level and is looking for allies in the bloc, Poland sees energy storage technologies as key to a successful European climate policy.

Merkel: No Nord Stream 2 without guarantee for Ukraine’s gas transit role

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today (10 April) that plans for a controversial second underwater pipeline to bring gas from Russia could not go forward without Ukrainian involvement in overland transit.

Carmakers delaying more efficient models until 2019 to maximise profit, report says

Carmakers are delaying building more efficient models until 2019 in a bid to maximise profit margins before new EU rules on CO2 emissions kick in, according to a new report.

Commission should ‘walk the walk’ on cybersecurity, German chief says

The European Commission should “walk the walk” and use strong encryption to protect its computer networks against hackers---instead of pushing member states to adopt controversial new legislation, the head of Germany’s cybersecurity agency has said.

EU’s energy intensive industries paid to pollute, says NGO

Instead of pursuing real decarbonisation plans, energy-intensive industry in the EU has managed to turn pollution into profit, Climate Action Network Europe said in a study published 9 April.

German court bails Puigdemont, rejects Spanish extradition request

A German court yesterday (5 April) refused Spain's request to extradite Catalan ex-leader Carles Puigdemont on a rebellion charge following his arrest in Germany last month, ordering his release on bail pending a hearing on a lesser charge.

France to extend internal EU border checks

France said Wednesday (4 April) it has decided to extend border checks with countries in Europe's Schengen passport-free zone until the end of October because of the persistent threat of terrorism.

German air defence unit put under Dutch control as military ties deepen

The German military on Wednesday (4 April) put a short-range air defence unit with about 450 soldiers under Dutch command, further deepening ties between the two NATO allies.

German economy and environment ministries clash over coal commission

The German ministries for economic affairs and energy (BMWi) and environment (BMU) are clashing over who should lead a highly strategic future commission that is tasked with preparing the country’s coal exit.

Survey: Major retailers and producers in Germany back binding meat label

A number of major retailers and meat producers see the idea of a legally binding label on meat in positive light, according to a Greenpeace survey published on 27 March. 

Poles reject ‘totally unacceptable’ EU power market reform

A phase out of government subsidies for coal power, supported by the European Parliament under a proposed revision of EU electricity market rules, was rejected by the Polish power sector as a reflection of “double standards” in Europe because it leaves German coal plants largely off the hook.

Stormy protest in Barcelona after Germany arrests Puigdemont

Thousands of Catalan separatists hit the streets of Barcelona on Sunday (25 March), vowing the arrest of former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont in Germany would not stop their push for independence.

No, Germany will not finance ‘harems’ for refugees

A Latvian news site wrongly portrayed talks on family reunification for refugees and asylum seekers in Germany as opening the door for "harems". EURACTIV.com looks into the allegations as part of the “Fact or Fake” series, in partnership with France 24.

German power deal spells demise of the integrated utility model

An all-German deal to split Innogy between RWE and E.ON looks set to create a template for European utilities M&A that includes the demise of the integrated model, no more big cross-border deals and a quest for emerging market growth.

RWE, E.ON reshape German power sector in Innogy asset swap deal

Germany's top utilities yesterday (11 March) announced plans to break up Innogy, whose assets will be divided among parent RWE and rival E.ON in the sector's biggest overhaul since a landmark move to exit nuclear power.

Trump sharpens trade row, threatening to tax German cars

US President Donald Trump has singled out Europe in a billowing trade row, threatening to tax German cars if the European Union doesn't lower barriers to US products.

Germany provides €1.2 billion loan for Southern Gas Corridor

The German Ministry of Finance will provide €1.2 billion to help Azerbaijan finance its part of the Southern Gas Corridor project, Deutsche Welle reported.

German court empowers cities to ban old diesel cars

One of Germany’s top courts has ruled that heavily polluting vehicles can be banned from the urban centres of Stuttgart and Düsseldorf, a landmark ruling which could cause traffic chaos on the country’s roads and dramatically hit the value of diesel cars.

Italy’s election uncertainty: What plagues the minds of investors

Investors are feeling sanguine ahead of Italy's 4 March election. The economy is strengthening and anti-euro sentiment is waning in the single-currency bloc. But the vote has the potential to throw them a curve ball.

German carmakers on tenterhooks ahead of diesel ban ruling

A court will decide on Thursday (22 February) whether German cities can ban heavily polluting cars, potentially wiping hundreds of millions of euros off the value of diesel cars on the country’s roads.

A small setback for intensive agriculture in Africa

Frequently criticised, the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition just lost France’s financial support. For now, the project aimed at helping Africa's agriculture is still supported by Germany and the EU. EURACTIV.fr reports

Berlin downplays smog-beating free transport idea

The German government on Wednesday (14 February) sought to play down plans to introduce free public transport, a day after the radical proposal to fight air pollution made headlines around the world.

Germany mulls free public transport to quash air pollution menace

"Car nation" Germany has surprised its European neighbours with a radical proposal to reduce road traffic by making public transport free, as Berlin scrambles to meet EU air pollution targets and avoid big fines.

Germany solidifies top ranking in EU wind power league

Germany installed 42% of the EU’s new wind power capacity in 2017, a year that saw the industry installing more supplies than any other form of energy across the European Union, according to fresh industry statistics published on Tuesday (13 February).