About: greenhouse gas emissions
Europe’s emissions rose nearly a fifth as economy bounced back
Greenhouse gas emissions from EU countries jumped by 18% last spring, according to data from Eurostat, Europe's statistics office, as economic sectors recovered from pandemic shutdowns and released climate-damaging gases into the atmosphere.
EU urges all major economies to raise climate goals by November summit
The European Union's top diplomat on Thursday called on the world's biggest economies to set tougher climate targets - including a commitment to eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions - in time for a global climate summit in November.
All words, no action: CAP funding ineffective at combatting climate change, say auditors
EU agricultural funding for combating climate action has so far been ineffective, according to a damning new European Court of Auditors report which criticises inaction on livestock farming and calls for a “polluter pays” principle.
China, EU and US cooperation on climate change – Is there political will to make real progress?
China, the EU and the US are collectively responsible for around 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Urgent action is needed as Europe’s food systems stand at the crossroads of transformation or crisis
The average European wastes their own weight in discarded food each year, and, worryingly for both our health and sustainability, more than half of the adult European population is overweight. Alongside this, agriculture is responsible for around 10 per cent...
A circular economy for textiles to design out waste and pollution
Europe has an opportunity to use the textiles strategy, due to be published this year, to build on its history of textile manufacturing and switch to a more sustainable industry, benefitting citizens and the environment, writes Valérie Boiten.
EU Commission clashes with Parliament over ‘net’ 2030 climate target
Lawmakers have denounced a “loophole” in the European Commission's proposed climate target for 2030 and pointed the finger at the EU executive for its hard negotiation style over the EU climate law.OpinionPromoted content
Carbon capture: one technology for many routes to net-zero
Uniquely placed to cut emissions in many sectors − and enable greater use of renewables − carbon capture and storage (CCS) needs more political backing if we are to stand any chance of reaching net-zero emissions. Kenji Terasawa is the...
Circular economy can cut CO2 emissions by 39%: study
Switching to a circular economy could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 39% and ease pressure on virgin materials by 28%, according to the Circularity Gap Report, published on Tuesday (26 January).
2020 was hottest year ever in Europe
2020 was the warmest year recorded in Europe, breaking the previous 2019 record by 0.4°C, according Copernicus, the EU's satellite earth observation system. Globally, the year tied with 2016 as the hottest on record.
Global emissions fell by 7% in 2020 due to COVID lockdowns, says UN report
Reduced travel, industrial activity and electricity generation during COVID-19 has meant global emissions fell by up to 7% in 2020, but the impact of COVID-19 will be negligible without a green recovery, according to the United Nations.
Carbon pricing: The best instrument for climate change mitigation?
To limit global warming to 2°C or less—the level deemed safe by science—large emitting countries need to take ambitious action. Economists have long agreed that the most effective way to meet the climate challenge is to put a price on...
Europe on track to smash its 2020 climate goal, EEA says
Greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union dropped by 3.7% last year, bringing the bloc on track to smash its 2020 emission goals by 4 percentage points, according to the European Environment Agency.
Will environmental failings bring down the EU-Mercosur deal?
It’s taken 20 years to build but Europe’s trade deal with the ‘Mercosur’ group of South American countries is looking increasingly like a rush job – with its environmental and social aspects the most shoddy, writes Amandine Van der Berghe....
EU green finance czar: ‘Obvious’ that companies should report on climate risk
Reporting on greenhouse gas emissions should become mandatory "as soon as possible" for companies with more than 250 employees, argues Michèle Lacroix, an EU expert who helped design the EU's landmark green finance taxonomy.
Germany’s official 2018 emission figures are better than expected
Germany has sent the EU Commission its official emissions figures for 2018, which are slightly lower than the previous year. Most reductions were made in the energy sector, while transport and agriculture still lag behind. Yet, Germany will not miss its climate targets for this decade as was initially anticipated. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Humanity is increasingly living above its means
On Monday (29 July), which is three days earlier than last year, humanity had consumed more resources than the planet is capable of offering within a year. This is according to a report by the environmental NGO Global Footprint Network. EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'Environnement reports.
EU carbon market is having a hard time being effective
11,000 industrial sites subject to the so-called Quotas Directive are collectively reducing their emissions. However, this is not necessarily because of the European emissions trading scheme (EU ETS). EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'environnement reports.
French low-carbon label plants seeds of agricultural and forestry transition
A new label aims to encourage the emergence of projects that reduce and sequester greenhouse gas emissions. EURACTIV’s partner le Journal de l’environnement reports.
EU unveils proposal to clean up transport, boost electric vehicles
The European Commission proposed on Wednesday (8 November) a legislative package aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in road transport and encouraging the uptake of electric cars, in an attempt to help Europe's car industry remain competitive in the face of growing pressure from the US and China.
Parliament strengthens 2030 climate and energy package
MEPs on Wednesday (14 June) voted to strengthen a draft EU regulation that fixes binding national targets for cuts to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sectors not covered by quotas. EURACTIV’s partner Journal de l’Environnement reports.
Study: EU must abandon coal power by 2030 to meet climate pledge
The European Union must close all 315 of its coal-fired power plants by 2030 in order to meet its commitments under the Paris climate agreement, a research institute said Thursday.
Does Brexit offer a ‘golden opportunity’ to pursue EU ETS alternatives?
As the British MPs this week waved through the bill to withdraw from the European Union, the debate surrounding the country’s future involvement in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) intensified with a lively debate in parliament. EURACTIV’s media partner Edie.net reports.