About: greenhouse gas emissions
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.
German Environment Agency: ‘Tax animal products to tackle climate change’
Meat and dairy farming is more damaging to the environment than producing cereals, fruits or vegetables. Germany’s Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has called for higher taxes on animal products, but the idea is controversial. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Fischer: Gas can flow via Nord Stream 2
Western companies should participate in managing the Ukrainian gas transit system, German Energy Envoy Peter Fischer told EURACTIV Slovakia at the SET Plan – Central European Energy Conference X in Bratislava.
Scientists struggle to explain spike in methane emissions
Emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, have increased sharply since 2012, according to a group of researchers. But they struggled to put their finger on why. EURACTIV France reports.
Study: Carbon tax on food could cut GHG missions by 9%
A food tax based on a product's carbon footprint would bring benefits not only for the climate, but also for public health, according to a British study published on Monday (7 November). EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
Why Europe’s climate action has been put on hold
Angela Merkel’s absence from the COP 22 is symbolic of a European climate and energy policy beset by indecision and infighting. EURACTIV France reports.
Paris withdraws plans for carbon tax on coal
Pressure from the miners' and energy workers' union CGT forced the French government to back down on extending the carbon tax to coal-fired power stations. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
ETS emissions fall as EU cuts surplus carbon quotas
Greenhouse gas emissions from the main sectors covered by the European carbon market fell between 2014 and 2015, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA). EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
Richest countries take lion’s share of emissions cuts under EU plan
The EU on Wednesday (20 July) unveiled national targets for cutting greenhouse gases by 2030, placing the burden on richer northern countries including exit-bound Britain to help meet the bloc's UN goal.
Paris set to miss COP21 commitments
The French capital cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 9.2% between 2004 and 2014. But this is not enough to reach its 25% target by 2020. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.