About: net zero
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The dream of net zero needs gas
We have made a great stride forward in reducing emissions with so-called coal-to-gas switch, says Mario Mehren, CEO of Wintershall Dea. But the numbers also show that we still need natural gas to spark the next stage of the energy transition.
Opaque net zero pledges not enough to tackle the climate crisis, experts say
Net zero pledges have grown in popularity in the last few years, but there is a worrying over-reliance on carbon removals without enough clarification on how they are used, experts have warned ahead of the COP26 UN climate summit in November.
Healthcare must drastically reduce emissions to help prevent new health crises
Climate change is the biggest health threat of the 21st century and healthcare systems need to dramatically reduce their emissions in order to help prevent this from worsening, writes Jacqueline Cramer.
Rebound in global gas demand threatens international climate targets – IEA
A rebound in global gas demand to 2024 following the record fall last year is poised to knock the world off track from reaching its goal of net zero emissions by 2050, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned on Monday (5 July).
Green homes: Resource sufficiency is key to achieving climate neutrality
Europe must go beyond energy efficiency and recognise the need for resource sufficiency in the real estate and housing sectors. The time is ripe for a holistic policy framework that serves people and the planet, writes Gonzalo Sanchez.
The EU needs to make its upcoming climate and energy legislative package ‘Fit for 1.5°C’
A post-covid Europe must make far more effort when it comes to tackling climate change. Even with its recently enhanced target of at least 55% emissions reduction by 2030, the EU still fails to keep us safe from a climate catastrophe, argues Wendel Trio.
Greens join far-right in bid to stop EU climate law
The European Parliament on Thursday (24 June) gave its thumbs up to the EU's landmark climate law, despite opposition from the Greens who said the legislation didn't go far enough to protect people and the environment against dangerous climate change.
Why a carbon tax is the most effective price signal for the building sector
A carbon tax on the fuel used to heat Europe's buildings is the most effective price signal to decarbonise Europe's building stock, which is in desperate need of renovation to meet the EU's climate ambition, writes Oliver Rapf.
IEA: Renewables set to attract 70% of global energy investment in 2021
Global energy investment is likely to rebound to pre-pandemic levels this year, with most finance going towards renewables - but, ultimately, the new generation capacity financed will not be compatible with long-term climate goals.
Industry decarbonisation has stalled in recent years, warns think-tank
European industry is becoming increasingly vocal regarding the challenges it faces in decarbonising production while remaining competitive, a view supported by a recent think-tank report.
Breakthrough as EU negotiators clinch deal on European climate law
European Union negotiators reached a deal on the European Climate Law after fourteen hours of talks on Wednesday (21 April), allowing the EU to arrive at the US-hosted climate summit tomorrow with an agreement on the bloc’s 2030 target.
EU leaders are prioritising climate heroism over ambitious policies
EU leaders are focused on the spectacle of arriving at the US climate summit on Thursday (22 April) with an agreement on the EU climate law and 2030 target, but risk sacrificing the quality of the legislation, argue Adélaïde Charlier and Chloé Mikolajczak.
EU countries clinch new mandate for talks on climate law, raising hopes of a deal
EU member states have adopted a revised mandate for negotiating the European climate law, including a new stance on the 2030 target that retains the net 55% reduction objective but limits the role of carbon sinks, according to documents seen by EURACTIV.
Little progress made in fifth round of negotiations on EU climate law
Little progress was made in the fifth round of negotiations on the European Climate Law last Friday (26 March), despite growing time pressure to have the bill agreed by mid-April, according to people involved in the talks, which are being held behind closed doors.
ETS revision will include buildings and road transport, EU Commissioner says
The European Commission's upcoming June package of energy and climate laws will “propose the extension of the emission trading scheme to sectors such as building and road transport,” the EU's energy commissioner Kadri Simson said on Thursday (25 March).
This decade should be ‘Roaring Twenties of climate action’, von der Leyen says
Europe has the opportunity to lead the global shift towards net-zero emissions and reap the rewards of the green transformation, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at an event on Wednesday (24 March).
Climate pledges for 2030 put world far off 1.5C goal, UN warns
Updated plans to reduce emissions, submitted so far by about 75 nations ahead of November's COP26 summit, barely make a dent in the huge cuts needed to meet global climate goals, the UN climate chief said on Friday (26 February), calling for redoubled efforts.
Deliveries are up, e-van sales are not – that’s a disaster for pollution
The sale of electric vans has been sluggish despite a boom in home deliveries, spurred by pandemic-driven online shopping. The lack of clean vans on European roads will harm our chances to reach emissions targets, writes James Nix.
EU unveils data-driven climate adaptation strategy, drawing green criticism
More and better data is needed to improve knowledge of how to adapt to climate change, according to the European Commission's new adaptation strategy, which immediately came under fire from green activists for missing binding targets.
EU climate neutrality by 2050 is not Paris-compatible
The EU's aim for net zero by 2050 is insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement and limit warming to 1.5°C. To avoid climate catastrophe, Europe needs to rethink auctions for renewable energy and reintroducing support for small scale supply, argue Hans-Josef Fell and Dr Thure Traber.
China launches carbon emissions trading scheme
China launched a carbon trading system designed to drive down greenhouse gas emissions on Monday (1 February), as the world's biggest polluter takes steps towards decarbonising its economy by 2060.
Shell pulls out of joint venture to build UK sustainable jet fuels plant
Shell has pulled out of a joint venture with British Airways and Velocys to build a flagship sustainable jet fuels plant in the UK – in a blow to Boris Johnson’s claims that Britain could deliver the world’s first zero-emission long-haul flight, reports EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian Environment.
‘Gas is over’, EU bank chief says
We need to face the reality that the future is no longer in fossil fuels and need to show credibility on that, said President of the European Investment Bank, Dr Werner Hoyer on Wednesday (20 January).