Europe’s new normal: High energy bills, fading industry and one chance to fix it
German manufacturers are being strangled. The EU is feeling the pinch. Mario Draghi on Monday warned the EU may be staring at ‘slow agony.’
climate targets
NGOs sue Commission over 2030 climate targets, ‘green’ shipping and aviation
A plethora of NGOs and NGO coalitions have announced they will each sue the European Commission over its environmental policies, alleging that the Commission lacks scientific evidence to support its decisions.
Sweden to raise fossil fuel reduction targets to level with EU climate goals
Sweden will increase the proportion of biofuels blended with fossil fuels to meet the EU’s 2030 climate targets, the government announced on Tuesday (27 August), reversing its previous policy.
Green activists seek to force revision of EU’s ‘inadequate’ climate targets
Backers of EU court challenge are emboldened by a recent legal finding that suggests failing to effectively tackle climate change violates human rights
‘Austria wants to remain in fossil ignorance’: Climate activist group to end campaign
Its protests — such as blocking streets and airports — have garnered a lot of attention.
Keir Starmer’s worst nightmare? Becoming Margaret Thatcher
The U.K. prime minister can’t afford to get tangled up in a war with labor unions. His green crusade could make it inevitable.
It’s Christmas in July (for Commissioners)! Von der Leyen hands out policy gifts ahead of key vote
Ursula von der Leyen presents herself as a beacon of stability to secure another five years at the head of the EU’s executive.
The crucial role of carbon capture in UK’s net-zero journey
As the UK races to meet ambitious climate targets, Equinor’s carbon capture solutions could revitalize industrial regions while dramatically reducing CO2 emissions.
Buildings decarbonisation can make or break the Green Deal
Buildings and transport are the two most crucial sectors to decarbonise to meet EU’s 2030 climate targets. However, they are also have the most directly affect on EU citizens in their daily lives, as the choice to undertake energy renovations…
Former Poland PM: Europe’s impossible trinity
EU decision-makers want to secure all their objectives, everywhere, and do it all at once. However, their plans don’t reflect real-world realities.
EU Green Deal? No, thanks: Germany’s liberals want a weaker ‘Yellow Deal’
Germany’s Free Democrats say their backing for the next EU top executive hinges on weakening EU climate laws — a clear shot at Ursula von der Leyen.
Southern Germany battles floods as experts say Berlin will miss climate targets
Scientists dispute government’s claim that 2030 goal will be met.
Britain’s Greens want to make life hard for Labour over Gaza
The Greens have pivoted to talking about the Middle East conflict as they try to peel off Labour votes on the left.
The time to build a European CCUS market is now [Promoted content]
The mandate of the next European Commission is a make-or-break period for the large-scale deployment of carbon capture projects in Europe. Without these technologies, the EU can forget about achieving its climate targets for 2040 and 2050. Joop Hazenb…
UK won’t cook the books to hit its climate goals
Announcement on next carbon budget comes after weeks of speculation the government would try and find more ‘headroom.’
Member States push for faster decarbonisation of heating and cooling
On Wednesday 16 May, 15 EU Member States published a joint working document calling on the Commission to prioritise the decarbonisation of heating and cooling in order to increase the EU’s energy independence and meet its climate targets.
LIVE NOW! Power-to-heat – How can it decarbonise district heating?
Decarbonising the heating and cooling sector is central to achieving the energy transition. This is recognised in the European Green Deal and the ‘Fit for 55’ package, as without increasing the share of renewables in this sector, our energy and climate…
Are heat pumps more expensive to run than gas boilers?
The first in a series exploring the myths and realities surrounding heat pumpsEvery year about 130 million households across Europe burn almost 40% of the continent’s total gas consumption to heat their homes. Those boilers contribute more than a fifth…
Key EU lawmaker Peter Liese already eyeing next CO2 price revamp
German EU lawmaker Peter Liese is already eyeing the next revamp of the EU’s emissions trading scheme, wants a CO2 Central Bank and is campaigning for his party to stay the course on EU climate targets, he told Euractiv in an interview.
The road to global climate efforts
The annual Petersberg Climate Dialogue conference has taken place in Berlin, Germany. Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, opened the conference with a reminder to countries with major economies to take responsibility for climate targets.
Net Zero Industry Act and the future of green industrial strategy
EU countries generally agree that green technologies are crucial to meet climate targets and stay competitive in the renewable energy market. They agree less on how to boost their competitiveness vis-à-vis the United States and China.
Timeline: How Humza Yousaf blew up his leadership in 5 days
Chaos in Scotland: the story of a tumultuous week in Holyrood.
Scotland’s leader Humza Yousaf quits
Under-fire first minister resigns after collapse of power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens.
How a climate U-turn broke the Scottish government
Scotland’s governing coalition has fallen apart — and a stalled drive to cut carbon emissions played a major role.
Scotland’s coalition government collapses
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf kills agreement between SNP and Scottish Greens amid bitter row over climate targets.
EU countries dilute fuel tax hike as green anger mounts
The rollback came after capitals expressed “concerns” about the climate-friendly reforms, a document seen by POLITICO reveals.
Scottish government abandons flagship climate goal
Net Zero Secretary Màiri McAllan said that her government “accepts” that reductions targets for 2030 are now unobtainable.
German transport minister stirs climate debate with threat of driving bans
A debate on abandoning sector-specific climate targets is heating up in Germany after Transport Minister Volker Wissing from the liberal FDP party warned that he might have to impose car bans on weekends unless the country’s climate law is reformed.
German minister threatens ‘indefinite driving bans’ on weekends
The ruling coalition has been fighting over legislation that sets out binding climate targets.
How a group of elderly Swiss women could take the UK out of the European Court
Britain’s Conservatives are getting serious about leaving the ECHR.
EU’s power sector emissions plummet as renewables surge
Brussels called the 15.5 percent reduction in 2023 a “record.”
LIVE NOW! Media Partnership – Securing the future of European industries
Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies are crucial for Europe to achieve its climate targets for 2040 and 2050. CCUS solutions can also enhance industrial competitiveness and bolster energy resilience.
Climate targets in focus, Newsletter
This weeks key events selected by senior environment reporter Robert Hodgson
Sweden not on track to meet climate targets, warns expert agency
Sweden’s climate policies are leading to a short-term increase in emissions and putting the country on a path to miss its 2030 reduction target, according to a report published on Thursday by a government policy review board.
Germany on track for national 2030 climate target despite missing EU goals
While specific EU climate targets are out of reach for Germany, its economy is well on track to meet the national target of cutting emissions by 65% by 2030.
With Theresa May’s exit, UK Conservatives face green leadership vacuum
Environmentally minded Tories fear losing influence after the general election.
EU’s conservatives take a victory lap, months ahead of European election
Opponents accuse conservatives of selling out to the far right, as they prepare to back Ursula von der Leyen for five more years running the EU’s executive.
EU conservatives bend to von der Leyen, ditching car ban fight in draft manifesto
The shift is a win for European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who championed the landmark green policy even as her own political family opposed it.
The EU’s Carbon management strategy and the path to 2040
To reach the EU’s climate targets, increase industrial competitiveness, and improve its energy resilience, carbon capture and storage technologies play an important role.
As part of its decarbonisation efforts, in 2023 the European Commission releas…
New biodiversity policies demanded for EU’s green, prosperous growth
Ambitious new nature and biodiversity policies are needed, say environmental stakeholders. Activists are calling for the European Commission’s proposed Nature Restoration Law to set strong biodiversity targets, just as the Green Deal set robust climate…
Brussels, my love? Fossil fuel phase-out absent from EU 2040 climate targets
In this edition, we look at the EU plan to cut carbon emissions by 2040 and a deal to protect women across Europe.
The EU’s 2040 climate targets and strategy must prioritise farmers
The EU is already struggling to meet its 2030 climate and energy targets, so it needs to put farmers as well as the social and environmental benefits first in order to project itself forward to 2040, write Zsolt Lengyel and Erica Johnson.
German Greens push to water down EU party’s climate targets
The European Green Party is set for an internal battle over climate targets at a party congress this weekend, with the German Greens pushing to postpone the climate neutrality goals by five years and scrap parts of the gas and oil phase-out policies.
EU heavyweights urge ‘ambitious’ 2040 climate targets — breaking silence
The appeal comes despite a rising climate policy backlash and has backing from countries like Germany, France and the Netherlands.
Carbon pricing for agriculture key to cutting emissions, say EU climate advisers
Current policies are not a sufficient incentive for farmers to do more to achieve the EU climate targets, according to the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) experts, who warned of the need for a carbon pricing system for the…
Poland’s climate surprise pressures EU to pitch ambitious 2040 target
The new Polish government says it is ‘stepping up’ its fight against climate change — a vow that will ripple through Brussels.
Poland presses for ambitious 2040 EU climate target, signaling U-turn
A senior official vowed Poland’s new government would no longer block EU climate action.
2023: A bumper year for Germany’s renewable electricity sector
Germany’s power sector emissions dropped to their lowest level in 70 years in 2023 while moving past the 50% threshold for renewable electricity production for the first time. However, this is partly attributed to falling industrial production, casting…
New oil and gas law risks UK’s green cred, says former climate chief
Alok Sharma speaks out as MPs prepare to vote on controversial Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill for the first time Monday.
Climate summit makes ‘historic progress’ — but the world still can’t quit oil
The contradictions in nations’ attitudes toward fossil fuels were at the forefront of the talks in Dubai.
Belgian court orders 55% emissions cut from 1990 levels
Court of appeal ruling means government has only until 2030 to reach targetA Belgian court has declared the country’s climate targets “clearly insufficient” and ordered the government to cut emissions faster.In a powerful victory for climate campaigner…
How to watch the climate summit like an expert
Interested in the 200-nation effort to save the planet? Get used to squabbles about money and “phasing out” versus “phasing down” fossil fuels.
Rishi Sunak’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it COP28
UK prime minister, who has eased climate targets at home, is making a flying visit to the Dubai. He insists he’s still got a strong green message to sell.
Four banks quit initiative assessing climate targets
Reuters was first to report that Four major banks, including Standard Chartered Plc (STAN.L) and HSBC Plc (HSBA.L), have quit […]
The post Four banks quit initiative assessing climate targets appeared first on Reuters News Agency.
Carbon capture and storage to reach net zero
Sponsored by Equinor.
As COP28 approaches, Germany’s climate policy is at a standstill
Germany and the European Union are hoping to convince other countries to raise their climate targets at the upcoming COP28 climate summit in Dubai. But this may be a tough task, considering Berlin’s waning credibility as a climate leader.
World on pace to blow past Paris climate targets, UN says
Global emissions need to fall 42 percent by 2030 to set the world on a path to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Humanity remains far from that goal.
Who’s who at COP28
Biden and Xi will probably skip it, but the summit will have Lula, the pope and King Charles. And yeah, Rishi Sunak.
Brussels, my love? EU capitals juggle national interests with climate targets
In this edition of Brussels, my love?, we discuss rumours to keep the financial sector out of corporate sustainability regulations and examine the EU’s proposals to combat child abuse online.
The latest Tory worry: China’s grip on solar power
Conservative MPs fear Britain is leaving itself overly-reliant on Beijing as it tries to shift to clean power.
Europe’s climate laws need a guardian angel
With the EU’s first climate targets likely to be missed, the European Commission must be more proactive in pushing EU member states to abide by the rules – because if the Berlaymont doesn’t, then who else will? asks Nikolaus J. Kurmayer.
EU must cut emissions three times quicker to meet climate targets, Brussels says
Climate commissioner says pace of reductions needs to speed up in buildings, transport and agriculture to meet 55% target by 2030. Euractiv’s media partner, The Guardian, reports.
EU must cut carbon emissions three times faster to meet targets, report says
Climate commissioner says pace of reductions needs to speed up in buildings, transport and agriculture to meet 55% target by 2030The EU must cut greenhouse gas pollution almost three times more quickly than it has over the past decade to meet its clima…
Step up emissions cuts in agriculture, says EU climate chief
Wopke Hoekstra also expressed concern over sluggish progress in the building and transport sectors.
Member states’ plans ‘not enough’ to hit EU climate goals
A coalition of NGOs has warned that member states’ draft national climate plans will result in Europe missing its 2030 climate targets. And major member states, including France, Germany and Poland, still need to submit updated plans.
Government advisers to Rishi Sunak: You’ve put UK climate goals at risk
Climate Change Committee said the government’s pivot on green policy has made “net zero considerably harder to achieve”
Trump’s bashing electric cars. He has lots of company in Europe.
The push to move away from the internal combustion engine is becoming an election issue on two continents.
Mounting discontent augurs badly for EU Green Deal
Recent climate regulations are triggering an unintended backlash that risks undermining Europe’s very own climate agenda from within.
Donald Trump calls Rishi Sunak ‘smart’ for easing climate targets
Former US president says British leader wouldn’t ‘destroy and bankrupt his nation for fake climate alarmists.’
King Charles calls for climate action 24 hours after Sunak’s net zero U-turn
Despite political noise over easing climate targets at home, British monarch tells French lawmakers it’s time for an ‘entente cordiale’ on the planet.
All aboard! Can Luxembourg’s free public transport help save the world?
In 2020, in a bid to cut carbon emissions, Luxembourg made all its public transport free. But what is it like to use? And why are there still so many traffic jams? I took a trip to find out …It’s not quite John o’Groats to Land’s End, let alone Flori…
France readies to integrate EU climate targets into its energy strategy
Paris will incorporate EU climate targets in its upcoming environmental and energy planning laws, Energy Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher’s entourage said this week, playing down delays in submitting France’s updated National Energy and Climate Plan to …
COP28: A chance to course-correct on the global clean energy transition
The global clean energy transition is dangerously off-course, but we get back on track by taking urgent action now.
The world isn’t on track to meet Paris Agreement goals, says UN climate review
The U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change says ‘much more is needed’ to hit the pact’s global warming targets.
Germany adopts watered-down fossil boiler ban for 2028
The German parliament adopted on Friday (8 September) a controversial ban on new fossil heaters starting from 2028 at the latest, following months of government infighting and an injunction by the country’s top court.
Europe’s green deal will need broad support to succeed
EU has embarked on no less than an industrial revolution. A revolution that — unlike those of the past — is set against a tight deadline.
Denmark cannot avoid diesel tax, says foreign minister
A diesel tax is unavoidable if Denmark is to reach its climate targets by 2025, Foreign Minister and Moderate Party leader Lars Løkke Rasmussen said at a press conference on Tuesday. Løkke emphasised, however, that this is the Moderate Party’s…
Germany’s cheap public transport ticket an ineffective climate tool: Report
Germany’s new monthly €49 offer for all regional public transport will have little impact on the transport sector’s carbon emissions so the country will continue to fail its climate targets for transport and beyond, according to an expert council advis…
Costly gap: Germany to fall significantly short of EU climate targets
Germany will likely emit 150 million tonnes more of CO2-equivalent gases than EU rules created by the Effort Sharing Regulation permit, which is expected to result in a hefty penalty payment of up to €30 billion.