Brexit reset talks take first step forward since summit
Brussels sets out negotiating plans on two major policy areas.
heating
Belgian company unveils breakthrough process to decontaminate soil
The head of Haemers Technologies claims to have developed a method that eliminates forever chemicals (PFAS) by heating soil with an oxidation technique. He aims to eventually offer his solution worldwide.
Climate breakdown tripled death toll in Europe’s June heatwave, study finds
Heat caused 2,300 deaths across 12 cities, of which 1,500 were down to climate crisis, scientists sayPlanet-heating pollution tripled the death toll from the “quietly devastating” heatwave that seared Europe at the end of June, early analysis covering …
Heating or eating: Children in England living in ‘almost Dickensian poverty,’ report warns
Almost one in three children in the UK live in poverty and the report comes as the government faces growing pressure to scrap the two-child benefit limit.
‘A war of the truth’: Europe’s heatwaves are failing to spur support for climate action
Voters may feel hotter summers are ‘too much’ but they appear to tolerate roll-back of policies to stop global heating“It’s just too much, isn’t it?” says Julie, a retiree in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, about the 42C (107.6F) heat that her brother had see…
EU targets 90% cut in emissions by 2040 as green groups cry foul
Anger as long-awaited announcement of cuts against 1990 pollution levels allows for foreign carbon creditsThe EU should slash its planet-heating pollution by 90% by 2040, the European Commission has announced, in a proposed change to its climate law th…
Brussels fiddles on climate target, while Europe burns
Numerous EU officials projected anxiety Monday about moving ahead this week with an expected 2040 climate target — even as a heat wave descended.
EU countries blow climate deadline, putting funds for vulnerable people at risk
Governments are anxious about looming climate policies raising prices, but all but are now late on a plan to access EU aid.
French government pours cold water on Le Pen’s mass air conditioning scheme
Marine Le Pen accused the government of forcing ordinary people to suffer the heat.
Downing Street supplied with gas by firm linked to Russian fossil fuels
Buildings across Whitehall are supplied with gas by a U.K. subsidiary of French fossil fuel giant TotalEnergies — a major importer of Russian gas to Europe.
Disarray at European Commission as greenwashing flip-flop triggers doubts about its grip
Center-left allies briefed against her while far-right opponents celebrated. It’s been quite a week for Ursula von der Leyen.
BioLPG and Building Energy Everywhere: Unlocking Rural Europe’s Decarbonisation Potential [Promoted content]
Rural Buildings: The Overlooked Challenge in the Energy Transition Europe’s energy transition is well underway, but one segment remains stubbornly underserved: rural and off-grid buildings. While urban areas benefit from district heating and deep elec…
Heating Optimisation: Local Solutions and Incentives to cut CO2 [Promoted content]
Optimising heating is crucial for reducing Europe’s emissions. A new study shows that replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources, especially biomass, is a cost-effective way to decarbonise. The upcoming Heating and Cooling Strategy should prioritise…
PGE’s new strategy: €55 billion for Polish energy’s future
Flexibility, sustainability and security are placed foremost on the agenda for the company’s new strategy, which offers a transformative and comprehensive vision of the future energy landscape.
Heat energy is gold for Europe’s global competitiveness
Capturing and using natural and waste heat: how heat pump technologies are transforming ‘free energy’ into security, savings and growth.
EU weighs carbon tax on home heating and petrol to fill budget gaps
Commission officials suggest using some revenues raised by unpopular levy due in 2027 to meet bloc’s wider needs
Europe’s wake-up call: Invest in aviation research or lose ground
The region has long been a leader in aviation. However, the sector’s future position hangs in the balance — it is time to invest in research and innovation or risk falling behind.
Funds to tackle Europe’s forest fires poorly targeted, says EU watchdog
Report raises concerns that money allocated to combat fires not reaching areas where it could make biggest differenceEuropean funds to prevent forest fires have been poorly targeted and sometimes distributed in a hurry, according to a report from the E…
The Silent Majority in Europe’s Energy Transition: Rural Households and the Need for Realistic Heating Policy [Promoted content]
As Europe accelerates its push to decarbonise homes and buildings under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), one question keeps resurfacing: what about rural areas?
Here comes the sun: Vast majority of new UK homes to be fitted with solar panels
The government estimates new-build residents will save up to £530 per year.
Only two European states have net zero military emissions target, data shows
Austria and Slovenia are exceptions in continent where just a third of militaries even know their carbon footprintRevealed: Nato rearmament could increase emissions by 200m tonnes a yearCarbon footprint of Israel’s war on Gaza exceeds that of many enti…
Insect-based pet food, the latest byproduct of EU bureaucracy
Insect producers say EU rules are choking their industry and driving it into financial ruin — with the environment paying the price.
Sentimental Value review – Stellan Skarsgård is an egomaniac director in act of ancestor worship
Cannes film festivalJoachim Trier’s entertaining drama sees Norwegian auteur-on-the-slide Skarsgård putting his showbiz family through the wringer in the service of his fading careerHere is an exuberant, garrulous, self-aware picture about an ageing an…
Friends with benefits: the legal elements of the reset of the EU/UK relationship
Professor Steve Peers, Royal Holloway University of
London
Photo credit: Julian Herzog, via Wikimedia
Commons
Introduction
Advocates of Quebec’s independence
from Canada have long argued that their plan would not entail complete separation
fr…
Car-free streets, geothermal heating and solar panels: Paris’s new eco-district – in pictures
Clichy-Batignolles, in the city’s north-west, is emblematic of the ‘15-minute’ city approach to urban planning Continue reading…
Car use and meat consumption drive emissions gender gap, research suggests
The French study of 15,000 people shows men emit 26% more pollution due to eating red meat and driving moreCars and meat are major factors driving a gender gap in greenhouse gas emissions, new research suggests.Men emit 26% more planet-heating pollutio…
Dutch climate campaigners vow to take Shell to court again
In a letter, Milieudefensie says it wants to stop firm developing new oil and gas projects ‘to curb crisis’Climate campaigners in the Netherlands have promised to take Shell to court for a second time to force the energy company to stop developing new …
Making excuses for Putin
The strike on Sumy wasn’t an error, aberration or mishap. It fits into Russia’s long-established tactics — and Washington knows that.
German coalition deal backs EU’s 90 percent climate target — with caveats
The incoming government wants the EU to let countries count emissions cuts paid for abroad toward domestic climate goals.
Britain rekindles old flames as trade war simmers
British officials are on a diplomatic charm offensive to shore up trade ties — but securing meaningful deals will take more than just good will from the U.K. side.
EPP attacks planned CO2 price on gas and heating oil
Several EU countries have urged delaying and watering down ETS 2, which the EPP says justifies the request to redo the calculations.
Air conditioner use driving up emissions as global heating bites
Record high temperatures last year fuelled demand for air conditioning, in turn driving an increase in dirty coal-fired power generation in a dangerous feedback loop revealed by a new global survey from the International Energy Agency.
Flow review – Oscar-winning animation is a beautiful and painterly animal adventure
The wordless aftermath of a global catastrophe sees a cat team up with other creatures in tremendously imagined apocalyptic visionHumans are nowhere to be seen and the animals have taken over in this gorgeous animated adventure that was the dark horse …
This newbie UK minister faces a baptism of fire on a key Labour promise
Miatta Fahnbulleh, left-wing-economist-turned Labour minister, has been tasked with cutting Brits’ energy bills. But convincing the Treasury to budge makes it a mammoth task.
Germany wants looser fiscal rules to meet Europe’s defense challenge
Once Europe’s most influential fiscal hawk, Berlin is now leading the charge for greater fiscal flexibility.
European leaders brace for their ‘five-minutes-to-midnight’ nightmare summit
Diplomats are already worried pro-Russian EU governments could derail the attempt to regain the initiative from Trump ― and save Ukraine.
Ukraine war briefing: Deadly Odesa drone attack cuts power, water and heating for second day
Woman aged 77 died of shrapnel wounds; Zelenskyy offers minerals deal signature and peace plan. What we know on day 1,106A Russian drone attack late on Tuesday killed one person and caused power, water and heating cuts in Odesa for the second day runni…
EU lawmakers try to counter tech bros’ Washington lobbying
Their meeting didn’t quite go as hoped, with U.S. politicians railing against EU “censorship regimes.”
Economy minister Habeck to stay in politics after 400,000 sign petition
Habeck was celebrated for his concentrated push for net-zero, but was criticised on several policies, notably the ‘heating law’,
German election shows how far green wave has receded in Europe
Result is further evidence that political conversation around the climate crisis has shiftedGerman election live – latest updatesIn the final days of an election campaign dominated by migration, the likely new chancellor of Europe’s biggest polluter so…
Monday briefing: Merz will be Germany’s chancellor – but extremists are waiting in the wings
In today’s newsletter: The far-right AfD may have come second, but at 20% they have been held off by the performance of mainstream parties, with the CDU leader Friedrich Merz on course to be the new chancellorGood morning. Germany’s elections always ma…
Almost 48 million Europeans cannot heat their homes
Half of those facing energy poverty had jobs, the European Trade Union Confederation found.
Merz won the German election. Here’s what it means for Europe.
POLITICO breaks down what the conservatives’ victory means for EU policy and cooperation ― from nuclear weapons to cannabis.
Heat pump sales in Europe fall 23% to pre-Ukraine war levels
Growth in 2022 and 2023 was driven by soaring gas prices caused by Russia’s invasion, but 2024 saw sales slumpHeat pump sales fell 23% in Europe last year, industry data shows, reverting to the level they were at before the war in Ukraine and slowing t…
Virkkunen stands firm on American pushback against EU tech laws
SNEAK PEEK — The EU plans to raise the American pushback against tech law with the U.S., said tech boss Henna Virkkunen. She also promised a more “innovation-friendly” AI regulatory framework. — Rolling out AI should mean talking to workers and helping them gain new skills, said EESC president Oliver Röpke. Failing to get it […]
Moldova’s Russia-backed breakaway region strikes deal to end energy crisis
Separatist leaders said they will take a Russian loan to pay for supplies despite an EU aid offer.
New ecodesign rules freeze out Europe’s local space heaters
Proposed EU rules could see almost 100% of solid fuel local space heaters disappear from the European market, destroying European jobs, growth and competitiveness, warns CEFACD
Belgium gets new government with Flemish separatist Bart De Wever as PM
After repeated false starts and breakdowns in talks, the country gets a Flemish-nationalist led coalition.
Germans would rather shiver than pay more for heat
New poll found almost 60% of respondents are clinging on to crisis-era saving habits
The post Germans would rather shiver than pay more for heat appeared first on Euractiv.
Ukraine hits key Russian oil refinery in massive drone attack
Russia’s defense ministry claimed it shot down 121 Ukrainian drones in 11 regions, including one over Moscow.
UK climate chief Ed Miliband is fighting a losing battle
The Treasury is gung-ho about airport expansion — despite longstanding climate concerns of the government’s energy secretary.
In Moldova’s Transnistria region, residents survive without heating in middle of winter
Since January 1, Moldova has been grappling with an energy and political crisis whose outcome remains uncertain. In the middle of winter, Gazprom stopped supplying gas to Transnistria, a self-proclaimed independent Moldovan region run by pro-Moscow se…
Moldova ready to pump gas to Russian-backed separatists amid humanitarian crisis
Any deal must not become a back door for Russian influence, says Moldovan official.
Left-wing MEPs demand new gas price cap
With gas stores likely to be almost empty by the heating season’s end, Europe needs more gas to meet the storage target for next winter.
The post Left-wing MEPs demand new gas price cap appeared first on Euractiv.
Serbia hit with double whammy on gas supply
New U.S. sanctions against Russia target Serbia’s main gas company, at the same time that Azerbaijan claims to not be able to deliver its supply.
World ‘teetering on edge’ of breaching Paris Agreement, scientists say
2024 was the first year to break through the 1.5C temperature barrier, an EU agency finds.
German climate boss calls for citizen relief as domestic carbon pricing raises €13 billion
The German scheme is a precursor to an EU-wide carbon price on heating and transport, which will kick in from 2027.
The post German climate boss calls for citizen relief as domestic carbon pricing raises €13 billion appeared first on Euractiv.
Ukraine war briefing: Trump sympathises with Russian stance against Ukraine joining Nato
President-elect says he understands Moscow’s feelings about having ‘somebody right on their doorstep’; Biden to announce weapons package. What we know on day 1,049See all our Ukraine coverageDonald Trump has said he sympathises with the Russian positio…
5 green targets EU countries will (mostly) miss in 2025
EU countries are behind on most, if not all, their sustainability commitments.
EU to pro-Russian Moldovan separatists: Just take the gas
The gas supply dispute between the Moldovan government and its breakaway region of Transnistria is reigniting political tensions.
Ripe for the picking? Irish wine on the up – but ‘nobody will retire rich’
Global heating has made conditions more favourable for growing grapes – and finding the right variety is keyHeard the one about Irish wine? Like its English counterpart, it is no longer a joke, with more than a dozen vineyards now producing bottles to …
Ukraine war briefing: Five killed and homes damaged in series of Russian and Ukrainian attacks
Residential area in Chernigiv, north of Kyiv, among those hit as Zelenskyy says Russia launched 300 attack drones and nearly 20 missiles in first three days of 2025. What we know on day 1,045See all our Ukraine war coverageAt least five people were kil…
Pro-Russian Moldovan separatists refuse EU gas despite warnings of humanitarian crisis
Leaked correspondence shows Transnistria was offered alternatives to Russian gas amid a winter energy catastrophe.
‘They’ve heard so much wrong information’: Selling heat pumps across Germany’s political divide
Green heating has an image problem, especially where climate-sceptic parties hold sway. Now energy groups are promoting them on grounds of cost, status and energy securityA few dozen people had gathered on the dancefloor of the nightclub in eastern Ger…
Ukraine war briefing: New Year’s Day drone strike kills two in Kyiv
Explosions boomed across the morning sky as Ukraine’s air force warned of incoming drones. What we know on day 1,044See all our Ukraine war coverage Russia launched a New Year’s Day drone strike on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Wednesday, killing…
Russia cuts off gas to Moldovan separatists, risking humanitarian crisis
The Moscow-backed breakaway region is unable to heat homes after being cut off by Kremlin patrons.
Breakaway Moldovan region cuts heating and hot water as Russia stops gas flow
Supply to Transnistria halted as transit deal between Russia and Ukraine expiresThe breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria has cut heating and hot water supplies to households after Russia stopped supplying gas via Ukraine.“There is no heating or ho…
Wanted: An early-warning system for the end of the world
Some experts believe we could hit catastrophic climate ‘tipping points’ in a matter of years. The U.K. government, with a bit of help from Dominic Cummings, is trying to prepare.
Former President Jimmy Carter dead at 100
The nation’s 39th president left a long meaningful legacy after a difficult four years in the White House.
Ukraine war briefing: Biden slams Russia’s ‘outrageous’ Christmas Day assault on Ukraine
President reaffirms US weapons support to Kyiv after Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, which Zelenskyy condemned as ‘inhuman’. What we know on day 1,037See all our Ukraine war coverageJoe Biden has asked the US defence department to continue it…
Russia’s ‘inhumane’ Christmas attack on Ukraine leads to power shortages, Zelenskyy says
Ukrainian president says Vladimir Putin “deliberately” chose Christmas Day to carry out the attack.
Russia launches Christmas Day attack on Ukraine’s energy system
More than half a million people left without heating, water and electricity
What if Russia wins in Ukraine? We can already see the shadows of a dark 2025 | Timothy Garton Ash
Instability is growing, Putin’s hybrid war in Europe is heating up and for fear of escalation we have encouraged global nuclear proliferationThere are human activities in which both sides can win. War is not one of them. Either Ukraine wins this war or…
Russian missile barrage on Kyiv cuts heating, damages embassies
Police said one person died in the Russian strikes overnight. Ukraine’s foreign ministry said that the Albanian, Argentine, North Macedonian, Palestinian, Portuguese and Montenegrin missions were damaged.
Putin’s relentless assault intensifies as Russia hits Kyiv with ballistic missiles
Kremlin says it was a revenge strike for Kyiv’s attack on a military plant in Rostov 2 days ago.
Ukraine war briefing: Trump envoy Kellogg plans Kyiv fact-finding trip – sources
Bombed Russian general was accused over banned chemical weapons use in Ukraine; Nato takes over role of Ramstein group. What we know on day 1,029Donald Trump’s incoming Ukraine envoy, retired Lt Gen Keith Kellogg, will travel to Kyiv and several other …
UK slaps new sanctions on Russian shadow fleet
Twenty ships believed to be responsible for transporting Russian oil have been targeted.
Wood heating could be worse than thought for rural air, study suggests
Research at Slovenian village finds particle pollution once air settles in valley reaches levels of most polluted citiesWe think of cities as the places with the worst air pollution, but studies are increasingly highlighting severe air pollution in rur…
EU’s climate chief warns of ‘geopolitical winter’
Wopke Hoekstra vows to keep EU climate targets despite Trump and populist pushback, but admits Europe can’t go it alone.
‘Someone has to stay’: how Ukrainian power plant workers keep the country running
The Guardian visits a Soviet-era coal-fired thermal installation to explore how it has held up to Russian attacksIn the cavernous turbine hall of a coal-fired thermal power plant, deputy chief engineer Oleksandr runs through the extensive damage, point…
EU should ban space mirrors and other solar geoengineering, scientists say
European Commission scientific advisers say technology to offset global heating could wreak havoc on weatherEurope should ban space mirrors, cloud whitening and other untested tools being touted to reflect the sun’s rays, the European Commission’s scie…
Climate crisis deepens with 2024 ‘certain’ to be hottest year on record
Average global temperature in November was 1.62C above preindustrial levels, bringing average for the year to 1.60CThis year is now almost certain to be the hottest year on record, data shows. It will also be the first to have an average temperature of…
Ukraine war briefing: EU cements first ever joint arms purchases in boost for Ukraine
€300m fund will help member countries buy defence equipment and increase support to Ukraine; Odesa strike knocks out heating. What we know on day 996 Continue reading…
LIVE NOW! The path to the climate neutrality of district heating systems – Solutions, regulations, technologies [Advocacy Lab Content]
An estimated 67 million Europeans rely on heat provided by district heating, which is currently undergoing a decarbonisation process to achieve the goal of being climate-neutral by 2050.
Exxon chief has climate warning for US Republicans
The oil giant takes a stance before the Trump administration sets its sights on gutting Biden’s climate agenda.
Builders face ban on gas boilers in most new homes in England
Industry demands clear guidance and fixed timeframes as concerns over delays to heating reforms mount
Britain hugs oil giant BP while preaching climate action
BP is a global force in fossil fuel drilling — and a major player with COP29 summit host Azerbaijan.
Who’s who at Cop29? The world leaders and others who will attend
Crucial question for summit will be how to help developing countries cope with extreme weather caused by high temperaturesCop29 officially opens on Monday 11 November in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the conference is scheduled to end on 22 November, although …
5 things to know about climate chief Wopke Hoekstra’s hearing
The Dutch politician defended green legislation but remained vague on future plans.
This year ‘virtually certain’ to be hottest on record, finds EU space programme
Copernicus Climate Change Service says 2024 marks ‘a new milestone’ and should raise ambitions at Cop29 summitIt is “virtually certain” that 2024 will be the hottest year on record, the European Union’s space programme has found.The prognosis comes the…
‘People do not want to believe it is true’: the photographer capturing the vanishing of glaciers
Christian Åslund was shocked at the difference between what he saw in 2002 and what confronted him this summer Standing in blinding sunlight on an archipelago above the Arctic Circle, the photographer Christian Åslund looked in shock at a glacier he ha…
What are farmers in the EU required to do to protect the environment?
Greenhouse gases and pollutants from farms urgently need reducing but green policies have triggered furious protestsClimate crisis leaves European farmers vulnerable to far right, say campaignersThe EU urgently needs to staunch the greenhouse gases and…
Finland exports snow-saving mats to ski resorts hit by climate crisis
Preserving previous year’s snow for start of season can combat increasingly unpredictable wintersBefore the arrival of electric fridges and freezers, people across Finland would saw a block of ice from a river or lake before the spring thaw, thickly co…
EU greenhouse gas emissions down 8 percent in 2023
Accelerating rollout of renewable energy sources drives stunning drop.
Can Europe get fired up to compete globally on nuclear fusion? [Advocacy Lab Content]
Nuclear fusion research, which could be a game-changer in the fight against climate change, is heating up globally. Europe has an early lead, but there are concerns over future competitiveness.
The silent force behind the Trump transition
You’ve probably never heard of Brooke Rollins. She wants to keep it that way.
The Greens’ dilemma
Winning elections isn’t just about having the right message, it’s about having a message that resonates with people’s daily concerns.
‘Winter is coming,’ Zelenskyy warns as Putin threatens Ukraine’s power grid
Ukrainian president is in Brussels to push EU allies for more help resisting Russia.
No one has a plan to fix Britain’s old, cold homes
The Tories promised to upgrade insulation and heating in millions of U.K. homes. They failed — and Labour’s plans are already in trouble.
How scientists pinpoint climate’s ‘telltale signs’ on Hurricanes Milton and Helene
POLITICO discussed the emergence of attribution science and the human fingerprints on Helene and Milton with Gabriel Vecchi, a Princeton University professor of geosciences.