Energy & Environment
The EU Moves to Regulate Sports Shooters
Est. 7minWe interviewed Luciano Rossi, President of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), to get his views on a proposed EU law which will affect European athletes.
Chinese wind turbine-makers move into Europe as trade tensions flare
Est. 5minChinese wind turbine-makers this month clinched their first order in Germany, as they build momentum in the European market and add to concern in the EU industry that it faces an existential threat.
EU, Serbia set to ink ‘critical raw materials’ deal
Est. 3minThe European Union and Serbia were set to sign a deal Friday (19 July) over the supply of battery materials during a "critical raw materials summit", just days after Belgrade allowed work to resume at a disputed lithium mining project.
EU looks at water strategy as conflict grows over agricultural use of large reservoirs
Est. 4minThe re-elected president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced "a strategy for sustainable management of water" at a time when 21 EU ministers called for water to be a top priority on the European agenda and France was set to see demonstrations against large water reservoirs for irrigation.
Stricter EU rules and technology bans could deliver net zero in 2046, €6.1tn GDP boost
Est. 3minEconomic and financial consultancy Oxera has published a report explaining that more investment and policy on decarbonisation would boost economic growth across the European Union.
Heat pump sales collapse leaves new EU Commission with tough task
Est. 3minAmid a Europe-wide slump in 2023 heat pump sales, the industry’s outlook is bleak – putting pressure on the next European Commission to reinvigorate the key sector.
Slovakia’s climate and energy strategy delayed, targets higher gas usage
Est. 3minSlovakia falls behind in submitting its finalised national plan for emissions reduction by 2030, which now includes doubling the natural gas share in central heating systems and lacks a clear timetable for reducing fossil fuel use, raising concerns amongst environmentalists.
Spanish hydrogen experience qualifies Teresa Ribera for the climate job in the next EU Commission
Est. 4minTeresa Ribera, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of Spain understands the advantages of a multi-modal energy system encompassing renewable gases like hydrogen.
ENVI and ITRE: Many familiar faces, but some big names relegated to backbenches
Est. 4minDraft committee arrangements of the European Parliament’s biggest groups, seen by Euractiv, show that some heavyweight lawmakers surprisingly secured only substitute status due to the high demand for seats in the environment (ENVI) and industry (ITRE) committees.
Greece restricts outdoor work as temperatures soar again
Est. 2minGreece has ordered some businesses not to let their employees perform heavy outdoor duties during afternoon hours this week as the country sizzles in yet another heat wave.
Energy, environment tensions underpin Strasbourg high politics
Est. 5minTo be secure, von der Leyen needs support from a forth political group. This will most likely come from the Greens. But Green support cannot be at the expense of alienating large parts of her own EPP group.
EU auditors slam ‘politically driven’ 2030 hydrogen targets
Est. 4minThe European Court of Auditors has criticised the European Commission for setting unachievable hydrogen production and import targets for 2030, while praising its swift adoption of the market rulebook, in a new report published on Wednesday (17 July).
US invests in energy and transport infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe
Est. 4minThe US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced on Tuesday (16 July) its first investments into Central and Eastern European energy and transport infrastructure, as part of a wider €280 million funding commitment aimed at countering Russian and Chinese influence in the region.
How the new EU Battery Fund can put Europe on the battery map
Est. 5minEurope is still running behind in the global scramble to secure the green supply chains of the future. China’s decades’ long planning and investment, and the US’s more recent surge of support, risk leaving our continent in the dust.
The changing dynamics of European electricity markets
Est. 4minThe recently adopted electricity market reform sees the state becoming a major financial intermediary in the European electricity sector, with implications for its approach to recovering costs
MEP Pascal Canfin aims for pro-nature, pro-farmer cooperation with EPP
Est. 5minIn an interview with Euractiv, the outgoing chair of the European Parliament's Environment Committee (ENVI), Pascal Canfin, called on lawmakers from the centre-right European People's Party, who supported farmers' strikes, to embrace a more ecological approach.
Political will and collaboration can revise plastics system
Est. 6minFor the first time, the European plastics industry is united to redesign the plastics system and achieve net zero emissions. Learn why ‘the Plastics Transition’ roadmap is being considered as a profound cultural shift for the plastics industry.
Von der Leyen’s speech: The topics that burn
Est. 6minUrsula von der Leyen’s speech on Thursday at European Parliament will be crucial to ensure the majority she needs to be reelected as Commission president, but to convince all pro-EU coalition lawmakers, she will have to address some key EU policy issues.
EU energy ministers talk geothermal in Budapest
Est. 5minGeothermal energy is the first item on the agenda of an informal meeting of EU energy ministers on Friday and Saturday (16-17 July) in Budapest, where they will discuss how to overcome barriers to the deployment of this under-exploited energy source.
‘Heat under your feet’ tops Hungarian EU Council presidency’s energy agenda
Although geothermal energy plays a small part of the EU’s renewable energy mix, it has significant potential as a stable and local source in the Unions quest for energy independence.
Sustainable marine fuels: the key to finally decarbonise shipping?
Est. 7minRecent advancements in low-carbon fuels for ships will likely mean new verification and reporting requirements. But the flexibility of ships has made for unique challenges – and opportunities.
Combatting energy poverty needs local community engagement, says EESC
Est. 6minFor many Europeans, flipping a light switch or turning the faucet for warm water is an unremarkable action, yet around 42 million people across Europe could not warm their homes effectively, the EESC is demanding more action.
Germany awards €200m green hydrogen subsidy to UAE-linked firm
Est. 3minThe German hydrogen funding vehicle H2Global has contracted an UAE-linked firm for a quarter million tonnes of hydrogen for €200 million, to be delivered from 2027.
German minister: Not lifting EU combustion engine ban would be ‘electoral fraud’
Est. 2minAs EU Socialists urge Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to stick to the 2035 ban on new petrol cars, German Transport Minister Volker Wissing warned that refusing to reverse the ban would be a "gigantic electoral fraud".