New tool empowers regions in their energy transition across Europe

The REGIO1st Planning Framework provides a comprehensive, structured approach for regional energy planners in Europe to develop and implement sustainable, cost-effective energy strategies in line with the Energy Efficiency First (EE1st) principle. Regions and cities play a key role in the energy transition across Europe, as they are the main channel for the implementation of … Continue reading New tool empowers regions in their energy transition across Europe →

New assessment from EEA and ECHA of the drivers and impact of chemical pollution

The transition towards safer and more sustainable chemicals is progressing in some areas, while in others, it is just beginning. This is the finding of a first, joint Europe-wide assessment of the drivers and impact of chemical pollution by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published this week. The benchmarking … Continue reading New assessment from EEA and ECHA of the drivers and impact of chemical pollution →

European Citizens’ Panel provides recommendations on energy efficiency

The European Citizens’ Panel on Energy Efficiency brings together 150 European citizens to discuss how energy may be used in the EU and how the energy system will change. The panel met three times and produced recommendations for the European Commission. 150 European citizens adopted 13 recommendations for the EC on energy efficiency during the … Continue reading European Citizens’ Panel provides recommendations on energy efficiency →

EU to probe subsidies to Chinese solar panel manufacturers that have distorted European market

Nikolaus J. Kurmayer writes on the Euractiv website about whether subsidies allowed Chinese firms to submit unfair bids for the construction of a Romanian solar panel park. The probe reflects a hardening stance in Europe towards cheap Chinese imports, which the EU’s solar industry has blamed for the heavy losses and plant closures of several … Continue reading EU to probe subsidies to Chinese solar panel manufacturers that have distorted European market →

New report shows transport is the “problem child” of Europe’s climate efforts

Transport emissions in Europe have grown 26% since 1990 and greenhouse gases from sector could make up 44% of continent’s total output by 2030, says the campaign group Transport & Environment. Ajit Niranjan discusses the report’s findings in an article on the Guardian website. Campaigners warn over failure to curb Europe’s ‘runaway’ transport emissions … Continue reading New report shows transport is the “problem child” of Europe’s climate efforts →

New EEA report on the circular economy in Europe

Despite legislative steps forward over the past five years, efforts to transform Europe’s largely linear, ‘throw-away’ economy into a circular one will require further bold action and strong implementation of existing measures. Decisive action is essential to drastically reduce waste, prioritise reduction of resource use, improve recycling rates and improve the introduction of products that … Continue reading New EEA report on the circular economy in Europe →

98% of Europeans live in areas with unhealthy levels of PM2.5

While air pollution levels have improved significantly over the past 20 years, so much more to do because it is estimated that 98% of Europeans live in areas that the World Health Organization says have unhealthy levels of PM2.5. Helena Horton discusses the findings in an article on the Guardian website. Air pollution levels … Continue reading 98% of Europeans live in areas with unhealthy levels of PM2.5 →

New EEA assessment that Europe is unprepared for rapidly growing climate risks

Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world, and climate risks are threatening its energy and food security, ecosystems, infrastructure, water resources, financial stability, and people’s health. According to the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) assessment, published this week, many of these risks have already reached critical levels and could become catastrophic without urgent and … Continue reading New EEA assessment that Europe is unprepared for rapidly growing climate risks →

Energy in Demand News, March 10, 2024

The World Trade Organization's Thirteenth Ministerial Conference (MC13) recently took place in Abu Dhabi (February 26-March 2). In its energy update, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) wrote that “fossil fuel subsidy reform conversations have made marked progress at the WTO. Last week, the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform initiative—comprised of 48 members—delivered a new … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 10, 2024 →

New EEA briefing on the ‘just transition’ to sustainability

What do we mean by a ‘just transition’ to a sustainable future? A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, looks into how a shift to a greener, climate-neutral, circular economy will impact our society and describes how policies must be informed by concepts of justice and fairness if they are to succeed. … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the ‘just transition’ to sustainability →