The leaked EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy proposal for a complementary Delegated Act sets out the role of fossil gas, two devastating scenarios emerge – both a far cry from net-zero by 2050. The leaked proposal is discussed in a briefing by Lina Strandvåg Nagell on the Bellona Europe website. Note that the EC began expert … Continue reading EU taxonomy proposed change is a “recipe for a greenwashing disaster”
Category: EU policies
New EEA reports show there are clear opportunities to decouple Europe’s waste generation from economic growth
In most European countries and in the EU as a whole, waste generation is growing but at a slower pace than the economy. However, there are no signs that the overall objective of reducing the total generation of waste is close to being achieved, according to a European Environment Agency report published recently. The report’s … Continue reading New EEA reports show there are clear opportunities to decouple Europe’s waste generation from economic growth
Important new reports from EC Joint Research Centre
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has recently published two important reports. Mobilizing citizens to invest in energy efficiency One example of a way for citizens to contribute to the low-carbon energy transition is by investing in energy efficiency (EE). However, there are still multiple barriers that make the socially optimal level of adoption … Continue reading Important new reports from EC Joint Research Centre
European Commission boosts efforts to make rail Europe’s default mode of transport
The European Commission is proposing more sustainable travel, led by efforts to make Europe’s rail system the default mode of transport. Daniel Boffey discusses in an article on The Guardian website. The Commission’s press release on this proposal is available here. Faster trains and cheaper tickets to boost European rail travel in new strategy … Continue reading European Commission boosts efforts to make rail Europe’s default mode of transport
EU and its 27 Member States need to look how they can improve the current target of achieving an at least 55% reduction of net GHG emissions by 2030
The EU is not on track to achieve the 1.5°C climate target. Wendel Trio, in a Climate Science and Policy Briefing Paper, argues that the EU must revisit its current pledge. The author argues that o be aligned with the 1.5°C objective a GHG emission reduction target of at least -65% is needed. The … Continue reading EU and its 27 Member States need to look how they can improve the current target of achieving an at least 55% reduction of net GHG emissions by 2030
European Commission publishes proposals for revising buildings directive and gas package
According to the European Consumer Organisation BEUC, consumers will benefit from new basic housing standards that will allow them to use less energy to heat or cool their homes, according to the European Commission’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive announced this week, part of its ‘Fit for 55’ climate package. However, the Commission’s Gas Package … Continue reading European Commission publishes proposals for revising buildings directive and gas package
Will poorer countries be unfairly disadvantaged by EU climate protection regulations?
The EU is picking up speed with climate protection regulations. For imports from abroad, a carbon tax will soon be introduced. But poorer countries could be unfairly disadvantaged by this. Tim Schauenberg discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. CO2 tax at Europe's border: Revolution or protectionism? Earlier this year, … Continue reading Will poorer countries be unfairly disadvantaged by EU climate protection regulations?
New EEA report on analysis of air quality in Europe
The vast majority of Europe’s urban population is exposed to levels of air pollutants above new World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, according to an updated European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis on air quality in Europe released this week. Europe’s urban population remains at risk due to levels of air pollution known to damage health … Continue reading New EEA report on analysis of air quality in Europe
New EEA report on creating an economy that can deliver prosperity and sustainability
Creating a more resilient and sustainable future will require Europe to reimagine its economic model, according to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) report published this week. The report highlights opportunities for Europe to go further in creating an economy that can deliver prosperity and sustainability. Creating a resilient economy within environmental limits Reducing … Continue reading New EEA report on creating an economy that can deliver prosperity and sustainability
The pros and cons of pulling the shipping industry into the EU’s emissions trading scheme
Andrew Warren, former special advisor to the House of Commons environment select committee, explores the EU Commission's ambition to include European shipping in its emissions trading scheme in an article first published on the Business Green website. Tax or trade: Is the EU's emissions trading scheme the best way to tackle CO2 from shipping? … Continue reading The pros and cons of pulling the shipping industry into the EU’s emissions trading scheme
