While we are focusing on our 2030 and 2050 objectives, it is important to take stock of how well we have done so far. The European Union (EU) achieved its three main climate and energy targets by 2020, according to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment, published this week. The 2030 target of a … Continue reading New EEA report shows EU achieved its three 2020 climate and energy targets
Category: EU policies
The European Commission is handing out 60,000 Interrail tickets to young people
From Tuesday this week, 18- to 20-year-olds have been able to apply for tickets that grant free train travel across Europe. The initiative is providing travel opportunities to young people as the pandemic wanes. A news item on the Deutsche Welle website explains. The closing date is October 26th, so if you know someone who … Continue reading The European Commission is handing out 60,000 Interrail tickets to young people
New EEA report on increased need for knowledge for action in Europe
The European Green Deal has set unprecedented sustainability ambitions for the EU and calls for transformational change across society. To realise such far-reaching changes, Europe needs knowledge for action. This means better uptake and use of existing knowledge, new types of knowledge, new ways of creating knowledge, and, in some policy areas, better data and … Continue reading New EEA report on increased need for knowledge for action in Europe
European Commission publishes recommendation and guidelines on the ‘Energy Efficiency First’ principle
Energy efficiency first has been a guiding principle in European climate and energy policies for many years. It considers energy efficiency as a source of energy in its own right and as a “first fuel” in planning processes and investment decisions. It has been an essential element of the energy union and the Clean energy for … Continue reading European Commission publishes recommendation and guidelines on the ‘Energy Efficiency First’ principle
New EEA briefing on counting the cost of industrial air pollution
Emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases from large industrial sites in Europe cost society between €277 and €433 billion, in 2017, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis, published this week. About half of the annual cost is caused by just 211 facilities, around 2 % of the largest industrial sites in Europe. … Continue reading New EEA briefing on counting the cost of industrial air pollution
New EEA briefing on data of key air pollutants in Europe
Concentrations of key air pollutants remain too high in most European countries. According to the European Environment Agency’s official data, published this week, most European Union (EU) Member States exceed at least one or more of the EU’s legal limits for pollutants in ambient air in 2019. Air pollution still too high in most … Continue reading New EEA briefing on data of key air pollutants in Europe
New JRC report on progress of member states in implementing the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
With a new draft proposal for revising the EPBD coming soon, it is timely that the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has published Progress of the Member States in implementing the Energy Performance of Building Directive. Overall, the EPBD policy framework laid down the foundation for: i) setting cost-optimal minimum energy performance standards in new … Continue reading New JRC report on progress of member states in implementing the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
New report from BPIE flags ‘make-or-break’ opportunity for climate-neutral buildings in Europe
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is the next of the EU’s energy efficiency directives to be revised this year as part of the European Green Deal, the “Fit for 55” package and the Renovation Wave initiative. The new report, The make or break decade: Making the EPBD fit for 2030, from the Buildings Performance Institute … Continue reading New report from BPIE flags ‘make-or-break’ opportunity for climate-neutral buildings in Europe
Industry and Europe’s “Fit for 55” package
In July the European Commission adopted a package of proposals – called the Fit for 55 package – to make the EU’s climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. As the Commission states, achieving these emission reductions in … Continue reading Industry and Europe’s “Fit for 55” package
New EEA report on benefits from climate-friendly practices for sourcing raw materials
Climate-friendly practices for sourcing raw materials hold significant potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and globally. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report, published this week, focusing on raw material extraction and processing, raw material consumers can use their purchasing power to influence suppliers to become more climate friendly. Including sourcing requirements … Continue reading New EEA report on benefits from climate-friendly practices for sourcing raw materials
