EU ministers break deadlock on CO2 emission cut by 2040 amid political pressure

The European Union's 27 governments have struck a deal slightly watering down a proposed 2040 target for cutting planet-warming emissions, and set a new 2035 climate commitment. Ministers unanimously approved the bloc’s long-overdue climate plan, rescuing the EU from the international embarrassment of showing up empty handed this month's COP30 summit on climate change in Brazil. A requirement under the 2015 Paris … Continue reading EU ministers break deadlock on CO2 emission cut by 2040 amid political pressure

New report shows progress in sustainable aviation fuel uptake across the EU

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published its first annual report on the implementation of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation this week. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the state of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) uptake across the EU in 2024 and assesses the market’s readiness to meet upcoming obligations under the Regulation. According to the findings, … Continue reading New report shows progress in sustainable aviation fuel uptake across the EU

Reimagining architecture: where sustainability meets smart technology

Gwen Webber writes on the KNX today website about the  important role architects have in developing sustainable buildings.   Architects: playing a critical role in energy efficient and sustainable buildings Understanding systems such as KNX is now essential for architects if they want to deliver buildings that are not just energy-efficient but future-proof. I have … Continue reading Reimagining architecture: where sustainability meets smart technology

EIB Investment Survey 2025 – European Union overview

The European Investment Bank’s EIB Investment Survey is conducted annually and includes data from approximately 13 000 firms in all EU Member States plus a sample from the United States. The survey provides information on firm characteristics and performance, past investment activities and future plans, sources of finance and the financing issues businesses face. Key … Continue reading EIB Investment Survey 2025 – European Union overview

“Strategic industrial electrification – twin-tracked with ambitious energy efficiency – offers the single most powerful lever for Europe to cut costs, cut emissions, and compete on the world stage”

Jan Rosenow, Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at the University of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute, has addressed energy ministers from all 27 member states at the European Union’s Energy Council; offering a decisive, research-backed roadmap to restore Europe’s industrial competitiveness, strengthen energy security, and accelerate decarbonisation. This article was published on the University of Oxford website.   … Continue reading “Strategic industrial electrification – twin-tracked with ambitious energy efficiency – offers the single most powerful lever for Europe to cut costs, cut emissions, and compete on the world stage”

European Commission advances in the completion of the Common Charger initiative

Each year over 400 million external power supplies (EPS) are sold in the EU. To increase consumer convenience as well as resource and energy efficiency, the Commission has revised today the ecodesign requirements for these devices. Manufacturers will have 3 years to prepare for the changes. The rules cover EPS which charge or supply electricity to devices … Continue reading European Commission advances in the completion of the Common Charger initiative

EU’s energy transition: the choice is not whether to enlarge or to decarbonise—it’s whether to do both smartly or not

Elisabetta Cornago writes on the Centre for European Reform about how enlargement of the EU should take place to ensure that climate ambitions are maintained. What are your views?   Europe’s Climate Future Calls  for Smart Enlargement As it prepares for another wave of enlargement, bringing in candidate countries from the Western Balkans and Eastern … Continue reading EU’s energy transition: the choice is not whether to enlarge or to decarbonise—it’s whether to do both smartly or not

Leading companies want EU to repeal prominent corporate sustainabilitiy laws to increase the region’s competitiveness

TotalEnergies, Siemens and 46 other European companies have written to European governments urging them to repeal one of the EU’s most prominent corporate sustainability laws to increase the continent’s competitiveness. Kate Abnett and Virginia Furness, writing for Reuters, publish a news item on the UK Finance Yahoo website about the letter.   TotalEnergies, Siemens urge … Continue reading Leading companies want EU to repeal prominent corporate sustainabilitiy laws to increase the region’s competitiveness

New EEA report on the overall state of the environment: environmental damage is putting European way of life at risk

Significant progress has been made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, but the overall state of Europe’s environment is not good, especially its nature which continues to face degradation, overexploitation and biodiversity loss. The impacts of accelerating climate change are also an urgent challenge, according to the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) most comprehensive, … Continue reading New EEA report on the overall state of the environment: environmental damage is putting European way of life at risk

Latest impact report of Concerted Action on the EU Energy Efficiency Directive

The latest CA EED Impact Report has been released, covering March 2022 to May 2025, outlines the achievements of the EU-wide initiative supporting the Energy Efficiency Directive. It is the first in a series of two reports that will explore the impacts of this current, third iteration of the CA EED (2022-2026). This report covers the … Continue reading Latest impact report of Concerted Action on the EU Energy Efficiency Directive