New EEA report on EU ETS emissions continuing to decrease

Under current and planned measures, EU Member States project that ETS emissions will continue to decrease in the coming decades albeit at a slower pace than historically, according to the latest annual European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing 'Trends and projections in the EU ETS' published this week. On recent trends, greenhouse gas emissions from stationary … Continue reading New EEA report on EU ETS emissions continuing to decrease →

EU taxonomy proposed change is a “recipe for a greenwashing disaster”

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” →

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 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 →

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 →

Coming soon . . . not to miss

eceee summer study 2022 – deadline November 16th for submission of abstracts As we all find our role in the carbon-neutral energy transition, you can be an agent of change at eceee’s upcoming summer study, in Hyères, the South of France, 6–11 June 2022. The eceee 2022 Summer Study offers five intense days of formal … Continue reading Coming soon . . . not to miss →

New joint briefing by EEA and Eurofound on benefits of targeted measures to cut carbon emissions

Recycling revenues from energy and carbon taxes to support low-income groups, investing in renovating buildings and in green mobility are among measures that could ensure public support for Europe’s sustainability agenda and a socially just transition. Vulnerable groups may feel the benefit of these measures more than others, as well as from the broader community … Continue reading New joint briefing by EEA and Eurofound on benefits of targeted measures to cut carbon emissions →

New EEA report shows EU achieved its three 2020 climate and energy targets

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 →

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 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 →