European Commission announces the Green Deal Industrial Plan: putting Europe’s net-zero industry in the lead

This week, the Commission presents a Green Deal Industrial Plan to enhance the competitiveness of Europe's net-zero industry and support the fast transition to climate neutrality. The Plan aims to provide a more supportive environment for the scaling up of the EU's manufacturing capacity for the net-zero technologies and products required to meet Europe's ambitious … Continue reading European Commission announces the Green Deal Industrial Plan: putting Europe’s net-zero industry in the lead →

EU member states weathering an historic natural gas crisis

Philip Oltermann, Jon Henley, Angelique Chrisafis, Sam Jones and Shaun Walker wrote an article on The Guardian website that shows the effective action EU member states took to reduce dependence on Russian gas. Within eight months of Russia invading Ukraine, the EU’s 27 member states had already replaced about 80% of the natural gas they … Continue reading EU member states weathering an historic natural gas crisis →

Renewable energy statistics are probably overstated because of the way biomass is counted in EU renewable energy statistics, especially when it is burned for heating

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has acknowledged “weaknesses” in how biomass energy is counted in national statistics after several EU countries reported a sudden increase in residential wood burning to meet their 2020 renewable energy goals. Frédéric Simon discusses the statistics in an article on the EURACTIV website. Exposed: How EU countries use firewood … Continue reading Renewable energy statistics are probably overstated because of the way biomass is counted in EU renewable energy statistics, especially when it is burned for heating →

‘Make Europe the home of clean tech’: European Commission President calls for more subsidies to fund EU’s future

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a "Net Zero Industry Act" to boost clean tech. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, she also vowed to support Ukraine "as long as it takes." Deutsche Welle provides a news item on Mme von der Leyen’s announcement. European Commission outlines plan for clean tech … Continue reading ‘Make Europe the home of clean tech’: European Commission President calls for more subsidies to fund EU’s future →

New Eurobarometer survey shows large majority are positive about recent EU actions addressing energy crisis

A new Eurobarometer survey released in December shows that the large majority of EU citizens are positive about recent EU actions to tackle the energy crisis. In particular, More than 8 in ten EU citizens (82%) agree that the EU should continue to take actions to reduce its dependency on Russian fossil fuels. An overwhelming … Continue reading New Eurobarometer survey shows large majority are positive about recent EU actions addressing energy crisis →

The climate priorities for the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council

With European economies severely affected by the war, the green and energy transitions take centre stage, with the ‘Fit for 55’ package setting the framework for climate action. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson recognises the EU’s climate leadership and declared Sweden’s intention to strengthen this position during the Presidency. The Bellona Foundation, an independent non-profit … Continue reading The climate priorities for the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council →

The EU’s new carbon market includes a reformed Emissions Trading System (ETS)

The European Union has negotiated its "biggest climate law" ever. With emitters forced to pay more, billions of euros are expected to go toward a climate social fund. Tim Schauenberg takes a closer look in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. EU reforms Emissions Trading System: What you need to know The European … Continue reading The EU’s new carbon market includes a reformed Emissions Trading System (ETS) →

The European Commission has outlined possible “transition pathways” to address the environmental impact of the construction sector

Europe’s construction ecosystem employs approximately 24.9 million people but it is also extremely fragmented with 99.9% of the companies being SMEs. Nikolaus J. Kurmayer discusses on the EURACTIV website the plans of the European Commission to transform the sector and that digitalisation could be the silver bullet to address all the problems – lack of … Continue reading The European Commission has outlined possible “transition pathways” to address the environmental impact of the construction sector →

New report on saving energy for Europe – contrasting EU states’ measures

Research from the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) indicates that the measures to reduce gas and electricity consumption taken so far by EU states are insufficient to meet EU targets. EU targets may be reached if high prices lead to large consumers reducing their consumption. Measures to reduce energy usage also reduce the pressure on rising … Continue reading New report on saving energy for Europe – contrasting EU states’ measures →

New EEA publication on Europe’s commitments for sustainability and energy system from the perspective multiple, interconnected crises

The European Environment Agency’s (EEA) assessments have shown that Europe and world face unprecedented environment and climate challenges that require ambitious policy responses, such as the European Green Deal. Published recently, EEA Signals 2022 looks at Europe’s commitments for sustainability and energy system from the perspective multiple, interconnected crises. Moving towards sustainability in times … Continue reading New EEA publication on Europe’s commitments for sustainability and energy system from the perspective multiple, interconnected crises →