New EEA report on value of rail as a low-emission alternative for moving people and goods in Europe

Transport remains Europe’s most persistent climate challenge. While rail offers a low-emission alternative for moving people and goods, Europe’s continued reliance on road transport is keeping greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions high, according to a report published this week by the European Environment Agency. Rail offers a major opportunity for Europe to cut transport … Continue reading New EEA report on value of rail as a low-emission alternative for moving people and goods in Europe →

European Investment Bank’s energy efficiency for SMEs initiative is on track to surpass its targets

The Energy Efficiency for SMEs initiative – the first European Union-wide programme dedicated to accelerating energy savings in small and medium‑sized enterprises – is on track to surpass its targets following a successful first year of operation. The initiative delivered €6 billion in financing in 2025, enabling up to 150,000 SMEs across Europe to invest in … Continue reading European Investment Bank’s energy efficiency for SMEs initiative is on track to surpass its targets →

New EEA report on how unprepared European citizens are for coping with impact of climate change

Europeans are very concerned about extreme heat and other impacts of climate change like wildfires according to the results of a Europe-wide survey published this week. It found that many citizens were also underprepared to deal with the increasing frequency and magnitude of heatwaves, flooding, or water shortages in their own homes. Overheated and … Continue reading New EEA report on how unprepared European citizens are for coping with impact of climate change →

New JRC report finds that energy efficiency was the main driver behind EU energy consumption decrease

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) published a new report assessing the impact of improved energy efficiency on EU energy consumption between 2010 and 2023. The report found that the 17.1% reduction of primary energy consumption between 2010 and 2023 was mainly the result of two factors: the reduction in final energy demand and … Continue reading New JRC report finds that energy efficiency was the main driver behind EU energy consumption decrease →

Leaked EU Industrial Accelerator Act puts low-carbon steel at centre of clean industrial push

Julia Bolotov writes on the eurometal.net website about details from the leaked draft EU industrial accelerator act. Leaked EU Industrial Accelerator Act seeks to unlock green steel demand, stalled investments A leaked draft of the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act (IIA), seen by Fastmarkets on Thursday January 22, sets out plans to accelerate decarbonization across … Continue reading Leaked EU Industrial Accelerator Act puts low-carbon steel at centre of clean industrial push →

UNECE launches new study calling for systemic efficiency to accelerate a resilient, affordable, and just energy transition

A new UNECE publication “Energy efficiency and decarbonization measures in end-use sectors” calls for rethinking how countries design their energy systems: from “Which energy efficiency technologies should be deployed?” to “How to design the system, so that proven measures scale, persist, and stay affordable?” Built on the body of work of the Group of Experts on Energy … Continue reading UNECE launches new study calling for systemic efficiency to accelerate a resilient, affordable, and just energy transition →

New European Investment Bank report – Bridging opportunity gaps: EIB Group investments in education, health and housing

Europe’s social model is a global benchmark for well-being, but demographic ageing, the green and digital transitions, and recurring economic shocks are putting it under strain. Sustaining progress will require smart, efficient social investment that mobilises public and private resources. This report looks at how the EIB Group is responding to these challenges by financing … Continue reading New European Investment Bank report – Bridging opportunity gaps: EIB Group investments in education, health and housing →

Will the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement really go against the EU’s climate commitments?

The EU is set to sign a long-awaited trade deal with South America's trade bloc, Mercosur. It may offer unexplored opportunities, but critics say the environmental fallout is being sidelined. In an article on the Deutsche Welle website, Martin Kuebler discusses the main issues. What the EU-Mercosur deal might mean for the environment Ursula … Continue reading Will the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement really go against the EU’s climate commitments? →

Renewable energy making good gains in the EU

Eurostat has put out the following article this week on the generation of electricity from renewables in 2024. 2024: nearly 50% of EU electricity came from renewablesIn 2024, renewable energy sources accounted for 47.5% of gross electricity consumption in the EU, indicating a 2.1 percentage points (pp) increase from 2023. It has almost tripled (+30 pp) since the time series began … Continue reading Renewable energy making good gains in the EU →

New EEA briefing on climate adaptation

Climate-proofing the agriculture, energy and transport sectors would help avoid billions of euros in losses from the accelerating extreme weather events related to climate change. At the same time, it would increase Europe’s competitiveness, according to a briefing published this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Investing in climate adaptation strengthens European competitiveness … Continue reading New EEA briefing on climate adaptation →