Often overlooked as an obstacle to climate action, lobbying has come into the spotlight at COP26

Lobbyists are pushing the climate to dangerous extremes by blocking or diluting policies that would reduce the burning of fossil fuels. Ajit Niranjan provides his views on lobbying in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. COP26: Lobbying threat to global climate action As world leaders meet for a landmark summit to cut carbon … Continue reading Often overlooked as an obstacle to climate action, lobbying has come into the spotlight at COP26 →

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 →

Fierce debate over what decarbonisation conditions should be imposed to developing nation organisations seeking to access funding from Green Climate Fund

Board members from developing countries insisted that making a 2050 net zero goal a condition for accreditation to the fund breaches equity principles. As we get closer to COP26, this is a significant issue that needs to be addressed. Chloé Farand discusses the issues in an article on the Climate Change News website. Dispute … Continue reading Fierce debate over what decarbonisation conditions should be imposed to developing nation organisations seeking to access funding from Green Climate Fund →

Highlights of the IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2021

The International Energy Agency has long been accused of undermining climate action. Now, ahead of a global climate summit, it has called on governments to make stronger commitments. Farah Bahgat discusses the main highlights in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. IEA warns world's clean energy transition is 'too slow' Investment in renewable … Continue reading Highlights of the IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2021 →

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 →

“The integrity of the Paris agreement is critically undermined by the Energy Charter Treaty”

Concerns are growing that a treaty originally intended to protect EU energy firms when the Soviet Union collapsed could undermine the Paris Agreement on climate change. Arthur Neslen discusses the issues in an article on the Thomson Reuters Foundation News website. Energy lawsuits pact seen threatening Paris climate deal Fear of multi-billion-euro lawsuits from … Continue reading “The integrity of the Paris agreement is critically undermined by the Energy Charter Treaty” →

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 →

European Central Bank climate stress tests show the challenges ahead

The stress test published Wednesday compiled data gathered on more than 4 million companies worldwide and 1,600 banks in the 19-country eurozone where the ECB sets monetary policy. The broad takeaway was that an orderly and swift transition “to minimize costs and maximize benefits outweighs short-term cost of transition to zero-carbon economy over the medium … Continue reading European Central Bank climate stress tests show the challenges ahead →

New World Health Organization Global Air Quality Guidelines aim to save millions of lives from air pollution

New WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) provide clear evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health, at even lower concentrations than previously understood. The guidelines recommend new air quality levels to protect the health of populations, by reducing levels of key air pollutants, some of which also contribute to climate change. Since … Continue reading New World Health Organization Global Air Quality Guidelines aim to save millions of lives from air pollution →