Israelis to gather and mark 700 days since Hamas' 7 October attacks
Robert Hodgson
Brussels green lights €1.4bn in state subsidy for hydrogen projects
The European Commission hopes to further boost EU clean energy technology by approving whopping state subsidies for a range of projects aimed at using hydrogen to replace fossil fuels in tranport.
Push for deal on ‘green claims’ rules raises fears of double standards
Incoming EU legislation could force petroleum firms to temper their claims to be heading for net-zero emissions, but raises questions over the use of offsetting to fulfil climate action pledges.
Net Zero Industry Act sign-off heralds carbon capture deployment
Legislation designed to protect European firms from US and Chinese competition during the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy also forces big oil to help keep carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Is Vienna set to break deadlock over Nature Restoration Law?
Two of Austria's nine states have broken ranks, potentially ending a consensus that was preventing the federal government from voting in favour of the EU's Nature Restoration Law.
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Electricity firms seek huge investment support for distribution grids
Europe’s energy transition and the EU goal of reaching ‘net-zero’ emissions could be at risk unless the equivalent of 0.4% of GDP is pumped into upgrading electricity distribution systems, the power sector has warned as energy ministers finalise their position on future grid development.
Belgium makes last-ditch bid for deal on GMO deregulation
Belgium is looking to break a deadlock among EU governments over a proposed easing of regulation for GMO crops produced using the latest gene editing techniques, by addressing concerns over the patenting of novel seed varieties by agribusinesses.
Ministers give green light to new electricity market rules
EU governments have waved through new electricity market rules intended to limit price spikes, protect vulnerable consumers and businesses, and accelerate the deployment of ever more zero-emissions power capacity.
Industry backers say Europe needs a carbon capture tsar
With real-world development lagging far behind the rhetoric of policy makers in Brussels, industry groups and big oil agree the EU needs a 'CCS tsar' to make the case for a climate solution that still attracts a lot of mistrust
Commission urges nature protection amid fast tracking of green energy
Environmental groups have expressed relief at European Commission guidelines for the acceleration of renewable energy deployment, which stress the need to respect nature protection rules.
Berlin and Dublin spearhead move to unblock Nature Restoration Law
Eleven EU members are urging their peers to sign off on a new Nature Restoration Law - perhaps the most important piece of environmental legislation to fall foul of a backlash against the European Commission's green deal agenda.
Von der Leyen mollifies MEPs over PFAS ban concerns
An exchange of letters reveals German centre-right MEPs' concerns over a proposed blanket ban of PFAS 'forever chemicals', and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen's efforts to reassure them that industry will be shielded from negative impacts.
Clean tech sector and NGOs produce alternative election manifestos
Election manifestos are not the preserve of political parties vying for seats in the European Parliament: the run-up to the 6 June poll has seen industry lobbies, interest groups and NGOs produce wish lists of their own.
Green leader sees ‘huge danger’ to climate policy as elections loom
A trio of leading Green MEPs have presented a proposal for a Green Industrial Deal supported by a trillion-euro EU fund and preferential interest rates from the European Central Bank, while warning a swing to the right in June could see five years of climate legislation begin to unravel.
How Europe’s energy crisis is feeding the election campaign
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy was already a central pillar of the European Green Deal before a belligerent Moscow triggered an energy crisis; now the question of how best to ensure secure, affordable energy is dividing political camps as EU citizens head to the polls in June.
Green claims wrangling, Newsletter
This week's key events presented by senior energy and environment reporter Robert Hodgson
Parliament reinforces support for GMO deregulation
Backers of a new generation of genetically modified crops have urged governments to support the new technology after the EUropean Parliament restated its support.
MEPs approve law to reduce growing stream of packaging waste
The European Parliament has adopted new binding targets for reuse, collection and recycling of packaging, and outright bans on a range of disposable plastic wrappers, miniature bottles and bags deemed unnecessary, but NGOs have raised another 'greenwashing' alarm.
Commission seeks to clarify ‘essential use’ of dangerous chemicals
The European Commission has drawn up strict criteria on when the use the most dangerous substances is justified, but with an overhaul of the EU's core chemicals regulation still on ice, green NGOs have urged a redoubling of efforts to limit pollution and health risks.
Budget watchdog enters political fray with warning over petrol car ban
The European Court of Auditors has strongly denied any political intent behind its decision to warn a looming ban on the sale of conventional petrol and diesel cars could lead to an influx of electric car imports from China.
Belgium issues ultimatum over energy tax reform
A revision of a law setting minimum levies for fuels and electricity promised to bring an end to the era of tax-free energy for airlines and ship operators, but reform has been stalled for years, with EU governments unable to agree on how to update the 20-year-old Energy Taxation Directive.
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