Why September tends to spook European equity markets
Robert Hodgson
Climate Commissioner eyes chance to drive emissions cuts through tax
Wopke Hoekstra wants to use tax changes to nudge Europeans towards cleaner and greener choices in areas such as transport and heating – but he’ll face the same veto that has blocked reform for years.
Heat pump makers seek help from Brussels amid sales slump
Heat pumps are set to play at least as important a role in Europe’s energy transition as electric cars, but a drop in demand following record sales during the 2022 energy crisis has manufacturers looking to Brussels to address what they see as a taxes and subsidies that favour gas.
COP29: MEPs tough on climate finance, vague on fossil fuel phase-out
A cross-party compromise saw MEPs agree weak wording on the future of coal, oil and gas, but strong support for getting major polluters like China to contribute to a global support scheme for poorer nations, and sharp criticism of the choice of Azerbaijan as host country.
EU Ombudsman blasts Commission over chemicals safety
Many highly dangerous substances have remained on the market, sometimes for years, while the EU executive flouts legal deadlines on authorisation decisions, the Ombudsman has found, warning of a ‘threat to health and environment’.
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Governments back delay to anti-deforestation law
A one-year postponement of new rules barring access to the EU market for goods linked to forest clearance moved a step closer today with EU diplomats endorsing the proposal tabled by the European Commission this month in a dramatic U-turn.
Europe not ready for increasing drought, flooding and forest fires
With increasingly frequent episodes of drought, flooding and forest fires across Europe, an audit of EU spending and action on the ground suggests the bloc is not keeping up with a worsening situation – and as much as two-fifths of local projects are having little to no impact.
European rivers and lakes are polluted, water security is in danger
A damning report into the state of Europe’s surface and groundwaters just three years away from a clean-up deadline increases pressure on EU executive to take action, not least to finalise a water resilience plan it shelved earlier this year.
EU to push for ambition in global climate talks but plan lacks detail
The EU has agreed its negotiating stance ahead of key UN climate talks in Baku next month, while stressing the links with parallel efforts to reverse ecosystem destruction and stop swathes of the planet – including parts of Europe – turning to desert.
EU governments adopt tougher air pollution limits, with reservations
Germany seeks reassurance from European Commission that it will not be forced to restrict car driving or shutter polluting factories as stricter air quality rules take effect across Europe.
Green groups wary as EU bets on future carbon capture
As EU officials host a two-day summit on carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the south of France, environmental groups are questioning the underlying assumption that the technology is a viable way to keep billions of tonnes of planet-heating CO2 out of the atmosphere.
ExxonMobil sues Dutch government over gas field closure
US petroleum giant ExxonMobil has invoked the controversial Energy Charter Treaty in a potential multi-billion euro compensation claim – an apparent bid to pressure the Netherlands’ new right-wing government over the shuttering of Europe’s largest gas field in Groningen.
EU pledges funds for developing countries ahead of COP29 summit
With little over a month to go before world leaders gather in Baku, Azerbaijan for the UN climate talks known as COP29, European governments have promised to continue paying their share of an annual $100bn intended to help developing countries cope with climate change.
Brussels urged not to U-turn on car CO2 limits amid industry ‘crisis’
Electricity firms fear the EU is about to cave in to industry pressure and ease cuts on car emissions, as Austria, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands ask the European Commission to help electrify company car fleets.
EU claims to be ‘on track’ with global biodiversity pledge
The European Union’s chief negotiator on a United Nations compact to reverse biodiversity loss denies postponement of anti-deforestation law undermines credibility just weeks ahead of crunch summit in Colombia.
EU deforestation backflip: Conservatives cheer, green groups rage
A much-debated deforestation law has been postponed by the European Commission, sparking outrage from environmentalists but relief from affected businesses.
NGOs target new Commission with launch of ‘Blue Manifesto’
With a European Oceans Pact in the pipeline and a new Fisheries and Oceans Commissioner set to take office later this year, green groups have set out their demands for the next EU executive.
Why are carmakers pleading for a respite from EU climate policy
The head of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association explains why the industry faces multi-billion euro fines next year when stricter CO2 emissions limits kick in
Commission sees role for nuclear and CCS in 'clean' fuel production
Trains, automobiles and even planes could be run on nuclear power or even natural gas while being treated as ‘green’ under proposed EU rules
Italy, Germany to propose rethink on petrol and diesel car ban
Rome and Berlin are siding with the European automotive industry in calling for the EU to relax CO2 emissions standards for cars as the bloc aims to end the sale of new petrol and diesel models by 2035.
Wolves in crosshairs as EU governments agree to more hunting and culls
Nature conservationists have denounced as ‘shameful’ a back-room agreement that saw all but two EU governments acquiesce to a European Commission proposal to ease protection for Europe’s burgeoning wolf populations.
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