Robert Hodgson
Europe
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.
Europe
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.
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Europe
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.
Earth News
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.
Europe
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.
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.
Europe
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.
Europe
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.
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