EU identifies ‘ambition gap’ in national climate action plans
The European Commission has identified an “ambition gap” in the National Energy and Climate Action Plans (NECPs) adopted by EU countries, saying better planning and a tighter governance framework is needed to ensure the bloc delivers on its climate goals.
Read MoreEurope has likely passed its LNG consumption peak, analysts say
Demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Europe fell 20% year-on-year in the first half of 2024, after gas consumption dropped to a 10-year low last year, analysts said this week, suggesting the continent’s thirst for the fuel may have already peaked.
Read MoreINTERVIEW: EU’s aluminium industry heavily reliant on electricity to decarbonise
The EU needs a lot more renewable and low-carbon electricity and it needs it “ASAP”, according to Paul Voss, director general of industry association Europe Aluminium, adding to a growing chorus of voices calling for lower energy prices to boost the bloc’s competitiveness.
Read MoreDraghi report calls for more ‘coherent’ EU climate agenda, focus on energy prices
The EU needs to bring down energy prices for industry and ramp up investments to meet its climate goals, Mario Draghi recommended in a widely awaited report on the future of the Union’s competitiveness.
Read MoreUPDATE – France appoints European Green Deal champion as new prime minister
Michel Barnier, a former EU commissioner and early champion of the European Green Deal, has been appointed French prime minister.
Read MorePoland outlines climate- and energy-related priorities of upcoming EU presidency
Krzysztof Bolesta, Poland’s state secretary for climate and environment, has highlighted his three main priorities for the upcoming six-month Polish EU Presidency beginning on Jan. 1 next year.
Read MoreEU’s Ribera calls for doubling investment in electricity grids
The Spanish ecological transition minister, who is widely tipped for the European Commission’s climate portfolio, has highlighted the importance of ramping up investments in electricity grids to support the green transition.
Read MoreFuture of EU agriculture report dismisses carbon trading as ‘premature’
The European Commission vowed to “keep reflecting” on ways to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient to climate change, as experts delivered their final report on the future of EU agriculture in Brussels that struck a sceptical tone on carbon trading in the sector.
Read MoreUS business group gives advice to EU on CCUS, hydrogen deployment
Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen technologies have a critical role to play in achieving the EU’s decarbonisation targets, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors, said the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union in recommendations to the bloc’s policymakers on how to accelerate deployment.
Read MoreSpain’s Ribera seen as most likely pick for EU climate chief
The Spanish Minister for the Ecological Transition, who was appointed to Brussels last week by her government, is widely tipped for the European Commission’s climate portfolio, but is not certain to be confirmed in time for the COP29 summit in Baku.
Read More