Malta seen halting EUA trading account applications after influx from shipping sector

Published 18:30 on August 31, 2023  /  Last updated at 18:30 on August 31, 2023  / /  EMEA, EU ETS, Shipping

Malta has paused accepting applications for carbon trading accounts amid an influx of applications, market participants told Carbon Pulse this week, noting that that the demand was mainly from non-EU shipping companies trying to prepare for the sector’s imminent entry into the EU ETS.

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UK appoints junior education minister to top energy and climate post

Published 13:33 on August 31, 2023  /  Last updated at 22:20 on August 31, 2023  / /  EMEA, UK ETS

The UK government appointed Claire Coutinho as secretary of state in charge of the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) as part of a ministerial reshuffle on Thursday, taking Grant Shapps’ place as he moves to head up the defence ministry.

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Italian cement company to trial replacing fuel with a thermal battery to lower emissions

Published 17:54 on August 30, 2023  /  Last updated at 17:54 on August 30, 2023  / /  EMEA, EU ETS

A US-based startup is partnering with Italy’s second largest cement company to trial a technology that converts electricity to stored heat, which could significantly lower CO2 emissions for hard-to-abate sectors. 

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EU’s Von der Leyen proposes Dutch foreign minister for climate role

Published 18:20 on August 29, 2023  /  Last updated at 18:20 on August 29, 2023  / /  Climate Talks, EMEA, EU ETS

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen on Tuesday proposed Dutch deputy prime minister and foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra as the next EU climate commissioner, following an interview with the candidate put forth by the outgoing Dutch coalition government.

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Governments spend record amount in fossil fuel subsidies in 2022 -IMF

Published 14:35 on August 25, 2023  /  Last updated at 14:44 on August 25, 2023  / /  International

Governments spent a record $7 trillion in fossil fuel subsidies in 2022, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has calculated, more than governments spent annually on education and about two thirds of what they spent on healthcare.

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Green groups challenge EU to ramp up its 2030 emissions target to 65%

Published 18:24 on August 24, 2023  /  Last updated at 18:24 on August 24, 2023  / /  EMEA, EU ETS

Green groups have challenged the European Commission to revise upwards its 2030 emissions target to at least 65% compared to 1990 levels instead of the current 55%, submitting a request to the EU executive to review its legal text on annual emissions allocations for sectors outside the current EU ETS this week.

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South Africa strikes deal with China to upgrade its electricity network, putting coal exit in doubt

Published 18:02 on August 24, 2023  /  Last updated at 18:02 on August 24, 2023  / /  Africa, EMEA, International, Middle East

South Africa signed a series of deals with China to upgrade its energy sector at the BRICS summit this week, including one contract that could help to extend the life of South Africa’s coal plants.

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EU climate chief officially resigns, with former energy boss Sefcovic named as replacement

Published 17:05 on August 22, 2023  /  Last updated at 17:13 on August 22, 2023  / /  EMEA, EU ETS

EU climate chief Frans Timmermans officially handed in his much-anticipated resignation on Tuesday, with the European Commission temporarily handing responsibilities for the European Green Deal and climate action files to Commissioner Maros Sefcovic.

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Two ports in North Africa identified as possible carbon leakage hotspots for ships

Published 14:37 on August 22, 2023  /  Last updated at 14:37 on August 22, 2023  / /  EMEA, EU ETS, International, Shipping

Two ports in Northern Africa have experienced a jump in activity in the past year in what may be a pre-emptive attempt by ship operators to avoid purchasing EU carbon allowances once the shipping sector is part of the EU ETS in 2024, a piece of additional draft legislation by the European Commission has outlined. 

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EEX needs EU antitrust green light for Nasdaq deal -EU

Published 15:42 on August 21, 2023  /  Last updated at 15:42 on August 21, 2023  / /  EMEA, EU ETS

German-headquartered European Energy Exchange (EEX) will require the green light from the EU’s antitrust authorities to acquire Nasdaq’s European power trading and clearing business, the European Commission said on Monday.

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