German energy industry says electricity bidding zone split would slow low-carbon transition, NGO disagrees
Germany’s main energy association concluded that a European recommendation to split the country’s bidding zone for electricity would lead to “massive uncertainty” for industry and “significantly dampen” the investment climate for renewables, contrary to an NGO report.
Read MoreGermany appoints new energy minister, but takes climate out of the portfolio
A former centre-right politician who has spent the last five years heading up Germany’s largest regional energy company is set to succeed the Greens’ Robert Habeck as head of the government’s energy portfolio — but without the climate file, which is moving to the environment ministry.
Read MoreNew Dutch nitrogen effort introduces 2035 emissions reduction goals
The Netherlands has announced nitrogen emissions reduction targets for point sources in industry, mobility, construction, and agriculture in a bid to tackle catastrophic pollution that has grounded building projects and is stalling even sustainability, according to the minister in charge.
Read MoreNetherlands retains CO2 levy but eases up on climate ambition
The Netherlands’ national CO2 levy imposed on top of EU ETS prices will be maintained, but the government is easing up on its impact and other climate rules in a move viewed by some as pragmatic and by others as weakening the country’s climate action efforts.
Read MoreDutch CO2 tax tightens its grip on industry
Dutch industrial emissions covered by a national CO2 levy exceeded the number of free emissions permits under the levy for the first time in 2024, according to new data, and the levy could add 30% to the EU ETS cost on emissions for Dutch industrial installations in 2025.
Read MoreNetherlands readies new package of climate measures
The Dutch government is expected to present new proposals on Friday to reduce CO2 emissions in the Netherlands, including support for carbon capture and electromobility, Dutch media have reported. It is also expected to maintain a national CO2 levy on industry.
Read MoreBRIEFING: Net zero is being redefined as an imperative for European security
As the IEA and UK government convene a summit on energy security, Poland, holder of the EU presidency, argues that access to low-carbon resources, technologies and their supply chains will be decisive for European energy – and economic – security. Other experts say the future of net zero and European prosperity lies in close cooperation with China.
Read MoreGermany steps away from hydrogen towards CCS for new gas fleet
Germany plans to move away from a focus on hydrogen to decarbonise industry, with carbon capture and storage (CCS) now on the menu as the new government pushes forward with gas-fired power plans.
Read MoreBRIEFING: EU’s CO2 storage goal for 2030 “unlikely” to be met – but that’s no reason to give up, says Romania
Eastern EU countries like Poland and Romania are developing national CO2 transport and storage frameworks, but public opposition to onshore storage means their emissions may need to be shipped across Europe to be stored under the North Sea – potentially taking energy-intensive industries with them.
Read MoreAnother study says EU hydrogen goals “probably not achievable”
High and rising costs, sluggish investments in supply and demand, and more competitive electricity technologies in transport, buildings and even heavy industry, mean the EU must scale back its net zero hydrogen ambitions, more researchers have said.
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