EU
Governments still due to submit tougher climate plans in 2020, despite Cop26 delay
The postponement of a critical climate summit to 2021 does not lessen pressure on governments around the world to submit tougher climate plans to the UN this year
Governments urged to attach green strings to long-term coronavirus recovery plans
UN says Paris climate agreement and sustainable development goals should guide recovery beyond massive stopgap measures needed to combat coronavirus
Coronavirus response to delay EU Green Deal by weeks
Teleworking and self-isolation restrictions mean the EU legislative process cannot operate at full capacity, with priority given to measures to address the Covid-19 crisis
Coronavirus: China’s economic slowdown curbs deadly air pollution
Premature deaths from air pollution in China could fall by 50,000-100,000 if economic downturn lasts a year, study estimates
Public opinion on climate change is up but let’s not forget lessons from the past
Public opinion on climate change is shifting but to keep it at the top of the political and public agenda will require a sustained effort for decades to come
Legal gaps and US election could delay climate ambition before Glasgow summit
UN says some countries will only submit climate action plans in the last quarter of 2020, giving less time than hoped to take stock before Cop26
EU plans for 2030 climate target can shape Cop26 momentum, ministers warn
Brussels is due to unveil its EU climate law on Wednesday, amid concerns the timetable for action doesn’t align with this year’s global ambition push
Don’t shop till you drop: advice to UK citizens on net zero climate goals
UK holds ‘citizens’ assembly’ to seek ideas for cutting emissions to net-0 by 2050. But some participants doubt the government will listen
EU Parliament urges ECB to put climate at heart of strategy review
European lawmakers have endorsed a parliamentary resolution calling on the ECB to assess how the bank can contribute to the continent’s climate policies
‘Miles off track’ – Climate Weekly
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Offshore wind deployment boom ‘too slow’ to meet EU climate target
Europe needs between 230 and 450 GW of offshore wind by 2050 to decarbonise its energy system, according to the EU Commission
Germany agrees pay-out to states and companies in coal phase-out deal
The federal government has struck a deal with the country’s coal-producing regions to phase out hard coal by 2035
EU reveals climate fund details as critics worry cash won’t be enough
EU’s climate chief Frans Timmermans acknowledged the €100bn pot to fund the transition away from fossil fuels was ‘just a start’
We won’t let Germany build a new coal power plant
German activists plan in 2020 to block Datteln 4, the only coal power plant under construction in Western Europe, and push Berlin to exit coal
Germany misses EU climate plan deadline
In her New Year address, Chancellor Angela Merkel said the German government would ‘do everything humanly possible’ to stop climate change
Austria swears in coalition government with strengthened climate plan
Green Party admits making ‘painful concessions’ to right-wing People’s Party in exchange for more ambitious policies, including 2040 climate neutrality goal
EU agrees ‘climate neutral’ target for 2050, but Poland stands alone
‘Common goal’ agreed, but Poland refused to commit to ‘implement’ the target. EU also seeking to update its 2030 target next year
The EU releases its Green Deal. Here are the key points
Europe’s bid to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 will aim for a just, rapid shift away from high polluting industries and technologies
Denmark adopts climate law to cut emissions 70% by 2030
New law binds Denmark to international climate process, including climate finance to developing countries
The UK must steer the Paris Agreement out of its ‘perilous decade’
Demands for action are outstripping political will. The diplomatic task of bridging the expectations gap falls to the hosts of next year’s climate talks