EU
Angela Merkel criticises EIB decision to ban gas lending
The German chancellor made the comments after incoming EU Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen praised the bank’s progress on climate action
European Union climate investment lags behind US and China
The European Investment Bank warns the EU needs to make “a tremendous effort” to develop a comprehensive climate strategy, putting investment at its core
EU 2020 budget boosts climate action spending
Parliament and members states have agreed to allocate 21% of next year’s budget to measures to address climate change
European Investment Bank ends lending to fossil fuel projects
EU finance ministers agreed to phase out EIB lending to unabated oil and gas projects, overcoming opposition from some member states in marathon board meeting
Stakeholders push for progress on France’s climate adaptation plans
Politicians, citizens and experts meet to discuss how and why France must invest more heavily in climate adaptation after report warns of major national impacts
EU plots climate deal with China
European leaders hope to strike a bargain with Beijing next September. What the EU can offer China to bring down its emissions is unclear
With UN climate talks looming, Spanish election continues political uncertainty
The Socialists won most seats, but were weakened by rise of far right and conservative vote. Madrid climate talks unlikely to be affected
London police ban on Extinction Rebellion was unlawful, court finds
Lawyers for the protest group say those arrested illegally could claim thousands in compensation
Extinction Rebellion art seized by police includes Ron Mueck skull
Australian artist’s works have sold for up to $1.3m. Police could not say whether they still have the skull, seized among hundreds of artworks during October protests
Madrid to host Cop25 climate talks in December after Chile withdraws
The talks will take place in Spain’s capital, the UN confirmed, after Chile pulled out amid social unrest
Former German vice chancellor Gabriel tipped to head car industry lobby
Gabriel’s appointment would further strengthen the close ties between Germany’s political class and the automobile sector
France systematically breached air pollution limits, EU court rules
Country must rapidly comply with EU limits on nitrogen dioxide or face fines, in ruling that will pile pressure on other underachievers
Emmanuel Macron’s war on climate activism
Why are climate protesters being tear-gassed under the watch of France’s president, a self-defined climate champion?
After 1,600 arrests, Extinction Rebellion fights for right to protest in UK
Facing a total ban on their protest in London, the activists are now embroiled in a struggle for their right to assemble
Green opposition wins Budapest mayoral election in blow to Orbán
Gergely Karácsony promised to declare a climate emergency in Hungary’s capital and likened his win to recent elections in Istanbul
German rail company gets credit rating boost in response to climate law
In European first, Deutsche Bahn’s credit rating shifted from AA- to AA after government hit carbon-intensive transport with levies
EU VP nominee backs goal to cut CO2 by ‘at least 55% by 2030’
Frans Timmermans, who would oversee climate efforts, laid out his vision for every EU policy to be aligned with its carbon reduction targets
EU agrees to ‘update’ Paris climate pledge
Ministers watered down proposed language after opposition from ten member states, some of which are seeking financial support to cut emissions
Time for accountability – Climate Weekly
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Next EU energy chief backs gas as part of climate transition
Former Estonian minister Kadri Simson told MEPs a 2050 carbon neutral target was ‘wise’ and said gas ‘might be the most cost-efficient option’ to get off coal