EU
Estonia backs European net zero carbon target. Poland loses an ally
One of four countries that had blocked attempts to set a 2050 deadline for decarbonisation switched, while Poland said goal was “not possible and not feasible”
Germany announces host of new measures to bring down CO2
Cross party deal set targets for every sector but was criticised for setting a low carbon price and failing to chart a course for net zero emissions
French court finds climate activists stole Macron portraits out of necessity
‘Faced with the state’s failure to respect objectives that can be perceived as minimal’ the action was ‘a very moderate disturbance’, the judgement said
Turkey withdraws bid to host 2020 UN climate talks, paving way for Glasgow
Ankara has been the final obstacle to the UK’s proposal, with Glasgow already named as the preferred site for the critical meeting
European Green Deal portfolio handed to EU vice president, in major elevation
Dutch social democrat Frans Timmermans has been named executive vice president responsible for strategy to make the EU climate neutral by 2050
European Central Bank should ‘gradually eliminate’ carbon assets: Lagarde
Nominee to lead the bank told MEPs it could adopt new measures to prefer green investments if she is confirmed
Europeans must face their own role in the destruction of the Amazon
Through consumption of agricultural products that can drive deforestation, the EU is complicit in the loss of the great forest, it’s time lawmakers stepped up
Rocks in the gearbox: German anti-car protesters target industry for disruption
Police are investigating after a group claimed responsibility for vandalising 40 luxury cars near Frankfurt, while the industry braces for further actions
France and UK double pledges to UN green fund to $3.5bn
Announcements at the G7 meeting mean the countries join Germany and Norway with promises to double their initial contributions in the next funding round
No-deal Brexit would be a disaster for the climate
Boris Johnson’s leadership increases the likelihood of a hard exit from the EU, shattering the bloc’s solidarity and empowering a radical deregulation agenda
Court blocks Polish coal plant, in win for climate campaigners
Client Earth successfully challenged the Ostrołęka C project on behalf of shareholders, arguing it was a bad financial bet as renewables become competitive
Marseille airport expansion stalled on climate grounds
France’s environment authority asked the developers to show how increased flights can fit with the country’s 2050 net zero emissions target
UK carbon price to plummet under no-deal Brexit
A proposed UK tax on heavy polluters would come in at nearly half the EU carbon market price, reducing the incentive to cut emissions
Former UK energy minister Claire Perry appointed Cop26 president
A champion of phasing out coal power internationally, Perry has been named to lead critical UN climate talks in 2020, which the UK expects to host
EU moots crackdown on deforestation through supply chains
The bloc is considering regulations to address the role of consumer demand for commodities like palm oil, soy and timber in driving forest clearance abroad
How von der Leyen could make a carbon border tax work
The next European Commission chief must tread carefully if she is to meet her promise to make polluting importers pay
Poland expected to delay EU carbon neutrality deal
European leaders will struggle to broker a stronger climate package before December, experts say, as Warsaw prepares to play hard for funding
Climate a ‘signature issue’ as Ursula von der Leyen anointed EU chief
Lawmakers backed the German politician as European Commission president by a slim majority on Tuesday, after she met calls to strengthen climate ambition
Trade deal binds Brazil to Paris Agreement, says top EU official
‘President Bolsonaro chose, and came with us,’ said Cecilia Malmström, as she defended the EU deal with several South American nations
Non-Green MEPs largely ignore climate on Twitter
Parliamentarians from the EU’s power blocs might talk tough on global warming, but don’t engage with the most influential social media accounts, analysis shows