EU
Burning wood for power breaches EU treaty, new lawsuit claims
Plaintiffs from six European countries and the US argue biomass does more harm than good and should be not be counted as a renewable energy source
French experts propose trillion-euro EU climate finance pact
Economist Pierre Larrouturou and climate scientist Jean Jouzel are leading a call to mobilise funds on a large scale, backed by more than 600 political figures
German climate law draft calls for net-zero emissions by 2050
The environment ministry is calling to hike the target to 95% and ensure that any remaining emissions are removed
EU foreign ministers back UN call to raise climate ambition
In a statement on Monday, the European Council said UN chief Antonio Guterres’ summit in September is “an essential opportunity” to ramp up national commitments
Ireland’s democratic experiment lays the ground for stronger climate action
The Citizen’s Assembly could become a model for developing informed, fair and ambitious climate policy – if the government accepts its recommendations
Labour scrambles to develop a British Green New Deal
Jeremy Corbyn meets AOC advisor to discuss US green stimulus package, while inside Labour, two camps are forming different proposals for a UK version
Ireland needs new oil and gas fields to ease reliance on Brexit UK, say drillers
Oil and gas explorers are gearing up to drill offshore Ireland in a bid to boost its energy independence from Britain
Irish energy industry calls for new links to Europe amid Brexit fears
Grid operator boss calls on Brussels to approve funding for a new electricity connection to France to avoid isolation from continent
European Commission classifies most palm oil fuels as unsustainable
Deforestation-linked stocks cannot be counted towards renewable targets, commission rules, but green group angered by small farm loophole
France introduces 2050 carbon-neutral law
New bill loosens restrictions on nuclear to bring France’s emissions down, concerning some campaigners
In Ireland, Brexit proofing must mean climate proofing
Brexit has led to delays in climate action just at the moment when bold plans could soften the impact of the UK divorce, writes MEP Lynn Boylan
UK tells fracking industry it won’t relax rules on earth tremors
The Conservative government has long backed shale gas exploration, but denied industry calls to loosen ‘unworkable’ limits on seismic activity
EU set to tighten rules on palm oil for biofuels
Indonesia and Malaysia say the EU measure will unfairly disadvantage their crops, while environmentalists worry it won’t be tough enough on deforestation
BP backs shareholder call to align its strategy with Paris climate goals
The oil and gas major will have to set out how its strategy and investments fit with targets to limit global temperature rise, under new resolution
No deal Brexit to leave UK without green watchdog for two years – report
Changes to UK environment oversight and the Irish power market will not be set by 29 March, the Institute for Government said, and a crash out will leave no time to do so
‘End of the road’ for UK citizens’ climate case rejected by appeal court
The case, brought by 11 members of the public and the NGO Plan B argued the UK’s 2050 climate target was not in line with the Paris Agreement
Germany can end coal power much earlier than 2038
The market can deliver much faster end to coal power than proposed last week, but it needs a confident signal from the German government
Germany to quit coal by 2038, under commission proposal
After late-night talks, a dedicated commission has agreed a timetable to phase out coal burning in Europe’s largest economy
Last minute talks to set end date for German coal power
A leaked draft report from Germany’s coal commission leaves coal exit timetable open as talks head into final days
Green New Deal should not be feared, says Spanish prime minister
Pedro Sanchez told business leaders in Davos that neoliberalism was at an end and his country was ready to lead a progressive global ecological transition