EU
EU agrees law to crack down on deforestation in supply chains
The EU deforestation law aims to stop imports of products if their producers have cut down trees to grow them
EU chief flags concerns about Biden’s ‘buy American’ climate plans
Ursula von der Leyen is mooting increased public support for EU cleantech industries, in response to the US’ Inflation Reduction Act
European exodus from Energy Charter Treaty raises climate questions
France, Germany and Spain plan to leave the controversial investment pact, putting a whole system of dirty energy protections into play
Turn down the heating: France unveils ‘ambitious’ energy saving plan
French people and businesses are encouraged to take shorter showers, turn down thermostats and car pool but none of the measures are binding
EU outlines funding options to help climate victims recover
At pre-Cop talks in Kinshasa, Frans Timmermans called for ways to address losses and damages caused by climate impacts to be on the agenda at Cop27
EU ministers back €20 billion plan to ditch Russian fossil fuels
Finance ministers agreed to raise funds from the bloc’s carbon market but lawmakers are concerned it could compromise other green measures
Denmark becomes first country to pledge ‘loss and damage’ finance
Rich countries have long resisted giving money specifically for the “loss and damage” that climate change is causing
Copenhagen’s failure to meet 2025 net zero target casts doubt on other pledges
Copenhagen was the first city to launch a carbon neutrality plan in 2012, but has given up on its pledge due to a lack of CCS funding
EU energy crisis plan: gas price renegotiation and windfall taxes
In her annual state of the union speech, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen set out major energy market interventions to manage high prices
UK puts climate denier in charge of energy policy
The UK’s new prime minister Liz Truss has appointed Jacob Rees-Mogg as energy secretary, who has a record of dismissing climate science
African leaders blast European no-shows at climate adaptation summit
Presidents of Senegal, DRC and Ghana travelled to Rotterdam to talk about adapting to climate change. Only one European leader was there to meet them
British company forces Italy to pay €190m for offshore oil ban
Rockhopper used the Energy Charter Treaty to sue the Italian government for foregone profits and plans to invest the compensation in further drilling
Germany hypes green hydrogen alliance while shopping for Canadian fossil gas
Olaf Scholz is boosting gas infrastructure projects on the basis they will be “hydrogen-ready”, which experts say is unrealistic and risks locking in high emissions
EU energy ministers agree to cut gas use in the face of Russian supply disruptions
Despite a backlash against moves to impose rationing, every member state except Hungary united behind the plan to boost energy security this winter
EU lawmakers back stronger energy efficiency target in response to Russian war
The European Parliament’s four largest political groups are proposing a 14.5% efficiency goal by 2030, up from the 9% discussed last year
EU set to use ‘green’ label for gas, nuclear investments after parliamentary vote
Climate campaigners accused EU lawmakers of “betrayal” and some member states are preparing legal challenges to the sustainable taxonomy
Germany, Italy moot support for gas export facility in Argentina
Olaf Scholz and Mario Draghi met with Argentina’s president Alberto Fernández to discuss support for new gas infrastructure on the sidelines of G7 meetings
Europe must set robust clean hydrogen standards to mobilise MENA investment
Europe needs low-carbon hydrogen and the Middle-East and North Africa can produce it
EU and UK will end investment protection for fossil fuels in 10 years
Under the reform, the EU will end protection for new fossil fuel infrastructure. But existing ones will remain protected for 10 years and some gas projects for even longer
EU blocks bespoke fund for climate victims as rich nations moot alternatives
A proposal by developing countries for a loss and damage facility isn’t flying with rich nations, who prefer other options.