European Union unveils tough climate proposal, including new taxes on foreign firms
3 years, 5 months ago

European Union unveils tough climate proposal, including new taxes on foreign firms

LA Times  

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, center, and other commission officials announce plans for new emissions rules at a news conference in Brussels on Wednesday. ”The principle is simple: emission of CO 2 must have a price, a price on CO 2 that incentivizes consumers, producers and innovators to choose the clean technologies, to go toward the clean and sustainable products,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. European Commission Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans said that by failing to act now, “we would fail our children and grandchildren, who in my view, if we don’t fix this, will be fighting wars over water and food.” Given the implications, the proposals are certain to be subject to intense lobbying from industry and environmental groups as they pass through the legislative process over at least the next year. But Martha Myers, a member of the climate justice team at Friends of the Earth Europe, said the decision to extend emissions trading to buildings “throws low-income people into high energy price waters while offering only a swimming float of support to relieve energy poverty.” Under Fit for 55, a drastic acceleration in sales of battery-powered cars also is likely as the EU aims for a 100% reduction in auto emissions.

Emissions Commission Goal European Leyen European Commission Member Countries Eu Climate  goal  tough  eu  climate  emissions  union  proposal  price  european  taxes  including  member  energy  firms  president  unveils  commission  foreign

History of this topic

What are Europe's 2025 targets on car emissions?
1 week ago

What are Europe's 2025 targets on car emissions?

Hindustan Times  

PARIS, - The European Union is tightening its rules on auto emissions from Jan. 1 as part of broader targets to achieve climate neutrality in the region by 2050. That is 19% lower than this year's target, says consultancy Dataforce, which says 2024 targets would be equivalent to 116 g/km under the new system of measuring emissions. Luca De Meo, …

EU pushes back deforestation law by a year after outcry from global producers
2 weeks, 6 days ago

EU pushes back deforestation law by a year after outcry from global producers

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union agreed to delay by a year the introduction of new rules to ban the sale of products that lead to massive deforestation, caving in to demands from several producer nations from across the globe and domestic opposition within the 27-nation bloc. Officials said Wednesday that the EU member states, the EU parliament and the executive …

Renewable surge in 2023 fails to curb worldwide emissions: Report
1 month ago

Renewable surge in 2023 fails to curb worldwide emissions: Report

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: The world witnessed rapid progress in the renewable energy sector in 2023, but the slow speed of reductions in global emissions rendered it ineffective, a new report released at COP29 in Baku has highlighted. India ranked 10th, a drop from seventh last year, in the analysis — Climate Change Performance Index co-authored by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, and CAN …

The world is “miles short” of its target to limit climate change, UN reports
1 month, 3 weeks ago

The world is “miles short” of its target to limit climate change, UN reports

Salon  

For the world to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the 200 countries who signed the Paris climate agreement must hit a target of 43% reduction by 2030. Yet according to a recent report by the United Nations agency tasked with tackling global warming, the planet is currently on track to just hit a measly 2.6% reduction in carbon emissions. …

Climate hopes of European Union run into headwinds as bloc changes leadership
3 months, 1 week ago

Climate hopes of European Union run into headwinds as bloc changes leadership

The Hindu  

Next week’s unveiling of the new European Commission will be watched closely by environmentalists – at a time when defending the environment has skidded down the list of priorities in Brussels. Back in 2019, EU-wide elections held in the wake of massive youth climate marches saw a surge of support for the Greens, who captured more than 70 seats in …

Two climate NGOs go to court against EU over insufficient emissions targets
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Two climate NGOs go to court against EU over insufficient emissions targets

China Daily  

Xinhua | Updated: 2024-08-28 09:51 BRUSSELS - Two environmental Non-governmental organizations have taken the European Commission to court on Tuesday, urging the Commission to revise its greenhouse gas emissions targets for the bloc's member states from now until 2030. The EU set a 40 percent aggregate emissions reduction target, compared to 1990 levels, for these sectors and an economy-wide target …

Two climate NGOs go to court against EU over insufficient emissions targets
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Two climate NGOs go to court against EU over insufficient emissions targets

China Daily  

Xinhua | Updated: 2024-08-28 09:51 BRUSSELS - Two environmental Non-governmental organizations have taken the European Commission to court on Tuesday, urging the Commission to revise its greenhouse gas emissions targets for the bloc's member states from now until 2030. The EU set a 40 percent aggregate emissions reduction target, compared to 1990 levels, for these sectors and an economy-wide target …

New NT gas projects could raise emissions up to 150 per cent, newly-obtained report reveals
4 months, 1 week ago

New NT gas projects could raise emissions up to 150 per cent, newly-obtained report reveals

ABC  

A government-commissioned report has called into question assurances by both sides of Northern Territory politics that they can expand the NT's gas industry while ensuring targets of net zero emissions by 2050 are met. It said even with no new projects, an increasing amount of greenhouse gas coming from Darwin's two existing gas plants was expected to increase the NT's …

EU Parliament adopts new rules to improve air quality by 2030
8 months ago

EU Parliament adopts new rules to improve air quality by 2030

The Hindu  

The European Parliament adopted stricter legally-binding air pollution limits on Wednesday that must be complied with by 2030. The World Health Organization tightened its air quality guidelines last year, hoping to push countries toward clean energy and prevent deaths caused by dirty air. Europe's air quality has improved over the last decade, but the EU has still taken more than …

Raising the bar
9 months ago

Raising the bar

China Daily  

WANG XIAOYING/CHINA DAILY COP29 is due to be held in late 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and countries are setting new climate targets. It released its "Communication on Europe's 2040 climate target and path to climate neutrality by 2050", in which it proposes reducing the net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 relative to 1990 as the EU's mid-term …

Raising the bar
9 months ago

Raising the bar

China Daily  

WANG XIAOYING/CHINA DAILY COP29 is due to be held in late 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and countries are setting new climate targets. It released its "Communication on Europe's 2040 climate target and path to climate neutrality by 2050", in which it proposes reducing the net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 relative to 1990 as the EU's mid-term …

Europe is not prepared for the growing climate extremes it faces, its first risk assessment finds
9 months, 1 week ago

Europe is not prepared for the growing climate extremes it faces, its first risk assessment finds

Associated Press  

Europe is facing growing climate risks and is unprepared for them, the European Environment Agency said in its first-ever risk assessment for the bloc Monday. The report is “a huge wake-up call” for the continent, said Manon Dufour, Brussels director for climate think tank E3G, and could have implications for climate policy at both the European and national levels. At …

EU set to move ahead with landmark climate plan despite farmer protests
9 months, 3 weeks ago

EU set to move ahead with landmark climate plan despite farmer protests

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The European Union is on the brink of approving a major plan to fight climate …

EU Commission unveils a plan to slash emissions by 90%. Can it deliver?
10 months, 2 weeks ago

EU Commission unveils a plan to slash emissions by 90%. Can it deliver?

CNN  

CNN — The European Commission announced one of the world’s most ambitious goals to slash planet-heating pollution on Tuesday, but protesting farmers and upcoming elections could threaten its success, analysts say. A new-look parliament might choose to keep the 90% goal, said Manon Dufour, executive director of the climate think tank E3G’s Brussels office, but there will likely be sticking …

Ecostani | Why EU’s carbon tax puts a spanner in climate change mitigation
11 months ago

Ecostani | Why EU’s carbon tax puts a spanner in climate change mitigation

Hindustan Times  

India is likely to take the European Union to the World Trade Organisation over its proposed “restrictive” carbon tax on imports for six emission-intensive sectors on grounds that it is an “ill-conceived” idea, and has threatened to impose its own carbon tax on imports from the EU. In October 2023, the EU proposed a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, under which …

EU reaches deal to reduce highly polluting methane gas emissions from the energy sector
1 year, 1 month ago

EU reaches deal to reduce highly polluting methane gas emissions from the energy sector

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — European Union negotiators reached a deal on Wednesday to reduce highly polluting methane gas emissions from the energy industry across the 27-nation bloc. Under the provisional agreement announced just weeks before the COP28 climate conference, the fossil gas, oil and coal industry will be forced to “properly measure, monitor, report and verify their methane emissions according to the …

An EU plan aimed at fighting climate change will go to final votes, even if watered down
1 year, 1 month ago

An EU plan aimed at fighting climate change will go to final votes, even if watered down

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — European Union institutions and conservationists on Friday gave a conditional and guarded welcome to a major plan to better protect nature and fight climate change in the 27-nation bloc. The plan is a key part of the EU’s vaunted European Green Deal that seeks to establish the world’s most ambitious climate and biodiversity targets and make the bloc …

Countries asked to slash cooling emissions by 68% by 2050
1 year, 2 months ago

Countries asked to slash cooling emissions by 68% by 2050

The Hindu  

With climate warming leading to more air conditioning use worldwide, dozens of countries including China, India and the United States are being asked to commit to a global pledge that would require at least a 68% reduction in cooling-related emissions by 2050, sources told Reuters. The pledge, which would mark the world's first collective focus on energy emissions from the …

France’s Macron unveils latest plan for meeting climate-related commitments in the coming years
1 year, 2 months ago

France’s Macron unveils latest plan for meeting climate-related commitments in the coming years

Associated Press  

PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron on Monday unveiled plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the country’s climate-related commitments within the next seven years, including via reducing dependency on fossil fuels and boosting electric car use. Macron said France’s goal to reduce its emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, in line with a European Union target, …

EU lawmakers approve a deal to raise renewable energy target to 42.5% of total consumption by 2030
1 year, 3 months ago

EU lawmakers approve a deal to raise renewable energy target to 42.5% of total consumption by 2030

Associated Press  

STRASBOURG, France — European Union lawmakers endorsed a deal Tuesday to raise the share of renewables in the bloc’s energy mix, another step to accelerate its green transition away from fossil fuels. The bill, adopted by a large majority — 470 lawmakers voted in favor, 120 against and 40 abstained — foresees an updated renewable energy target of 42.5% of …

Climate talks chief, who also heads oil company, says world must ‘attack all emissions, everywhere’
1 year, 5 months ago

Climate talks chief, who also heads oil company, says world must ‘attack all emissions, everywhere’

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The head of this year’s United Nations climate talks called Thursday for governments and businesses to tackle global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in all regions and sectors if they want to stop the planet from passing a key temperature limit agreed on more than seven years ago. “We need to attack all emissions, everywhere: one, two …

Germany hails EU deal on renewable energy raising target for 2030 to 45%
1 year, 6 months ago

Germany hails EU deal on renewable energy raising target for 2030 to 45%

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s economy minister welcomed a deal Friday among European Union countries to increase by more than a third the bloc’s renewable energy target for 2030. “The new European rules will trigger an investment boom for renewables and make it legally binding,” said Economy Minister Robert Habeck, whose portfolio includes energy and climate. Under the new rules, countries that …

EU told to slash greenhouse gas emissions 90-95% by 2040
1 year, 6 months ago

EU told to slash greenhouse gas emissions 90-95% by 2040

India Today  

The European Union should commit to slash its net greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 95% by 2040, official advisers said on Thursday, as Brussels prepares a new goal to curb Europe's contribution to climate change. The European Commission is drafting what would be the EU's first legally binding emissions-cutting target for 2040, aimed at guiding the world's third-biggest …

EU plans strategy to scale up investment in capturing CO2 emissions
1 year, 6 months ago

EU plans strategy to scale up investment in capturing CO2 emissions

The Hindu  

The European Commission is working on plans to speed up investment in capturing and storing carbon dioxide emissions, it said on Friday, as the bloc prepares to slash its net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. In a public consultation on the plans, the Commission said infrastructure to capture and store CO2 underground or use it in industries was …

Cracks emerging in Europe’s united front to battle climate change
1 year, 6 months ago

Cracks emerging in Europe’s united front to battle climate change

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union has been at the forefront of the fight against climate change and the protection of nature for years. The law proposed by the EU’s executive arm aims, by 2030, to cover at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas with nature restoration measures, “and eventually extend these to all ecosystems in need of …

EU reaches deal on more ambitious renewable energy targets for 2030
1 year, 8 months ago

EU reaches deal on more ambitious renewable energy targets for 2030

The Hindu  

European Union negotiators struck a political deal on Thursday on more ambitious targets to expand the use of renewable energy by 2030, an important pillar of the bloc's plans to fight climate change and end the use of Russian fossil fuels. Sweden leads the 27 EU countries with its 63% renewable energy share, while in Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands and …

Germany reaches deal with EU on future use of combustion engines
1 year, 8 months ago

Germany reaches deal with EU on future use of combustion engines

The Hindu  

Germany and the European Union announced on March 25 that they have reached an agreement in their dispute over the future of cars with combustion engines, allowing the registration of new vehicles with such engines even after 2035 provided they use climate-neutral fuel only. — Frans Timmermans March 25, 2023 German Transport Minister Volker Wissing tweeted that the way had …

EU lawmakers approve effective 2035 ban on new fossil fuel cars
1 year, 10 months ago

EU lawmakers approve effective 2035 ban on new fossil fuel cars

The Hindu  

The European Parliament on February 14 formally approved a law to effectively ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the European Union from 2035, aiming to speed up the switch to electric vehicles and combat climate change. The landmark rules will require that by 2025 carmakers must achieve a 100% cut in CO2 emissions from new cars …

EU outlines plan for clean tech future boosted by subsidies
1 year, 11 months ago

EU outlines plan for clean tech future boosted by subsidies

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union pushed forward on Tuesday with a major clean tech industrial plan which not only should keep the continent in the vanguard of plotting a greener future but also guarantee its economic survival as it faces challenges from China and the United States. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the outlines for her “Green …

Op-Ed: Europe’s carbon tariff is the right general idea, but doomed by details
1 year, 11 months ago

Op-Ed: Europe’s carbon tariff is the right general idea, but doomed by details

LA Times  

The European Union just unveiled its plan to impose border taxes on greenhouse gas polluters as part of its effort to become carbon neutral by 2050. In doing so it will become the first major economic bloc to try to enforce good climate behavior, not just on its own industries, but also on those that would sell to the EU. …

EU reaches deal on emissions trading, social climate fund
2 years ago

EU reaches deal on emissions trading, social climate fund

Associated Press  

BERLIN — European Union governments and lawmakers reached a deal Sunday on key elements of the 27-nation bloc’s green deal, reforming the EU’s trading system for greenhouse gas emissions and creating a new hardship fund for those hardest-hit by measures to curb climate change. The EU’s executive Commission said the measure would require European industries to reduce their emissions by …

EU reaches deal on major carbon market reform
2 years ago

EU reaches deal on major carbon market reform

The Hindu  

EU member States and parliamentarians on Sunday announced an agreement for a major reform to the bloc's carbon market, the central plank of its ambitions to reduce emissions and invest in climate-friendly technologies. The EU Emissions Trading System allows electricity producers and industries with high energy demands such as steel and cement to purchase "free allowances" to cover their carbon …

EU makes breakthrough on climate-protection import tax
2 years ago

EU makes breakthrough on climate-protection import tax

The Hindu  

The European Union moved closer Tuesday to pushing through an unprecedented tax on foreign companies that want to import products that do not meet climate-protection standards that EU companies have to comply with. The tax will seek to create a competitive level playing field after EU companies complained that they had to incur high costs to meet climate targets while …

EU climate chief defends plans for ‘carbon farming’
2 years ago

EU climate chief defends plans for ‘carbon farming’

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The European Union’s top climate official on Wednesday dismissed criticism from environmental groups over its proposal to incorporate carbon removal methods into its climate plans, insisting the plan won’t undermine the bloc’s efforts to tackle global warming. Dozens of organizations issued a joint call Monday slamming the EU’s plans to certify so-called offsets — carbon absorbed through nature …

EU proposes emission rules for last combustion engine cars
2 years, 1 month ago

EU proposes emission rules for last combustion engine cars

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union’s executive arm proposed pollution standards Thursday for new combustion engine vehicles that are expected to remain on European roads well after the 27-nation bloc bans their sale in 2035. The so-called Euro 7 standards presented by the European Commission would apply to all cars, vans, trucks and buses sold in the EU, with the aim …

Germany puts off transport emissions decision until 2023
2 years, 1 month ago

Germany puts off transport emissions decision until 2023

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany is postponing politically sensitive decisions on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector until 2023 amid strong opposition from one governing party to the idea of a universal speed limit, officials said Monday. The libertarian Free Democratic Party, which controls the Transport Ministry, has long blocked the introduction mandatory speed limits seen in most of Germany’s …

EU approves ban on new combustion-engine cars from 2035
2 years, 1 month ago

EU approves ban on new combustion-engine cars from 2035

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — European Union lawmakers and member countries reached a deal to ban the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars and vans by 2035. The deal EU negotiators sealed Thursday night is the first agreement of the bloc’s “Fit for 55" package, which the bloc’s executive commission set up to achieve the goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by …

UN calls for energy sector overhaul to avoid climate catastrophe
2 years, 1 month ago

UN calls for energy sector overhaul to avoid climate catastrophe

Al Jazeera  

The United Nations has found that only a swift system-wide transformation of the energy sector can stave off the most devastating effects of climate change, as projections show current pledges offer “no credible pathway” to limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. “Only a root-and-branch transformation of our economies and societies can save us from accelerating climate disaster.” The UN’s climate …

UN report: Climate pollution reductions ‘highly inadequate’
2 years, 1 month ago

UN report: Climate pollution reductions ‘highly inadequate’

Associated Press  

The world, especially richer carbon polluting nations, remains “far behind” and is not doing nearly enough -- not even promising to do enough -- to reach any of the global goals limiting future warming, a United Nations report said. “The report confirms the utterly glacial pace of climate action, despite the looming precipice of climate tipping points we’re approaching,” said …

UN says countries’ climate plans ‘nowhere near’ 1.5C goal
2 years, 1 month ago

UN says countries’ climate plans ‘nowhere near’ 1.5C goal

Al Jazeera  

Head of UN Climate Change says governments need to strengthen their climate plans and implement them in the next eight years. A new report by the United Nations has warned that the climate plans from governments worldwide remain insufficient to limit rising temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius as set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. “We are still nowhere near …

UK well off track to meet 2030s carbon-cutting goals, official figures project
2 years, 1 month ago

UK well off track to meet 2030s carbon-cutting goals, official figures project

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In the light of the new data, senior climate lawyer for environmental law charity Sam Hunter Jones said: “These …

EU needs to up electric vehicle support to fend off Chinese competition
2 years, 2 months ago

EU needs to up electric vehicle support to fend off Chinese competition

The Hindu  

The European Union needs to provide more regulatory incentives for its carmakers to scale up fully electric vehicle production or risk losing market share to Chinese rivals, according to a study by climate group Transport & Environment. In the meantime, Chinese carmakers including BYD and Great Wall Motor are looking to gain a foothold in the EU and have recently …

European Union Energy Ministers plan for 'difficult winter'
2 years, 3 months ago

European Union Energy Ministers plan for 'difficult winter'

The Hindu  

European Union Energy Ministers met on Friday to seek a united response to the energy shock triggered by Russia's war on Ukraine, which has sent prices for electricity and heating skyrocketing. Moscow's invasion has seen the price of natural gas hit record levels, throwing the EU economy into deep uncertainty, with all eyes on whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will …

European Union to unveil new responses to energy crisis
2 years, 3 months ago

European Union to unveil new responses to energy crisis

The Hindu  

The European Union's next steps for addressing the continent's worsening energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine are expected to be unveiled next week, the European commissioner for energy said on September 6. Russia's state-run energy company has continued its shutdown of a pipeline carrying natural gas to Europe, in what German officials see as a political power play, and …

Nicholas Stern on India's road to become a developed economy and more
2 years, 5 months ago

Nicholas Stern on India's road to become a developed economy and more

Business Standard  

What do you think should be the focus areas and reforms that India should undertake to become a developed economy? Ans: >India has grown the fastest when it has invested strongly >Private investment is centre stage for India >Conditions for investment also depends on confidence of people in realising returns from their investments >Need clarity in the tax system >GST …

EU countries approve climate measures after long talks
2 years, 5 months ago

EU countries approve climate measures after long talks

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — European Union countries reached a deal following hard-fought talks that dragged into early Wednesday to back stricter climate rules that would eliminate carbon emissions from new cars by 2035. “A long but good day for climate action: The council’s decisions on Fitfor55 are a big step towards delivering the EU Green Deal,” said Frans Timmermans, the European Commission …

Car makers ask for time as EU ban on conventional engines moves forward
2 years, 6 months ago

Car makers ask for time as EU ban on conventional engines moves forward

Live Mint  

As Europe moves closer to approving a legal ban on the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines, auto makers are calling for more time to make the shift to electric cars. Lawmakers in the European Parliament on Wednesday approved a plan for cutting greenhouse gas emissions that includes a proposal to ban the sale of new cars that …

EU lawmakers endorse ban on combustion-engine cars in 2035
2 years, 6 months ago

EU lawmakers endorse ban on combustion-engine cars in 2035

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Parliament on Wednesday threw its weight behind a proposed ban on selling new cars with combustion engines in 2035, seeking to step up the fight against climate change through the faster development of electric vehicles. The 2030 CO2-reduction target and ban on combustion engines in 2035 were proposed last year by the European Commission, the EU’s …

EU lawmakers back ban on new fossil-fuel cars from 2035
2 years, 6 months ago

EU lawmakers back ban on new fossil-fuel cars from 2035

Al Jazeera  

Transport produces 25 percent of Europe’s planet-heating emissions, and greenhouse gases from the sector have increased in recent years, threatening efforts to avert dangerous levels of climate change. Lawmakers supported a proposal, made by the European Commission last year, to require a 100 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars by 2035, which would make it impossible to sell …

G-7 pledges put coal on notice, could boost climate aid
2 years, 6 months ago

G-7 pledges put coal on notice, could boost climate aid

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Officials from the Group of Seven wealthy nations announced Friday that they will aim to largely end greenhouse gas emissions from their power sectors by 2035, making it highly unlikely that those countries will burn coal for electricity beyond that date. Under pressure to step up their financial aid to poor nations, the G-7 ministers in Berlin said …

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