EU unveils tough climate rules, eyes tax on foreign firms
3 years, 5 months ago

EU unveils tough climate rules, eyes tax on foreign firms

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union unveiled sweeping new legislation Wednesday to help meet its pledge to cut emissions of the gases that cause global warming by 55% over this decade, including a controversial plan to tax foreign companies for the pollution they cause. 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. “There needs to be a coordinated, massive expansion of sun and wind power from the North Sea to the Mediterranean.” Echoing the thoughts of some climate scientists, Oxfam EU head Evelien van Roemburg urged the member countries and lawmakers to be more ambitious than the European Commission. “They must step up ambition by ensuring all EU climate rules contribute to carbon emission cuts of at least 65% in 2030, rather than the current 55%,” she said. 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.

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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 …

Cash-strapped Britain to water down green targets as economic reality bites
Trending News
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Cash-strapped Britain to water down green targets as economic reality bites

Politico  

And with growth central to Labour's hopes of staying in office by turning around a stagnant U.K. economy, Starmer's top team is clearly listening. “I’ve got no interest in the country hitting its climate targets by shutting down jobs and industry,” Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told a parliamentary committee Tuesday when questioned about the pressure on car makers. But Reynolds …

'Green and just transition'
Top News
1 month ago

'Green and just transition'

China Daily  

The EU views China as a partner for cooperation, an economic competitor and a systemic rival, thus changing its policy on the basis of specific issue area in question Following the 2024 European Parliament elections, a competitiveness strategy has been incorporated into the European Union's strategic agenda. This has prompted the EU to accord greater consideration to the significance of …

'Green and just transition'
Top News
1 month ago

'Green and just transition'

China Daily  

WANG XIAOYING/CHINA DAILY Following the 2024 European Parliament elections, a competitiveness strategy has been incorporated into the European Union's strategic agenda. This has prompted the EU to accord greater consideration to the significance of its single market, strategic autonomy and competitiveness concerns, while also expressing concern about China's "economic intervention and control "of the EU. The EU's "fair competition" policy …

'Green and just transition'
Top News
1 month ago

'Green and just transition'

China Daily  

WANG XIAOYING/CHINA DAILY Following the 2024 European Parliament elections, a competitiveness strategy has been incorporated into the European Union's strategic agenda. This has prompted the EU to accord greater consideration to the significance of its single market, strategic autonomy and competitiveness concerns, while also expressing concern about China's "economic intervention and control "of the EU. The EU's "fair competition" policy …

Cause and Effect | COP29 opens with divisions over Europe’s carbon border tax and climate financing
1 month, 1 week ago

Cause and Effect | COP29 opens with divisions over Europe’s carbon border tax and climate financing

Hindustan Times  

The UN Conference of Parties Summit began in Baku, Azerbaijan on Monday, the second year in a row that an oil-producing nation has held the presidency. From the EU’s perspective, the mechanism was aimed at “levelling the playing field” for its firms that operate under the EU’s Emissions Trading System and pay a domestic carbon price to cushion them from …

Europe should not continue down the misguided path of protectionism
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Europe should not continue down the misguided path of protectionism

China Daily  

On Tuesday, the European Commission announced the final ruling of the anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles from China. Although both China and Europe will continue to work toward a price commitment solution, we must express our deep regret regarding the European Commission's current final ruling, which raises a white flag to protectionism. Fundamentally, the EU's tariff decree represents a 21st-century …

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 …

The EU 'new trio' industrial subsidy policy in the name of green transition
3 months, 3 weeks ago

The EU 'new trio' industrial subsidy policy in the name of green transition

China Daily  

THE EU HAS ISSUED A NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL POLICIES INVOLVING THE "NEW TRIO” AND IMPLEMENTED ALL-ROUND SUBSIDIES In recent years, the EU has been increasing financial support to the green industries including the "new trio”, in particular focusing on the transition of green energy and the R&D of net-zero technology, and with enhancing the global industrial competitiveness as one of …

EU, China head towards a ‘trade war’ over import tariff on electric vehicles
5 months, 4 weeks ago

EU, China head towards a ‘trade war’ over import tariff on electric vehicles

The Hindu  

The European Commission released this month its new tariff rates for battery-operated electric vehicles imported from China, which is being perceived as the start of a potential trade war between the European Union and China. The current EU tariffs on EVs have to be seen in that context,” said Mr. Campbell, noting that Brussels is naturally concerned about Chinese EV …

German experts criticize EU tariffs on Chinese EVs
6 months ago

German experts criticize EU tariffs on Chinese EVs

China Daily  

By XING YI in London | China Daily Global | Updated: 2024-06-18 09:03 A view of Chinese carmaker BYD's assembly line of new energy vehicles in Zhengzhou, Henan province. The European Union's decision to impose additional tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles is a protectionist move that could trigger a global trade conflict and slow down Europe's electric mobility transition, …

China-EU partnership crucial for green transition: China Daily editorial
6 months, 1 week ago

China-EU partnership crucial for green transition: China Daily editorial

China Daily  

Aerial photo taken on Aug 19, 2020 shows wind turbines in Jiucaiping scenic spot in Southwest China's Guizhou province. With their climate competition having come to the fore in the form of higher tariffs of up to 38.1 percent that the European Commission has said will be slapped on Chinese electric vehicle imports starting next month, it is timely that …

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 …

The EU wants to put a tax on emissions from imports. It’s irked some other nations at COP28
1 year ago

The EU wants to put a tax on emissions from imports. It’s irked some other nations at COP28

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A European Union plan to tax the carbon pollution emitted to make goods imported from countries like India and China has sparked a debate at the United Nations climate conference in Dubai, as poorer countries fear such tariffs will harm livelihoods and economic growth. “CBAM’s sole aim is to prevent carbon leakage” elsewhere in the …

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 …

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 …

In a climate crisis, this government has just made pollution cheaper
1 year, 4 months ago

In a climate crisis, this government has just made pollution cheaper

The Independent  

The Conservative government is totally committed to green energy policies. Then, a few months ago, they started to pull apart, as market participants found themselves unconvinced by the UK government’s commitment to meeting climate targets. The whole rationale of offsetting is to encourage investment in projects that lower carbon emissions. Mandatory carbon-trading programmes for big industrial companies should not be …

U.S. Companies Face EU Deforestation Rules on Coffee, Wood, Other Everyday Goods
1 year, 5 months ago

U.S. Companies Face EU Deforestation Rules on Coffee, Wood, Other Everyday Goods

Live Mint  

Companies selling everyday products such as leather shoes, coffee and chocolate in the European Union will soon need to prove their wares aren’t causing forest loss under a new law, after voluntary efforts largely failed. The world’s toughest rules on deforestation come into force Thursday, meaning that companies have 18 months to prepare for proving the origin of seven commodities …

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 …

Explained | What is the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism?
1 year, 7 months ago

Explained | What is the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism?

The Hindu  

The story so far: On May 10, co-legislators at the European Commission signed the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. It has been described as a “landmark tool” to put a “fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon intensive goods that are entering the EU, and to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries.” The reporting system under …

EU countries adopt law banning products which fuel deforestation
1 year, 7 months ago

EU countries adopt law banning products which fuel deforestation

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The 27 European Union countries on Tuesday formally adopted new rules that should help the bloc reduce its contribution to global deforestation by regulating the trade in a series of products driving the decrease in forested areas across the world. Under the legislation, companies trading palm oil, cattle, wood, coffee, cocoa, rubber and soy will need to verify …

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 …

Combating the new wave of climate-related trade protectionism
2 years ago

Combating the new wave of climate-related trade protectionism

Hindustan Times  

Several countries across the world are recording a sustained reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. It is obvious that there will be little impact on global emissions if advanced economies with cleaner technologies and stricter environmental policies transfer their polluting industries to developing countries, leading to a mere transfer of the source of emissions rather than any actual decline. Instead of …

US, EU agree to intensify talks on ‘green subsidies’ dispute
2 years ago

US, EU agree to intensify talks on ‘green subsidies’ dispute

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The United States and European Union agreed Monday to intensify talks to resolve EU concerns over major subsidies for American companies contained in a U.S. clean energy law. Although no deal was reached at a meeting of the bilateral bilateral Trade and Technology Council, the two sides pledged to continue work on preliminary progress and said they would …

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 …

Europe fears US climate act will tip ‘level playing field’
2 years, 2 months ago

Europe fears US climate act will tip ‘level playing field’

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Senior French and German officials warned Wednesday that recent measures by the Biden administration to address climate change and boost the American economy could upend the “level playing field” on trade between the European Union and the United States. “We need to work on adequate European responses to this American Inflation Reduction Act, which might jeopardize the developing …

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 …

Carmakers nearly as carbon-heavy per euro as oil firms, says NGO
2 years, 2 months ago

Carmakers nearly as carbon-heavy per euro as oil firms, says NGO

The Hindu  

The lifetime carbon emissions of a car are so high that investing in car companies funds almost as much carbon per euro as investing in an oil firm, according to a study by environmental NGO Transport & Environment released on Wednesday. A million euros invested in oil giants Shell, BP and Exxon Mobil finances around 5,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, …

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