EU to phase out most harmful biofuels
EU negotiators have reached a deal on a new renewable energy directive. 'One of the most sensitive issues during the negotiations was biofuels from food and feed crops,' said MEP Bas Eickhout.
EU failed to clean up diesel cars, report says
Roadside sensors reveal that of the newest diesel cars, 91 percent does not even achieve to remain below the previous generation NOx emission limit.
Balloon lobby attacks Brussels over 'misleading' claims
The EU commission is targeting balloons and balloon sticks in its new plastics law, but a lobby group for balloon makers has accused it of 'misleading claims'.
News in Brief
- EU court orders Le Pen to repay EU parliament
- Commission needs time to assess German Dieselgate fine
- Merkel and Macron meet over migration and eurozone
- Salvini plans census of Roma communities
- Slovenia to take Croatia to court in border row
- Parliamentary setback over corruption in Romania
- Lords force new vote for UK parliament to influence Brexit
- Report: Audi CEO arrested over Dieselgate
Investigation
US in denial on EU climate forum
An Obama-era climate change working group has been in limbo since Trump came into office. Other areas of transatlantic energy cooperation also face uncertainty.
NGO testing omitted from new Dieselgate legislation
It was independent organisations that flagged up Volkswagen's emissions scandal in the US - yet a legal clause giving such 'third parties' a role in EU emissions testing has been removed from bill.
Analysis
Commission bets on states to make farm policy 'green'
The European Commission has shifted responsibility of how to achieve climate goals to member states in proposed reforms to its agricultural aid budget.
Focus
Norway to move ahead with CO2 capture
Norwegian MPs to vote on providing €29.5m in funding for a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project.
Visual Data
Top 100 European places where Dieselgate 'kills' most
In Europe, more than a third of those killed each year by toxic particulate matter - associated with unlawful diesel emissions exceeding the EU limits - live in about 100 conurbations, mainly in Italy, France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain.
Stakeholder
Nordic electricity market presented to global energy ministers
Energy ministers from the world's biggest economies, including the G20, were shown how co-operation works in the Nordic electricity market. This co-operation is unique by international standards and is held up as a model globally.
Analysis
EU can afford to be tough on plastic straws
The EU commission wants to ban plastic straws and cutlery. Most of these are not made in the EU, making the proposal more likely to succeed.
Focus
EU accused of 'half-hearted approach' on air quality
European Commission has taken six EU countries to court over failing to achieve EU air quality standards. But what about the other countries where air quality is equally bad - or worse?
Stakeholder
Nordics could be first carbon-negative region in world
It is very unlikely that the climate target of the Paris agreement can be met without a system that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere – we need negative emissions.
Opinion
Europe's last wild rivers under threat at Balkans summit
The EU is prioritising motorways and gas pipelines across the potential accession Western Balkan countries, plus hydropower energy projects which threaten one of the world's freshwater biodiversity hotspots.
Paris, Brussels, Madrid challenge new car emission limits
Three European capitals are seeking to annul laxer nitrogen oxides limits for cars - which were introduced as compensation to the car industry's difficulties in passing the new on-road emissions test.
Interview
Car industry 'only listens to targets', warns lead MEP
'You can't reduce your CO2 emissions if you don't have targets in place,' says MEP Miriam Dalli. She will tell the European Parliament on Wednesday cars should be 50 percent cleaner by 2030, whilst the Commission proposed 30 percent.
Commission's methane delay is 'present for agribusiness'
The agriculture lobby managed to keep strict targets on methane out of EU law. Left-wing MEPs are now getting impatient with the European Commission.
Former VW boss can avoid US jail by staying in Germany
Martin Winterkorn is accused of wire fraud with the aim to "unlawfully enrich VW" and himself.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- MHRMI Launches Lawsuits Against Individuals and Countries Involved in Changing Macedonia's Name
- Civil society asks PACE to appoint Rapporteur to probe issue of political prisoners in Azerbaijan
- Social Mobility – How Can We Increase Opportunities Through Training and Education?
- Energy Solutions for a Greener Tomorrow
- What Kind of Europe Do Children Want? Unicef & Eurochild Launch Survey on the Europe Kids Want
- Nordic Countries Take a Stand for Climate-Smart Energy Solutions
- Nordics Could Be First Carbon-Negative Region in World
- Life Is Possible for Patients with Severe Asthma
- Common-Sense Approach Needed for EU Energy Reform
- Nordic Region to Lead in Developing and Rolling Out 5G Network
- China-EU Economic and Trade Relations Enjoy a Bright Future
- Empowering Businesses to Engage with Sustainable Finance and the SDGs
Latest News
- EU states set to back some asylum reform laws
- The Baltic 'Big Sea' strategy
- Orban to EPP: turn 'Christian democratic' or face challenge
- Is EU retail sector equipped for 21st century?
- Tear gas bodes ill for Macedonia name deal
- EU asylum claims drop, Germany registers most
- EU summit: migrants get a 'vote' too
- Basque threat of 'second front' for independence
Feature
Norwegian polluters want state-led CO2 storage
Three companies want to participate in a carbon capture and storage project – but they want the Norwegian government to pay for it.
Focus
Dust storms can make Cyprus unbearable for asthmatics
On World Asthma Day, EUobserver looks at an EU-funded project that aims to mitigate the newly-understood health effects of desert dust storms.
Juncker delays air quality action due to busy agenda
The president of the European Commission has decided that nine member states who are failing to fight air pollution will receive another month's respite.
EU investment bank confirms secrecy of VW fraud report
Secretary general of the EIB says in response to EUobserver's appeal that there is no overriding public interest in releasing the document.
Opinion
More commitment to renewables from Council, please
More and more consumers are likely to invest in solar panels in the future as it becomes simpler to produce one's own electricity, writes Monique Goyens, director general of BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation.
Stakeholder
Recycling at the FIFA World Cup in Russia
With this year's FIFA World Cup in Russia fast approaching, the impact of major sports events on society and the environment is an important topic in the public discourse.
EU commissioners left no paper trail on car lobby talks
Oettinger and Canete spoke to representatives of the German carmakers 15 days before the commission presented a bill o CO2 emission standards.
Magazine
A sustainable death wish
No one can escape death. But choices over how one's body is disposed of could either lessen or increase your carbon footprint.
Magazine
Bioeconomy is a win-win strategy for Finland
"The big problem in the world today is a lack of resources and a lack of bio-diversity," says Finnish environment minister Kimmo Tiilikainen. His country plans to produce what the world needs the most.
Opinion
We need a firewall against vested interests in climate policy-making
The next climate conference in May should be an opportunity for the EU to show leadership and break ties with the big oil, gas and coal corporations that are profiting from the destruction of the climate.
Magazine
Bioplastics industry risks disappointing consumers
Europe is trying to kick its addiction to plastic, so businesses are on the hunt for alternatives. Bioplastics could replace 60 percent of plastic packaging on the market, but the switch is far from straightforward.
Magazine
New bioeconomy strategy will have to address job losses
The European Commission's 2012 bioeconomy strategy is in need of an update, with even the commission itself admitting the paper had weaknesses.
Stakeholder
Poland is no 'energy island' but key piece in Europe energy map
A new expert report firmly dismisses suggestions that Poland is an 'energy island'.
Magazine
One man's whisky is another man's fish food
As Scotland's whisky producers look for an alternative to feed their salmon with, one company offers omega-3 rich algae to do the trick.
Car lobby uses Brexit to dispute CO2 targets
The lobby group for European car manufacturers has said that if UK sales data is not counted when calculating CO2 emissions, the target should be reviewed. The commission has refused to comment.
Interview
Norway oil minister: we'll keep drilling because we do it greener
Petroleum and energy minister Terje Soviknes – a member of an anti-tax, anti-EU party – praised Norway's CO2 tax and hoped for European cooperation on carbon capture and storage.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- Cooperation in Nordic Electricity Market Considered World Class Model
- Green Stadiums at the 2018 Fifa World Cup
- China and EU Work Together to Promote Sustainable Development
- European Ombudsman Requests More Lending Transparency from European Investment Bank
- Recycling at the FIFA World Cup in Russia
- OECD Report: Gender Equality Boosts GDP Growth in Nordic Region
- “Peace and Reconciliation Is a Process That Takes Decades” Dr. Anthony Soares on #Brexit and Northern Ireland
- MEPs Positive on China’s New Measures of Opening Up
- Old White Men are Destroying Macedonia by Romanticizing Greece
- Controversial EIB-Backed Project Under Fire at European Parliament
- Income Inequality Increasing in Nordic Countries
- EU Leaders to Cease Contact with Mahmoud Abbas Until He Apologizes for Antisemitic Comments
Stakeholders' Highlights
- Annual Report celebrates organization’s tenth anniversary
- Nordic Cooperation Needed on Green Exports and Funding
- Premier Li Confirms China Will Continue to Open Up
- Calls on Brussels University to Revoke Decision to Honour Ken Loach
- 12 Recommendations for Nordic Leadership on Climate and Environment
- Oxford Professor Calls for an End to the Anti-Macedonian Name Negotiations
- People Who Speak-Up Should Feel Safe to Do So
- Progress on China-EU Cooperation
- World's Energy Ministers to Meet in Oresund in May to Discuss Green Energy
- Parabéns! Portugal Votes to Respect the Rights of Trans and Intersex People
- Jobs, Energy, Steel: Government Work Report Sets China's Targets
- Kantor Center Annual Report on Antisemitism Worldwide - The Year the Mask Came Off
