Energy
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
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
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
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
Coal phase-out will increase German need for gas, says Merkel
Under pressure to block a gas pipeline from Russia and end coal power, the chancellor tied their fates together
MPs call to expand post-Brexit green programme across whole government
Indications that Britain’s new environmental watchdog will be government-funded raise questions about its independence, the National Audit Office said
Empty car shows and stalled solar as sanctions keep Iran dirty
Innovation flees after Trump reimposes sanctions, environmentalists and government say that puts the country on a dangerous path
UK anti-pollution drive undermined by leaving EU, say campaigners
As he launches new restrictions on pollution secretary Michael Gove says Brexit is a chance to go greener, but NGOs worry the regulatory bite is missing
Seven EU nations miss climate and energy plan deadline
Bulgaria, Greece and Spain among countries that fail to present plans to the EU, while Germany submits only a ‘provisional’ version
EU reaches coal subsidy phase-out deal – with caveat for Poland
In late-night talks, negotiators agreed to end backdoor subsidies to coal generators, with some leeway for the most coal-dependent member state
Exxon knows renewables are cheaper, even if Trump doesn’t
The US is pushing fossil fuels at UN climate talks, but prices for clean energy have tumbled so fast even oil companies are investing in renewables
On their patron saint’s day, Polish miners pray for a decent future
Twenty kilometres from Cop24 climate talks in Katowice, mining trade unionists look to St Barbara, not Warsaw, Brussels or the UN, for answers to their struggles
Greenpeace threatens to sue coal utility in Poland
Activists are calling on PGE to phase out coal by 2030 and switch to clean energy, or face legal action
EU should target carbon dioxide removal as part of net-zero emissions strategy
Only an ambitious policy, backed by technologies that remove carbon from the air, can bring the EU in line with the Paris Agreement temperature goals
Polish government split over coal ahead of UN climate summit
The energy minister has published a statement in defence of coal, which was swiftly disavowed by the presidency of the upcoming Cop24 climate negotiations
Hungary wants end to coal power by 2030
‘Sky-rocketing’ EU carbon prices could mean Hungary is the first country in eastern Europe to set an exit date for the most polluting fossil fuel