EU
EU VP nominee backs goal to cut CO2 by ‘at least 55% by 2030’
Frans Timmermans, who would oversee climate efforts, laid out his vision for every EU policy to be aligned with its carbon reduction targets
EU agrees to ‘update’ Paris climate pledge
Ministers watered down proposed language after opposition from ten member states, some of which are seeking financial support to cut emissions
Time for accountability – Climate Weekly
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Next EU energy chief backs gas as part of climate transition
Former Estonian minister Kadri Simson told MEPs a 2050 carbon neutral target was ‘wise’ and said gas ‘might be the most cost-efficient option’ to get off coal
Estonia backs European net zero carbon target. Poland loses an ally
One of four countries that had blocked attempts to set a 2050 deadline for decarbonisation switched, while Poland said goal was “not possible and not feasible”
Germany announces host of new measures to bring down CO2
Cross party deal set targets for every sector but was criticised for setting a low carbon price and failing to chart a course for net zero emissions
French court finds climate activists stole Macron portraits out of necessity
‘Faced with the state’s failure to respect objectives that can be perceived as minimal’ the action was ‘a very moderate disturbance’, the judgement said
Turkey withdraws bid to host 2020 UN climate talks, paving way for Glasgow
Ankara has been the final obstacle to the UK’s proposal, with Glasgow already named as the preferred site for the critical meeting
European Green Deal portfolio handed to EU vice president, in major elevation
Dutch social democrat Frans Timmermans has been named executive vice president responsible for strategy to make the EU climate neutral by 2050
European Central Bank should ‘gradually eliminate’ carbon assets: Lagarde
Nominee to lead the bank told MEPs it could adopt new measures to prefer green investments if she is confirmed
Europeans must face their own role in the destruction of the Amazon
Through consumption of agricultural products that can drive deforestation, the EU is complicit in the loss of the great forest, it’s time lawmakers stepped up
Rocks in the gearbox: German anti-car protesters target industry for disruption
Police are investigating after a group claimed responsibility for vandalising 40 luxury cars near Frankfurt, while the industry braces for further actions
France and UK double pledges to UN green fund to $3.5bn
Announcements at the G7 meeting mean the countries join Germany and Norway with promises to double their initial contributions in the next funding round
No-deal Brexit would be a disaster for the climate
Boris Johnson’s leadership increases the likelihood of a hard exit from the EU, shattering the bloc’s solidarity and empowering a radical deregulation agenda
Court blocks Polish coal plant, in win for climate campaigners
Client Earth successfully challenged the Ostrołęka C project on behalf of shareholders, arguing it was a bad financial bet as renewables become competitive
Marseille airport expansion stalled on climate grounds
France’s environment authority asked the developers to show how increased flights can fit with the country’s 2050 net zero emissions target
UK carbon price to plummet under no-deal Brexit
A proposed UK tax on heavy polluters would come in at nearly half the EU carbon market price, reducing the incentive to cut emissions
Former UK energy minister Claire Perry appointed Cop26 president
A champion of phasing out coal power internationally, Perry has been named to lead critical UN climate talks in 2020, which the UK expects to host
EU moots crackdown on deforestation through supply chains
The bloc is considering regulations to address the role of consumer demand for commodities like palm oil, soy and timber in driving forest clearance abroad
How von der Leyen could make a carbon border tax work
The next European Commission chief must tread carefully if she is to meet her promise to make polluting importers pay