EU
Merkel’s legacy: a robust diplomat who surrendered to coal and cars back home
As Angela Merkel’s 16 years leading Germany come to an end, experts praise her international climate record but say she was too timid domestically
European gas shortages prompt calls to accelerate clean energy transition
Analysts say renewables, insulation and electrification of heating and cooking are the answer to soaring gas prices across Europe
EU commits €4 billion more to climate vulnerables, calls on the US to step up
Ursula Von der Leyen called out the US for failing to deliver its fair share of climate cash – an issue poor nations say is critical to success at Cop26
The lesson from German floods: prepare for the unimaginable
A month after fatal floods swept through western Germany, survivors are still in shock and experts warn such disasters are becoming more common
Ukraine aims to grow economy without increasing carbon emissions
The post-Soviet state has increased its climate ambition but campaigners say it could do more to insulate draughty housing and promote clean energy
Europe’s floods hit my childhood home, sweeping away my parents’ sense of safety
As a researcher, I want to bridge the gap between weather forecasts and warning systems so people can take protective action
Fatal floods expose gaps in Germany’s disaster preparedness
While heavy rain was forecast, infrastructure was overwhelmed and many residents did not get the message about the dangers
EU’s border tax gives countries 5 years to clean up industries or face penalties
Unpopular among the bloc’s trading partners, countries are seeking exemptions to the carbon levy, as Brussels hints alternatives to pricing may be considered to dodge the tax
EU must use its carbon border tax to support a just transition around the world
The EU is planning to pocket the revenues from a border levy on carbon, with no support for climate vulnerable countries like Mozambique to clean up their industries
Infrared images show under-regulated ‘methane crisis’ across Europe
Campaigners found 120 cases of methane leakage and venting from oil and gas infrastructure in seven European countries
UK has done ‘surprisingly little’ to deliver on climate targets, say official advisers
The Climate Change Committee called on the UK government to up its game and show leadership before hosting Cop26 in November
Norway eyes expansion of oil and gas industry under policy proposal
The government wants to hand out more exploration licences – ignoring modelling that shows fossil fuel expansion must end now to meet global climate goals
Joe Biden’s trip to Europe offers a chance for a new transatlantic climate alliance
With a US-EU summit scheduled following the G7 meeting, Biden and EU leaders have an opportunity to usher in a new era of collaboration on climate action
The EIB won’t become a climate bank until it fully stops supporting fossil fuels
The bank has committed to end fossil fuel financing by the end of the year but has handed out billions in support for companies wedded to the industry
Portugal draft proposal allows methane gas pipelines to receive EU funding until 2030
The draft text, seen by Climate Home News, waters down proposals made by the EU Commission last year – a move campaigners say would lock in fossil fuel infrastructure
Governments are overlooking a key piece in the climate puzzle: community energy
Failure to engage people in local energy projects risks slowing down the transition to a low-carbon future at a time when leaders need to speed it up
Spain to end fossil fuel production by 2042 under new climate law
Spain’s 2030 emission reduction target lags other EU countries but the government won praise for committing to end coal, oil and gas production
Germany raises ambition to net zero by 2045 after landmark court ruling
A surprise plan to strengthen Germany’s emission targets reignites debate on quitting coal and pricing carbon ahead of September’s election
Top court rules German climate law falls short, in ‘historic’ victory for youth
In a surprise verdict, Germany’s highest court found that government climate targets violate the freedoms of youth plaintiffs by deferring emissions cuts
EU member states and lawmakers at loggerheads over 2030 climate target
The fifth round of negotiations between the EU Council and members of parliament achieved little progress on agreeing a climate law