EU
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
Poland expected to delay EU carbon neutrality deal
European leaders will struggle to broker a stronger climate package before December, experts say, as Warsaw prepares to play hard for funding
Climate a ‘signature issue’ as Ursula von der Leyen anointed EU chief
Lawmakers backed the German politician as European Commission president by a slim majority on Tuesday, after she met calls to strengthen climate ambition
Trade deal binds Brazil to Paris Agreement, says top EU official
‘President Bolsonaro chose, and came with us,’ said Cecilia Malmström, as she defended the EU deal with several South American nations
Non-Green MEPs largely ignore climate on Twitter
Parliamentarians from the EU’s power blocs might talk tough on global warming, but don’t engage with the most influential social media accounts, analysis shows
Von der Leyen offers 55% CO2 cuts by 2030 in bid for EU top job
The German nominee for European Commission president has strengthened her climate ambition to win parliamentary backing from socialists and liberals
How Trump’s climate U-turn exposed the limits of European power
When the world needed someone to step up as a climate power broker, why did no-one think it would be the EU?
Families appeal EU court dismissal of ‘People’s Climate Case’
Plaintiffs including a Portuguese forester and Swedish indigenous reindeer herder argue inadequate climate action threatens their human rights
EU commission president nominee backs 50% carbon cut by 2030
Ursula von der Leyen said Europe should become the world’s first climate neutral continent, as she sought lawmakers’ backing for the top job on Wednesday
UK told to close climate policy gap or ‘be embarrassed’ in 2020
The British government is off track for its 2050 net zero emissions target, advisers warn, undermining its credibility as likely host of Cop26 UN climate talks
France announces tax on air travel in climate push
A proposed levy of €1.50-18 on each outbound flight comes as part of a climate strategy, with France pushing the EU to follow suit
European Greens demand action on climate as condition to approve EU top job
Green grouping co-chairs in the European Parliament set tough conditions to ratify Ursula von der Leyen as next Commission president after meeting her on Monday
Finland’s forestry myth undermines its radical climate ambition
The next EU presidency wants to drive the climate agenda, but its forestry industry is bad for carbon emissions, biodiversity and its indigenous Sámi people
EU ‘climate leaders’ plans found lacking
Finland, Sweden, Portugal, France and Germany praised for ambitious targets, but NGO analysis raises questions over details