International: Europe
EU keeps carbon border tax unchanged despite fertiliser price crisis
Thu 21 May 2026
Fertiliser producers argue that the EU's carbon pricing rules at the border protect the European industry from cheaper imports produced under weaker environmental rules. But farmers fear they are indirectly paying the bill through higher fertiliser costs.
Germany set to miss 2030 climate goals, independent body warns
20 May 2026
Germany is expected to miss its 2030 climate goals and likely emit more carbon dioxide than previously thought, an independent advisory body said on Monday, contradicting the findings of the government's main climate authority.
Iran war pushes Portugal to halve fossil fuel use over next 10 years
20 May 2026
Lisbon fast-tracks plans after the Iran war caused oil and gas costs to soar, Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho tells POLITICO.
Inequality causing 100,000 extra deaths a year from heat and cold in Europe
12 May 2026
Economic inequality adds more than 100,000 deaths to the vast toll from heat and cold in Europe each year, research has found.
EU floats making it easy for oil companies to break methane rules
8 May 2026
Countries would be able to exempt companies from the rules on energy security grounds, even before major disruption occurs, under draft guidelines seen by POLITICO.
Germany allocates 5 billion euros to push heavy industry to cut CO2
7 May 2026
Germany will provide up to 5 billion euros ($5.85 billion) this year to help major factories reduce carbon emissions by switching to cleaner technology, the economy ministry said on Tuesday.
EU to give industries more free CO2 permits, document shows
6 May 2026
The European Commission has drafted plans to give more free emissions permits to industries over the next few years, a move that could save companies 4 billion euros in CO2 costs.
Amsterdam bans public adverts for meat and fossil fuels
5 May 2026
Amsterdam has become the world's first capital city to ban public advertisements for both meat and fossil fuel products.
Analysts cut EU carbon price forecasts on policy reforms
4 May 2026
Analysts have significantly cut their forecasts for prices in the European Union's carbon market for the next couple of years, due to uncertainty over proposed policy changes and future supply levels.
EU faces ‘China shock’ as EV imports drive Beijing’s record surplus with bloc
1 May 2026
The EU is experiencing a prolonged “China shock” as a flood of Chinese EVs into Europe helped push Beijing to a record surplus with the bloc.
Solar power soars to new heights but fears over 'dangerously high' temperatures
30 Apr 2026
Last year heatwaves hit from the Mediterranean to the Arctic, and Greenland lost 139 billion tonnes of ice, according to a new report from Copernicus, while solar power soared to new heights.
France unveils plan to ditch all fossil fuels by 2050
30 Apr 2026
Dozens of nations gathered in Colombia to hold the first-ever talks on how to transition away from fossil fuels. France published a 'roadmap' that explicitly aims to phase out coal by 2030, oil by 2045 and gas for energy purposes by 2050.
Renewables in vogue as Iran war drives up Europe power prices
29 Apr 2026
As the Iran war disrupts global flows of oil and gas and energy prices skyrocket, the Drin River, which descends through the mountains of northern Albania, is acting as a kind of shield.
EU aims to ease energy blow from Iran war with tax cuts, gas coordination
23 Apr 2026
The European Commission set out plans on Wednesday to cut electricity taxes and coordinate the summer refill of countries' gas storage, as it seeks to cushion the energy fallout from the Iran war.
It’s time for an EU climate diplomacy reset
23 Apr 2026
The geopolitical context for climate diplomacy keeps evolving, with the war in the Middle East the latest example of a more fragmented and uncertain global environment.
Electric car sales soar 51% in mainland Europe as Iran war drives up fuel prices
22 Apr 2026
Buyers’ interest in electric cars has risen across Europe since the start of the war in Iran in late February, as the rising cost of petrol highlights the cheaper power available from a plug.
What Magyar’s defeat of Orbán in Hungary means for climate and energy
21 Apr 2026
Hungary has played a disproportionate role in EU climate and energy policy in recent years, by repeatedly vetoing climate action and by delaying the phaseout of Russian fossil-fuel imports.
Europe has 'maybe six weeks of jet fuel left', energy boss warns
20 Apr 2026
Stocks would reach a tipping point in June if Europe was unable to replace at least half of its imports from the Middle East, the organisation said in a report this week.
IMF warns EU not to offset the energy price spike too much
20 Apr 2026
European governments should not excessively shield businesses and consumers from more expensive energy because that distorts the price signal to cut consumption and could be fiscally very expensive, the International Monetary Fund said.
Thousands protest in Germany urging faster shift to renewable energy, amid Iran war
20 Apr 2026
Thousands of people demonstrated across Germany on April 18, urging a faster shift to renewable energy and accusing conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition of putting the brakes on the transition.
EU working on jet fuel plan as Iran crisis threatens air travel
17 Apr 2026
The European Union is drafting plans to tackle a looming jet fuel supply crunch and maximise refinery output, officials said.
War spurs EU plan for electricity tax cuts, faster shift from fossil fuels, draft shows
16 Apr 2026
The European Union plans to reduce electricity taxes and expand clean technologies faster to cut consumers' exposure to soaring oil and gas prices, as part of its plan to offset the Iran war's energy impact, a draft document showed.
ETS divisions sharpen as EU carbon market review nears
15 Apr 2026
The EU’s carbon market is heading towards a pivotal review, with tensions mounting between Member States over how the system shapes energy prices, industrial competitiveness and the pace of decarbonisation.
France unveils electrification plan to cut fossil fuel dependence
14 Apr 2026
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu outlined a national electrification plan on Friday aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels and strengthening the country’s energy sovereignty.
France's emissions cuts slow again in 2025, throwing climate targets off track
10 Apr 2026
While France's overall emissions are still in decline, the rate of their decline had slowed for the second year in a row, throwing the country off course to meet its 2030 climate goals.
The European Commission has published the first quarterly price for CBAM certificates
9 Apr 2026
The European Commission has officially set the reference price for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism certificate for the first quarter of 2026 at €75.36 per ton of CO2.
Europe’s energy illusion: Why a €1 trillion green bet hasn’t broken the import habit
31 Mar 2026
The war with Iran is exposing a hard truth – Europe’s green push has left it no less dependent on imported energy.
France confirms oil crisis, says 30-40 percent of Gulf energy infrastructure destroyed
30 Mar 2026
France's Finance Minister Roland Lescure revealed that between 30 and 40 per cent of Gulf refining capacity has been damaged or destroyed by Iran's retaliatory strikes, leaving a shortage of 11 million barrels a day on global oil markets. Lescure warned it could take up to three years to restore damaged facilities, and several months to restart those that were urgently shut down.
Germany unveils climate plan to cut emissions and fossil fuels
27 Mar 2026
Germany set out plans on Wednesday to help it meet 2030 climate targets and reduce its dependence on volatile fossil fuel imports, making 8 billion euros available to fund measures such as expanding wind power capacity and boosting EV sales.
Spain’s Sánchez attacks other EU leaders for exploiting energy prices to gut climate policies
23 Mar 2026
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez said his country was on “the right side of history” when it comes to how it has handled the economic and social costs of previous energy crises.
Clean fuel producers reject airline concerns over SAF mandates
23 Mar 2026
The EU requires the gradual replacement of kerosene with 'sustainable aviation fuels' but operators fear scarcity and fines.
Fossil fuels? No thanks. Why Trump’s Iran war is pushing EU toward renewables.
20 Mar 2026
EU countries may argue about the short-term fixes for high energy prices, but agree that clean power is the best long-term bet.
Ten EU members press Brussels to keep giving industry free carbon permits
20 Mar 2026
Ten European Union member states have called on the bloc to keep handing out free carbon permits to industry to help curb costs as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran sends energy prices soaring.
European carbon prices slide as EU considers intervening in market
19 Mar 2026
Europe's carbon price fell by more than 5% on Tuesday after the European Commission President said the bloc would consider making more carbon emissions permits available to help curb high energy prices.
Germany misses climate targets as emissions barely fall in 2025
17 Mar 2026
Greenhouse gas emissions in Germany have again missed targets set by the Climate Protection Act and barely fell at all in 2025.
Eight countries warn EU not to weaken carbon market
16 Mar 2026
Spain, the Netherlands and six other governments have urged the European Union not to dismantle or suspend the bloc's emissions trading system, its main climate change policy, as Brussels hunts for ways to curb energy prices.
EU climate advisers say eat less meat and tax farm emissions
13 Mar 2026
Brussels must take urgent measures to reduce the carbon footprint of food and farming, a scientific advisory board report says.
The German city that defied McDonald’s and dumped ‘to-go’ waste
13 Mar 2026
Since January 2022, the city of Tübingen has been charging 50 cents for nearly every piece of disposable “to-go” packaging.
EU leaders to demand carbon market reform by July, draft shows
12 Mar 2026
European Union governments are set to ask the European Commission to propose reforms to the bloc's carbon market by July, draft conclusions for a summit of EU leaders next week showed.
Russia gets export boost from Iran war as price of oil to India surges
10 Mar 2026
The war in Iran has fuelled a significant bump in demand for Russian oil and gas, the Kremlin said on Friday, boosting exports which have been battered by sanctions linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.
Big EU lobby groups exaggerated industry support for attack on carbon price
10 Mar 2026
An industry petition criticising the European Union’s core climate policy implied its demands were supported by some 1,350 companies and associations. Now some firms deny they signed up.
EU countries give final approval to 2040 climate target for 90% emissions cut
9 Mar 2026
European Union countries gave the final approval on Thursday to a new climate target to slash greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2040, pressing ahead with the bloc's ambitious climate agenda despite political resistance.
Spain defends EU’s flagship climate law against attacks from other capitals
3 Mar 2026
Spain has come to the defense of the European Union's bedrock climate law, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warning fellow European leaders against dismantling the embattled Emissions Trading System.
Italy calls for suspension of EU carbon market
2 Mar 2026
The Italian Minister said the Emissions Trading System (ETS) has a "perverse effect" and is condemning European companies from being competitive with other countries, urging other member states to back the suspension.
This city turned its rooftops into a climate shield
27 Feb 2026
As cities struggle with heat, Zürich offers a masterclass in using vegetation to cool streets, manage stormwater and restore biodiversity.
EU countries give final approval to weaken company sustainability laws
26 Feb 2026
EU countries on Tuesday gave their final approval to scale back rules that require companies to address environmental and human rights risks in their supply chains, after months of pressure from businesses and governments including the U.S and Qatar.
Weaned off Putin's gas, Europe now addicted to US LNG
24 Feb 2026
The EU is set to cut off Russian gas supplies in 2027. However, its promise to diversify and transition to renewables is under threat as LNG shipped from the US floods the bloc.
EU countries back stronger price curbs on new carbon market
20 Feb 2026
European Union countries on Wednesday backed plans to strengthen price curbs in the bloc's upcoming carbon market, EU diplomats told Reuters, in response to concerns from some governments that the policy could raise fuel bills.
Sweden and others oppose calls to delay new EU carbon market
19 Feb 2026
Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Luxembourg have opposed calls by other European governments to delay the EU's upcoming carbon market, as political pressure mounts for the bloc to curb energy costs, a joint paper by the countries showed.
EU countries need to 'urgently coordinate' to adapt to climate change, advisory board warns
18 Feb 2026
More frequent climate-related events such as flooding, wildfires, repeated heatwaves, and droughts call for a precautionary approach, according to the latest report from the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change.
‘Foolish’ CSIRO job cuts will mean Australia unable to provide climate projections to global reports, scientists warn
Thu 21 May 2026
Job cuts at the national science agency mean Australia will no longer be able to submit climate projections to form part of global reports and will have significantly reduced ability to forecast future damage to the country, leading researchers have warned.
Trump officials, billionaires and the quiet reshaping of America’s public lands
Tue 26 May 2026
A controversial land swap orchestrated by the megarich could be “a harbinger of what’s to come” for public lands under Trump.
At least 21 killed as heavy rains drench southern, central China
Thu 21 May 2026
Torrential rain continued across southern and central China on Tuesday with at least 21 people killed in widespread flooding that also closed schools and businesses, and disrupted transport and power supplies, authorities said.
The UK faces growing climate threats – where is the response to match?
19 May 2026
COMMENT: UK voters’ dissatisfaction with business as usual must be harnessed to address public concerns and build a country that is resilient to climate change impacts.
Once a climate leader, Canada is now doubling down on oil
Mon 25 May 2026
Mark Carney is counting on Alberta’s oil sands to help him survive Trump’s trade agenda.
Indian city records 48.2C temperature as sizzling heatwave empties roads
Tue 26 May 2026
The India Meteorological Department forecast maximum temperatures Thursday of around 45 degrees Celsius in the capital, Delhi, where authorities have opened temporary “cooling zones” to help people cope.
The nation holding back the sea
Fri 22 May 2026
A Pacific island nation on the front line of the climate change threat is building land to try to hold back rising sea levels. But as the majority of Tuvalu’s population applies to relocate to Australia, a haunting question is being confronted: what happens to a country if the people have to leave?
‘Triple whammy of climate chaos’: Why Antarctica's sea ice collapse is no longer a mystery
11 May 2026
Scientists have finally identified the ‘triple whammy’ behind Antarctica’s dramatic collapse, shedding new light on the chain reaction that has pushed its sea ice to record lows.
Africa secures major clean energy deals as France deepens investment push
15 May 2026
French and African leaders have announced more than $11 billion in renewable energy investments across Africa, underscoring the continent’s growing importance in the global push for cleaner energy and industrial development.
Colombia’s climate crossroads: Trumpism casts shadow over presidential battle
Tue 26 May 2026
Colombia is a global leader in climate activism. Could US influence drag country to a future of mining and fracking?
UN backs historic climate crisis ruling, despite US attempts to stop resolution
Fri 22 May 2026
The UN has voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution backing a world court opinion that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change, with the US – which is the world’s biggest historical emitter – among the small group opposing it.
