International: Europe
Inequality causing 100,000 extra deaths a year from heat and cold in Europe
Tue 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
Fri 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.
France bets on nuclear in new plan to cut fossil fuel imports
16 Feb 2026
The French government unveiled a 10-year energy strategy that leans heavily on nuclear power and offshore wind farms to curb fossil fuel dependence. Environmental groups criticised a 'stubborn insistence on believing in the nuclear myth'.
European Central Bank's green supervision grows teeth, but will banks avoid being bitten?
13 Feb 2026
After several years of issuing guidance and repeatedly calling on banks to take climate and environmental risk management seriously, the European Central Bank is moving from guidance and expectations to enforcement.
EU to ban destruction of unsold clothes and shoes
12 Feb 2026
The European Commission has adopted new measures that will require medium and large companies to stop discarding unsold clothing and footwear, in the bloc’s latest move to target textile waste.
Datacentres should be forced to invest in wind and solar energy, all states agree – except Queensland
Wed 13 May 2026
Power hungry datacentres that are growing to meet the demands of artificial intelligence could be forced to invest in enough new solar and wind generation to completely cover their electricity needs.
US EPA moves to speed clean air permits for power plants, industry
Wed 13 May 2026
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it would speed up the process for large polluters to obtain clean air permits, the latest move by the Trump administration to ease regulatory burdens on American power plants and industry.
China’s leadership calls for ‘strict control’ of fossil fuels
28 Apr 2026
Chinese government leaders published a policy document on 22 April – Earth Day – calling for stricter controls on fossil-fuel consumption and greater oversight of heavy emitters.
Nature recovery zones inspired by Attenborough
Tue 12 May 2026
A wildlife trust has been inspired by Sir David Attenborough's climate change mantra to designate 11 nature recovery zones in honour of the broadcaster's 100th birthday.
Carbon capture ‘doesn’t work’: Former British Columbia premier
Fri 8 May 2026
Former British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell warned the costly, troubled technology has failed to deliver, undercutting a central justification for billions in public subsidies and new oil infrastructure.
Climate change, socioeconomic shifts threaten Nepal’s yak herding traditions
7 May 2026
According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), warming temperatures are fundamentally altering Himalayan high-altitude ecosystems.
How climate change threatens the economic backbone of the Pacific
4 May 2026
The vast Pacific Ocean and the islands dotted within it produce more than half of the world's tuna.
‘Triple whammy of climate chaos’: Why Antarctica's sea ice collapse is no longer a mystery
Mon 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.
With its first marine reserve, Ghana protects its ocean to secure its future
5 May 2026
Comment: Last month, Ghana made news when it declared its first marine reserve and sited it in one of the nation’s most ecologically and biologically significant marine environments.
The country where lethal hantavirus cases are on the rise. Experts blame climate change
Wed 13 May 2026
Experts believe environmental degradation caused by climate change and human activity is contributing to its spread by allowing the rodents that transmit the virus to thrive in new areas.
UN methane alert system expanded to coal and waste sectors after Indian landfill named among world’s top emitters
6 May 2026
The United Nations is expanding its methane monitoring system to cover coal mines and waste facilities, after satellite analysis identified a landfill in India among the world’s three largest methane-emitting sites.
