International: Europe
Brussels to propose ‘pragmatic’ 90% climate target for 2040
Fri 30 May 2025
The European Commission will tell countries to cut 90 percent of their planet-warming emissions by 2040, but offer “flexibilities” to make the goal politically palatable, according to EU climate chief Teresa Ribera.
Glacier collapse buries most of Swiss village
Fri 30 May 2025
The Swiss village of Blatten has been partially destroyed after a huge chunk of glacier crashed down into the valley.
Europe’s next climate target may already have been agreed in Berlin
Wed 28 May 2025
Germany’s new coalition has adopted a climate stance shaped by talks with the EU’s top climate official, signalling where the bloc may land on a likely upcoming 2040 emissions target.
EU countries agree to exempt most firms from carbon border tariff
Wed 28 May 2025
European Union countries backed plans on Tuesday to scale back the bloc's carbon border levy to cover just 10% of the companies currently covered by the scheme, on the grounds that these firms account for nearly all of the emissions involved.
Dutch environmental group launches new climate case against Shell to stop all investment in new oil and gas fields
21 May 2025
The NGO previously sued Shell to reduce its carbon emissions. The oil major has 700 extraction assets that have yet to be developed with potential CO2 emissions of 36 times those of the Netherlands’ annually.
More than 70% of adaptation plans for European cities are ‘inconsistent’
20 May 2025
More than 70% of European cities are not adapting to climate change in a consistent and coherent way.
Greenland dangles rare earths partnership with EU as Trump looms
20 May 2025
Greenland’s foreign minister has suggested the European Union could develop its coveted mineral resources amid threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to seize the island.
Help sustainable aviation fuels take off or delay targets, airlines warn EU
20 May 2025
Earmarked funding, risk-reduction tools, and simplified imports top Airlines for Europe’s wish list for the EU’s upcoming Sustainable Transport Investment Plan.
Germany on track for 2030 climate goal but future targets at risk, advisers say
19 May 2025
Germany is on track to meet its 2021-2030 climate goal but risks missing post-2030 targets, independent government advisers warned on Thursday, urging a clear long-term climate strategy for Europe's largest economy.
European firms ramping up lobbying for climate action, report finds
19 May 2025
Research shows companies ‘aligned’ with strategies to meet climate goals have risen from 3% in 2019 to 23% in 2025.
What Pope Leo means for global climate action and colonialism
16 May 2025
Pope Francis made a strong moral case for addressing climate change and respecting Indigenous rights. Will Leo do the same?
Germany’s €100 billion green gamble: Inside the nation’s bold climate investment
13 May 2025
In the race for a net-zero future —Germany’s latest €100 billion climate investment package is so large it has been dubbed a "green bombshell."
The new pope, Leo XIV, has spoken out about urgent need for climate change action
12 May 2025
As a cardinal, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was aligned with Pope Francis’s views on the environment.
EU farm plan: More cash for disaster relief and looser green rules
12 May 2025
Proposals to slash red tape risk clashing with earlier recommendations to make farming more resilient.
EU plans to end Russian gas imports by end of 2027
8 May 2025
The European Commission has published a "roadmap" outlining its plans to end Europe's reliance on Russian energy in the coming years.
Landmark ruling should encourage more cities to ban fossil fuel ads, campaigners urge
6 May 2025
A ban on fossil fuel adverts in The Hague has been upheld by a Dutch court, in an “historic ruling” that campaigners hope will embolden other cities to take action.
What caused the blackout in Spain and Portugal and did renewable energy play a part?
2 May 2025
The countries boast high levels of wind and solar on their grids, leading to speculation about the robustness of the technology.
Massive power outage in Spain and Portugal leaves thousands stranded and millions without light
30 Apr 2025
An unprecedented blackout brought much of Spain and Portugal to a standstill Monday.
Europe's flagship carbon capture project a €200 per ton mirage?
23 Apr 2025
Northern Lights, Europe’s flagship cross-border carbon capture and storage project, is now ready to receive carbon dioxide for sequestration, with the first ships in the water and expected to start delivering waste gas from customers this year. It’s being celebrated as a triumph of climate leadership and engineering.
Europe’s electric car revolution needs chargers
22 Apr 2025
Five years before the EU’s deadline for installing 3.5 million charging stations, an EV journey from Lisbon to Białystok would still require elaborate planning.
State aid set to energise France’s shift away from coal-fired power
16 Apr 2025
Coal-fired power plants converted to cleaner fuels to qualify for state assistance in meeting peak demand.
Deadly floods, storms and heatwaves: Europe suffered the 'serious impacts’ of climate change in 2024
16 Apr 2025
Storms and flooding across Europe last year affected a total of 413,000 people, led to the loss of at least 335 lives and are estimated to have cost at least €18 billion in damages.
What does the new German coalition government mean for climate and energy?
15 Apr 2025
Since the German election took place in February, which saw the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) win the most seats, parties have been negotiating to form a new coalition government.
EU Emissions Trading System at risk of money laundering
15 Apr 2025
The European emissions trading system, designed to make polluters pay for their CO2 emissions, appears vulnerable to financial crime, particularly money laundering. This concern was highlighted in two studies commissioned by Germany’s environment agency, prompting the agency to investigate better detection methods.
German coalition eyes 'limited' foreign carbon credits
10 Apr 2025
The parties likely to form Germany's next government today presented their coalition treaty, which pledges to allow the use of foreign carbon credits to reach the country's 2040 climate target.
Europe just had warmest March on record
9 Apr 2025
Europe experienced its warmest March since records began, as climate change continues to push temperatures to unprecedented levels, European Union scientists said on Tuesday.
Finland's last active coal-fired power and heat plant shuts down
7 Apr 2025
Finland's last coal-fired power and heat plant in active production will shut down permanently on Tuesday, enabling Helsinki energy group Helen to cut its emissions and put an end to rising energy costs for its customers, its chief executive said.
Former world leaders urge EU to hold the line on climate
4 Apr 2025
A group of former world leaders is urging Europe to keep pushing its green agenda even as trade wars and defence spending distract attention from climate issues, Ireland's former President Mary Robinson told Reuters on Tuesday.
Macron vows to defend science as host of UN oceans summit
3 Apr 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to defend science from attacks by "major powers" as he tried to rally global support behind an upcoming UN summit on ocean conservation.
EU encourages stockpiling of 72 hours of food for emergencies
31 Mar 2025
European households will be encouraged to stockpile 72 hours of food to deal with emergencies, according to a plan to prepare for a crisis proposed on Wednesday by the commission.
EU appears to back down on carbon levy on international shipping
28 Mar 2025
The long-awaited carbon levy on international shipping that was to supply vital climate finance looks set to be significantly diluted, after the EU appeared to be backing down in global talks, in a blow to vulnerable countries.
Parisians vote to ban cars from 500 more streets
28 Mar 2025
Parisians have voted in favour of pedestrianising 500 more streets in the French capital, bolstering City Hall’s ongoing campaign to reduce car usage and enhance air quality.
Strong support among Europeans for banning fossil fuel ads, study finds
27 Mar 2025
Almost half of people surveyed across the European Union are in favour of banning fossil fuel advertising — nearly twice as many who oppose such a move, according to a new study.
More European oil refineries to close, convert in next 10 years, panel says
27 Mar 2025
European oil refineries will have to adapt to the energy transition or face a heightened risk of closure by 2035, a panel of executives said at the Financial Times Commodities Global Summit in Lausanne on Monday.
Europe’s 90% climate target for 2040 under pressure as delays add up
25 Mar 2025
The EU is aiming to slash CO2 emissions by 55% in 2030 before going climate-neutral in 2050. But a political battle rages over the speed of reduction in the two decades between.
Germany’s €100bn climate funding
24 Mar 2025
Germany’s parliament has voted to create a €500bn defence and infrastructure fund and relax “constitutionally-protected debt rules,” with “the last-minute backing of the Greens” in return for guarantees that €100bn of the funds destined for infrastructure would be allocated for climate and economic transformation investments.
Norway's Equinor scales back climate ambitions as wind changes
24 Mar 2025
Equinor has already scaled back its target for installed renewable energy capacity to 10-12 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, from 12-16 GW.
Danish investment firm raises record EU12 billion for energy transition infrastructure fund
19 Mar 2025
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners will invest primarily in large-scale renewable energy projects, including wind, solar PV, and battery storage in low-risk OECD markets across North America, Western Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
German govt set to vote on financial package including EU$100 billion for climate protection
18 Mar 2025
Germany's prospective next coalition government has proposed a special fund worth 500 billion euros for infrastructure projects, in combination with a major defence package.
German emissions fell 3.4% in 2024, on track for 2030 climate goals
17 Mar 2025
Germany's Federal Environment Agency on Friday said greenhouse gas emissions in Europe's biggest economy fell by around 3.4% year-on-year in 2024, putting the country on track to meet its 2030 climate targets.
Switzerland told it must do more to comply with landmark climate ruling by Council of Europe
11 Mar 2025
Switzerland hasn't shown that it's meeting the requirements of a landmark climate change decision from Europe's highest human rights court, the Council of Europe announced on Friday.
EU proposes more relaxed CO2 target compliance for new cars
5 Mar 2025
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced she will propose a more relaxed three-year timeframe for the automotive industry to comply with the bloc's CO2 standards, instead of annual targets.
Tesla's plummeting sales risk lucrative emissions credit earnings
4 Mar 2025
CEO Elon Musk has angered European customers and governments, undercutting his EV brand.
Big EU countries push expanded carbon border tax to help repay Covid debt
3 Mar 2025
France, Italy and Poland support the move, but others fear it might prompt Donald Trump to retaliate in anger.
The far right just made huge gains in a country once seen as a climate champion. It's a pattern happening across the world
28 Feb 2025
Germany was once seen as a climate champion, setting ambitious targets to slash planet-heating pollution.
Europe's impossible choice: Which industries should survive the green transition?
27 Feb 2025
One German aluminum factory decided to go green and close its smelter. The EU faces a similar choice, with Europe's future at stake.
EU to make most companies exempt from carbon border levy, draft shows
26 Feb 2025
The European Commission will propose exemptions for "the vast majority" of companies covered by the European Union's carbon border levy on the grounds that they produce only 1% of emissions in the scheme, a draft proposal showed.
In Rome, talks to protect Earth's biodiversity resume with money topping the agenda
26 Feb 2025
An annual United Nations conference on biodiversity that ran out of time last year will resume its work Tuesday in Rome with money at the top of the agenda.
Conservative election victory set to narrow climate policy focus in Germany
25 Feb 2025
Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz' conservatives have won Germany's snap election, while the current government parties booked significant losses, indicating a reduced focus on climate policies in a future government.
EU eyes funding foreign LNG projects to lower prices
21 Feb 2025
Brussels is exploring whether to back overseas fossil fuel infrastructure amid trade talks with the U.S.
Australia lets biggest LNG plant run to 2070 in climate blow
Thu 29 May 2025
Australia gave preliminary approval to extend the life of its biggest and oldest liquefied natural gas plant for decades, potentially creating billions of dollars in new drilling opportunities but raising questions about the nation’s climate agenda.
Hawaii to make sweeping tourism changes in bid to combat climate change
Fri 30 May 2025
Hawaii has enacted a law to increase taxes on hotel rooms and vacation rentals, with the goal of generating funds to combat climate change effects such as shoreline erosion and wildfires.
For the first time, China invests more in wind and solar than coal overseas
Thu 29 May 2025
China’s Belt and Road Initiative, long derided for its heavy carbon footprint, was dominated by wind and solar power projects for the first time from 2022 to 2023, according to a new analysis. But coal plants financed in earlier years are still coming online.
Why expensive gas – not net-zero – is keeping UK electricity prices so high
Wed 28 May 2025
The UK’s high electricity prices have become intensely political, with competing claims over the cause of rocketing bills and how best to get them down.
Engineer explains why Alberta’s hydrogen strategy is money-losing climate failure
Mon 26 May 2025
Desperation, bad advice and lobbying likely underpinning the province’s plan to blend hydrogen with natural gas for home heating.
Indonesia backtracks on coal phase-out in new 2034 power supply plan
Thu 29 May 2025
Indonesia plans to add 69.5 gigawatts (GW) of power capacity by the end of 2034, much of it from renewable sources, but it still expects to add new coal-fired power plants.
Pacific Island nations support China's Taiwan claims at high-profile foreign ministers' meeting
Fri 30 May 2025
Pacific nations have backed China's claim over Taiwan during a high-profile meeting, but have shied away from directly endorsing Beijing's push to "reunify" the democratically ruled island with the mainland.
I just returned from Antarctica: climate change isn’t some far-off problem – it’s here and hitting hard
13 May 2025
Antarctica is often viewed as the last truly remote place on Earth – frozen, wild and untouched. But is it really as untouched as it seems?
TotalEnergies abandons its carbon plantations in the Republic of Congo
Thu 29 May 2025
TotalEnergies has quietly abandoned the Batéké Carbon Sink project in the Republic of Congo, with only 12.5% of the proposed trees planted.
South America sets historic benchmark: Zero new coal plants planned
Wed 28 May 2025
South America just achieved a remarkable energy milestone, quietly setting a global benchmark: for the first time in history, the entire continent now has zero new coal-fired power plants planned.
Nations agree on carbon-pricing system to steer shipping towards net-zero
14 Apr 2025
Nations have agreed to introduce a worldwide carbon-pricing system for international shipping to drive the sector towards net-zero emissions by 2050.
