EU tests blockchain certification scheme for rare earths, EV batteries
By: EBR | Tuesday, February 8, 2022
An EU-funded certification scheme using blockchain is being developed for rare earths as automakers demand proof that materials used to make magnets for electric vehicles (EVs) are not linked to toxic pollution
Eurobarometer: defending democracy is top priority for the European Parliament
By: EBR | Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Citizens’ support for the EU and the EP in particular has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic
Protectionism is a dead-end street for Europe, climate neutrality is the key
By: EBR | Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Disruption, transition, transformation, structural change – Europeans today face several megatrends – climate change and the need to decarbonise our economies; digitalisation and the need to re-think workplace organisation; de-globalisation and the need to remain economically relevant
Europe needs smart charging of all EVs now
By: EBR | Monday, February 7, 2022
As sales of electric vehicles continue to rise, smart charging needs to be the standard. In fact, without smart charging as the default, costs for the energy system will increase unnecessarily, burdening all consumers
Why the energy sector’s latest cyberattack in Europe matters
By: EBR | Monday, February 7, 2022
A cyberattack on the major European oil refining hubs of Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) has considerably disrupted the loading and unloading of refined product cargoes amid a continental energy crisis
Campaigners begin legal fight against EU taxonomy’s bioenergy rules
By: EBR | Friday, February 4, 2022
Climate campaigners have started the process of a legal challenge against the European Union over the labelling of investments in bioenergy and bio-based plastics and chemicals as green in its flagship sustainable finance rulebook
Advanced biofuels can replace used cooking oil in aviation, industry says
By: EBR | Thursday, February 3, 2022
Pressure is growing on EU lawmakers to ensure agricultural and waste residues are legally required in the production of green jet fuel to prevent a reliance on imported used cooking oil
EU institutions bolster Europol’s mandate for data-crunching activities
By: EBR | Wednesday, February 2, 2022
The European co-legislators agreed on a new mandate for Europol, closing a controversy over the agency’s data processing practices
EU Taxonomy: Commission presents Complementary Climate Delegated Act
By: EBR | Wednesday, February 2, 2022
The European Commission has today presented a Taxonomy Complementary Climate Delegated Act on climate change mitigation and adaptation covering certain gas and nuclear activities
Europe remains top destination for US LNG for second month running
By: EBR | Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Europe last month remained the top destination for shipments of US liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to Refinitiv data, outpacing exports to Asia for the second month in a row
Action needed to address gender inequality in gig economy, report finds
By: EBR | Tuesday, February 1, 2022
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the platform economy has affected men and women differently and action is needed to address gender inequality, a report by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) found
EU’s energy taxation policy contradicts climate goals, auditors say
By: EBR | Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Energy taxation, carbon pricing policies and fossil fuel subsidies must be aligned more closely if the European Union wants to reach its 2030 climate targets, EU auditors said in a new report published on Monday
Gas crisis brought Europe’s coal exit to a halt in 2021: study
By: EBR | Tuesday, February 1, 2022
The European Union’s efforts to phase out polluting coal power was stopped in its tracks by the surge in gas prices, according to a new analysis of 2021 electricity market data by the financial think-tank Ember
Secret deals with conservatives expose Austrian Greens
By: EBR | Tuesday, February 1, 2022
The Green party is currently facing backlash from party members for its lack of transparency and for deceiving the party base after side arrangements of the conservative-Green coalition agreement became public on Sunday
The missing element of Europe’s energy and climate security policy
By: EBR | Monday, January 31, 2022
The implementation of the energy and climate security policies in Europe calls for the introduction of new evidence-based policy instruments for monitoring the progress of member-states, such as an EU Energy Security Risks Index
Public and new buildings must lead the energy transition
By: EBR | Friday, January 28, 2022
Each EU country must ensure that at least 3% of the floor area of buildings owned by public bodies are renovated every year – including hospitals and schools, not just buildings owned and occupied by central government
Too much democracy can be dangerous
By: EBR | Friday, January 28, 2022
The Conference on the Future of Europe prides itself on giving as many participants as possible a chance to speak. Unfortunately, this horizontal nature of the debate eliminates meaningful discussion of Europe’s future
EU refers China to the WTO following its trade restrictions on Lithuania
By: EBR | Thursday, January 27, 2022
The EU has today launched a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the People’s Republic of China over its discriminatory trade practices against Lithuania
Greek PM avoids apology for government’s snowstorm fiasco
By: EBR | Thursday, January 27, 2022
After days of absence from the public, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologised on Wednesday (26 January) for the mismanagement of a snowstorm that paralysed the country this week and left citizens trapped in cars for more than twenty hours
Simpler design seen as key to recycling-friendly food wrappers
By: EBR | Thursday, January 27, 2022
Simple design and using at least 90% of the same plastic is the key to making packaging for foods like crisps and chocolate easier to recycle, according to the industry
By: N. Peter Kramer
