Planned revision of EU renewables law opens door to geothermal
By: EBR | Monday, May 31, 2021
A leak of the planned revision for Europe’s key renewable energy legislation bodes well for geothermal energy, but it still does not go far enough to support a full rollout of the technology, according to the industry
Salvini gathers the ‘best’ illiberals in new EU Parliament group
By: EBR | Monday, May 31, 2021
Italy’s League leader Matteo Salvini has proposed to create a new political force in the European Parliament
Swiss scrap talks with EU on cooperation deal
By: EBR | Friday, May 28, 2021
Switzerland on Wednesday (26 May) called off years of talks with the European Union aimed at sealing a cooperation agreement with Bern’s largest trading partner, in a move which angered Brussels
EU to target industry, transport in renewable energy rules
By: EBR | Thursday, May 27, 2021
An upcoming overhaul of European Union renewable energy regulations will include measures targeting transport and industry, where the use of emissions-free energy sources are lagging
EU farmers chief: Commission is ‘ultra-orthodox’ on biofuels’ sustainability
By: EBR | Wednesday, May 26, 2021
The European Commission’s insistence on capping conventional biofuels is “ultra-orthodox” as it deprives farmers of a potential market outside the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) while simultaneously hindering agriculture’s environmental potential
Europe Is Finally Waking Up Over Belarus
By: EBR | Wednesday, May 26, 2021
It took the hijacking of a plane and the kidnapping of a journalist to shake Europe out of its complacency over Belarus. Beyond sanctions, the EU’s response should include supporting Belarusian society and reconsidering Nord Stream 2
EU’s climate action does not need fossil distractions
By: EBR | Tuesday, May 25, 2021
It must head full speed towards renewables and energy efficiency
Will this year’s Euro cup have lessons for football’s climate impacts?
By: EBR | Tuesday, May 25, 2021
There are many things that football stadiums can do to reduce their environmental impact. But in an international tournament system, reducing emissions is inevitably difficult
Environmental liability rules need revamping
By: EBR | Friday, May 21, 2021
MEPs want to strengthen existing EU rules on companies’ environmental liability to reduce and prevent environment harm
EU parliament freezes China deal ratification until Beijing lifts sanctions
By: EBR | Friday, May 21, 2021
The European Parliament halted on Thursday (20 May) ratification of a new investment pact with China until Beijing lifts sanctions on EU politicians, deepening a dispute in Sino-European relations and denying EU companies greater access to China
EU lawmakers give final approval to bloc’s green transition fund
By: EBR | Wednesday, May 19, 2021
The European Parliament formally approved the European Union’s multi-billion euro fund on Tuesday (18 May) to support countries as they wind down fossil fuel industries as part of Europe’s push towards fighting climate change
Pro-independence parties form regional government in Catalonia
By: EBR | Tuesday, May 18, 2021
After five months of tough negotiations, pro-independence parties in Catalonia have announced they have formed a new coalition government in the northeastern region that staves off the need for fresh regional elections
Franco-German vaccine trade-offs and EU-China deal
By: EBR | Friday, May 14, 2021
When the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) was agreed “in principle” last December, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron were rather satisfied
EU officials risk approval of recovery fund by Finland
By: EBR | Wednesday, May 12, 2021
EU Commissioners may have placed the bloc’s €750 billion recovery fund on shaky ground after telling MEPs the arrangement could become a regular and even permanent mechanism to boost growth
Bringing nature back to life
By: EBR | Friday, May 7, 2021
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that biodiversity needs a Paris Agreement and COP15 in autumn this year is the world’s chance to achieve that
Q&A on the EU COVID-19 certificate
By: EBR | Friday, May 7, 2021
The European Parliament supports an EU COVID-19 certificate that would allow travel within Europe without additional restrictions or discrimination
Social justice and climate action are two pieces of the same puzzle
By: EBR | Friday, May 7, 2021
Politicians attending the Porto Social Summit this week must understand that social justice and climate action go hand in hand and are key to preventing the loss of a generation
Coronavirus: Commission proposes EU Strategy for the development and availability of therapeutics
By: EBR | Thursday, May 6, 2021
European Commission is today complementing the successful EU Vaccines Strategy with a strategy on COVID-19 therapeutics to support the development and availability of much-needed COVID-19 therapeutics
Eleven EU countries call to ban fossil fuels from trans-European energy infrastructure
By: EBR | Thursday, May 6, 2021
Eleven EU countries have signed a declaration calling on the European Union to stop funding fossil fuels under its trans-European energy infrastructure regulation (TEN-E), which is currently under revision
Transition of cities – an opportunity for people and planet
By: EBR | Thursday, May 6, 2021
Mayors and city leaders can play a double role in the green transition – as ambassadors for the European green deal locally, and as representatives of people’s concerns and interests to other levels of government



By: N. Peter Kramer
