Governance is not about imposing new obligations to member states. It is about mobilising and coordinating all relevant actors, including cities and regions. Europe is changing. Europe is greening. Let’s embrace this change rather than falter, write Michèle Rivasi and Claude Turmes.
All posts tagged: European Union
UK leads the way on emissions reductions, despite overall increase across the European Union
The UK recorded the largest decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU) in 2015, although new research has found the emissions from the bloc increased for the first time in five years. Matt Mace of Edie Newsroom explains.
Leaked docs show UK lobbying to weaken EU climate targets despite Brexit
The UK government has attempted to sabotage the European Union’s climate goals – even though they won’t be affected after Brexit. So why would they target EU energy policy? Zachary Davies Boren of Energydesk investigates.
European Union biofuel policy needs a strong human rights dimension
With the growing emissions in the transport sector and limited technological alternatives, EU policy-makers are increasingly looking at biofuels as a major solution to decarbonise its mobility sector and curb emissions, in particular in the aviation industry. Radostina Primova explains.
The Energiewende as a European project – What options do German policymakers have?
We’ve talked before about the European Union’s efforts to deliver clean energy for all Europeans, and the fact that Germany’s energy transition will need Europe to be successful. But how will that cooperation look in practice? Today, Rebecca Bertram discusses a recent report about how German policymakers can shape the European energy debate.
“Too much renewables” is a political decision
While Americans chose to curtail wind and solar rather than conventional energy, the Germans say baseload plants (coal and nuclear) are the problem. That’s because the matter isn’t simply technical, though it is described as such. It’s mainly political. Craig Morris explains.
The Slovak energy transition – decarbonisation and energy security
Slovakia’s priorities for its energy transition have so far been based on its goals of energy independence from Russia, and decreasing its emissions. But as a part of the EU, it should also be promoting the transition to renewable energy. How could this go forward? Veronika Jurcova explains.
Walk away from coal? Poland and European climate policy
The Polish government does not agree with the new reform of the CO2 emission allowances system. This position is motivated by a desire to maintain the status quo within the coal industry and serves to help realize domestic political goals. Michał Olszewski explains.
Nord Stream: who depends on whom?
As the Nord Stream II project progresses, many EU countries – and Brussels itself – continue to express concern. So why is the German government so nonchalant about the country’s dependence on natural gas from Russia? Craig Morris has a few suggestions.
Brexit: and now for something completely different – but what?
British Prime Minister Theresa May has triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, thereby giving the country 24 months to negotiate terms for leaving the EU. What will this mean for energy policy? Craig Morris has a tentative look with the help of an expert.