Germany demolishes strict climate rules for housing
In a major concession to its housing industry, the progressive government in Germany has decided to drop tougher "climate efficiency" demands for new homes.
Energy and climate
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Extinction Rebellion goes to court over use of water cannon by police
The Netherlands branch of the radical environmental organisation Extinction Rebellion is suing the Dutch Government over hosing downs they received from police when…
EU ministers agree watered-down position on vehicle emissions
European Union ministers agreed on Monday to water down an initial European Commission proposal on new vehicle commissions after eight states including France and…
EU-backed trade tariffs will cost car manufacturers ‘billions’
A European Union-backed trade agreement with the UK will cost the continent's car manufacturers billions, an industry group has claimed.
Azerbaijan has ‘no intention’ of joining EU, ambassador says
Azerbaijan has no intention of joining the European Union, the country's ambassador to the bloc has said.
Swedish auditor slams government over ‘green’ energy policy
Sweden's National Audit Office (NAO) is highly critical of the Swedish Government and its “green” energy transition in its latest audit report.
German minister calls for cuts in livestock to boost ‘green’ ambitions
Germany's agriculture minister has called for a reduction in the number of livestock in the country in order to help fight climate change.
European Court of Auditors warns about the environmental impact of offshore wind farms
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) is sounding an alarm over the potential negative effects of building wind farms at sea.
EU victory as Apple launches first USB-C iPhone
The European Union looks like it has emerged victorious over Apple, with the Californian tech company bowing to the bloc's demands to implement USB-C charging in…
Belgian green party chief left red-faced over car-free Sundays taxi trip
Rajae Maouane, president of Ecolo, the francophone “green” party in Belgium, has been taking flak following an embarrassing confession on TV.
Greta Thunberg charged again for disobeying police order
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was charged with disobeying a police order on Friday, less than two months after she was convicted and fined for the same…
Special report: Inside Bulgaria’s gas deal
Bulgaria is ploughing ahead with a gas deal that will create a European “backdoor for Russian gas”, despite European Union objections.
Dutch suffer biggest loss of purchasing power in 40 years
In 2022, the Dutch lost 1.2 per cent of their purchasing power - the biggest drop in almost 40 years.
Market for offshore wind farms becalmed
The installation of new offshore wind farms is becoming increasingly difficult, with high costs and low returns scaring off investors and causing major problems…
State of Disunion: Parliament dissension follows von der Leyen’s call for unity
Her Strasbourg speech touted achievements under her Presidency and exhorted the assembly to pull together, though it was quickly overshadowed by political groups…
Europe needs new leadership: von der Leyen has been a failure
Ursula von der Leyen has this morning delivered her State of the Union speech. Despite what she said, the picture is not pretty.
Climate-loving EC President von der Leyen took almost 60 private-jet trips in two years
The European Commission's climate-loving President Ursula von der Leyen took almost 60 separate private-jet trips over the past two years, German news outlets have…
Climate extremists likely to start ‘blowing up’ oil refineries, BBC presenter claims
A nature-loving BBC presenter has suggested that a radical wing of climate activists will likely start bombing oil refineries in the future.
Netherlands should have right to opt out of EU ‘green’ agenda, farmers’ party says
The Netherlands should obtain the right to opt out of all European Union policies regarding the bloc's “green” agenda, the country's farmers' party has said.
Dutch police arrest record 2,400 Extinction Rebellion activists
Thousands of Extinction Rebellion climate activists blocked the A12 motorway near The Hague, Netherlands, at midday on September 9.
Belgian climate expert left red-faced after being caught with his pants down
A clip of a TV interview with Belgian environmental geopolitical scientist François Gemenne has gone viral - but not because of his expertise.
Ryanair boss gets the cream cake treatment
Climate extremists threw cream cakes at Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary in Brussels on September 7.
Von der Leyen tells anti-wolf supporters she is ‘collecting data’ ahead of expected cull push
Ursula von der Leyen took time out from a meeting with fellow German politicians to update supporters about a potential EU-wide wolf cull on September 6.
German government to push through controversial heat-pump law without parliament’s input
Germany's coalition government is to push through its controversial heat-pump bill without consulting the German Parliament.
Ministers call for EU-wide taxes to fund green agenda, rebuilding Ukraine
European Union ministers from a number of national governments have called for the establishment of new pan-European taxes to fund the bloc's “green” agenda,…
EU imports ‘record volumes’ of liquefied natural gas from Russia
European Union countries have increased imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia by almost half compared to the same period in 2021, according to environmental…
Nuclear weapons testing ’cause of radioactivity in central European wild boars’, study says
Scientists have found that nuclear testing in the 1950s and 1960s has caused lasting radioactive contamination of wild boars in Central Europe, thus solving the…
Germany starts dismantling wind farm to make room for lignite coal mine
A wind farm in Germany is being dismantled to make room for the expansion of a lignite coal mine, angering climate activists.
Von der Leyen approves Dutch nomination for climate Commissioner but clips his wings
Social Democrats said they would not simply roll over regarding Hoekstra’s nomination.
One-third of German businesses relocating over ‘green’ agenda
Almost a third of businesses operating in Germany are moving operations out of the country in response to its “green” agenda, research has found.