Hungary demands EU action after Ukraine cuts off Russian oil
Hungary has demanded action from the European Union after Ukraine's decision to cut off Budapest from much of its Russian oil supply.
Energy and climate
Latest reporting and analysis on energy and climate.
EU and Serbia sign controversial lithium deal designed to reduce China dependence
Serbia and the EU announced a major deal June 19 to develop a joint lithium mining project.
IN DEPTH: Ursula von der Leyen’s second term promises ever expanding and encroaching EU
On Thursday, July 18, Ursula von der Leyen won the approval of MEPs for a second term as President of the European Commission.
EU auditor calls for ‘reality check’ on EC’s renewable hydrogen plans
The European Union has unrealistic goals for renewable hydrogen energy, despite close to €20 billion in funding, says the EU's financial watchdog.
As Paris Olympics loom, Seine ‘still unsafe for swimming events’
As the Paris Olympics approach, it is unclear if the River Seine will be clean enough for athletes to use.
Brussels Commissioners resign to take seats in European Parliament
Two commissioners with the European Commission under its President Ursula von der Leyen have resigned to take their seats in the European Parliament.
‘Cordon sanitaire’ for nationalists in European Parliament committees
The European Parliament will officially convene in its first session in Strasbourg on July 16 but the working committees have already been distributed among the…
US to remain ‘liable’ for climate funding under second Trump presidency, says chief COP negotiator
Yalchin Rafiyev, who will spearhead talks at the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan in November, said Trump's return, if it happens, would be unlikely to disrupt climate…
Polish police to charge motorists for clearing road of climate blockade
A group of motorists who used a fire extinguisher and pepper spray to remove climate protesters blocking a main road in Warsaw on July 9 "will have to face charges",…
French news channel fined €80,000 over negative broadcasts on migration and climate change
Popular Conservative French news channel CNews was fined €80,000 by the country’s media regulator for expressing negative viewpoints regarding migration and…
Poland requests green tax exemption to help fuel Ukraine
Poland is to seek an exemption from European Union emission fees so that it can burn extra coal to supply Ukraine with electricity this winter.
Norway to stockpile grain in preparation ‘for the unthinkable’
The Norwegian Government has signed an agreement to start stockpiling grain to prepare for a possible supply problem towards the end of this decade.
Germany’s Lufthansa adds flights surcharge to address ‘rising environmental costs’
German aviation company Lufthansa Group announced the implementation of an Environmental Cost Surcharge (ECS) on ticket prices to address rising costs associated…
EU Green Deal architect takes top job with Dutch gas firm — without EC permission
Diederik Samsom, one of the architects of the European Green Deal, has raised eyebrows after joining the board of Gasunie, a Dutch gas company, as chairman.
Elements of Von der Leyen’s Green Deal reappear in leaked EU summit document
EU leaders will reintroduce “green" commitments into the EU Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029, which they are set approve at their latest summit, according to a leaked…
Green MEPs: Renew’s setbacks give us more influence over von der Leyen
The European Parliament Renew bloc's recent loss of members will increase the Greens' influence over European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of the European…
I fly, you take the train: what the elite plans for Europe’s climate ‘sacrifice’
The European Commission has accepted a European initiative called 'Air-Quotas' which aims to introduce carbon quotas for all citizens in order to reduce their consumption.
EU agrees 14th package of Russia sanctions and targets LNG for first time
The European Union slapped a new series of economic sanctions on Russia - for the 14th time.
EU electric car sales drop in May as German demand slumps, industry says
Sales of new battery-electric cars in the European Union dropped 12 per cent in May from a year earlier, led by a 30 per cent plunge in Germany, data from Europe's…
Brussels greenlights citizen carbon limit petition
The European Commission has approved a citizens' initiative that would legally limit an individual's yearly carbon emissions.
Brussels retreats: Long-haul flights set to be exempt from emissions monitoring
The European Commission has drafted plans to drop long-haul flights from CO2 emissions-monitoring rules.
Voters realise Green movement is nothing but an apocalyptic cult
In 2005, an American evangelist called Harold Camping made a startling prediction: the world was going to end on May 21st, 2011.
China ‘undermining green transition with unfair EV subsidies’
China is "undermining" Europe's "green transition" with its "unfair" use of subsidies for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, the European Commission has claimed.
Ukraine Recovery Conference to focus on ‘green recovery and gender mainstreaming’
European and wider Western Ukraine allies are thinking about the country's progressive future as it fights for survival against Russia.
Germany set to miss 2030 climate goals, report finds
Germany will not be able to meet its emission reduction target by the end of the decade, a panel of government climate advisers has warned.
Eurocrats spooked as private industry shuns ‘green’ hydrogen
A cornerstone of Brussels’ Green Deal, the European Commission warned on June 3 that not enough industry players appeared to be getting on board with the new technology.
Von der Leyen must kill Green Deal to remain EC chief, farmers’ party warns
Sander Smit, who leads the European faction of BBB, said he wanted to see "a fundamental change of direction" in the European Union.
Siemens ‘may cut thousands of jobs in wind division’ as losses stack up
Siemens Energy could cut up more than 4,000 jobs across Europe as falling demand and other economic problems take their toll on the wind industry.
German chemicals giant BASF to shut plants at home while investing billions in China
German multinational BASF is sparking a heated debate about degrowth and deindustrialisation.
Rule of the gods: cut access to energy, cut prosperity
In the end, Zeus was right. When he punished Prometheus for giving fire to humanity, the old Greek god must have known that their days are now numbered.