At an informal meeting in Prague, most energy ministers agreed to further efforts to save energy and strengthen solidarity in the event of a gas shortage. A joint gas purchasing program is supposed to be launched as early as next year.
By Manuel Berkel
The European Union wants to drastically increase the share of refined biogas in the energy mix as part of its RePowerEU strategy. Whether this can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the gas crisis is controversial.
By Timo Landenberger
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will visit Beijing in early November. One thing is already clear: It will not be a trip that turns relations with China upside down. What is missing is a solidarity between the German government and the EU that could leave an impression on Xi.
By Amelie Richter
Effort sharing is about emission reduction targets for those sectors not covered by the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). After all, nearly 60 percent of EU-wide greenhouse gas emissions. But what do these targets attain if they are not enforceable? In the ongoing trialogue this question must be clarified.
By Lukas Knigge
EU Interior Ministers will discuss the rising refugee numbers on the so-called Balkan route in Luxembourg on Friday. Michael Spindelegger, former Austrian Vice-Chancellor and now the Head of the International Migration Center ICMPD in Vienna warns of numbers like in 2015 and speaks of an "alarm signal."
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Tomorrow, the EU energy ministers will meet informally in Prague. The agenda will focus on the establishment of a platform for the joint purchase of gas, the decoupling of electricity and gas prices and the capping of gas prices. Germany offers to make concessions.
By Claire Stam
The circular economy also suffers from supply bottlenecks and skyrocketing energy costs – but more indirectly. In the recovered paper cycle a gap is currently opening up because paper production is tottering. Meanwhile, another problem looms for residual waste disposal.
By Leonie Düngefeld
Even at the informal European Council, there was no sign of a common approach to curbing the rise in gas and electricity prices. The criticism of the Germans' go-it-alone approach was all the more audible. The double boom is not going down very well with the direct neighbors.
By Ella Joyner
Long-awaited, now finally here: On Friday, US President Joe Biden signed presidential orders in Washington, D.C. to make way for the Privacy Shield, which failed on the EU side. The business community is hoping, the EU Commission is confident. And data protection experts consider this attempt to be ineffectual yet again.
By Falk Steiner
After Germany, Luxembourg also backs out. The Grand Duchy only wants to join the complaint before the European Court of Justice, but not take action itself. The deadline is October 10.
By Eric Bonse
