Climate policy

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

How much climate protection can a forest provide?
Natural carbon reservoir, renewable source of energy and raw materials, habitat for countless species: According to various EU laws, forests must fulfill a multitude of functions to save the climate. Are they able to do all of that? Experts have their doubts. continue reading →
COP 27: EU member states want to increase 2023 climate target
The environment and climate ministers of the 27 EU member states want to increase the EU’s climate target deposited with the UN “as soon as possible”. Their conclusions in preparation for the world climate conference in November (COP 27) state that the so-called Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) will be updated once negotiations on the Fit […] continue reading →
Effort Sharing Regulation: Germany to pay millions
Germany has to pay several million euros for missed climate targets in the years 2013 to 2020. This mainly concerns excess CO2 emissions, especially in the transport and building sectors, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWK) announced in Berlin on Monday. The CO2 reduction targets for Germany come from the EU’s Effort Sharing Regulation […] continue reading →
Thorsten Müller – New Legal Paths for Climate
“The transformation is not only about changing societies, but also about breaking down thought structures in law,” says Thorsten Müller. He is Chairman of the Stiftung Umweltenergierecht (Environmental Energy Law Foundation), which he established in 2011. The scientists at the Würzburg-based foundation are looking into needed changes in the legal framework to achieve energy and […] continue reading →
Euro 7 leak: Commission extends hand to industry over crisis
This is what the EU Commission plans for the next stage of emissions regulation: Euro 7 is to be less strict than planned for cars and vans. Manufacturers of trucks and buses, on the other hand, must expect tougher requirements. continue reading →
Charging infrastructure: How much of a penalty is necessary?
One part of the EU Parliament is relying on the threat of sanctions to be able to implement the expansion targets for the EU-wide charging infrastructure. The other part is strictly opposed and fears opaque bureaucracy and little legal certainty. continue reading →
AFIR: amendment request submitted for sanction mechanism
Following the vote on the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Directive (AFIR), rapporteur Ismail Ertug (S&D) has again submitted an amendment for the introduction of a sanction mechanism. An identical proposal to enforce the targets for the expansion of charging infrastructure using the threat of penalties for member states or operators of charging points already failed in […] continue reading →
Euro 7 delayed for another two weeks
The Commission postpones the presentation of the Euro 7 proposal by two weeks. This is clear from the amended program of future Commission meetings. Now the proposal for the next stage of pollution regulation is to come on Nov. 9. The proposal for the Clean Air Directive is still scheduled for Oct. 26. Originally, the […] continue reading →
Effort sharing: How binding should climate protection be?
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. continue reading →
ETS trilogue makes minimal progress
Only minimal progress could be made at the second ETS trilogue, according to parliamentary rapporteurs Michael Bloss (Greens/EFA) and Peter Liese (EPP). After four hours of negotiations on Monday morning, they had not been able to “agree on anything,” said Bloss, criticizing, in particular, the Czech Council Presidency. He was very disappointed because the member […] continue reading →
Considering industry impact: Commission wants to put REACH on hold
According to information available to Europe.Table, Commission President von der Leyen has announced that the revision of the Chemicals Regulation will be postponed. Industry and members of the European Union pushed for this – they warn of further burdens. But resistance is stirring among the member states. continue reading →
CBAM trialogue: no agreements reached
As expected, only small progress was made in the second trialogue on the introduction of a carbon cap and trade mechanism (CBAM). The crucial political issues, such as the start and speed of the CBAM introduction or which industries will be affected, were left out on Tuesday. Progress was made on administrative issues, i.e. where […] continue reading →
Environment Committee calls for higher EU climate targets
On Monday, MEPs from the EU Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI) adopted a resolution outlining their demands for the 2022 World Climate Change Conference in Sharm el Sheikh (COP27). They call for the EU and all G20 countries to show leadership and update their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to global emission reductions (GHGs) accordingly to close […] continue reading →
ENVI votes for alternative REPowerEU funding
On Monday, the EU Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI) confirmed the agreement reached by the rapporteurs last week. According to the agreement, the EU Commission’s REPower-EU program should not be partly financed by certificates from the Market Stability Reserve (MSR) of the European Emissions Trading System (ETS). A cross-party alternative proposal envisages that €20 billion would […] continue reading →
Jens Gieseke – Opportunity for synthetic fuels
Jens Gieseke is a “passionate cyclist.” Coming from the Emsland region, where everything is flat and manageable, this is his transportation of choice. “Without an electric motor, by the way. Only with his own muscle power,” emphasizes the CDU/CSU spokesman on cycling policy in the European Parliament. As Vice Chairman of the Committee on Transport […] continue reading →
Energy crisis shapes relations with Africa
The energy crisis in Europe comes at an "interesting" time for Africa, according to Gwamaka Kifukwe, an expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Selling energy to Europe is an opportunity for growth, he says. continue reading →
Outlook: the fall agenda for trade policy
Globalization was yesterday; the new mantra of European trade policy is (transparent) strategic autonomy. Our fall trade policy outlook highlights which instruments the EU aims to use in the increasingly harsh international environment and which partners it wants to create binding agreements with. continue reading →
COP27: Climate organizations threaten to sue
Forty days before COP27 begins, advocates and NGOs are joining forces. In an open letter published today, twenty-five organizations worldwide demand that countries strengthen their climate action. Otherwise, they would face legal action. About half of the signing organizations are from Europe, including Climate Action Network Europe, Germanwatch and Notre Affaire à Tous from France. […] continue reading →