Climate Protection

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Edenhofer calls for European carbon central bank
The EU is under pressure to move forward with its green agenda in light of the US Inflation Reduction Act, writes Ottmar Edenhofer, director of the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC). To ensure that Europe is not put on the “industrial policy sidelines,” the renowned climate researcher, who is also […] continue reading →
Tine Laufer – lobbyist for climate action in a fairer world
With its campaign for Germany to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty, the Berlin-based Non-Governmental Organization Powershift lobbied the German government. The fact that Germany withdrew from the treaty at the end of 2022 is therefore also seen by the organization as its own success. Berlin’s withdrawal had repercussions as far as Europe; after all, […] continue reading →
CO2 burden sharing: Germany faces billions in costs
Due to insufficient climate protection in the transport and building sectors, Germany faces costs of between €15 and €30 billion by 2030, according to experts. The sum results on the one hand from the rules of the EU burden-sharing regulation, which regulates reduction targets for sectors not subject to emissions trading (ETS) for energy and […] continue reading →
One year of IRA: investment, jobs and climate action at a high price
One year after the Inflation Reduction Act took effect, data show mixed results. US subsidies attract investment and create jobs, but at a high price. The climate benefits, however, are undisputed. continue reading →
Özdemir on genetic engineering: ‘I warn against black-and-white debates’
Cem Özdemir talks about trench warfare with the CDU, goals for a policy of reasonableness, and warns against black-and-white thinking on genetic engineering. continue reading →
EU in line with Emirates: CCS as solution
Hardly noticed by the public, the EU has changed its course on the controversial issue of CCS. continue reading →
Solar debacle as a reminder for the heat pump industry
Heat pumps are mainly manufactured in Germany – for the moment. This is because manufacturers from China are pushing into the booming EU market. More and more components are coming from the People's Republic. The photovoltaic debacle is threatening to repeat itself. continue reading →
Commission proposal: no total combustion engine phase-out for trucks
According to information obtained by Table.Media, the Commission will not propose a total phase-out of combustion engines for heavy commercial vehicles. Rather, at their meeting in Strasbourg today, the commissioners intend to decide that CO2 fleet limits for manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles must fall by 90 percent by 2040 compared to the 2019 reference values, […] continue reading →
Von der Leyen presents plans for green industrial policy
Europe sees itself as a global pioneer in climate protection – and also wants to benefit from this economically. At the World Economic Forum, Commission President von der Leyen spelled out what the response to corresponding industrial programs in the USA or China should look like. continue reading →
IRA: Vestager proposes concrete changes to state aid rules
Member states are urging to find a response to the Inflation Reduction Act, with which the US government wants to promote eco-friendly technologies. Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager now provides first insights into where she wants to facilitate subsidies for investors. continue reading →
IEA expects clean energy jobs to double
The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects rapid growth in clean energy technologies but warns of resource dependence on a few countries. If countries fully implement their energy and climate pledges the manufacturing value of clean energy technologies will more than triple to a good €600 billion by 2030, the IEA said in its energy technology […] continue reading →
Response to IRA: more government aid poses new problems
The EU states fear they are falling behind as locations for climate-friendly technologies. Higher subsidies are supposed to be the core of the response to the US Inflation Reduction Act. But the discussed relaxation of the subsidy rules would have side effects. continue reading →
Study: EU must invest billions more in low-emission technologies
If the European Union wants to bring greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 as planned, it must immediately invest massively in low-emission technologies, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of ETH in Zurich write in the scientific journal “Nature Climate Change” that at least €302 billion per year are needed […] continue reading →
Commission to present IRA response in early February
The EU Commission is expected to present its response to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on February 1. That’s according to the agency’s new agenda, published by digital media house Contexte. The proposals to strengthen the industrial base in climate-friendly technologies are to be discussed at a special summit on Feb. 9-10. Commission President […] continue reading →
Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg – being mindful of natural resources
Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg followed the UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal from her home office in Stuttgart. She had decided against participating on-site so as not to worsen her carbon footprint. Moreover, she did not expect a strong agreement. She was all the more pleased that it happened after all: “This is a real ray of hope […] continue reading →
Habeck and Le Maire to counter Inflation Reduction Act
Germany and France are in favor of promoting certain climate-friendly technologies in the EU in a similar way to the USA. German Economy Minister Robert Habeck and his French counterpart Bruno Le Maire presented a joint paper on Monday that is intended to drive forward the discussion on the European response to Washington’s Inflation Reduction […] continue reading →
Von der Leyen wants to relax state aid rules
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to relax state aid rules for renewable energy and climate-friendly technologies. In a letter to EU leaders for Thursday’s summit, she wrote that the EU should consider temporarily simplifying the rules in response to high energy prices and the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The German government […] continue reading →
UN: Nuclear fusion could be of great help in fighting climate change
The United Nations has welcomed the historic breakthrough in the field of nuclear fusion with an eye on climate change. “It is an extremely important development that could be of great help in the fight against climate change,” spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said Tuesday in New York. In doing so, he stressed that it could be […] continue reading →