The EU aims to put an end to greenwashing, when companies claim to be greener than they are, and provide more information to consumers on the durability of products they buy. In order to better protect consumers’ rights, promote environmentally-friendly decisions and create a circular economy that reuses and recycles materials, the European Parliament is […]
Read More
EU to invest over EUR 65 million in clean technology projects
The Commission has today selected 17 small-scale innovative clean tech projects to receive over €65 million in project support under the EU Innovation Fund. These funds will help companies in Europe, including small businesses, to bring breakthrough technologies to the market in energy-intensive industries, renewable energy, and energy storage. The selected projects cover a wide range […]
Read More
EU Council reaches agreement on new rules on packaging and packaging waste
The Council has reached an agreement (‘general approach’) on a proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste. The aim is to tackle the increase in packaging waste generated in the EU, while harmonising the internal market for packaging and boosting the circular economy. The proposal considers the full life cycle of packaging. It […]
Read More
Council and Parliament reach deal to Reform of electricity market design
The reform of the electricity market is the EU’s long-term response to the energy crisis experienced in 2022. Despite a high share of renewables in energy generation, high spikes in fossil fuel prices (especially gas) have caused a steep increase in electricity prices. This is due to the functioning of the EU electricity market, where the price of […]
Read More
New rules to boost energy efficiency in buildings across the EU
The Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council to reduce the emissions and energy use of buildings across the EU. The strengthened Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will support the EU’s efforts to decarbonise buildings across the whole Union. This is an area in which the concrete impact of […]
Read More
Have extreme weather conditions in Europe become the “new normal”?
In a context of a changing climate, weather conditions in Europe are becoming more and more extreme. What phenomena such as heat waves, droughts, floods and forest fires could this summer bring? The outlook is pessimistic, as seen during the past winter and spring. This makes adaptation to climate change and increased preparedness crucial, according […]
Read More
EU leads global initiative at COP28 to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency measures
At the World Climate Action Summit in Dubai, President Ursula von der Leyen launched the Global Pledge on Renewables and Energy Efficiency together with the COP28 Presidency and 118 countries. This initiative, first proposed by the Commission President at the Major Economies Forum in April, sets global targets to triple the installed capacity of renewable energy to at least 11 terawatts (TW) and […]
Read More
EU announces €175m support to reduce methane emissions
Climate super-pollutants – including methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, and tropospheric ozone – are responsible for over half of today’s warming. Under the Global Methane Pledge, launched by the EU and the US, more than 150 countries are now implementing a collective goal of reducing global anthropogenic methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030, from 2020 levels. This global […]
Read More
EU position for COP28
World leaders will gather in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the world climate action summit to kick off the 28th United Nations climate change conference (COP28). From 30 November to 12 December, COP28 will bring together the parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These include the EU and all EU member states. […]
Read More