Europe's environmental news and information service

Comment

Our energy efficiency goal must become binding

29 Nov 2011

It is anticipated that the EU's 20% energy saving goal will not be achieved. Discussions on the energy efficiency directive can turn this around but differences on how to measure savings must be resolved, writes Andrew Warren.

Comment

Hedegaard: Durban must set climate roadmap

24 Nov 2011

The Kyoto Protocol is an important policy framework but most major emitters will never join it. The focus of the next UN meeting in Durban should be to reach a legally-binding global deal, writes European climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard.

Comment

Time to get moving on demand response

10 Oct 2011

The EU has long stated support for demand response as an important way of achieving its climate and energy goals. But progress towards making it a reality has been slow, says Jessica Stromback of the Smart Energy Demand Coalition (SEDC).

Comment

New states' love affair with roads must stop

9 Sep 2011

The bulk of EU funds allocated to transport in central and eastern European countries is used to build roads, which reduces the attractiveness of rail and helps justify even more investment in roads. The EU must help break this pattern.

Analysis

Climate to top the agenda this autumn

1 Sep 2011

Despite the Polish 'no' to a higher CO2 reduction target for 2020, there is still plenty to talk about in preparation for the next round of international climate talks in Durban. In the EU, several climate-related proposals are also in the pipeline.

Analysis

Decarbonising Europe's energy supplies

24 Aug 2011

An energy roadmap due this autumn will outline different ways of reducing the carbon intensity of supplies and increasing energy security cost effectively. It will consider several possible scenarios based on varying public acceptance of technologies such as CCS.

Analysis

Can the EU sail through the aviation storm?

3 Aug 2011

Europe faces growing opposition to its inclusion of foreign airlines in the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS). Roz Bulleid considers whether an exemption for countries with "equivalent measures" could provide a solution.

Comment

Is EU water policy fit for purpose?

19 Jul 2011

The water policy's Fitness Check conducted by the European Commission will assess the effectiveness of existing laws and identify possible gaps or inconsistencies that need to be dealt with as part of next year's Blueprint to safeguard EU waters.

Analysis

Sorting out the plastic bag policy chaos

5 Jul 2011

Member states have adopted a flurry of measures to reduce the use of plastic carrier bags, some of them raising legal issues. EU action is being considered but none of the options put forward, including a ban, seem to get unanimous support.