Brussels, 19 December – In a letter to the new European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jørgensen, civil society organisations urge the European Commission to strengthen the rules for hydrogen derived from fossil gas in the upcoming Low Carbon Delegated Act (DA). The letter highlights concerns about the proposed default value

The European Commission has announced its intention to publish an Electrification Action Plan, under the lead of the EU’s new Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen. Electrification is vital to allow renewable energy, such as wind and solar, to more easily decarbonise demand. However, by limiting the focus to

More than 90 organisations representing civil society, business, banks and investor interests, express deep concern over the misrepresentation of EU sustainability reporting as a threat to competitiveness. Their statement, published on 12 December, is a response to the recent omnibus proposal announcement by EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.

At the doorstep of the year which was supposed to mark the halfway progress to the 2030 climate and energy targets, the Western Balkan countries still seem hesitant to deliver on their commitments, lacking the political will to present credible plans, efficiently adopt them and follow up with accelerated implementation.

Brussels & Montevideo, 6 December 2024 — Today, the EU and the Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) concluded the EU-Mercosur trade deal negotiations, in complete secrecy. 25 years since the negotiations started, the complete text of the EU-Mercosur deal is still not publicly available. The total lack of

Written by Thomas Lewis, Energy Policy Expert at CAN Europe. Over the last two winters coal did not make the comeback like many were advocating. Under the pretense of “energy security” and “keeping the lights on” following price spikes and supply constraints as a result of the Russian invasion of

3 December 2024 — The Energy Charter Conference finally adopted its proposal for modernising the climate-wrecking Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). Negotiations to reform the ECT aimed to align it with the climate goals of the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal. However, even after modernisation, the ECT continues to undermine

By Joe Inwood Today, the European Parliament gave its green light to the new College of European Commissioners led by President Ursula von der Leyen. This majority is smaller than the one that re-elected von der Leyen as President in July, but it brings an end to the political stalemate

On September 3, 2024, the European Commission launched a public consultation seeking input to evaluate the effectiveness and relevance of the EU framework on energy security. This framework is composed of the Gas Security of Supply (SoS) regulation and the Electricity Risk Preparedness regulation, but also aims at assessing the

Baku, 24 November 2024 — COP29, full of drama throughout the two weeks, has concluded in the early hours of Sunday, approving the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance but leaving a trail of broken promises and a failure to deliver the outcomes urgently needed to address the

On 18 November 2024 CAN Europe organised a press conference during COP29 in Azerbaijan, where a panel of experts reflected the developments during the first week of the conference. The press conference covered the state of the negotiations (in particular the EU’s role in climate finance), the European fossil fuel

Baku, 18 November 2024 — As the second week of COP29 kicks off, the climate finance negotiations are stuck moving at a snail’s pace. The EU is doing little to put forward concrete proposals that could take things forward, such as the amount of money they would be ready to

“Milei’s climate denialism and ‘chainsaw policies’ combined with the outdated EU-Mercosur trade deal is a recipe for disaster. The EU-Mercosur deal is based on a text from 25 years ago and totally out of sync with the reality of the climate crises we face today. ‘Mileinomics’ coupled with the EU-Mercosur deal could cause critical ecological spillovers globally, as it will further threaten South America’s second-largest forest, the Chaco forest, also one of the planet’s largest carbon sinks”, said Audrey Changoe, Trade and Investment Policy Coordinator at CAN Europe.

Milei’s so-called “libertarian experiment”, or ‘Mileinomics’, for radical free-market reforms combined with the outdated EU-Mercosur deal are a recipe for economic disaster. It is rooted in a neo-colonial economic model that created the social-ecological crisis in the first place.

Brussels, 8 November 2024 – As the world grapples with the repercussions of a year marked by unprecedented climate events, the international community now turns its gaze towards the United Nations conference in Baku. Against the backdrop of record-breaking global temperatures and extreme weather worldwide, the urgency of tackling the

A coalition of NGOs urges the European Commission to start legal action against France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Sweden for illegal National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). The NGOs submitted coordinated complaints that rely on evidence showcasing that these countries’ plans are breaching EU law relating to failure to meet

Ahead of the informal EU leaders’ meeting about the EU’s competitiveness on 8 November and the hearing of the Executive Vice-President-designate for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné, ten climate, environment, social justice organisations and trade union federations demand mainstreaming a minimum set of social and environmental conditions through all tools used to support companies with public funds.

Europe’s green transition is already underway – we can’t stop now! Renewable and green technologies are powering the EU economy, benefiting business, nature and society. The European Commission must push for smarter implementation, not to roll back ambition. More than 180 civil society organisations call on the EU Commission to provide

Written by Ismael Morales, Head of Climate Policy at Fundación Renovables The title of this article is the mandate that Ursula Von der Leyen has given to Teresa Ribera, who’ll be, if everything goes according to plan, the new Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. However, I

Brussels, 31 October 2024 – Ahead of the Commissioner Hearings, CAN Europe calls on incoming Commissioners-designate to prioritise urgent and ambitious climate action. With the EU way off track to meet its 2030 climate goals, the proposed College of Commissioners must now signal that Europe is serious about a fossil-free future.  CAN

On 30 October 2024 CAN Europe hosted a live broadcast where a panel of experts reflected on the EU’s negotiating position ahead of COP29 in Azerbaijan. During the discussion, the speakers explored the key gaps that remain in clearly defining the EU’s path to net-zero emissions by 2040 at the

Energy poverty is a growing phenomenon increasingly affecting households in the European Union. The newly adopted Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), if implemented correctly, has the potential to alleviate this growing phenomenon, while also supporting the European Union in achieving a decarbonised building stock, keeping us in line with

On September 27, 2024, the European Commission opened a public consultation on the methodology to determine the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission savings of low-carbon fuels, which ends today, October 25, 2024. CAN Europe welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Delegated Act proposed by the Commission to underline

On September 23, 2024, the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) launched a public consultation on the draft statutory documents of the European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen (ENNOH). ACER, tasked with reviewing ENNOH’s draft statutory documents to provide feedback to the European Commission, invited all

We are writing ahead of the European Council 17-18 October meeting, in which the EU’s competitiveness agenda will be discussed.
In light of the forthcoming ‘Clean Industrial Deal’ (CID), the best way to preserve the EU’s long-term competitiveness is an EU green industrial strategy centred around the European Green Deal and its targets, which stimulates the production of net-zero technologies, ends our fossil fuel dependence and reduces our energy and material demand.

Brussels, 15 October 2024 – Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe cautiously welcomes the conclusions of yesterday’s meeting of EU environment ministers, which lay out the EU’s negotiating position ahead of COP29. Whilst progress is clear in some areas, key gaps remain in scaling up financial support for developing countries and

Brussels, 8th October 2024 EU Finance Ministers met today in Brussels to finalise the EU’s international climate finance priorities ahead of COP29. CAN Europe welcomes the recognition from Ministers that international public finance should be at the core of the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). It is problematic

Brussels, 7 October 2024 – Ahead of tomorrow’s Ministerial Meeting on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans within the Berlin Process, it is important to remind governments of the need for clear communication on implementation progress, along with a precise commitment on a transparent timeline and well defined responsibilities

Written by Sara Pizzinato, Campaign Coordinator at Greenpeace Spain. Inspired by Greenpeace Spain’s blog:  We need renewables, but we have to do it right.  Spain, like its neighbours in the mediterranean region, is now on the frontlines of the global climate crisis. Record breaking temperatures are leading to scorching heat

Forests support the stability and vitality of the EU. We need a robust Forest Monitoring Law to provide an integrated data set on how EU forests are faring from different perspectives (environmental, social and economic), in support of integrated forest planning. This will assist efforts to safeguard our forests and

The European Green Deal brought forward numerous policy initiatives to reduce the climate and environmental impacts of the construction ecosystem and buildings. EU Policymakers aimed to accelerate decarbonisation of buildings by revising the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which introduce overlapping mandatory climate requirements

On 2 October 2024 CAN Europe hosted a live broadcast where a global panel of experts discussed the anticipated EU decision ahead of negotiations for a new international climate finance goal, which countries are to agree upon at COP29. During the discussion the speakers explored what implications the upcoming meeting

As we approach COP29 and as the adoption of conclusions for COP29 is on the agenda of the 14 October Environment Council, CAN Europe urges the European Union to demonstrate bold leadership by advancing a more ambitious, people-centred, nature-centred, just, transparent, and equitable approach. In a year marked by devastating

Ahead of the Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) Council 8 October 2024 in which the Council conclusions on international climate finance will be adopted, CAN Europe has written to Finance Ministers that will be in attendance. As shown by a growing body of scientific research, including the IPCC, economic assessments

Today, the EU’s consumption of natural resources is far beyond what is sustainable. The overuse of natural resources is driving multiple crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, water scarcity, and social inequality. In 2022, the average material footprint was 14.8 tonnes per person—about six times higher than in low-income countries. The EU’s

In a policy conference in Brussels on September 26, 2024, CAN Europe debated the future of EU energy policy with high level speakers and stakeholders from the EU institutions, member state governments, business and civil society. Highlights included the launch of CAN Europe’s Paris Agreement-Compatible (PAC) 2.0 energy scenario, which

The Social Climate Fund is one of the EU’s financial mechanisms to counterbalance the negative socioeconomic effects of the extension of the Emissions Trading System that will apply to the transport and heating & cooling sectors. The Emissions Trading System price on carbon emissions will be challenging for low-income households

Dear Members of the European Parliament, During the upcoming Commissioner-designate hearings, we urge you to champion the creation of a Next Generation 2.0 fund to foster Europe’s transformation in response to the ongoing polycrises and geopolitical challenges.

To align with the Paris Agreement 1.5°C, the EU should reduce its domestic greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% gross reductions compared to 1990 levels by 2030 and increase net removals in the LULUCF sector to at least 600 MtCO2e by the same date and maintain them at least

‘Nature is in a state of crisis’ (European Union NBSAP, 2023). Nature and biodiversity in the EU is declining, with most protected habitats and species in poor or bad condition due to land and sea use changes, overexploitation, harmful forestry practices, pollution, and climate change. The EU did not meet

As the new European Commission and Parliament begin their mandates, over 40 civil society organisations from across Europe have issued a statement calling on EU leaders to ensure the continuation of the Just Transition Fund in the next EU budget.

  Proposed New College Must Leave No Room For Climate Retreat   Brussels 17 September 2024 Following weeks of rumours, pressure from Member States and some final days of uncertainties, today we finally got to see the proposed composition of a new College of European Commissioners. CAN Europe reacts on

by Sven Harmeling, Head of Climate at CAN Europe As the world looks towards COP 29, the issues of climate finance and a fossil fuel phaseout, as part of a just energy transition, are ever more crucial. WithUN General Assembly, the UN Summit of the Future, and the Global Renewables

Brussels, 9 September 2024 – Following Mario Draghi’s presentation of his report on Europe’s competitiveness, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is urging European leaders to focus on a green industrial policy that secures long-term economic and environmental sustainability. While Draghi’s report acknowledges that climate and industrial policies should be mutually

Civil Society Organisations are organising a joint event with parliamentary groups the Greens, the Left/GUE, S&D and Renew, to create a moment to both celebrate the EU’s exit from the ECT and to look forward to how we can build upon this, including the 2022 parliamentary resolution on the future of international investment policy. Recognising and celebrating achievements is particularly important at a time when progressive members of the parliament may be feeling disheartened.

Ahead of the publication of Commissioners-designate Mission Letters, CAN Europe has written to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen to suggest that the Executive Vice-President in charge of a socially just, ecological and digital transition, has the Energy commissioner within her team. It will be crucial

Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe’s Contribution to the consultation on the DNSH technical guidance for the Social Climate Fund. CAN Europe’s position is that there is an urgent need for a robust, uniform approach to the implementation of ‘Do No Significant Harm’ (DNSH) across all EU funds. As already developed

Brussels, 3 September 2024 – As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen prepares to announce the designated Commissioners and the mission letter for the new energy commissioner, CAN Europe is publishing its energy priorities for the new policy cycle 2024 – 2029.  During the previous policy cycle, progressive EU energy

The CSDDD is a new EU law that imposes binding obligations on corporate giants to check their global value chains for human rights and environmental risks and harms. It also enables victims and EU member states to hold non-compliant companies accountable.

Climate and energy transition partnerships are a critical element of the external dimension of the European Green Deal (EGD) and to globally support more ambitious climate action and a socially just green transition in this critical decade. Entering the new EU policy cycle, ahead of decisive international climate policy years

Brussels, 18 July 2024 – In a pivotal moment for the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as the President of the European Commission, signalling a renewed commitment to delivering the European Green Deal, measures for just transition and moving towards more climate ambition. However, Von der

Executive Vice President for Wellbeing & Future Generations Read the full proposal / #FitForFutureGenerations campaign by some of our members & allies. The 2019–2024 European Commission has been one of the most ambitious on climate and social policies. However, these policies have been disconnected from each other, and from economic policies.

Ahead of the Informal Energy Council on 16 July 2024, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe has written to Europe’s Ministers for Energy regarding the upcoming key priority areas of the Hungarian presidency. The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU will focus on key topics such as the National

The state of nature continues to decline due to changes in land and sea use, overexploitation, harmful forestry practices, pollution, and climate change. Despite large societal support and clear evidence that restoring and protecting nature is crucial to halt biodiversity loss, combat climate change, and enhance human well-being, the Nature

Written by: James Trinder, International Climate Policy Coordinator Emilia Runeberg, Climate and Development Policy Coordinator  Last November, consensus at COP28 was hailed as a “historic” break-through with parties committing to transition away from fossil fuels, to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency. Yet, many countries continue to expand

  Strategic Agenda: EU Leaders Snatch a Climate Stalemate from the Jaws of Defeat   Brussels, 28 June 2024 Despite divisions amongst Member States and last minute attempts to remove any reference to the European Green Deal, CAN Europe welcomes the fact that EU leaders found agreement on a Strategic

This paper builds upon CAN Europe strategy for changemaking in times of crisis, which commits us “to work to engender systemic change in the global economy to ensure a sustainable and fair natural resources management within and beyond the EU leading to a socially just, circular economy where the focus

Following the result of the European Election, CAN Europe has joined the ‘Green 10’ (a group of leading climate and environmental organisations active on the EU level) in writing to the European Parliament’s Group Leaders with the message: the European Parliament may have changed after these elections, but our planet

  Post Election Climate Courage Needed in Today’s Critical EU Top Meetings   Brussels, 17 June 2024 As European Heads of States and Governments meet today for dinner, top job nominations will be the main course, and deliberations on the next EU Strategic Agenda, dessert. These informal discussions come on

Brussels, 10 June 2024 —  The 2024 European Parliament election will go down as one that was characterised by frustration at the rising cost of living, growing inequalities and political inaction. But also as one that selected the last generation of MEPs who have the ability to put us on

The EU and all its Member States have repeatedly pledged to end “inefficient fossil fuel subsidies” since 2009 while “encouraging all countries to do so” by 2025 at both the G20 and the UNFCCC. At COP26, parties to the UNFCCC committed to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies for the

Bonn, 6 June 2024 –  Ahead of the forthcoming New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) decision under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), CAN Europe today launches new research on the EU’s provision of international climate finance.  Under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, developed countries are obliged to

International climate finance is essential to strengthening climate security and protecting those on the front line of the climate crisis. The report “Assessing International Climate Finance by the EU and Member States: Key Insights for Shaping the New Climate Finance Goal” tracks the evolution of the European Union’s (EU) contribution

Ahead of the Bonn Climate Conference (3-13 June), the EU Environment Council (17 June) and the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) submission deadline (30 June), CAN Europe has written to Environment and Climate Ministers from EU member states to calling on them to demonstrate real commitment to limiting dangerous

Brussels, 1st of June – Hundreds of demonstrators and over 80 organisations from 23 EU countries joined the demonstration in Brussels organized by Good Food Good Farming and Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe. One week ahead of the decisive EU elections, demonstrators took to the streets to demand climate action,

  CAN Europe Press Briefing: Bonn Climate Conference (3-13 June 2024)   Bonn, 31 May 2024 The Bonn Climate Conference meets at a time of urgency where 80% of the global carbon budget (which is associated with a 50% probability of keeping global temperatures under the 1.5°C warming threshold) has

Read the full opinion editorial originally published on EurActiv By Chiara Martinelli Ahead of the 2019 European elections, young climate activists took to the streets in all corners of our continent to demand urgent climate action from the EU. The combination of advocacy efforts and grassroot movements catalysed a transformative

Brussels, 30 May 2024 – The Council of the EU today adopted a historic decision to withdraw the European Union from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), an international investment treaty from the 1990s increasingly used by the fossil fuel industry to sue governments over their climate and energy policies. Audrey

As organisations committed to tackling the multifaceted crises of our times – from climate change and biodiversity loss to the cost of living and energy independence – we call for a €1 trillion investment plan for people and the planet to be at the top of the agenda for future EU leadership. These challenges are largely an investment challenge, and EU funding is more needed than ever to mobilise and boost public and private financing of Europe’s resilience and competitive sustainability. Political parties’ manifestos all recognise this need. Now is the time to meet citizens’ expectations of a better future, invest in the transformation of our economy, and make good on the promises of the Green Deal. This statement presents our proposal for a Social and Green Investment Plan that would achieve these aims.