Member States gathering yesterday at the European Council discussed the next Multiannual Financial Framework, which sets out EU’s spending priorities after 2020. While they committed to reach a deal as soon as possible, they remained silent on how to make the long term EU budget fit for the Paris Agreement.

Paris-proof coalition expands and pushes for much more climate action Environment Ministers of Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom meeting in Luxembourg today have called upon the EU to make significant further efforts to fight climate change, over and above

The high-profile Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA), taking place on 20-21 June in Brussels and co-convened by the EU, China and Canada is one of the most important moments for global climate diplomacy this year. The three hosts, together with ministers representing more than 30 other major powers, are expected

The EU and China have to live up to their responsibilities on climate change and use every opportunity to support the Western Balkans and Turkey to move beyond coal. This means renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, not new coal, argue Elif Gündüzyeli and Igor Kalaba.

After reaching yesterday a deal on the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), early this morning the European Parliament, Council and Commission agreed also on the new Governance Regulation for the period 2021-2030. Like the 2030 renewable energy target, the agreed 2030 target for energy efficiency of 32,5% and the agreed rules

The vast majority of European countries are missing the mark and failing to increase our chances of achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Too few of them are advocating for ambitious climate and energy targets and policies, and too many are lagging behind in reducing carbon emissions at the

The aim of this publication is to examine which EU Member States are willing to increase their climate action and tackle the gap between the goals of the Paris Agreement and current greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts in the EU.

The European Commission published today its proposal for financing international development and neighbourhood cooperation after 2020. The proposed instrument falls short of meeting the climate finance needs of the EU’s partner countries, while failing to guarantee that EU financing for international action is fully climate proof and compatible with the

The European Parliament, Council and Commission have reached a final agreement on the Renewable Energy Directive for the period 2021-2030. The EU agreed to increase its 2030 renewable energy target, but the level of ambition of the revised directive still falls way short of what is needed to comply with

Today a unique gathering of businesses, investor groups, local and regional authorities, and civil society groups, standing together as the Coalition for Higher Ambition, are calling upon EU leaders to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon Europe and thus limit climate impacts and allow for improvements to public health, greater

A unique coalition of businesses, associations, investor groups, local and regional authorities, and civil society organisations have called upon EU Heads of State and Government to step up Europe’s climate commitments.

Today, EU energy ministers gathered in Luxembourg to discuss the state of play of the revision of three key files of the Clean Energy Package: the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Renewable Energy Directive and the Governance Regulation.

The Paris Agreement calls upon all its signatories to communicate “long term low greenhouse gas emissions development strategies” by 2020, which is the same deadline for when countries will have to re-submit their short term climate targets (NDCs).

MEDIA ADVISORY Today and tomorrow the leaders of the world’s most industrialised countries will meet at the G7 summit hosted by Canada. The summit is expected to discuss a range of global issues and it will be an important moment to signal stronger climate action, despite the “stress test” imposed

The European Commission published today its legislative proposals on EU’s main infrastructure investment funds for the period after 2020: InvestEU and Connecting Europe Facility (1). The regulations recognise the low-carbon energy transition as an important objective, but miss out on fundamental pillars for success: ensuring sufficient climate action funding and

EU countries must step up to implement gender-responsive climate change policies, says a group of civil society organizations on the occasion of the European Development Days and World Environment Day.

Today, the European Parliament, Council and Commission negotiated the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive for the period after 2020. The proposal by the Council to set a 30-31% or 32-33% renewable energy target for 2030, which will be assessed by MEPs over the next week, falls well short of

The European Commission published today its legislative proposals on Cohesion Policy post 2020 (1). The draft regulations recognise the low-carbon energy transition as an important objective that Cohesion Policy should serve.

Families from Europe and outside are taking the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to the European General Court for allowing high level of emissions until 2030 and failing to protect the citizens with the existing inadequate 2030 climate target.

Recent commitments to increase EU funds for climate action are at risk of being weakened, according to a leaked draft of the European Commission’s regulation on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund (1).

EU Member States are, through the new ‘Governance of the Energy Union Regulation’, required to develop ten year Integrated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).  With the word ‘integrated’, the NECPs present a new regime in EU Climate and Energy Policy making. The European Union’s credibility in the international climate policy arena

This briefing describes the main element of the EC proposal for the EU budget 2021-2027, also called Multiannual Financial Framework, assesses its climate performance and develops recommendations for the upcoming legislative proposals.

Late 2017, the European Commission established specific Investment Windows of the Guarantee fund in the European External Investment Plan. This will be the channel through which investments on specific issues and themes will be made. Together with NGOs, CAN Europe has developed and provided analysis and recommendations to the EU on

Today the European Commission has published its proposal for the post-2020 EU budget, kicking off the political battle over the rules and priorities that will govern EU spending in the period 2021-2027. The Commission has chosen climate action to be one of the top priorities for future EU funding.

In April 2018, CAN Europe member Act Alliance EU has published a report about EU climate finance. The report provides an analysis of climate finance reporting and accounting practice. It also documents how EU institutions, as well as EU member states, allocate their climate support to developing countries. The picture

Ministers in charge of climate change of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Portugal and Luxembourg meeting in Paris today have called for ensuring that the EU’s climate policies are in line with the Paris Agreement. For that reason, they recognized the need to develop a long term EU climate

Portugal wins gold in the 2018 European Fossil Fuel Subsidies Awards, the second edition of a unique contest organised by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe. The winners are governments who waste taxpayers’ money on supporting dirty energy. Poland comes second and Spain third.

During a Council meeting on General Affairs today (1), EU ministers exchanged their views on the spending priorities of the Cohesion Policy after 2020, the EU’s key funding instrument for infrastructure projects all over Europe.

The UNFCCC Talanoa Dialogue opens this year a crucially important window of opportunity to galvanise global urgent action on climate change that must not be wasted. In this paper CAN Europe outlines our recommendations for the European Union for the 2018 Talanoa Dialogue. CAN Europe TD briefing 3 questions.pdf

MEDIA ADVISORY At the upcoming Informal Environment Council on 10-11 April in Bulgaria, EU Ministers of Environment are expected to flesh out the bloc’s contribution to the UN Talanoa Dialogue – a Fijian word meaning an inclusive dialogue. The Talanoa Dialogue is an important international conversation which aims to help

This report shows that energy intensive industry sectors have been among the slowest in the European Union (EU) to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and invest in solutions to decarbonise and maintain technological leadership.

Energy intensive industries in Europe, such as steel or cement companies, still pocket huge amounts of public money while doing too little to reduce emissions, a report entitled “European Fat Cats”* published by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe today shows.

The co-signatories of this letter represent a broad group of business associations, civil society, think tanks and other organisations who are working together to bring strong support to the EU’s commitment to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement objectives.    They have written to the President

Brussels, 05 April 2018 Today, a broad group comprised of business associations, civil society, think tanks and other organisations have urged the President of the European Commission, through a joint open letter, to make the future EU budget fully compatible with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development goals. On 2

Brussels 29.3.2018 Dear Minister for Environment, At the upcoming Informal Environment Council on 10-11 April in Sofia you have been invited to discuss the European Union’s contribution towards the international climate negotiations and in particular towards the UNFCCC Talanoa Dialogue.

Last week, EU leaders sent a clear message to the European Commission to ramp up its work to implement the Paris Agreement and accelerate the ongoing transition away from fossil fuels, writes Wendel Trio.

The UNFCCC Talanoa Dialogue opens this year a crucially important window of opportunity to galvanise global urgent action on climate change that must not be wasted. In this paper CAN Europe outlines our recommendations for the European Union for the 2018 Talanoa Dialogue. CAN Europe briefing on the EU and

Today, EU leaders gathered at a European summit on sustainable finance. They recognised the important role the EU budget should play in tackling climate change and boosting the clean energy transition.

EU Heads of State and Government meeting in Brussels on 22-23 March have called upon the European Commission to urgently develop a draft of a new EU long-term climate strategy. The strategy needs to be ready by early 2019 and clearly lay out what the Paris Agreement commitments mean for

Subject: 80+ organizations ask EU-Parliament to stop support for fossil fuels Dear Member of the European Parliament, We are writing to you concerning an infrastructure priority list (list of Projects of Common Interest). An objection to the current form of the list will be voted in the next Plenary Session

Members of the European Parliament today adopted their priorities for the EU budget after 2020*. The position recognises the importance of the EU budget in the fight against climate change, and in the transition towards zero-carbon and climate-resilient economies.

In January this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) of the United States unanimously rejected proposals by the Trump administration that would have allowed coal subsidies under the guise of energy “resilience”. This is exactly the principle that should now guide EU legislators, writes Joanna Flisowska.

The EU’s current Adaptation Strategy was launched in 2013 with the intention to scale up the European Union’s resilience to the growing impacts of climate change that it is facing. The Strategy is the first attempt to set out EU-wide adaption and climate resilience and it sets a solid precedence

EU environment ministers gathered in Brussels today at an Environment Council. On this occasion, 14 EU environment and climate ministers who are members of the Green Growth Group released a statement calling for more climate spending and mainstreaming in the future EU budget.

The negotiations on the review of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) enter the final stretch today, with representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission meeting for the first informal ‘trialogue’ to negotiate an agreement on the new law.

The EU Platform for Coal Regions in Transition was launched by the European Commission in December last year to support Member States and regions as they shift away from coal towards renewable energy, in order to “leave no region behind”. The platform holds its first stakeholders meetings today and tomorrow

Today EU leaders discussed the future EU budget after 2020 at an informal European Council meeting.

Today the European Parliament’s leading committee on the future EU budget agreed on EU spending priorities for the period 2021-2027. MEPs put future EU funding one step closer to delivering on the EU’s climate action commitments, sending an important signal to EU leaders ahead of an informal European Council which

The negotiations on the review of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) enter the final stretch today, with representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission meeting for the first informal ‘trialogue’ to negotiate an agreement on the new law.

Today the European Parliament’s industry and energy committee (ITRE) adopted its position on the laws to redesign the EU’s electricity market.

The negotiations of the EU’s Energy Union Governance regulation enter the final stretch today, with representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission meeting for the first informal ‘trialogue’ to negotiate an agreement on the new law which should create a framework for the zero-carbon

The EU budget can serve the achievement of 2030 climate and energy targets in line with the Paris Agreement.

Contrary to its own proposal to curb power subsidies with an emissions limit, the European Commission has approved the Polish capacity mechanism that will allow the country to subsidise coal-fired power plants for decades to come. This will severely undermine the EU’s ability to implement the Paris Agreement.

Today the European Parliament adopted its position on three legislative proposals under the Clean Energy Package, namely the revisions of the Renewable Energy Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive, and the new Governance Regulation, which will guide the EU’s zero-carbon transition in the coming decade and beyond. MEPs raised the

Today EU Energy Ministers have adopted their positions on four legislative proposals under the Clean Energy Package, which will guide the EU’s energy transition in the coming decade and beyond. Turning their backs on the Paris Agreement, the ministers opted for a feeble renewable energy target, lax rules for ensuring

EU governments must step back from irreparably weakening Europe’s biggest climate law, six of Europe’s leading environmental NGOs have said, after talks between member states and the European Parliament ended in deadlock this week. 

Statement on behalf of Climate Action Network Europe, Carbon Market Watch, European Environmental Bureau, Sandbag, Transport & Environment, and WWF European Policy Office. EU governments must step back from irreparably weakening Europe’s biggest climate law, six of Europe’s leading environmental NGOs have said, after talks between member states and the

More than 60,000 premature deaths in Europe could be prevented over the next decade if urgent action is taken on air pollution from Europe’s dirtiest coal-fired power plants, write Dragana Mileusnić and Ioana Ciuta.

Swift and significant emission cuts by Europe’s top polluters under new rules would boost health and reduce healthcare costs.

For Energy Council on 18 December Brussels, 13 December 2017 Dear Minister, Ahead of Energy Council on Monday 18 December, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe would like to call on you to adopt an ambitious position on the Market Design Initiative, the Renewable Energy Directive, and the Governance of the

On 18 December, EU Energy Ministers are expected to reach an agreement on four legislative files under the Clean Energy Package, namely those regarding renewable energy, governance and the internal market for electricity. Worryingly, the draft documents for the meeting show that they are stubbornly insisting on an outdated, blatantly

In this briefing, CAN Europe explains why sticking to a 27% renewable energy target would put the brakes on the energy transition in the EU and why the target needs to be raised to at least 45%.

While EU leaders are discussing climate finance at the One Planet Summit in Paris, today the European Parliament failed once again to prevent further public investments in fossil fuels. A decision made in the European Parliament turns a blind eye to the Juncker plan’s investments in energy projects which have

French President Emmanuel Macron will today welcome over 50 leaders from around the world, two years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement. Leaders and international financial institutions must seize this opportunity to ramp up their ambition and end support for fossil fuels, writes Maeve McLynn.

Today an EU Platform for Coal Regions in Transition is being launched by European Commission Vice-President Šefčovič. The Platform aims to support Member States and regions as they shift away from coal towards renewable energy, in order to “leave no region behind”.

The One Planet Summit, organized by French President Emmanuel Macron and taking place in Paris, France on 12 December will gather over 50 heads of state to celebrate the second year anniversary of the Paris Agreement and trigger new ambitious climate action [1].

Today the European Parliament’s Industry and Environment Committees adopted their position on the future Governance Regulation, which will create a framework for the zero-carbon transition in the EU. MEPs voted in favour of increasing the EU’s long term target to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 the latest [1]

‘More for more’: How the EU budget can serve the achievement of 2030 climate and energy targets in line with the Paris Agreement.

CAN Europe together with Birdlife Europe, E3G, the European Environmental Bureau, Fern and WWF EPO prepared joint recommendations for the European Parliament’s Industry and Environment Committees votes on the future Governance Regulation on 7 December.

The Estonian EU Presidency has opened the door to allowing massive coal subsidies in the new EU power market rules, proposing changes eliminating the carbon intensity threshold for existing coal plants at the 11th hour of negotiations.(1) The changes could allow the use of public money for plants to stay

The forthcoming EU budget post-2020 must serve higher climate ambition and be a purposeful tool to help deliver the EU’s objectives as an international partner to third countries, in particular developing countries.

Today the European Parliament’s Industry Committee voted on its positions on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive for the period 2021 – 2030.

The European Parliament and Energy Ministers are currently finalising their respective positions on the Clean Energy Package – eight legislative proposals that will guide energy policy all across Europe for the next decade. They must step up and strengthen the proposals if Europe is serious about tackling climate change and

This letter was sent ahead of the COREPER meeting on 24 November 2017 Dear Deputy Ambassador, This Friday, 24 November, you will be discussing the proposed Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union. With that in mind we are writing on behalf of our EU-wide network to highlight those

Main civil society networks working on climate change in Europe and Africa have urged the leaders of the two continents to use the upcoming high-profile EU-Africa summit taking place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on 29-30 November as an opportunity to strengthen their cooperation on tackling climate change.

Ahead of the EU-Africa summit taking place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on November 28-29, European and African NGOs working on climate change, energy and sustainable development jointly identify some important areas of cooperation to enhance European and African climate action.

Yesterday at the Bonn climate summit, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica underlined the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and the support needed to rebuild a fully climate-resilient nation. Maeve McLynn describes how rich nations can help.

EU gets homework to scale up action at home The COP23 UN climate summit slowly comes to an end in Bonn, Germany today, with countries expected to adopt a roadmap for the Talanoa Dialogue – a process which should ultimately result in scaling up countries’ 2030 climate pledges following the

At the UN Climate Summit in Bonn today the Dutch Climate Minister Erik Wiebes urged the EU to up its 2030 climate target from the current ‘at least’ 40% to 55%, bringing it closer to what is required to keep the Paris Agreement goals within reach and adding momentum to

The European Union is set to continue a funding tool that in last two years has lent billions of euros for fossil fuels projects, finds a new study from CEE Bankwatch Network, CAN Europe, Counter Balance and WWF European Policy Office.

Brussels, Bonn — While in Bonn at the UN climate talks the EU touts the Paris Agreement, back in Brussels the European Union is set to continue a funding tool that in last two years has lent billions of euros for fossil fuels projects, finds a new study from CEE

Today the EU institutions reached an agreement on the redesign of one of the bloc’s key climate policies, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

Being serious about the Paris Agreement:Stop the ETS funding coal, Start a meaningful carbon price This Agreement […] aims to […] making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development. Paris Agreement, Article 2(1)c We, the undersigned, urgently appeal to Representatives of European Parliament,

On the second day of this year’s UN climate summit in Bonn, Poland won the second place of the shameful Fossil of the Day Award. The dubious award was handed down to Poland, the host of the next UN climate summit in 2018, for working day and night to turn

Health, environment and climate groups are calling on the European Union to hasten the move away from coal and other fossil fuels and towards clean renewable energy. As ‘Europe Beyond Coal’ launches, Brussels-based groups have set the EU five challenges to help Europe become coal-free by 2030.

This letter was sent ahead of the COREPER meeting on the 27th of October 2017 Dear Ambassador, During the meeting of COREPER on 27 October you will have the opportunity to provide political guidance on several elements of the Governance regulation, mainly on defining a framework to ensure the delivery

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is being reviewing its Emissions Performance Standard (EPS) in 2017. Its EPS is part of the EIB Energy Lending Criteria1 adopted in July 2013, and set at a level of 550 g CO2/kWh.

The European Parliament reacts to the European Commission’s “Reflection paper on the Future of EU finances”. Tomorrow, delegates will adopt their position on the 2018 EU budget (1).While the latter calls for the EU budget to become compliant with the Paris Agreement, the first omits any acknowledgement of the future

Following the publication of the report ‘Phase-out 2020: Monitoring Europe’s fossil fuel subsidy phase out’, this briefing provides a set of recommendations to the EU on how it can better align its public financing – including some of its key policies, instruments and institutions – with the long-term objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Today the European Parliament’s Environment Committee voted on its opinion on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive for the period 2021 – 2030.

To the attn. of Mr. Dominique Ristori – Director General, DG Energy October 16th, 2017 Re: Preparation of the 3rd Union list of energy Projects of Common Interest

Today EU Environment Ministers have reached an agreement on the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), which is meant to be one of the EU’s key tools to implement the Paris Agreement. Diluted to the point of being almost meaningless, the new law as agreed by the ministers would fail to provide

EU finance ministers met in Luxembourg today to discuss and adopt the EU’s position on climate finance, ahead of the next international climate summit COP23 in Bonn. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe welcomes the commitment to align financial flows with climate-resilient development, though much more efforts are needed to deliver