In reaction to the State of the European Union speech delivered by the President of the European Commission before the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) today, Wendel Trio Director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe said:  

In June of this year the former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres led a number of scientists to a call for deeper and faster action on climate change. The message she is sending is clear: if we want to avoid the most dangerous impacts of man-made climate change we need

This FAQ addresses some of the questions and comments that might arise when discussing governance and CAN Europe’s position on it. The Governance Regulation brings together planning and reporting obligations EU Member States (MS) have on climate and energy issues under one supposedly coherent framework. This centralisation is the opportunity

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

While Europe is recovering from an unusually warm summer, a new study warns that heatwaves with temperatures of above 40°C are expected to become more frequent, with some regions of Eastern Europe hit by new super heatwaves of above 55°C, writes Wendel Trio.

CAN Europe has contributed a submission on “How the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change” sent out by the Citizens’ Assembly of Ireland.

Europe’s most polluting power plants, including many large coal-fired power stations, will be forced to clean up or close down thanks to new EU rules adopted today. The revised standards demand reductions in toxic emissions, yet businesses and governments appear unprepared.

We would like to thank you for organising the CSO consultation on the External Investment Plan (EIP) on the 29th May, 2017. This meeting allowed civil society organisations to ask questions and share their numerous concerns after hearing from the European Commission how it sees the next steps towards implementation.

The European Commission has just announced it will drop a mechanism to monitor progress in limiting greenhouse gas emissions in the Western Balkans. The decision will make it difficult to track and manage climate goals in a region that is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, warns Dragana Mileusnić.

In reaction to the outcome of the G20 summit that has taken place on 7-8 July in Germany, Wendel Trio, Director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe said:

In reaction to the new climate action plan published by the French government today, Wendel Trio, Director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe said:

The Paris Agreement is the route to prosperity, productivity, safety and health and we are moving ahead with its implementation at an accelerating pace. This is the message being sent today by hundreds of cities, states, regions, businesses, investors and many others to the leaders of the G20 who will

CAN Europe has joined civil society groups from a wide range of fields to express their views on the next EU research framework. This report is the first attempt to discuss how to mainstream the sustainable development goals into Research and provides the view of civil society stakeholders which are

Western Balkans leaders committed to work on the energy transition at a Ministerial meeting that took place in Austria in early June. They established an inter-ministerial Climate Action Group, aimed at regional coordination of the national energy and climate plans. The group will be meeting twice per year and its

The European Commission has published its ‘Reflection paper on the future of EU finances’ on 28 June, the last of five policy papers within the so called “White paper process on the future of Europe”. With this paper , the European Commission puts down its thinking on the EU budget

Just a few weeks before Brussels winds down for the Summer, an agreement has been reached on a multi billion euro EU fund which aims at driving more private investment in development – the so-called EU External Investment Plan (EIP).

What’s the situation?On Tuesday, 27 June, representatives of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission met for their second trilogue meeting to discuss diverging positions on the reform of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). There has been little progress as discussions mainly focused on addressing outcomes of technical

The European Commission has published its ‘Reflection paper on the future of EU finances’ today, the last of five policy reflection papers within the so called “White paper process on the future of Europe”.

EU Energy Ministers meeting in Luxembourg today have adopted their position on the revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) for after 2020. By agreeing to dilute its cornerstone measure: the annual energy savings obligation, they propose to significantly weaken the policy and thus also profoundly undermine the EU’s commitments

This letter was written in response to the open position of CEOs of the European steel industry on 28 May 2017. To the Heads of State and governments of the European Union, Your decisions on the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) will determine whether the reform will deliver some much

This is the second update on a key discussion on the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR). Following the Parliament’s vote on 14 June, EU Ministers discussed proposals in the Environment Council on 19 June 2017. You can get an update on the Parliament vote here. Unfortunately the debate was not constructive.

This is the first in a series of two blog posts on key discussions in the Parliament and the Council on the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR). You can get an update on the Council’s negotiations here. On 14 June 2017 the European Parliament voted on the revision of the ‘Climate Action

The European Commission will publish its ‘Reflection paper on the future of EU finances’ on 28 June. Against a background of renewed commitments from European leaders towards climate action, the EU budget must be reformed to comply with the requirements of the Paris Agreement, writes Markus Trilling.

On 26 June, EU Energy Ministers are expected to reach an agreement on the revision of the bloc’s main energy saving law for after 2020. Worryingly, they are considering throwing the policy into disarray by significantly watering down its cornerstone measure: the annual energy savings obligation. This would profoundly undermine

The Governance Regulation is an opportunity to support increasing climate ambition and a faster energy transition in Europe.

In reaction to the discussion on the Governance Regulation taking place in the European Parliament’s Industry and Environment Commitees today, Caroline Westblom, EU Climate and Energy Policy Coordinator at CAN Europe said:

Dear President/Prime Minister/Chancellor, We understand you will be discussing the regrettable withdrawal by the US federal administration from the Paris Agreement. Climate Action Network Europe very much welcomed the EU’s reaction to this decision and the expression of its clear support to the full implementation of the Paris Agreement. We

EU heads of state and government meeting in Brussels on 22-23 June are expected to express their support to the full implementation of the Paris Agreement. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe welcomes the dedication shown by the EU, but urges leaders to translate their words into action by calling for

In reaction to the discussion on the Effort Sharing Regulation taking place at the Environment Council today, Caroline Westblom, EU Climate and Energy Policy Coordinator at CAN Europe said:

Dear Member of the European Parliament, Today you will vote on the so-called “Climate Action Regulation implementing the Paris Agreement” (Effort Sharing Regulation, or ESR). This regulation covers about 60% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. If designed correctly, it can drive innovation in the sectors involved, and lead to

The European Parliament voted today on the revision of the “Climate Action Regulation implementing the Paris Agreement” (Effort Sharing Regulation, or ESR), which covers emissions from transport, waste, buildings and agriculture for the coming decade. The Parliament failed to translate its recent numerous statements reaffirming the EU’s commitment to the

The author of the European Parliament’s report on the new Energy Efficiency Directive, Polish MEP Adam Gierek, proposes to dismantle future EU energy efficiency policy and promotes measures that would extend the life of coal power plants.

Working with a coalition of seventeen organisations CAN Europe has set out a number of recommendations on the role of the next EU Framework for Research and Innovation.

Today, civil society organisations in 13 countries have sent open letters to their Ministers, urging them to boost ambition of their proposal for the EU’s largest climate tool, the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR). As EU leaders reaffirmed their full support for the Paris Agreement last week in response to the

With the opening of the European Development Days (EDD) in Brussels today, European development and environmental groups are urging the EU to take more ambitious actions in the fight against climate change.

Clarification added on 02/06/2017, 8:00PM CET: The EU and China agreed to step up cooperation on climate change today, but the statement is to be published at a later moment. In a statement to be released today at a joint high-profile summit in Brussels, the EU and China reaffirm their

It looks like the US is leaving the Paris Agreement! When writing this President Trump has just confirmed that he will announce his decision weather or not to stay in the Paris Agreement tonight at 21.00 CET. Unnamed sources from the White House have consistently indicated that Trump would be

On 29 May 2017 Serbia ratified the Paris Agreement. Unfortunately, in the same time, the Government put out a draft of the national Energy Strategy Implementation Plan, prioritising new coal project and foreseeing further exploration of coal deposits in the country. National NGOs will be fighting these plans in the

What’s the situation? Turkey’s electricity utility, EÜAŞ, “won” the second place in the Sneaky Special Treatment category of the Fossil Fuels Subsidy Awards due to its significant and increasing public support for new coal mines and power plants which would not attract investors otherwise.

In 3 legislative files currently negotiated in Brussels the European Parliament progressed on financing matters: reporting on Fossil Fuel Subsidies phase-out; the linking the EU budget comes to national climate ambitions; a climate impact assessment tool for EU investments; and a 40% climate earmarking target for the Juncker Investment Plan.

What’s the situation? Just short of one year since it was first launched, the European External Investment Plan is in full flow among the usual suspects of the EU machine. To recap, the Plan was initiated as part of the EU’s response to patterns such as migration (and its causes),

What’s the situation?

What’s the situation? The European Parliament’s Environment Committee voted on its position on the Effort Sharing Regulation 30 May, and proposed quite substantial improvements to the original draft by the European Commission. Even while the result could have been even better, our network should be proud: we helped to ensure

What’s the situation? On Tuesday, May 30, the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission postponed their second trilogue meeting on the reform of the EU Emission Trading System (ETS). This means that after four months of standstill on the file, no substantial progress can be expected for another

A group of CAN Europe’s partner NGOs wrote to the French Minister of Ecological and Solidary Transition, urging him to improve France’s position on the Effort Sharing Regulation and LULUCF, and to align it with the Paris Agreement.

In reaction to today’s announcement by the US President Donald Trump, Wendel Trio, Director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe said:

On 1-2 June, the EU and China will hold a high-profile summit, with climate at the forefront of the agenda. The two partners are expected to reaffirm their unequivocal commitment to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and to spearhead cooperation on the clean energy transition.

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee voted today on the revision of the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), which covers emissions from transport, waste, buildings and agriculture, for the coming decade.

Along with a coalition of CSOs CAN Europe has set out recommendations to ensure that lessons are learnt from other investment initiatives at the multilateral and European level; both the positive examples of careful, evidence-led work and negative, long-term damaging examples of hastily established funds. 

Dear Member of the ENVI committee, On 30 May you will vote on the so-called “Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR)”. The ESR covers about 60% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. If designed correctly, it can drive innovation in the sectors involved, and lead to great benefits for the society such

This letter is addressed to Environment Ministers and Permanent Representatives of Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and Bulgaria Dear Environment Ministers, As the ETS revision process closes to an end, we would like to bring to your attention, the crucial issue of establishing a Just

Dear Rapporteur/Shadow Rapporteur, As the ETS revision process closes to an end, we would like to bring to your attention to important differences between the decision of the European Parliament and the “general approach” agreed between the Environment Ministers in terms of EU ETS Funds. The eligibility criteria for investments

Dear Environment Minister, Ahead of the upcoming trilogue meeting on the revision of EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS), the undersigned, representing 30 networks and organizations representing citizens from across Europe, would like to urge you to ensure that the funding mechanisms dedicated to help lower-income Member States transform their energy

Owner Vattenfall is closing the 188MW Klingenberg lignite plant after sustained pressure from local campaigners.

The draft report on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive for the period 2021 – 2030 leaked to the press yesterday calls upon the EU to raise its 2030 renewable energy target to at least 35% and re-introduce binding national targets for 2030.

Dear Commissioner Arias Cañete, The EU is in the process of deciding the accounting rules for land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) for the post-2020 period. The EU’s decision will have international significance.

Nine European countries have been named and shamed today in a public fossil fuel subsidies awards ceremony in Brussels. From 10 April until 8 May, the public voted on the deadliest, dirtiest and sneakiest subsidies to fossil fuels in Europe.

Since EU governments started negotiating their position on the revision of the bloc’s energy efficiency laws, proposals have been going from bad to worse. Member states have to step their game up, warns Dora Petroula.

A draft report on the Governance of the Energy Union Regulation released today calls upon the EU to embrace the zero-carbon transition and scale up climate action to be more consistent with the Paris Agreement.

Today in Strasburg, the European Parliament lead committees have brought the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), also known as ‘the Juncker investment plan’, closer to compliance with the Paris Climate Agreement. However, they have once again fallen short of eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, which stand in the way of

CAN Europe has contributed to the Public Consultation on the External Financing Instruments of the European Union. These instruments range from support to developing countries and LDCs to Neighbourhood countries and thematic instruments on issues like peace and human rights. Submissions to the consultation are being used to gather feedback on

CAN Europe has written a joint letter to Italian ENVI Committee MEPs ahead of their vote on the ‘Effort Sharing’ Regulation, or the ‘Climate Action Regulation implementing the Paris Agreement’ on 30 May.  

At its 2017 Annual General Meeting on Monday 8 May, the biggest Dutch bank ING will face calls from European campaigners to end its financial support to companies building or planning new coal mines and coal-fired power plants.

The forthcoming EU budget post-2020 must serve higher climate ambition both in Europe and worldwide, catalyzing the zero-carbon transition of our societies, including the phasing out of fossil fuels towards 100% renewables and fully energy efficient economies.

Health, environment and climate groups have welcomed the decision today by EU Member States of new air pollution standards (LCP BREF) which will force the coal industry to reduce their toxic fumes and save more than 20,000 lives every year (1).

As the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union enter the phase of intense negotiations on the Clean Energy for All Europeans package, it is important to underscore that a higher energy efficiency target will help the EU in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and thus also in

Dear Commissioner Vella, On 28 April the Commission will seek the approval of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) Article 75 Committee for a revised version of the so-called ‘LCP BREF’ industrial standards document. It is essential that no last-minute changes are made to weaken the final draft of this document, which was agreed

The EU must step up and lead the push for the world’s big economies to end fossil fuel subsidies, writes Maeve McLynn.

The G7 Energy Ministers will meet on 9-10 April in Rome. On the agenda, the decarbonization of our economy, including the phase out of fossil fuels and related subsidies will be discussed.The G7 must urgently see the writing on the wall and stop pouring tax payers’ money into fossil fuels,

Eurelectric, the association of European electricity producers announced yesterday that it did not “intend to invest in new-build coal-fired power plants after 2020” and declared its support for achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement. In reaction, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe stresses that this statement is merely a starting

  The governance regulation brings together climate and energy policies, climate change mitigation and adaptation and aims at managing the low-carbon transition as a whole. This short briefing presents you five things you need to know about the regulation. Spoiler: the text still needs to be strengthened for it to

Effective air pollution limits could save more than 20,000 lives every year, yet some national governments are threatening to veto EU measures to tackle toxic pollution.

As the Emissions Trading System (ETS) reform enters its crucial trialogue phase, it is up to the European Parliament to fight its corner and ensure that future funding only goes towards projects that contribute to the clean energy transition, writes Joanna Flisowska.

On Tuesday 4 April the European Parliament will adopt its resolution on the mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2014-2020. Members of the European Parliament must take this opportunity to ensure that the current EU budget serves higher climate and energy ambitions and complies with the

The reform of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for the coming decade enters 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 redesign of the ETS.

CAN Europe together with Transparency International is representing the developed country CSO network towards the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) which funds environment, climate and sustainability projects all over the world.

It turns out that the call of the European Court of Auditors to increase spending on climate action is finally being heard, as a result of our efforts to demonstrate that the EU budget must serve higher climate ambitions.

Dear heads of state, We, the undersigned, coalitions of civil society organisations and trade unions representing millions of European citizens campaigning for the Financial Transactions Tax (FTT), write to you on the anniversary of the Treaty of Rome as you meet to discuss the future of the European Union.

The European Commission’s legislative proposals included in the ‘Clean Energy for All Europeans’ package published on 30 November 2016 are as a whole not consistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement to keep temperature rise well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C, which require the

On Saturday, EU Heads of State and Government will gather in Rome to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the EU and discuss its future. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe urges EU leaders to put climate action at the heart of a new vision that will help revitalise the European project.

In advance of the 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome that founded the European Community, European civil society organisations and trade unions have appealed to EU leaders to show courage and vision in leading the transition to a just, sustainable, democratic and inclusive Europe.

EU decision makers are currently discussing how to reform its Emissions Trading Scheme for the period 2021-2030. Here is what has happened so far:

Today and tomorrow, finance ministers from the world’s 20 largest economies are gathering in the spa town of Baden-Baden, Germany to discuss issues and challenges related to our global financial system. That discussion will include fossil fuel subsidies, a long-standing agenda item of G20 gatherings.

The revision of the Renewable Energy Directive and of the electricity market design represents a great opportunity to foster the further development of renewable energy in the European Union for the decades to come and to make the market ‘fit for renewables’.

The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) review represents a great opportunity to strengthen the Directive, building on lessons learnt from the implementation so far. The Directive provides a real added value to the European energy efficiency policy framework, as it helps create a level playing field among the Member States. An EED

The Commission proposal for a Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union contains some positive elements. But in the absence of binding national targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy, the Commission proposal does not provide incentives for Members States to make appropriately ambitious pledges regarding their national contributions

EU foreign affairs ministers agreed today to put climate objectives at heart of EU security and foreign policies. CAN Europe welcomes the initiative and calls on EU diplomats to lead the fight to achieve deeper emission cuts to limit warming to below 1.5°C in line with the Paris Agreement.

Dear Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council on 6 March you will discuss the interlinkage between the EU’s climate and energy diplomacy and security policy. Climate Action Network Europe welcomes the initiative as we strongly believe that Europe’s geopolitical interests are closely linked to managing climate

Dear Mr. Ruijters, The energy, telecommunications and transport sectors represent significant parts of the EU economy. All three sectors need modernisation to build a solid basis for a competitive and more energy secure European economy that is equipped to meet future challenges, including sustainability and viability in a climate change

EU Environment Ministers meeting in Brussels today have reached an agreement on the revision of the Emission Trading System (ETS) for the next decade. According to Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, the outcome, while slightly better than expected, is far too weak to repair the broken scheme or align the

The European Commission’s vision for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) should set an ambitious benchmark for the EU’s actions to eradicate poverty and inequality, support people and planet centred development, and strengthen the resilience of societies from global and local challenges, including climate change.

Dear Environment  Minister, Ahead of the Environment Council we, the undersigned, representing 32 networks and organizations from 30 countries, would like to urge you to ensure that the low-carbon funding mechanisms dedicated to help lower-income Member States transform their energy systems (article 10c and the Modernization Fund) are robust and

Next week, EU environment ministers are to strike a deal on the reform of the Emissions Trading System (ETS). If governments do not treat the reform with more seriousness, the EU risks setting its carbon market up for another decade of failure, argues Wendel Trio. The current proposals are clearly

CAN Europe contributed today to the mid-term evaluation of the Connecting Europe facility (CEF).

EU Environment Ministers meeting in Brussels next Tuesday, 28th February aim to reach an agreement on the revision of the Emission Trading System (ETS) for the next decade.

Dear Minister, During the Energy Council on 27 February in Brussels, you will present your country’s views on the ‘Clean Energy package for all Europeans’ published by the European Commission at the end of last year.