Business as usual is not good enough anymore. For the EU to stay at the top of the class on climate action, it urgently needs to review its targets and boost its post-2020 efforts, writes Wendel Trio.

The Global Wind Energy Council, representing wind energy industry worldwide published its bi-annual flagship Global Wind Energy Outlook 2016 today.

Developed countries today published a roadmap which shows how the collective goal of providing $100 billion per year by 2020 to support developing countries tackle climate change will be met. 

In this letter CAN Europe, E3G, EKOenergy, Greenpeace and WWF urge Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Trade, to end the trade measures on imported solar panels immediately through the Expiry Review.

In September 2016 the European Commission published its proposal for the prolongation of the EFSI until2020, to be achieved by amending the existing regulation. We welcome several improvements. However,as organisations monitoring closely the creation and implementation of the Investment Plan for Europe,we believe that the proposed changes are not sufficient

The European Parliament’s Industry Committee (ITRE) voted today on a new Directive to redesign the EU Emissions Trading Scheme for the coming decade. However, according to CAN Europe the lacklustre compromises reached between the major political groups have done little to repair the broken scheme or align Europe’s emissions trajectory

Effective emissions limits could save thousands of lives every year, yet more than half of coal power stations in Europe are operating with ‘permission to pollute’ above limits set in EU law. These are the findings of a new report ‘Lifting Europe’s Dark Cloud: How cutting coal saves lives’ published today

Finance ministers met today in Luxembourg to discuss climate finance, just one month ahead of the next international climate summit COP22 in Marrakech. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe welcomes the re-iteration by finance ministers to continue to provide public finance to tackle both the causes and impacts of climate change.

  Effective emissions limits could save thousands of lives every year, yet more than half of coal power stations in Europe are operating with ‘permission to pollute’ above limits set in EU law. These are the findings of a new report ‘Lifting Europe’s Dark Cloud: How cutting coal saves lives’ published

Ahead of the ECOFIN Council on October 11th 2016, Climate Action Network Europe sent the following letter to climate ministers calling for ambitious climate finance.

Lawmakers inch towards fixing the broken carbon market The bulk of the work left to the environment committee Members of the European Parliament’s industry committee (ITRE) today put forward compromise amendments concerning new legislation for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The draft compromise will be subject to the committee’s

The EU’s decision to fast-track the ratification of the Paris Agreement without all Members States having formally joined has helped ensure its early entry into force. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe welcome this historic achievement by the global community, and urges EU leaders to immediately turn their attention to the

In order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and to align the EU’s targets with the Paris Agreement, ambition in the ESR sectors must be raised considerably. CAN Europe calls for a reduction target of at least 47% in non-ETS sectors by 2030.

Climate Action Network Europe co-signed a letter to the board members of the Green Climate Fund calling for categorical exclusion of export credit agencies (ECA).

3 networks and 21 organizations representing almost 50 million citizens across Europe, called on Members of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament to vote for an ambitious revision of the EU’s Emission Trading System (EU ETS) that supports a rapid phase out of fossil fuels, in particular coal.

Environment Ministers of all EU member states have today agreed to ratify the Paris Agreement through a process which allows the EU to deposit its instrument before the EU countries approve it separately. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe welcomes this exceptional move and calls upon the EU to show the

  The European Fund for Strategic Investments was established in 2015 to power-charge post-crisis Europe and provide a much-needed impulse for de-carbonising its economies. Yet, a the new report by CAN Europe, CEE Bankwatch, WWF, Friends of th Earth Europe shows that during its first year, the fund leveraged EUR 1.5 billion

Members of the European Parliament from all major political parties tabled amendments for strengthening the ambition of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme post-2020. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe welcomed this development, but stressed that only the most ambitious amendments are in keeping with Europe’s environmental obligations.

This paper looks at the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) starting point in 2021 and how it affects the ETS phase 4 emissions budget.

Cash that should be flowing into projects that boost environmental sustainability is instead fuelling outdated carbon-intensive projects like motorways, airports, and fossil-fuel infrastructure, according to a new report on Europe’s investment plan released today [1].

Today, at the special high-level event on entry into force of the Paris Agreement at the UN Headquarters in New York, several countries deposited their ratification instruments. Others, including the EU, announced that they will do so before the end of this year. 

As the EU-27 gather in Bratislava today, leading environmental organisations call for genuinely transformational change in the wake of the UK referendum [1].

What should have been two significant contributions to Europe’s war chest in the fight against climate change will in fact leave the planet short-changed and open the door to even more polluting fossil fuel projects, argue campaigners at Bankwatch, Friends of the Earth Europe and Climate Action Network Europe.

Commenting on a leaked draft of the European Commission’s Energy Efficiency Directive proposal Dora Petroula, Energy Savings Policy Coordinator at Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe said:

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has today voted on a resolution on the upcoming COP22, urging the EU to ratify the Paris Agreement before the end of this year and calling for revision of its 2030 climate target in 2018.

Climate change was high on the agenda as leaders of the world’s largest economies met for the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China. But the communiqué released today once again lacks a deadline for when to phase out subsidies to the fossil fuel industry. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe calls upon

Ahead of the 2016 G20 summit in Hangzhou, China 4-5 September CAN Europe published a briefing on the EU’s funding for fossil fuels.

EU financial institutions and funds channel billions of euros into fossil fuel projects, while EU policies and laws allow for yet more public money to flow into fossil fuels through the back door. This is the conclusion of a briefing on the various forms of fossil fuel subsidies in the

CAN Europe sent the following letter to European Commission President Juncker & European Council President Tusk and CC: EU-28 Heads of State & Government ahead of the 2016 G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China. 

Submissions to EU consultation on External Development will be used to inform the way forward on the revision of the European Consensus on Development and other external aspects of 2030 Agenda implementation. The consultation seek views on how development policy, in the context of EU external action as foreseen by

CAN Europe has done a first analyisis of the Commission’s proposal on non-ETS emissions for 2021-2030. 

European Commission misses opportunity to put in place a ratchet-up mechanism and to set an ambitious starting point for reductions. EU countries’ climate targets, included in the proposal for the Effort Sharing Regulation published by the European Commission today are too weak to prevent devastating climate change in line with

CAn Europe co-signed the following letter to President Junker on LULUCF and the starting Point in the non-ETS sectors.

This briefing discusses the loopholes that some countries are pushing for in order to reduce the efforts they would have to make to cut emissions in the non-ETS sectors.

The CAN Europe briefing: No cheating from the start shows that opting for a more ambitious approach for the starting level of reducitons in the non-ETS sectors would cut greenhouse gases by at least 850 million tonnes – more than the 2014 emissions of Germany and France combined.

Commission’s proposal for post-2020 emission cuts likely to reward countries who will miss their 2020 target.  The European Commission’s proposal for post-2020 reductions of emissions outside the Emission Trading Scheme risks rewarding countries who are not on track or slow in reaching their current binding target for 2020. 

CAN Europe and ETUC sent the following letter to the Slovakian Minister Solymos and Vice-President Šefcovic ahead of the Informal Environment Council on 12-13 July 2016, where the chemical industry is the only stakeholder invited to address the meeting of ministers, while representatives from civil society are not.

The European Commission must listen to the European Parliament calling for an EU budget that works for people and the planet – according to CEE Bankwatch Network, Friends of the Earth Europe and Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe.

CAN Europe’s response to the public consultations on Interim Report of the Sector Inquiry on Capacity Mechanisms. More info on the process can be found here.

CAN Europe sent the following letter to Energy Ministers ahead of the Informal Environment Council on 12-13 July 2016

CAN Europe sent the following letter to Energy Ministers ahead of the Informal Energy Council on 12-13 July 2016

The origins of the concept of climate finance in the context of the UN climate negotiations and the UNFCCC Agreement to provide it. The concept of climate finance has existed for many years. It was first set out at the first UNFCCC meeting in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, where

This report by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, the WWF European Policy Office and Sandbag presents an analysis of cross-border health impacts of all EU coal power plants. Coal pollution and its health impacts travel far beyond borders, and a full coal phase-out in the EU

First ever analysis of cross-border health impacts of all EU coal power plants Coal pollution and its health impacts travel far beyond borders, and a full coal phase-out in the EU would bring enormous benefits for all citizens across the continent. That is according to a new report published today

CAN Europe signed on to the following NGO letter to call on the G20 countires to implement a fossil fuel subsidy phase out.

More than 200 civil society organisations have joined together to urge G20 governments to commit to end fossil fuel subsidies by 2020. The statement comes ahead of this week’s meeting of the G20 energy ministers, including from Germany, the UK, France and Italy and the EU Commissioner for Climate Action

Key EU Environment Ministers discussing the reform of the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) after 2020 today acknowledged that the Paris Agreement created new conditions for this process, and called for ensuring that a review of the level of ambition in the ETS takes place in the near future.

Environment Council meeting on Monday should be used to demand deeper reform, or risk locking in low ambition for 15 years

CAN Europe chief responds to comments by European Parliament’s lead ETS reform rapporteur Ian Duncan.

CAN Europe sent the following letter to Environment Ministers ahead of the June 2016 Envi Council meeting

Some market fundamentalists make that a simple price on carbon (i.e. an ETS) can fix everything. This is simply wrong, has been proven wrong by many studies and it will remain wrong no matter how often this myth is repeated. The price of carbon can change some things but not

The success of the ETS revision hinges on its ability to make the polluter pay, rather than paying the polluter. Handing out free pollution permits contradicts the EU Treaty principle that polluters should pay. Since the year 2013, power companies buy all of their emission allowances at auction. However, manufacturing

Europe’s Emissions Trading Scheme urgently needs to be reformed and now is the last chance to do so. It is also a chance for the Parliament to show it is serious about COP21. The current draft fails in this regard, writes Wendel Trio.

Member of the European Parliament in charge of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) reform file for the Parliament’s Environment Committee, Ian Duncan has just released his draft proposal for the reform of the ETS after 2020.

CAN Europe commissioned a study that looked at carbon leakage claims in the cement sector and found evidence that emissions increased because of free allocation.

Letter to ensure that the 2030 Effort Sharing Decision, the EU’s largest climate instrument, is fit for purpose.

On 24th May, the Members of the European Parliament Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee restated the Parliament’s long-standing call for boosting ambition of the EU 2030 energy savings target to 40%, voting for an own initiative report on the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).

CAN Europe made a submission on the European Commission’s Consultation on market-based measures to reduce the climate change impact from international aviation.

The Paris Agreement requires the EU to speed up the ongoing transition away from polluting fossil fuels and towards 100% renewables. The goals of the Agreement to achieve a carbon free economy fast enough to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degree C mean vast new opportunities for jobs and competitiveness,

CAN Europe made a submission on the European Commission’s Consultation a sustainable bioenergy policy for the period after 2020.

The briefing on the Energy Union was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on the Energy Union and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on Energy Efficiency Directive was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on Energy Efficiency Directive and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on coal phase out was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on coal phase out and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on LULUCF and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on the Multi-annual Financial Framework was developed in autumn 2016 to give a brief overview and update on the Multi-annual Financial Framework and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was struck in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on national targets for non-ETS emissions was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on national targets for non-ETS emissions and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on the renewables directive was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on the renewables directive and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on the review of the 2030 target was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on the review of the 2030 target and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on the low-carbon roadmap was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on the low-carbon roadmap and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on the European Semester was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on the European Semester and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on South East Europe was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on South East Europe and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on vehicle efficiency standards was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on vehicle efficiency standards and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on the Financial Transaction Tax was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on the Financial Transaction Tax and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on the Effort Sharing Decision was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on Effort Sharing Decision and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The briefing on the ETS was developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on the ETS and its relevance for EU climate policy after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The following briefings were developed in spring 2016 to give a brief overview and update on EU climate and energy policy topics and their relevance after the UNFCCC international climate agreement that was made in Paris in December 2015.

The EU Court of Justice finds that the cap on free allowances might have been set too high by the Commission. Allowances will need to be recalculated in the next 10 months.

At the Paris Agreement signing ceremony last week, the French President François Hollande announced that France will use Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) to increase its support for climate action in developing countries. It is a praiseworthy commitment, but the necessary funds will only be generated, if countries involved in the

To show leadership abroad, the EU must show its credentials through commitment to action. 2016 offers the perfect moment to do this, by pushing through a significant package of climate and energy legislation, write Montserrat Mir, Wendel Trio and Eliot Whittington.

Turkey submitted its Intended National Determined Contribution (INDC) in September 2015, just a couple of months before hosting the G20 Summit in Antalya.

With over 60% of EU’s renewable energy coming from bioenergy (only partly subject to sustainability criteria and greenhouse gas accounting), the Renewable Energy Directive has only partially helped achieving the EU’s energy and climate goals. Without appropriate planning and safeguards, some large-scale renewable energy deployment has also caused negative environmental impacts.

A record number of over 150 countries will sign the Paris Agreement at a ceremony at UN headquarters on 22 April, keeping up the momentum on climate action. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, calls upon the EU leaders to walk the talk in honouring the Paris Agreement and ensure coherence

Austria’s largest electricity provider, Verbund has announced today that it will go fossil fuel free by 2020, speeding up the country’s transition beyond coal.

At a meeting this week in Washington, fossil fuel subsidies should be prioritised in the discussion, so that renewable energy sources can at last be fully exploited, writes Maeve McLynn.

…as Langerlo power station burns last tons of coal. The last tons of coal were burned in the Langerlo power plant last week, on 30th March, marking the end of an era for coal power in Belgium. Belgium follows other countries in cutting out coal power, adding to an increasingly bleak

CAN Europe ETS reform position for post-2020 contains detailed recommendations on the following topics:

Local communities who live in the regions where there are existing and planned new coal power plant projects face serious risks. These risks include chronic respiratory diseases, water and soil contamination, being dependent on unsustainable and insecure jobs in coal infrastructures, displacement, losing high quality arable lands to coal. Local

The countries from Southeastern Europe have the potential to achieve much more emission reductions compared to what they have put on the table in Paris.

The gap between the need for adaptation and loss and damage finance, and the current finance provided or committed is large and growing. This briefing paper identifies a number of potential new sources of climate finance. Some of these “new” sources of finance have been under discussion for a number

Many EU Environment Ministers discussing implications of the Paris Agreement for EU climate and energy policies today aacknowledged that the EU must ramp up its climate targets in line with the Paris Agreement signed last year.