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.

Today a major new coalition of businesses, cities, trade unions and NGOs, are calling on EU leaders to act on the Paris Agreement and ensure that EU climate policies are coherent with its goals.

CAN Europe’s CAN ETS reform priorities after Paris includes the following main points:

CAN Europe, the EEB, Friends of the Earth Europe and WWF released a joint NGOs response on the Energy Efficiency Directive Review consultation.

In a submission to the public consultation that marks the first step towards the review of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), Climate Action Network Europe urges the European Commission to make a pitch for increasing the 2030 energy savings target to 40%. It also advocates for eliminating the accounting tricks

Civil Society Organisation’s assessment on the Progress of Serbia of Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change, for 2015. The report lays out the main developments in environmental and climate policy in Serbia, analyses challenges and provides recommendations on how to move forward. 

The Paris Agreement will not solve the climate crisis single-handedly, but it is so far the most important step the world has taken to tackle it. It signals an end to fossil fuels and a shift to 100% renewables. It creates firm foundations for more ambitious climate policies all over

Towards a resilient Energy Union with a forward looking Climate Change policy. This paper is intended to present some initial NGO views on the issue.

The new global climate agreement that has been finalized in Paris today sends a strong signal that we need to accelerate phasing out the use of fossil fuels. Lots of work remains to be done to increase climate action in the short term.

As the 196 countries have entered the final stretch of the Paris climate talks today, the EU received the fossil of the day award from Climate Action Network. The award seeks to encourage EU leaders to walk the talk and push for the strongest climate agreement possible.

If we want to have a likely chance to stay below 2°, and preserve the possibility to stay below 1.5°, as agreed in Cancun, we need to phase out all fossil fuels by 2050. However, fossil fuel subsidies are a major obstacle to full decarbonisation. Despite the enormous threat climate

Overheard in Paris: “I’m a bit caught up with a very complex ratchet mechanism. While this sounds unfortunately like an instrument of torture, the inclusion of an ‘ambition mechanism’ to progressively ‘ratchet up’ national targets has become a core test of the strength of the Paris Agreement. But through the somewhat-tortuous process

Rules for implementation of the Financial Transaction Tax, which are expected to be agreed upon by 11 EU Member States on the 7th or 8th of December, can open up a new and additional source of public climate finance. This would give a strong signal to developing countries that actions

After six days of negotiations at the UN climate summit in Paris, the baton has been handed over to environment ministers who will begin high-level discussions this week. As anticipated, a number of troublesome issues continue to cause concern among Parties and NGOs as they work within the walls of Le

Early review of INDCs key to success for the Paris negotiations The Ministers attending the high-level segment of the UN climate talks in Paris starting today need to ensure that the Paris agreement does not lock us on a path to catastrophic 3°C warming.

Europe’s political leaders must dramatically ramp up efforts to phase out polluting coal plants if they are serious about preventing dangerous climate change, a new report shows. The study (717 KB) reveals carbon emissions from Europe’s ageing coal-fired power stations will have to come down three times faster than the

Denmark’s government U-Turn on ambitious climate targets earned the country the shameful 1st place Fossil of the Day Award at the Paris climate summit today. The dubious award was handed down to Denmark for stating that it will reduce its ambitious climate targets and nearly halve financial support provided to

Although there are around 280 coal power plants and dozens of coal mines in operation in the EU, the end of coal is inescapable. Some countries in Europe are now pushing for a complete phase-out of coal over the next one to two decades. Others are restricting the use of

After Belgium on Monday, another european country has been awarded for his reluctance to take climate action : Turkey, already famous for being a coal champion.

Governments from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific, united in the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) representing countries highly vulnerable to climate change, published today a joint declaration, demanding that the Paris agreement includes a global goal consistent with keeping temperature rise below 1.5°C. They are calling for

On the very first day of the Paris climate summit, Belgium won the shameful Fossil of the Day Award. The dubious award was handed down to Belgium for stumbling on internal divisions, which is blocking its climate action.

This briefing highlights the most important positive steps governments and local authorities are taking to move beyond coal. 

In the climate policy world, all eyes go to the ongoing UN-led negotiations and the ucpoming COP21 in Paris. Nevertheless, 2016 will also be a crucial year for climate as the debate around the reforms foreseen by the Energy Union Strategy will start for real. The Energy Union is a

Without substantial reform of its Emissions Trading System, Europe cannot seriously claim a leadership role at the international negotiations in and after Paris, writes Anja Kollmuss of Climate Action Network Europe.

In a joint statement published today, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and EUROCHAMBRES, representing 44 million European citizens and 20 million businesses,  call on the EU to put every effort in the climate negotiations in Paris and ensure the adoption of a comprehensive, inclusive and ambitious climate agreement.

In less than a week, on November 30th, world leaders will gather in Paris to kick off an intense two-week summit that should result in a new global climate agreement. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe calls upon the EU to drive ambition and fairness in the negotiations to secure a

CAN Europe’s analysis of climate pledges in Southeast Europe.

The Energy Union package has not lived up to expectations to accelerate a shift to a fossil fuel free economy in the EU so far, according to Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe. While the project remains a puzzle, the EU needs strong and coherent legislative proposals, expected next year, to

G20 leaders failed to show leadership in the ongoing negotiations for a strong climate agreement to be concluded in Paris. The representatives of the richest countries in the world did not make any new commitments to tackle climate finance, phase out fossil fuel subsidies and establish a long term goal

In this briefing, we describe the most important coal subsidy streams in Europe. We also single out the biggest culprits when it comes to state involvement and support, and we explain the (changing) role of the international (financial) institutions in the coal economy.

Ukraine’s dependence on imported coal has dramatically increased since last year. It results from a steep decline in coal production in the Ukrainian city of Donbass, which followed extensive damage to its mining and transport infrastructure caused by the armed conflict and, eventually, the loss of control over mines to

The EU position on climate finance for the Paris climate summit was adopted today by the EU Finance Ministers. Unfortunately, it falls short of what is needed to deliver a strong deal in Paris that empowers the world’s poor to cope with the current and future impacts of climate change

Climate Action Network Europe background briefingWhy an effective Adequacy Review of current INDCs by 2018 is necessary Review.pdf

The EU is not fulfilling its commitment to reduce emissions in line with the requirements of science and fairness. There is still a big gap between what it will take to avoid catastrophic climate change and what the EU has put forward in terms of climate action so far.

The current emission reduction pledges that governments have put put forward are inadequate to keep global warming below the 2°C threshold agreed. What is currently on the table will lead to a world that is going to be at least 2.7°C degrees warmer. In such a world, frequent floods and

Climate change is already affecting the world’s poorest people. From cyclones to droughts, to flooding, its impacts could set the clock back and erase the progress that has been made in the global fight against poverty and inequality. Developed countries, including members of the EU, have a duty to provide

Although wealthy developed countries hold most responsibility for creating the climate crisis, the worst impacts of climate change disproportionately affect the world’s poorest countries; for example, unmanageable and frequent disasters like hurricanes and cyclones, severe and regular droughts and flooding, and long-term threats such as food and water insecurity. Developing

All countries have committed to a long term goal of keeping global warming below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels. In Paris countries are looking into translating the 2°C target into a more concrete long term goal.

In advance of the ECOFIN Council, Climate Action Network Europe called on the Finance Ministers to guarantee a robustclimate finance package as part of a fair and transformational agreement to be adopted at COP21 in Paris.

All eyes will be on the EU Finance Ministers meeting in Brussels on November 10th to adopt the EU position on climate finance for the Paris climate summit. According to Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, their commitment to deliver the EU’s fair share of $100 billion of climate finance annually

One year since the entry into office of the current European Commission headed by Jean-Claude Juncker, environmental groups have criticised the EU executive for a paralysis in policymaking on issues related to the environment.

The report assessing countries’ contributions to the Paris climate agreement released today by the UNFCCC sets off alarm bells for all governments to strengthen current, inadequate climate targets before they are put into effect and at latest by 2018.

As part of the dynamic leading up to the Paris Climate Summit, almost all European countries have developed greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for 2030. An overview of these targets can be found here. Some of these target are highly problematic, such as the Turkey’s woefully inefficient INDC. All targets

Economic stakeholders will continue play a huge role in the energy transition and have a real responsibility. Their (investments) decisions will be crucial in the struggle to tackle climate change. Two thirds of current greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to only 90 companies (mainly active in the fossil fuels sector).

The EEA “Trends and projections in Europe 2015” report, published today, reveals that the EU is overachieving its emission reduction target for 2020 already by 3% in 2014.

On Friday 16th October the Ministerial Council meeting in Tirana adopted a Roadmap on the future of the Energy Community.[1]

Will the last five days of negotiations before the Paris Climate Summit bring us closer to saving the climate?

European leaders meeting in Brussels today for the last European Council before the Paris climate summit in December have missed an opportunity to strengthen the EU’s position for the international climate negotiations.

The Ministerial Council of the Energy Community – a Treaty between the EU, the Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine – is expected to decide on far-reaching reforms this week. According to Dragana Mileusnic of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, the Energy Community Treaty has failed to bring progressive climate policies

This briefing describes the coal threat in in Southeastern Europe but will also explain why the many coal projects are doomed to fail – either in the planning stage or when realised.

The report on the Paris climate summit, adopted today by the European Parliament, calls for a full decarbonization of the global economy by 2050 and an urgent review of the current, weak climate pledges.

Letter to Arias Canete and EU Climate Ministers re. international transport and COP 21.pdf

Today Ministers from all over the world gather at the Rabat INDC Forum, jointly organized by the European Commission and the Moroccan government. The Forum aims to assess the adequacy of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to the Paris agreement.

…but not all that glitters is gold. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe welcomes the fact that global finance ministers attending the joint World Bank and International Monetary Fund summit in Lima expressed their commitment to scale up climate finance. This is an essential element for a successful global agreement on climate

CAN Europe sent the following letter to Environment Ministers

Turkey could become the new climate bomb in Europe, supported by French government-owned companies. NGOs from across Europe are asking France to end coal projects in Turkey.

With the Paris Climate Summit fast approaching, we hear more and more talk about an energy transition towards a 100% renewable energy future and the urgency to phase out fossil fuels and nuclear power. However, do you really know why renewable energy is the only only way forward? Here are

CAN Europe made a submission to the European Commission’s Consultation on new Energy Market Design.

Countries of Southeast Europe (SEE) waste much more energy than the members of the European Union, according to a new report published today by a group of civil society organizations from across the region [1].

CAN Europe made a submission on the European Commission’s Consultation on a EU strategy for liquefied natural gas and gas storage. 

CAN Europe warns: they may fail to deliver without successful climate deal in Paris.

CAN Europe calls for scaling up EU climate action ahead of the Paris climate summit The EU’s negotiating position for the global climate talks in Paris in December, adopted by its Environment Ministers today, calls for climate neutrality – a full phase out of all greenhouse gas emissions. At the

Call for 100% renewables for people and climate ahead of Paris talks *** Print quality images available from 1pm at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wwf_eu/sets/72157658002361661 *** Today, outside the meeting of Europe’s Environment Ministers discussing the EU’s negotiating position for global climate talks in Paris in December, climate groups [1] staged a symbolic ‘tug-of-war’

Today, outside the meeting of Europe’s Environment Ministers discussing the EU’s negotiating position for global climate talks in Paris in December, climate groups staged a symbolic ‘tug-of-war’ between polluting fossil fuels and renewable energy. They called for EU governments to join the side of citizens and build a 100% renewable

Ahead of the UN Summit in New York 25-27 of September 2015, European Civil Society Organisations working on both international and domestic EU policies across a variety of sectors ranging from Youth, Sustainability, Social Justice, Fair Trade, International cooperation, Health, Culture, Environment, Gender Equality, Migration, Climate Change, Local Democracy, Human Rights and Media Development,

Today’s meeting of Pope Francis with EU Environmental Ministers in the Vatican comes at a crucial moment, just two days before an extra Environment Council where EU Member States will adopt the EU’s position for the Paris climate summit in December.

The EU’s carbon budget for the period 2021-2030 can vary by a staggering 6 billion tonnes. This gap is the result of important policy decisions that have been postponed for after the Paris climate summit, reveals new research by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe.

During today’s Western Balkans Summit taking place in Vienna, representatives of the European Commission, including Maroš Šefčovič, Federica Mogherini and Johannes Hahn will be looking for means to revive the stalled EU accession talks with the countries of the Western Balkans. In a report published today, Climate Action Network Europe argues

In the aftermath of a disappointing Financing for Development summit in Addis Ababa, this opinion piece from Climate Action Network outlines what needs to be done on climate finance

Climate action needs to be enshrined in the global fight against poverty and inequality. but the Financing for Development Conference in Addis Ababa failed to build strong momentum towards fossil fuel-free economies and climate resilience, argues Maeve McLynn.

CAN Europe sent a first letter to members of the Environmental (ENVI) and Industry (ITRE) committees of the European Parliament to start our lobbying efforts on the ETS post 2020 reform: 

CAN Europe: This ETS reform cares less about saving the climate than about protecting industry.

Today the European Parliament adopted the Market Stability Reserve (MSR), which will temporarily remove some of the gigantic surplus of pollution permits in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

The reform of the Emissions Trading Scheme is an opportunity for the EU to restore its climate action leadership, argue six climate and development NGOs. 

CAN Europe sent the following letter to Preditend Juncker and the College of Commissioners

As the UNFCCC negotiations wrapped up at the newly finished World Conference Centre in Bonn, there was a feeling of slow and fractional progress towards the climate summit in Paris.

To secure a strong outcome in Paris that facilitates ambitious climate action on the ground, a key pillar will be a “finance package” that covers both the pre- and the post-2020 period. Developed countries will have to demonstrate how they are meeting past promises (in particular the $100bn target). For

This CAN Europe submission summarized the key asks necessary to ensure the non-ETS targets are met with real reductions.

The Commission is organising a huge conference on decarbonising European transport this week, but remains unwilling to discuss government support for fossil fuels, writes Wendel Trio. 

Binding national targets have been key to the successful development of renewable energy in the European Union so far, writes Jean-François Fauconnier.

CAN Europe made a submission on the European Commission’s Consultation on how to treat land-based emissions in the 2030 target.

Call from renewable energy, energy efficiency and environmental associations The European Council’s guidance from last year for 2030 targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency falls far short of the EU’s potentials. Without tapping those potentials, the EU will miss out on major benefits for the economy, employment, energy security

Europe must translate renewable energy ambition into law to maintain leadership Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, Greenpeace and WWF today called on the European Commission to propose a strong set of policies to ensure all countries contribute to delivering and surpassing the EU’s 2030 renewable energy target.

Today Serbia has announced its contribution to the Paris climate agreement. The emission reduction the country is planning to achieve are far below the EU’s target. According to Climate Action Network Europe, this undermines prospects of Serbia’s EU accession.