PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 15th December 2021 – The 2nd part of the ‘Fit for 55’ climate and energy package unveiled today by the European Commission doesn’t deliver on the pathway needed to reach the 1.5°C target and climate neutrality by 2040. Specifically, the set of legislative proposals related to gas

Dear Minister of Environment,  We are writing to you ahead of your next meeting on the 20 December 2021, where you will discuss the  progress on the Fit for 55 package and exchange views on the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), Effort  Sharing Regulation (ESR), the LULUCF Regulation and the

Brussels 14 December 2021 To: Vice President Frans Timmermans With the news of the passing of the first climate taxonomy Delegated Act, and while awaiting the complementary climate taxonomy Delegated Act, the undersigned would like to take this opportunity to remind the European Commission of its dedication to a broad

Societies and businesses face increasing uncertainty due to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, instability in global energy and commodity markets, and unclear climate commitments by key international partners. The European Green Deal potentially provides a broad and strong suite of policy tools that have the power to create

While countries in Europe and the EU are stepping up their climate action with more ambitious policies, there is a treaty which provides legal protections for investments in fossil fuels. The Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is a little known but highly controversial international trade and investment agreement which is a

LETTER Dear Executive Vice-President Timmermans, Dear Commissioner Simson, We, the below-signed NGOs, are writing to you regarding the EU’s upcoming “hydrogen and gas decarbonisation package”. Based on the information that is currently available, we are concerned that in its current format, it neither serves the EU’s efforts to achieve its

POLICY BRIEF Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and has contributed to 0.5℃ of global warming. Its concentration in the atmosphere has more than doubled since pre-industrial times, and there is strong evidence that this is due to growth in anthropogenic emissions. Methane emissions from fossil fuels account for roughly

BLOG POST Some weeks after the COP26 concluded in Glasgow, CAN Europe summarised a few major outcomes focusing on mitigation and finance, what this means for the EU going forward, and how it can implement agreements in a way that is Fair for 1.5°C. “Keeping 1.5°C within reach”: more ambition

To: European Commission – Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans Subject: Sustainable carbon cycles Dear Executive Vice-President Timmermans,   We are writing to you in the context of the anticipated Sustainable Carbon Cycles Communication.  We believe it has significant merits, but risks seriously undermining its own declared purpose of  climate ambition.  First, the

In July 2021, the European Commission launched its “Fit for 55” package which aims to reach at least 55% net greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality in line with the European Green Deal. Part of the package is a proposal for amending the Renewable Energy

BLOG Originally posted by Europe Beyond Coal The Polish government wants to launch a massive rescue mission for the country’s loss-making hard coal mining, with the hope that State aid will keep it on life support until 2049 – one minute to midnight for the EU to become net zero.

With discussions at the Energy Council due to take place on the 2nd of December 2021, EU Energy ministers will take stock of the first round of examinations by governments of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) recast proposal and the proposed amendment of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) that have

The spotlight that was shining on the COP26 summit may have faded but the lack of breakthrough achievements that are desperately needed to halt dangerous climate change are still glaring. Despite  commitments made by different countries, including the EU, in Glasgow, current policies and targets are projected to be widely

Dear Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, Dear Commissioner Kadri Simson, The alarming effects of climate change are before our eyes every day and science has warned us that the impacts will become ever more devastating unless urgent and bold actions are taken across all sectors. Being the single largest energy consumer in

In October 2021, the European Commission launched the public debate on the review of the EU’s economic governance framework. Citizens, organisations and public authorities are invited to submit their contributions by 31 December 2021. CAN Europe believes that the reform of the EU economic governance framework should serve the EU

In July 2021, the European Commission launched its recast proposal for a revised Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) within the “Fit for 55” package, which aims to reach at least 55% net greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 in line with the European Green Deal. The recast proposal is being now

On July 21, 2021 the Regulation on a European Climate Law, a legally binding obligation upon which the European Union purports to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, entered into force. The law sets out to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. Below is a Turkish translation of the European Climate Law. It is

Massive public and private investments in climate mitigation and adaptation are urgent to avoid runaway catastrophic climate scenarios. As noted by the European Central Bank (ECB), “there are clear benefits to acting early: the short-term costs of the transition pale in comparison to the costs of unfettered climate change in

CAN Europe welcomes the European Commission’s Strategic Dialogue on the forthcoming  proposal for a Council Recommendation on addressing the social and labour aspects of the just  transition towards climate neutrality, as well as the possibility to share inputs in writing.  See here the link on European Commission website and download

CAN Europe responds to the consultation on the draft scenario report for the Ten Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) 2022. This masterplan of European energy infrastructure planning is prepared every two years by the European transmission system operators for electricity and for gas, ENTSO-E and ENTSOG. Although CAN Europe generally

The Recovery and Resilience Facility has been the first major EU funding stream to apply the “do no significant harm” (DNSH) principle, a concept initially introduced by the EU Taxonomy regulation. While the principle that no EU-funded projects should harm environmental objectives is certainly a positive step in theory, the

LETTER Olaf Scholz Federal Minister of Finance and Vice Chancellor 11016 Berlin Germany Please save the Green Deal: Take action to prevent nuclear energy and fossil gas from being labelled as green   Berlin/Brussels, 15 November 2021 Dear Federal Minister, We are extremely concerned by the announcement of the European

PRESS RELEASE GLASGOW, 13th November 2021 – While the EU and European countries helped to secure some advancements on emissions reductions at COP26, it failed to step up and secure a comprehensive package to support climate vulnerable countries. The EU now needs to get behind solutions on finance to address

PRESS RELEASE Regional leaders need to put their political pledges into action and commit to a robust Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. The destructive effects of climate change, coupled with all present toxic air pollution, have been felt across the region with people bearing the cost of ineffective and

PRESS RELEASE GLASGOW, 9th November 2021 – COP26 must deliver on climate ambition and Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is calling on the EU to play a leading role in the final days of climate talks to deliver robust COP26 outcomes. The EU is a key international player at the

Brussels, November 5, 2021 To: President Ursula von der Leyen Cc: Executive Vice-President Timmermans, Commissioner Simson, Commissioner Vălean, Commissioner Breton, Mr Kurt Vandenberghe, Mr Maggi, Ms Marquez Uriarte and Ms Chapuis, Mr Joan Canton, Ms Juul-Jorgensen, Ms Mechthild Wörsdörfer Hydrogen production for industry and efuels for transport need to come

MEDIA ADVISORY   Join CAN Europe’s litigation event at COP26 [Saturday 06/11 at 18.30 GMT in Strangford Lough, in the Blue Zone] and meet the people behind successful cases in bringing governments to court, in Australia, Korea, Poland, France, Belgium, Germany, COP26 co-host Italy and in front of the European

REPORT ISTANBUL, 2 NOVEMBER 2021 – Turkey can be coal free by 2030. How? Fossil fuel companies must be made financially responsible for their externalities in line with the ‘polluter pays’ principle, and the government must end subsidies for coal – shows the new report published by Europe Beyond Coal,

BLOG POST Rich countries are off track on a cornerstone of the Paris Agreement. The commitment to mobilise $100 billion climate finance annually between 2020-25 for poorer countries was first made back in 2009, and reiterated in the Paris Agreement. Climate finance helps those countries deal with devastating climate impacts

OP-ED Article by Chiara Martinelli, Director at CAN Europe, posted on Euronews   COP26 is just around the corner. Although it’s tempting to see it as just another climate summit, the reality is that this year, COP is exceptional. With a global pandemic as a backdrop exposing vast inequalities and

PRESS RELEASE Brussels, October 27th 2021 – Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe urges European countries and the European Union at the upcoming summits of the G20 and the Climate Conference in Glasgow (COP26) to deliver on the Paris Agreement commitments to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C by 2030 in

PRESS RELEASE The UN Environment Emissions Gap Report 2021: The Heat Is On released today reminds countries across the world the urgent need to accelerate emissions cuts to avoid heading towards catastrophic climate change. Brussels, October 26th 2021 – Less than a week before the Climate Summit in Glasgow (COP26),

PRESS RELEASE Chiara Martinelli is taking up the position of director of Europe’s leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, this 25 October. With over 180 member organisations active in 38 European countries, CAN Europe represents over 1.500 NGOs and more than 47 million citizens.

BLOG POST No doubt that 2021 leaves another mark in people’s commemoration that the climate crisis is no longer abstract science, it has become very real and even life threatening in every corner of the Earth: horrifying wild and forest fires in the Northern hemisphere in Yakutia (Russia), California (USA);

BLOG Originally published by Balkan Insight Regional policymakers are making a mistake if they use soaring energy prices in the EU to justify a continued commitment to fossil fuel, and divert from energy transition commitments. The energy crisis in Europe is sending a clear worldwide message: fossil fuel dependency must

PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 20 October 2021 – The European Union released yesterday its annual enlargement country reports on the progress of the Western Balkan states on the road towards joining EU members. Focusing on climate change, the joint message for all countries is that progress is limited and more needs

Addressing the structural shortcomings of European buildings, given there substantial contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, is a stepping stone towards the achievement of the climate goals. Therefore, a paradigmatic shift in the building sector is needed to improve its overall energy performance, to move away from the

Emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, have far too long remained overlooked. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that anthropogenic methane emissions are likely responsible for 0.5 °C of warming. It also concluded that reaching a sustainable mitigation pathway to 1.5 °C can only be achieved with

OP.ED. The EU’s economic governance must drive climate action for a just transition, not austerity, writes Isabelle Brachet. This op. ed .was first published in Euractiv. On 19 October, the European Commission will launch the review of the EU economic governance framework, which includes the common rules limiting Member States’

Back in May, UK COP26 president Alok Sharma called on all countries to abandon coal power and make this year’s UN climate talks the moment the world “consigns coal to history”. Given the urgency for bold climate action, next month’s Climate Summit must move the World to another level where

PRESS RELEASE A new report by Climate Analytics shows that there are several decarbonisation pathways that can put the EU and its Member States on track for meeting the climate goal of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C by the end of this century. All of these pathways entail

LETTER  13 October 2021, Istanbul, Turkey World leaders gathered at CBD COP15 between 11-15th of October, with the aim to halt the catastrophic  global biodiversity loss. We are asking the leaders: Why is China constructing a coal-fueled power plant on the endangered green turtle nesting area in Turkey?   Since the

Together with its members, CAN Europe is organising a high level event to discuss how the ‘Fit for 55’ package and national plans (such as National Energy and Climate Plans and National Long-Term Strategies) can pave the way for 1.5°C compatible policies in Europe. Diederik Samsom, Head of Cabinet for

PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 8 October 2021 European climate, environmental and health NGOs have sent an open letter to the European Commission urging it to ensure that bloc-wide guidelines on energy subsidies do not allow taxpayers’ money to be used for bailing out fossil fuel operators. The world is watching and

PRESS RELEASE The EU WB Summit presented another opportunity to reaffirm political commitment towards EU integration, and to set an action plan on how to deliver the recently signed Sofia Declaration. It is now critical that the governments convert their political declarations into concrete actions, setting clear targets for coal

Brussels, 4 October 2021 – In light of the worsening climate crisis and global inequities, CAN Europe is calling on EU ministers to take a ‘Fair for 1.5’ approach to COP26 and the ‘Fit for 55’ Package in this week’s Council meetings, ensuring scaled-up support for climate vulnerable developing countries,

LETTER Brussels, 1 October 2021 Dear Finance Minister, CAN Europe recommendations on ECOFIN Council Conclusions on Climate Finance   On Tuesday 5 October 2021 you will adopt Council Conclusions on climate finance at Economic and Financial Affairs Council. The EU and each of its Member States should get behind a

According to the Governance Regulation, Member States are required to prepare national long-term strategies to present their climate and energy transition pathway with a perspective of at least 30 years. Despite the deadline for submission being 1 January 2020, still seven countries’ national strategies are missing and the timeline for

Letter Brussels, 29 September 2021 To: President and co-president of the Union for the Mediterranean, Secretary General Mr Nasser Kamel, Deputy Secretary General on Energy & Climate Action Mr Grammenos Mastrojeni, Representatives from Member States, Senior Officials, Mediterranean energy, gas, and climate policies Dear sirs/madams, The publication of the International

Letter   Brussels, 27 September 2021   The EU’s positions for COP26 including the Pre-COP must ensure that the EU and each of its Member States get behind a political outcome at COP26 that advances a fair approach to 1.5°C (Fair for 1.5°C). COP26 is an essential moment which must

BLOG POST Disclaimer: this blog post has been written by Youth and Environmental Europe (YEE), a CAN Europe member, on the occasion of the Global Youth Climate Strike on September 24th. All views and opinions expressed are the organisation’s own.   During the past year and a half, the world

MEDIA ADVISORY *Corrections made on 24/09/21 at 14pm CEST: 1) it is not 40 but 61 coal-fired power plants that currently benefit from the ECT’s extensive investment protection provisions, according to IISD reports; 2) not only 8 but 16 coal-fired power plants would be protected under the ECT if the

MEDIA ADVISORY Next Monday, September 27th, the European Parliament’s Industry and Energy Committee (ITRE) will adopt its position on future energy infrastructure rules, known as TEN-E regulation. The deal that is currently being finalised with a view to be adopted by the majority of the political parties will not help

BLOG POST Pursuing efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C leaves no room for fossil fuels, including fossil gas in the near future. But the ongoing developments related to high electricity prices mainly due to soaring gas prices add further to the arguments on why the EU needs to

Turkey has taken an important step in the fight against the global climate crisis by announcing that it will submit to its Parliament the ratification of the Paris Agreement, before COP26. The announcement came during the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Tuesday.  “Now that Turkey will be

BLOG Energy ministers will be discussing the revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Renewable Energy Directive as part of the “Fit for 55 package” of legislative proposals prepared by the European Commission, during the Informal Energy Council on the 22nd of September 2021. Ministers are expected to discuss

BLOG POST The European Commission released its package of proposals to align climate and energy legislation with its new nationally determined contribution of net 55% emissions reductions by 2030 back in July.  One IPCC report later, and with six weeks to COP26, CAN Europe has taken a look at what

PRESS RELEASE 10 September 2021, Brussels – A majority in the European Parliament, including the Socialist and Democrats (S&D), look set to vote to lock in upwards of 213 million tonnes of carbon from fossil gas, as part of the revision of the EU’s key energy infrastructure law, the TEN-E Regulation. On Monday, the lead MEPs from each political group will meet to agree the final deal on

REPORT: A WAKE UP CALL FOR US ALL! Just Transition attitudes and perceptions in the coal-impacted Community of Lazarevac, Serbia This study constitutes a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative report on the coal-impacted community of Lazarevac, Serbia, that aims to capture a bottom-up perspective, or “a view from below”, of the

Bankwatch and Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe analysed the stage of the advancement of Partnership Agreements and operational programmes in 11 European countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether the provisions imposed

BLOG POST We have been working to fight dangerous levels of climate change for many years, speaking of #OurHomeOnFire -meaning the Planet. It is still hard to believe that we are actual victims of real fires and seeing our home -where we eat, sleep, grow, collect memories- actually covered in

PRESS RELEASE New major IPCC report advises to take prompt climate action to save our people and planet   Brussels, 9 August 2021 – Prompt climate action needs to be taken according to the new major scientific report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which concludes that temperature

CAN Europe welcomes the initiative of bringing State aid guidelines for climate, energy and environmental protection (CEEAG) in line with the EU’s climate commitments. We strongly believe that a new state aid regime is required to boost the EU’s climate ambition and fulfil its commitment under the Paris Agreement to

BLOG POST Months of preparation and here we have it: the awaited ‘Fit for 55’ package from the European Commission that aims to revise different pieces of legislation to deliver on the new EU climate target of at least 55% net  emissions reduction by 2030. Yet, is it enough? The

PRESS RELEASE CAN Europe recognises the European Commission’s ‘Fit for 55’ climate and energy package as a massive piece of work attempting to tackle dangerous climate change. However, the overall level of ambition needs to be increased for the EU to fulfil its commitment under the Paris Agreement to limit

In yesterday’s open ended trilogue, the European Parliament and European Council reached an agreement on the amendment of the Aarhus Regulation. They have taken a step forward in allowing acts with national implementing measures to be challenged. However, the exemption of state aid and the long list of criteria for

To: President Ursula von der Leyen Cc: Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans High climate and biodiversity ambition for Europe’s land  under the European Green Deal   On June 9th the European Parliament called for binding Restoration targets and a real effort to bring back nature across the continent. To achieve these objectives

Diplomatic cables reveal “no substantial progress” on reform of controversial Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), and EU proposals rejected, as over 400 groups demand governments exit the treaty.   Brussels, 6 July 2021– As fresh negotiations get underway today (6-9 July) to reform the controversial Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), activists have

PRESS RELEASE AND POLICY BRIEF Western Balkan states need to set clear and ambitious climate targets (and action plans) by 2030, in order to stay in line with the goals of limiting the temperature rise to 1.5°C as envisaged by the Paris Agreement. Regional leaders should honour their pledges made

MEDIA BRIEFING In December 2020, the prime ministers and presidents of the European Union agreed to increase the EU’s 2030 climate target from at least 40% to at least 55% (net) emission cuts (both compared to 1990).  On July 14, the European Commission is expected to launch its ‘Fit For

A leak of the European Commission’s plans to overhaul the EU’s Emissions Trading System, confirms the intention to expand it to other sectors and increase the ambition of the EU carbon market, but continues the special treatment of industry.  While all other sectors, including even the newcomers to emissions trading

The ways we use our land and forests require urgent changes which should be in line with the speed and scale of the climate emergency we are facing. The upcoming presentation of the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package, with the revision of the LULUCF Regulation, is the right moment

These briefings summarise the impacts of global warming at and above 1.5°C relative to pre-industrial levels. Key information is extracted from the Special Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of its sixth assessment report cycle (AR6). These Special Reports are: The Special Report on the Impacts of

The Trans European Energy Infrastructure regulation (TEN-E), defining the criteria and infrastructure categories for Projects of Common Interest (PCIs), is under revision. This briefing looks at both the ongoing revision process and the costs of the current PCI list (the fifth list) still governed by previous TEN-E rules. It addresses

A group of Bulgarian environmental organizations sent end of June a joint letter to Bulgarian and EU policy makers to express their concerns about funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to be invested in the gasification of a lignite power plant in Maritsa basin. Part of this fossil

OP. ED A post-covid Europe must take far more effort when it comes to tackling climate change. Even with its recently enhanced target of at least 55% emissions reduction by 2030, the EU still fails to keep us safe from a climate catastrophe — argues Wendel Trio, the director of

STUDY REPORT The study analyses employment in the coal mining sector and the coal dependent economy in Turkey. It gives an overview of the mining sector within the context of the wider economy in Turkey, assessing changes in employee profiles relating to their age, gender, union membership and other, worker

With a view to achieve the objectives of the Renovation Wave, the European Commission committed to revise the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and to align it with the higher 2030 climate ambition as part of the so-called Fit for 55 package. In line with the vision set by

The revamped Renewable Energy Directive should set an EU binding renewable energy target of at least 50% by 2030, paving the way towards transition to a 100% renewable energy based system by 2040, argues Veerle Dossche from CAN Europe. This op. ed. was first published by EU Observer. With the

PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 17 June 2021 – 20 European climate and energy civil society organisations and networks have signed a fossil gas manifesto asking EU policy-makers to ultimately deliver a fossil gas phase out in Europe by 2035, calling for an immediate end of fossil gas subsidies and ensuring that

EU Ministers will meet on 18 June for the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN Council). They will exchange views on Member States’ Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs), and discuss the future of the European Fiscal Framework. Before the Recovery and Resilience Plans are approved in July, this meeting of

EU Ministers will meet on 18 June for the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN Council). They will exchange views on Member States’ Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs), and discuss the future of the European Fiscal Framework. Before the Recovery and Resilience Plans are approved in July, this meeting of

CONSULTATION June 2021 – The European Green Deal establishes a roadmap for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, fighting biodiversity loss and tackling pollution, while boosting a modern, resource-efficient economy and creating jobs. Energy policy is a central pillar in the European Green Deal and in the decarbonisation of the European economy.

MEDIA ADVISORY What is happening? Following up to the upcoming G7 Summit in the UK, US President Biden will make a visit to Brussels, both for a NATO Summit as well as an EU-US Summit on 15 June 2021 (joint press release by the EEAS and the US department of

PRESS RELEASE   Brussels, 11 June 2021 – Europe’s energy ministers have decided to extend subsidies for  fossil gas in today’s approval of the Energy Council’s position for the revision of the energy infrastructure legislation (TEN-E) – a move highly criticised by climate groups and which is not in line

Following an agreement on a revised EU 2030 target of at least -55% net greenhouse gas emission reductions the European Commission will present in July proposals to revise the EU climate and energy legislation for the period 2021-2030. This position paper addresses key issues for the revision of the EU

LETTER CAN Arab World and CAN Europe sent a letter to energy ministers of the Union for the Mediterranean asking to ensure that all fossil fuels, including gas, are on the phaseout. To: Energy Ministers of Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,

LETTER Renewables are a key part in the transition towards a net zero emissions economy. Combined with energy savings, the various renewable energy sources provide a cost-effective and readily available solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a relatively short timescale. If we want to limit dangerous climate change, then

POSITION PAPER CAN Europe welcomes the Commission’s decision to start a formal investigation into Germany’s promised compensations to the lignite operators RWE and LEAG for closing their power plants. We are in the opinion that the amount of compensations and the foreseen date of closures do not reflect reality, and

Transport emissions in the EU’s Member States keep rising. If the EU is serious about achieving the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C objective, European transport policies must radically change. The report, published today by CAN Europe members, assesses transport policies of the EU and five of its member States, and makes recommendations

Transport emissions in the EU’s Member States keep rising. If the EU is serious about achieving the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C objective, European transport policies must radically change. The report, published today by CAN Europe members, assesses transport policies of the EU and five of its member States, and makes recommendations

LETTER To:  Environment Ministers of EU Member States CC:  Finance Ministers, Development Ministers, Vice President Commissioner for the European Green Deal, Commissioner for International Partnerships   Dear Environment Minister, Delivering on the Paris Agreement and supporting global resilience: tackling inequalities and adaptation challenges in climate vulnerable countries At the Environment