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

LETTER Brussels, 3 June 2021   Dear President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Dear President of the European Council, Charles Michel, The upcoming EU US Summit is an important opportunity to revitalize the transatlantic partnership in a way that  addresses the challenges posed by the climate crisis.

The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) provides member states a large-scale financial support for public investments and reforms to support the relaunching of ailing economies in the short term, but also the creation of more sustainable and resilient societies for the future. To do so, RRF funding must also be

LETTER RE: NGO comments on TEN-E discussion in COREPER I (Wednesday 2 June) Dear Deputy Ambassador X, Tomorrow you will discuss the Portuguese Presidency’s proposed General Approach on the TEN-E regulation with your counterparts in COREPER I. We the undersigned civil society organisations (Bellona, CAN Europe, CEE Bankwatch, ClientEarth, E3G,

EU and Member State climate legislation remains off track with the international commitments to stop climate change and limit temperature increase to 1.5°C as agreed in the Paris Agreement. The Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) needs to be substantially strengthened and nationally binding targets increased to ensure a robust overall policy

POLICY BRIEFING The Romanian government’s proposal for CE Oltenia’s restructuring is a test for the European Commission’s commitment to aligning state aid with the European Green Deal. Approving CE Oltenia’s current restructuring plan would lock Romania into fossil fuels for decades and hinder a meaningful just transition plan for the

Exposes Portuguese Presidency failure to negotiate a progressive deal 27th May 2021, Brussels – A leaked version of the Energy Council’s proposed revision to the EU’s key energy infrastructure regulation – seen by NGOs – would lock in political and financial support for fossil gas for at least the next

POSITION PAPER Introduction EU and Member State climate action remain off track with the international commitments to stop climate change and keep temperature increase to 1.5°C as agreed in the Paris Agreement. The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) requires a thorough revision and a substantial increase in ambition in order

MEDIA ADVISORY  What is happening? On 27 May, Heads of the EU institutions will virtually meet with the recently onboarded Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, as their first comprehensive encounter, following up to the May 2020 leaders’ videoconference meeting. This high-level meeting needs to be seen in the context

PRESS RELEASE Civil society organisations welcome the announced halt to plans for the new Kolubara B coal power plant in Serbia as a first step towards concrete action to start tackling air pollution, as well as decarbonising. They underline the need to support coal phaseout by integrated, timely and realistic

LETTER TO: Energy Minister from CEE and island countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) SUBJECT: Concerning fossil gas in the revised TEN-E Regulation   We write to express our concerns regarding proposal for the reintroduction of fossil gas in the revised trans-European infrastructure energy

MEDIA BRIEFING The European Council, the meeting of all EU Heads of State and Government, will come together on 24-25 May, to discuss how the EU can implement its recently adopted target of cutting net emissions by at least -55% in 2030, compared to 1990 levels. The new 2030 target

European leaders must be ready to do more to respect climate science and protect our future, writes Wendel Trio. Wendel Trio is the director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe. Next week climate action will be on the agenda again as EU leaders meet for a summit in Brussels. They

In today’s plenary vote, the European Parliament has agreed on their position to amend the European Commission’s proposal for the revision of the Aarhus Regulation to comply with international law and enable NGOs and citizens to challenge environmental acts that harm the planet and people. In 2017, the UN’s Aarhus

Ahead of the European Council’s discussion on 25 May about the new climate and energy legislation (so called Fit for 55 Package), European businesses, investor groups, local and regional authorities and NGOs published a joint letter to list their expectations. They called upon EU decision makers to ensure that the

Ahead of the European Council’s discussion on 25 May about the new climate and energy legislation (so called Fit for 55 Package), European businesses, investor groups, local and regional authorities and NGOs published a joint letter to list their expectations. They called upon EU decision makers to ensure that the

PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 19 May 2021 – Members of the European Parliament voted today on a European Strategy for Hydrogen (INI  report). They agreed that low carbon hydrogen should have a transitional role which is not in line with putting the EU on track with the Paris Agreement objective of

The role of energy savings in fighting climate change is fundamental and widely acknowledged in the political debate. This is also supported by different scenarios which require a significant reduction of energy demand in order to achieve substantial emission reductions, when exploring ways to reach climate neutrality. However, there is

Comprehensive revision and implementation of Member States’ National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) will play a key role in achieving higher climate and energy ambition in the EU by 2030. While NECPs still need to be updated in order to be aligned with and implement the EU’s higher climate and

POLICY BRIEFING Renewables are a key part in the transition towards a net zero carbon 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. Besides their greenhouse gas emission abatement potential, sustainable

The European Commission’s updated Industrial Strategy published last week was largely disappointing due to how little attention it gives to getting the industry on track to meet key EU environmental and climate objectives. This despite the considerable transformation needed in many important sectors if those targets are to be met,

Introduction EU and Member State climate action remain off track with the international Paris Agreement commitments to prevent dangerous climate change and limit temperature increase to 1.5°C. Nonetheless, recent decisions on EU climate targets – climate neutrality by 2050 and reducing net emissions by at least -55% by 2030 –

The EU’s post-2022 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will play a crucial role in tackling the climate crisis. While the trilogues are ongoing between the EU legislators, Member States have already started developing their national CAP Strategic Plans. CAN Europe members assessed five Member States’ draft Strategic Plans. The report reveals

MEDIA ADVISORY What is happening? On 8 May, EU27 leaders will meet with the Prime Minister Modi of India, in a leader’s meeting which due to COVID19 has been shifted to a virtual format. This follows the 2020 summit and the “EU-India Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025” adopted back

PRESS RELEASE In anticipation of the Porto Social Summit on May 7th, CAN Europe is launching the Just Transformation Vision – underpinned by a set of ten key principles guiding just transitions towards a climate-safe, sustainable, equitable and inclusive society.  Our vision for a societal just transformation levels the importance

The European Commission updated its one-year old Industrial Strategy with a declared aim of accelerating the climate and digital transition. The plan of action presented today leaves the door open to unproven decarbonising technologies that could allow industry to remain on its polluting path whereas there is urgency to cut

Taking action to avert catastrophic climate change is a moral imperative. To not do so would be an act of injustice against those citizens, communities and workers who are most impacted by climate change and industrial pollution. Without immediate and bold action, those most vulnerable will suffer, existing inequalities will

LETTER  To: Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans Director General Mauro Petriccione HoU Tom Van Ierland, advisor Stefan Vergote Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson Director General Ditte Juul Jorgensen HoU Catharina Sikow-Magny, HoU Alejandro Ulzurrun   We write to you in the middle of a climate crisis with unprecedented scale and impact

PRESS RELEASE The initially delayed operation of a new 496-MW power plant unit in Turow (Poland) is supposed to start today. The unit will benefit from EU money via Polish capacity mechanisms, which are often used as backdoor subsidies for unviable economic investments.  Turow coal mine, sharing the border with

Member States are currently developing their plans on how to spend the EU’s long-term budget 2021-2027, together with its recovery instrument (Next Generation EU). CAN Europe members assessed 16 Member States’ draft spending plans to see whether they live up to the Green Deal promises and put over 50 “good,

POLICY BRIEFING The Modernisation Fund is recognised in the European Green Deal Investment Plan as one of the key funding instruments, potentially providing around €25 billion to support Member States in their transition to a climate-neutral society. The Fund will start supporting projects as of 2021. There are many loopholes

PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 22 April 2021. The European Union has not committed to any additional emissions reductions at the Climate Leaders Summit organised by the Biden Administration on top of what the European Council had already agreed last year with a 55% reduction by 2030. The EU needs to go

In the Climate Law trilogues, EU lawmakers rushed an agreement on the Law and failed to deliver on what could have been an ambitious climate governance framework, including a strong 2030 emissions reductions target, and expanding the climate neutrality objective to all Member States individually.

The EU is in breach of the international Aarhus Convention, that grants the public rights regarding access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters. To stop its violation of international law, the EU needs to revise the Aarhus Regulation before the next Meeting of the Parties

Participatory and effective consultations will be key for agreeing ambitious and impactful thematic and geographic programmes under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument that are socially just, and rights-based, and truly address the global biodiversity and climate crises. This statement undersigned by 10 NGOs sets out recommendations for more

MEDIA ADVISORY What is happening? US President, Joe Biden, invited 40 World Leaders to the Leaders Summit on Climate on 22-23 April 2021. This is a critically important initiative as the first step by the US government to focus on climate action in their efforts to show that the US

MEDIA ADVISORY What is happening? As part of its coal phase-out, Germany promised multi-billion Euro payouts to lignite operators for closing their plants. On 2 March 2021, the Commission announced that it would open a formal investigation procedure into those promised compensations based on doubts about their compatibility with EU

This paper lays out the recommendations of WWF, TRAFFIC, Climate Action Network Europe, Conservation International, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Wetlands International for the environment, biodiversity and climate regional initiatives in the EU Sub-Saharan Africa regional multiannual indicative plan for the period 2021 – 2027 with the objective to

Executive Vice-President Timmermans Commissioner Simson Director-General Juul-Jorgensen   Keep the Renewable Energy Directive for renewables – “low-carbon” fuels and non-renewable energies should not be included in any provision of the Renewable Energy Directive. Climate change is the defining challenge of this century. And renewable energy is one of the main

On March 25, the European Parliament adopted country enlargement reports assessing the progress towards the EU accession made by Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia. These reports are a response to the annual EU Commission reports on the candidate and potential candidate countries on the path to EU accession. In

Member States are currently developing their EU funds spending plans to demonstrate to the European Commission how they are going to use the unprecedented amounts of EU budget and recovery funds. A campaign by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, identifies climate and environmental friendly and harmful practices that 13 Member

Developed countries meeting at the UK-hosted Climate and Development Ministerial meeting on March 31st should announce to prepare new pledges for rising climate finance levels for the period 2021-2025, to exceed the $100bn floor.  “Financial support speaks louder than words and European governments must at least double their previous cycle

Photos of the NGO action in front of the Court can be found here.  Recording of the press conference can be found here.  The European Court of Justice announced its judgement in the landmark “People’s Climate Case” initiated by 10 families and the indigenous Saami youth organisation whose fundamental rights

Just five years on from the historic UN Paris Climate Agreement, half of Europe’s 324 coal power plants have either already closed or pledged to shut down before 2030. The halfway milestone was reached this Monday, when the West Burton coal power plant’s retirement by 2022 was announced by the

This letter was sent to President of the European Commission von der Leyen, Executive Vice-President Timmermans, Commissioner Simson, Commissioner Sinkevičus , Minister Matos Fernandes, MEP Guteland and other Members of the European Parliament, and Members of Coreper II. Forest restoration must not offset climate inaction in the agriculture, energy, housing,

Dear President von der Leyen, Vice-President Timmermans and Dombrovskis, Commissioner McGuinness, We are alarmed by a new proposal allowing fossil fuels into the EU taxonomy. This new proposal drafted by the European Commission suggests that fossil gas does no harm to the environment, and therefore could be included as Sustainable

The European Commission committed to revise the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), a cornerstone of the EU energy policy, as part of the Renovation Wave – the flagship initiative of the European Green Deal aiming at increasing the rate and depth of building renovation across the EU. The EPBD,

This letter and attached briefing outlines key recommendations from African and European CSOs on the proposed EU African Green Energy Initiative, financed through support from the EU budget and under the forthcoming EU Africa Partnership Strategy. The recommendations include: Ensure and respect African ownership, multi-stakeholder partnerships and civil society participation

Ahead of tomorrow’s Environment Council’s exchange of views on draft Recovery and Resilience Plans, Europe’s biggest civil society networks sent a joint letter to Ministers to urge them to change course, and to amend draft Recovery and Resilience Plans in order to accelerate EU’s transition towards climate neutrality and ecological

Ahead of the Environment Council on 18 March 2021 where Ministers are expected to exchange views on draft Recovery and Resilience Plans, Europe’s biggest civil society networks sent a joint letter to Ministers to urge them to change course, and to amend draft Recovery and Resilience Plans in order to