The current health crisis has taught us an important lesson: building resilience is the most efficient solution to protect us from global threats – even when they might appear distant. What is evident for health crisis is also valid for climate and energy. The sooner we prepare, the smaller the

On 9 December select Leaders of the African Union and European Union meet to progress negotiations on the new EU Africa Partnership Strategy. Ahead of the meeting, which predes a Summit in 2021, Climate Action Network Europe sent the letters below on the subjects of civil society participation, and on

The current status of the TEN E revision is not in line with the Commission’s proposal for a 55% climate target for 2030, and much less with the science-based target of 65%. It is necessary to end subsidising unneeded fossil gas projects today, to reach those targets and avoid converting

At a press conference organised by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe together with members from Central and Eastern Europe today, climate and environment NGOs have urged the prime ministers from the region to back the much-needed increase of the EU’s 2030 climate target at the upcoming European Council, on 10-11

According to the Climate Change Performance Index 2021 (CCPI), published today, the EU won six ranks from last year, but the index paints a mixed picture of progress on climate action within the EU. The CCPI, which is published by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute and Climate Action Network (CAN) International, evaluates

MEDIA ADVISORY On 8-9 December, the Commission, Parliament and Council will take a final decision on the 240 billion euro Regional Development and Cohesion Funds, and the 17.5 billion euro Just Transition Fund. Legislators are expected to horse trade a deal that will allow the financing of fossil gas. EU

The prime minister of the United Kingdom has announced a new, increased climate target for 2030 of at least 68% greenhouse gas emission cuts, just in time before he co-organises the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement. This announcement is also taking place a few days ahead of a European

New analysis of national plans, policies and measures in six Central and Eastern European countries, reveals inadequate action to tackle energy poverty. The report, prepared by NGOs and researchers across Europe, finds that Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia have failed to provide a clear definition of energy poverty

The Recovery & Resilience Facility (RRF), the Just Transition Fund (JTF) and the European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund (ERDF/CF) represent an unprecedented investment in EU economic recovery, structural reforms and regional development. How these funds are designed and spent depends on member states’ priorities and will send a

Enerji Şartı Anlaşması enerji sektöründe faaliyet gösteren yabancı yatırımcıları koruyan ve yatırımcıların devlet önlemlerini Yatırımcı-Devlet Uyuşmazlık Çözümü mekanizmasına (YDUÇ) götürmelerine olanak veren uluslararası bir anlaşmadır. Bu anlaşma, Avrupa Birliği’nin (AB) iklim taahhütleri ile uyumsuzdur ve gerekli reformlar tartışılmadığı ya da diğer imzacılar tarafından reformlara itiraz edildiği için halihazırdaki modernleşme süreci

New data on greenhouse gas emission reductions in the EU published today in the European Environment Agency (EEA)’s annual ‘trends and projections’ assessments show a 4% emissions decrease in 2019 from 2018, showing that deep emission cuts are possible and can be achieved irrespective of economic trends. Nevertheless, higher emission

REPORT New analysis of national plans, policies and measures in six Central and Eastern European countries, reveals inadequate action to tackle energy poverty. The report, prepared by NGOs and researchers across Europe, finds that Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia have failed to provide a clear definition of energy

Recent developments in the Western Balkans countries indicate that they can take concrete actions and join the EU in tackling the climate crisis, but the progress made so far is not enough. By: Belgrade Open School, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, Eco-team, Green Home, HEAL, REC Albania The recently published

The Energy Community Secretariat’s 2020 Implementation Report highlights some of the key obstacles in transforming the energy system of the involved countries, including the Western Balkans, in the foreseen timeline. The Energy Community still does not have a 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, as well as targets for renewable

A new briefing published today by NGOs across Europe underlines the importance of a climate- friendly Common Agriculture Policy to ensure that the agriculture sector contributes to the objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. This document, coming out during the trialogue negotiations

The new briefing published by CAN Europe and its members across Europe underlines the importance of a climate- friendly Common Agriculture Policy to ensure that the agriculture sector contributes to the objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. This document, coming out during

To ensure the Competition Policy’s alignment with the European Green Deal, the state aid regime must be revised, taking the Union’s 2050 climate neutrality and new 2030 GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction targets, as well as zero pollution and circular economy strategies into account. The Green Deal alignment should be

At a European summit dedicated to enhancing the EU’s response to the COVID outbreak, prime ministers of Poland and Hungary reiterated their opposition to the EU budget and recovery funds on the issue of the rule of law, while a quick endorsement of the financial stimuli is needed to allow

Climate Action Network Europe supports the European Commission’s ambition to boost the share of renewables in our energy consumption, looking at significantly increasing the offshore renewable energy share with its Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy. A substantial increase of offshore wind can be achieved, while preserving our seas and oceans and

Key elements of the EU’s foreign policy funding will be finalised during ‘trilogue’ talks this week. Raising the climate spending target there could make a vital difference to supporting partner countries to deliver green recovery plans, writes Rachel Simon.

MEDIA ADVISORY The European Commission is expected to unveil its Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy this Thursday 19 November, laying down the sector’s specific contribution to reaching EU’s climate and energy targets.

The two lead-committees of the European Parliament failed to fully exclude fossil gas from the scope of the 672,5 billion euro Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), contradicting the Parliament’s multiple earlier commitments to end fossil fuel subsidies or the recent call for 60% greenhouse gas emission cuts in the EU

Ahead of the vote of the two lead-committees of the European Parliament on the EU recovery fund, MEPs call for an exclusion of fossil fuels – including gas – from EU public funds, especially the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), in a cross-party letter.

The outcome of the US elections must serve as a game-changer in US international climate leadership. Unlike his predecessor who chose to ignore the science, the Biden administration has committed to putting his country back on track with the Paris Agreement goals, a great signal for the world.

“The Energy Community Contracting Parties have legal obligations regarding the prohibition of state aid that distorts or threatens to distort competition, which must be respected.(1) State aid authorities in the Contracting Parties systematically turn a blind eye to this obligation.”(2)

The third round of negotiations to ‘modernise’ the obscure Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is coming to a close. From 3 to 6 November, the 56 contracting parties of the treaty tried to find ways to make the agreement from the 1990s fit for the challenges of the 21st century –

MEDIA ADVISORY On Monday 9 November, the two lead-committees of the European Parliament on the EU recovery fund are set to decide on the scope of the 672,5 billion euro Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), and whether or not fossil fuels will be eligible. If the Parliament is serious about

The Energy Charter Treaty is an international agreement that protects foreign investors in the energy sector and allows them to challenge state measures in Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). The treaty is incompatible with the EU’s climate commitments and the current modernisation process will not fix this, as the necessary reforms

Green 10 members are calling on the European Parliament to exclude fossil fuels from the EU recovery fund, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, ahead of a key vote in the Economic and Budget committees.

Funding fossil gas infrastructure with the EU’s finite financial resources is unlikely to be a fruitful investment for helping the European economy bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic induced shock. The 2021-27 EU budget and the economic recovery package, together some 1.82 trillion euros, risk missing their purpose if the

CAN Europe on behalf of member groups in France, Germany and Spain urged the European Commission to take all the necessary measures to ensure all national and EU recovery funding is truly delivering on climate action and the ecological transition.

This document aims to provide details in support of CAN Europe’s and its members’ individual organisation responses to the European Commission’s public consultation. The public consultation on the CBAM takes place when the EU has not yet finalised its 2030 climate target setting process, and in advanceof a proposal by

A leaked European Commission proposal reveals that the EU is not serious about ending the protection of fossil fuels under the controversial Energy Charter Treaty. [1] European Commissioners are expected today to sign off proposals to reform the investment agreement, which is currently being renegotiated to ‘modernise’ it, due to

To EU Energy and Climate Ministers, 27 October 2020 Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is Europe’s leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change with over 170 member organisations active in 38 European countries, representing over 1.500 NGOs. ClientEarth is an environmental law charity with offices in London, Brussels, Warsaw, Madrid,

Environment ministers of the European Union met today to discuss their position on the EU Climate Law. Following the recent position of the Parliament which called for an increase of the EU’s 2030 climate target to 60% emission cuts, several ministers advocated for upgrading the proposed goal to 60-65% to

BRIEFING Existing fossil gas supply infrastructure can satisfy EU demand under any scenario, including under a rapid coal phase-out. Making this infrastructure eligible for EU funds would be an ineffective use of taxpayer money and run counter to agreed and proposed climate targets. Additional EU funding would only add to

In view of the discussions on the own-initiative report “The impact on the fishing sector of offshore wind farms and other renewable energy systems” (2019/2158(INI)) in the parliament, we would like to present our views on this topic. Climate change hits our ocean and seas strongly. The rising concentration of greenhouse

This letter from the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) CSO Reference Group sets out key priorities for OECD DAC members on reforming climate finance to support resilient, Paris-aligned recovery in developing countries and to support their implementation of the Paris Agreement, ahead of their October High Level Meeting.

‘The agriculture sector can contribute to the enhanced 2030 climate target, but only if the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) is transformed into a strong, nature-friendly and climate-resilient European agriculture policy’, writes a group of environmental NGOs that represent citizens across European countries.

EU Heads of States and Governments discussed the proposed increase of the EU 2030 climate target but confirmed that a final decision will only be taken at their next meeting in December. To honour the Paris Agreement, the EU needs to substantially increase its commitments to curb greenhouse gas emissions

The European Commission’s comprehensive plan on how to increase energy renovations across the EU, dubbed the Renovation Wave, provides – finally – a strong recognition of the important role of tackling emissions from the building sector. However, doubling the renovation rate of our guzzling houses and offices will not be

MEDIA ADVISORY EU heads of state and government will discuss the level of the new EU 2030 emission reductions target at the European Council this week. Raising the climate ambition of the bloc in line with the Paris Agreement is essential to limit the growing economic costs of global warming,

A new briefing published today by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and ZERO describes how Member States’ National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) can contribute to increased climate action in the EU. The briefing builds upon the report previously published by CAN Europe and ZERO covering opportunities and gaps in

Ahead of the European Council’s discussion on the ambition level of the new 2030 climate target, a unique gathering of businesses, investor groups, local and regional authorities and NGOs published a joint letter calling on the EU leaders to agree on the most ambitious target level.

Ahead of the European Council’s discussion on the ambition level of the new 2030 climate target, a unique gathering of businesses, investor groups, local and regional authorities and NGOs published a joint letter calling on the EU leaders to agree on the most ambitious target level. Signed by 47 organisations

On 17 September 2020, the European Commission has published its assessment on the ambition levels in final National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP). This is an important exercise as National Energy and ClimatePlans are required to describe, in an integrated manner, the Member States’ climate and energy objectives, targets, policies and

The European Parliament today adopted its position on the EU 2030 climate target, calling for an increase to at least 60% emission cuts, excluding removals, a major step forward for EU’s climate ambition and its international leadership in the fight against climate change.

Leaders should take advantage of the recovery fund to bring the climate goals of their citizens to fruition and use experience from the past to shape a green future, write NGO members across Central and Eastern Europe countries.

Today over 180 civil society actors, businesses, youth organisations and, local and regional initiatives from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) call on their governments to catch the wave of the European Green Deal, ahead of the European Council next week where EU governments will discuss the new EU 2030 climate

With this appeal, we would like to turn to you ahead of the European Council on 15-16 October that will be decisive for European climate ambition and the Green Recovery of our economies.

The undersigned CSO networks call on EU leaders to reverse cuts to EU budget funds for partner countries and reinforce solidarity with crisis-affected people.

The Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is set to become a major obstacle for the transition to clean energy. It protects foreign investments in energy supply and is being used by energy companies to extract high compensations from governments that regulate the use or phase-out of fossil fuels. This open letter,

Ahead of the European Parliament’s vote, next Tuesday (06 October) on the European Climate Law, political groups started to table their amendments in order to integrate them into the final Law. According to the leaked documents, the EPP (European People’s Party) is planning to seriously undermine the EU’s climate ambition

For decades, European trade policy has aimed to liberalise international trade, allowing European companies to access foreign markets, raw materials and labour, leading to deregulation often against the public interest and contributing to negative social and environmental impacts both here and abroad. This form of unfettered economic globalisation has deepened

Eight countries(1) located around the Baltic Sea signed today, together with the European Commission, the Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Joint Declaration of Intent. This looks into intensifying the cooperation in offshore wind development as “cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable deployment of offshore wind, through voluntary cooperation will be crucial to ensure

To ensure we reach net zero emissions by 2040, EU Member States need to phase out fossil fuels and commit to a strong reduction in energy consumption and a transition of our energy system to one that is 100% based on sustainable renewable energy sources (RES) by 2040. The current

To ensure we reach net zero emissions by 2040, EU Member States need to phase out fossil fuels and commit to a strong reduction in energy consumption and a transition of our energy system to one that is 100% based on sustainable renewable energy sources (RES) by 2040. The current

A report commissioned by the French government on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, to be presented to French Prime Minister today shows that solely the expansion of beef production in the Mercosur region as a result of the deal would accelerate deforestation by at least 25% annually and destroy 36,000 km2

The members of the European Parliament (EP) have voted for maximising the energy efficiency potential of the EU building stock[1], calling on the European Commission to develop consistent measures to stimulate a faster and deeper renovation of buildings. Buildings consume 40 percent of all energy in the EU and emit

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed the new target in her state of the (European) Union address at the European Parliament yesterday. She said “the Western Balkans are the European Union” and called the region “a part of Europe, and not a stopover on the

In her first State of the Union, European Commission president Von der Leyen tabled a proposal for at least 55% emission cuts for the EU by 2030, up from the previous 40% target. This substantial increase in emission reductions in the short term is a welcome step provided the urgent

PRESS RELEASE The European Parliament has adopted its position on the Just Transition Fund (JTF), and has allowed for fossil gas subsidies to be included while the goal of the fund is to support fossil-fuel reliant regions in their swift transition to climate neutrality, away from fossil fuels. This vote

The European Commission will likely launch on Thursday 17 September a proposal to increase the EU’s 2030 climate target to -55% emission reductions and removals of greenhouse gases, as compared to 1990 levels. This is a substantial increase from the current at least -40% target, though the two cannot be fully

The members of the Environment committee of the European Parliament have set their position on the European Climate Law. By endorsing a 2030 climate target for the EU of 60% emission reductions, up from the current 40%, they made a key step closer to what is needed to achieve the

The final National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) show that 11 out of 18 EU coal-countries do not have a Paris-compatible plan to phase-out coal by 2030, finds new report entitled Just Transition or Just Talk – 2020, published by Ember and Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe.   Seven countries do

Science confirms that the best way to prevent dramatic climate change is to cut greenhouse gas emission by 65% by 2030. The following four recent studies illustrate the benefits of ambitious climate action in the EU. The higher the 2030 climate target, the higher the social and economic benefits According

In a joint letter, CAN Europe, the EEB, and Greenpeace call on the European Commission to investigate state aid provisions within the German coal exit law. The letter to Commissioners Vestager, Timmermans and Sinkevičius comes with an annex listing the five minimal conditions for approval of the law. TO: Margrethe

The members of the Environment committee of the European Parliament have set their position on the European Climate Law. By endorsing a 2030 climate target for the EU of 60% emission reductions, up from the current 40%, they made a key step closer to what is needed to achieve the

We are deeply concerned about the position taken by the European Parliament’s REGI Committee in the negotiations on the Just Transition Fund (JTF), proposing to subsidise new fossil gas investments. The European Commission’s own scenarios for a long term strategy that would see the EU hitting carbon neutrality by 2050

CAN Europe’s submission focuses on the work strands that are currently covered byCAN Europe’s submission focuses on the work strands that are currently covered byCAN Europe, namely the system development under the Ten Year NetworkDevelopment Plan (TYNDP), transparency issues and methane leakage.

The final National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) show that 11 out of 18 EU coal-countries do not have a Paris-compatible plan to phase-out coal by 2030, finds new report entitled Just Transition or Just Talk – 2020, published by Ember and Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe.  

REPORT National Energy and Climate Plans reveal that the EU countries set to receive most of the Just Transition Fund plan to stick with coal – or swap it for fossil gas.

Science confirms that the best way to prevent dramatic climate change is to cut greenhouse gas emission by 65% by 2030. The following four recent studies illustrate the benefits of ambitious climate action in the EU.

The upcoming Strategic Communication on the Renovation Wave is crucial to deliver on the objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU Recovery Plan, since faster and deeper energy renovations are a must for a climate-neutral Europe and a clear win-win investment priority for a green and fair recovery.

Türkiye-AB Sivil Toplum Diyaloğu Beşinci Dönem Hibe Programı çerçevesinde, Türkiye Ekonomi Politikaları Araştırma Vakfı (TEPAV), Güneydoğu Avrupa Değişim Ağı (SEE Change Network) ve Avrupa İklim Eylem Ağı (CAN Europe) ortaklığında Nisan 2019 – Haziran 2020 tarihleri arasında yürütülmüş olan “Türkiye 2050 Hesaplayıcısı: İklim Politikası Diyaloğunun Desteklenmesi” projesi kapsamında “Türkiye ekonomisinin karbondan arındırılması:

Within the scope of the Civil Society Dialogue Program (Fifth Phase), Turkey Economic Policy Research Foundation (TEPAV), Southeast Europe Change Network (SEE Change Network) and the Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe have conducted the project “Turkey 2050 Calculator: Climate Policy Dialogue” from April 2019 to June 2020. The report “Decarbonization of Turkey’s

Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe strongly condemns the unjustified detention of local members of the CAN network and is deeply concerned about their safety.  

People around the world keep turning to the courts as politicians fail to deliver anything close to the necessary level of climate action. The Portuguese children’s case filed today with the European Court of Human Rights, is the most recent one in Europe that is trying to hold European countries

Von der Leyen should look for a commissioner that brings trade policy in line with climate ambition to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C, after her trade chief, Phil Hogan, resigned yesterday evening.

CAN Europe welcomes the preparation of the EU offshore renewable energy strategy. To ensure we reach net zero emissions by 2040, EU Member States need to phase out fossil fuels and commit to a strong reduction in energy consumption and a transition of our energy system to one that is

According to youth climate activists who met with the German Chancellor yesterday, Angela Merkel announced that Germany will not ratify the EU-Mercosur Agreement in its current form. This news came after the mobilisation of 1.7 million Europeans calling upon the EU to stop the EU-Mercosur Agreement [1].

CAN Europe’s submission focuses on the work strands that are currently covered by CAN Europe, namely the system development under the Ten Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) and transparency issues.

CAN Europe calls upon the Commission to build policy frameworks that guarantee economy-wide transformations that meet several environmental objectives. This letter specifically focuses on the policy tools being developed in the context of industrial transformation, spanning across the Industrial Strategy and the Circular Economy Action Plan. The European Green Deal

Are EU member-states in Southeast Europe ready for timely and just transition beyond coal? For the Western Balkans, membership hopefuls, the question is how much longer can public subsidies and Chinese loans keep coal zombie alive at growing cost to health, livelihoods, and the environment? Energy transition to climate-neutral Europe means

CAN Europe is asking both policymakers and grid operators to make the TYNDP fully compatible with the Paris Agreement. European energy infrastructure urgently needs to be prepared for a 100% renewable energy system, making use of all flexibility options in a swift and cost-effective way.

Europe is once again hit by heat waves. Impacts of the climate crisis are threatening lives, livelihoods, jobs and fundamental rights of many Europeans. The EU must urgently and drastically  increase its 2030 climate target and direct all EU funds towards a just transition to climate neutrality to protect its

Are EU member-states in Southeast Europe ready for timely and just transition beyond coal? For the Western Balkans, membership hopefuls, the question is how much longer can public subsidies and Chinese loans keep coal zombie alive at growing cost to health, livelihoods, and the environment?

More links between air pollution and Covid-19 cases, hospital admissions, and deaths are discovered by the study of 355 municipalities in the Netherlands conducted by the IZA Institute of Labour Economics(1). Other studies found that long term exposure to PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) can reduce lung

For the first time, EU leaders will discuss the European Commission’s proposals for a revised long-term EU budget, including significant recovery funding to address the economic shortfall caused by COVID-19, at an online European Summit this Friday. By focusing EU recovery spending on the green transition towards climate neutrality, heads

EU Heads of State and Government agreed on a more ambitious green recovery proposal, which includes an increase of the climate action spending target to 30%, with a view to achieving the new EU 2030 climate target that is to be updated by the end of the year.

As Europe’s energy system transitions, its infrastructure needs are also changing. The need to reflect higher climate and energy targets, to accelerate the phase out of all fossil fuels, and build out of renewable energy, the role of decentralised technologies and the need to support a more democratically-owned energy system

Future energy infrastructure planning in Europe needs to be fully aligned with the Paris Agreement. CAN Europe recommends to increase variation of TYNDP 2022 storylines by assessing higher ambition of greenhouse gas emission reductions. In order to reach the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement, a trajectory towards net-zero emissions

A new report published by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and CEE Bankwatch Network identifies concrete investment proposals as listed in National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) of 14 Member States to be funded in order to ensure a green recovery. The report titled “EU Funds for a Green Recovery”,

Ahead of the Special European Council on 17-18 July and the G20 Finance Ministers Summit on July 18-19 2020, these letters call on EU decision-makers to support an EU recovery package which will support a green and just transition through:

The report “EU funds for a Green Recovery: Recommendations for Member States to steer EU regional and recovery funding towards climate neutrality”, published by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and CEE Bankwatch Network, identifies concrete investment proposals as listed in National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) of 14 Member States

The European Commission aims to make hydrogen a crucial part of becoming climate-neutral, proposing a massive scale up in the short term, but needs to focus early enough on hydrogen produced with renewable electricity, the only hydrogen able to deliver the needed climate benefits in hard to decarbonise sectors. The

The EU’s Clean Hydrogen Alliance, set to be launched on 8 July, is proposed to play an important role in implementing the future Hydrogen Strategy of the European Union. However, the undersigned organisations are concerned that the proposed Alliance risks establishing a clear conflict of interest by granting industry undue

The Committee for regional development of the European Parliament has adopted its position on the Just Transition Fund. By allowing the fund to finance fossil gas, they set the Parliament up against the European Commission and the Council, while diverting away from earlier European Parliament’s decisions to end fossil fuel