Approaches to protecting the climate
Agreeing on a common climate policy is among the EU's most important projects. However, the conditions, interest groups and views of the individual member states vary greatly.
euro|topics dossiers on the EU's climate policy
Main focus of Monday, 13. November 2006
As an international conference on climate change is taking place in Nairobi, numerous voices are being raised to request much stronger commitment in the struggle against ... » more
As an international conference on climate change is taking place in Nairobi, numerous voices are being raised to request much stronger commitment in the struggle against global warming. They are calling for the objectives fixed by the Kyoto protocol concerning the reduction of greenhouse gases to be greatly surpassed. But the politicians responsible are having a hard time getting a grip on the problem.
More from the press review on the subject » Society, » Global
Main focus of Friday, 1. December 2006
On Wednesday, November 29th, the Commission delivered its verdict on ten member states' CO2 emission plans for the period between 2008 and 2012. It wants to impose ... » more
On Wednesday, November 29th, the Commission delivered its verdict on ten member states' CO2 emission plans for the period between 2008 and 2012. It wants to impose bigger restraints on several countries' emission quotas.
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Europe
Main focus of Thursday, 21. December 2006
The European Commission proposed on Wednesday, December 20th, to impose limits on the CO2 emissions of flight companies. From 2011 on they should become part ... » more
The European Commission proposed on Wednesday, December 20th, to impose limits on the CO2 emissions of flight companies. From 2011 on they should become part of the emissions trading system. What is the scope of such measures?
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » Europe
Main focus of Wednesday, 10. January 2007
This Wednesday, January 10th, the European Commission is due to present an 'action plan for energy efficiency', aimed at guaranteeing the future of energy in ... » more
This Wednesday, January 10th, the European Commission is due to present an 'action plan for energy efficiency', aimed at guaranteeing the future of energy in the EU while fighting global warming. Europe is seeking to multiply the sources of its energy supplies and even considering a return to nuclear energy.
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Energy, » Europe
Main focus of Wednesday, 24. January 2007
Political and industrial solutions to tackle climate changes still have to be found. The European Commission failed to reach consensus on its awaited legal framework ... » more
Political and industrial solutions to tackle climate changes still have to be found. The European Commission failed to reach consensus on its awaited legal framework for a pan-European reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. Newspapers agree on the need for business incentives to protect the environment.
More from the press review on the subject » Environmental Policy, » Europe
All available articles from » Daniela Weingärtner
Main focus of Friday, 2. February 2007
According to the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), due to be made public this Friday, February 2nd, global warming is essentially ... » more
According to the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), due to be made public this Friday, February 2nd, global warming is essentially due to human activity. The press wonders whether the international community is ready to really take up the struggle against this phenomenon.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Environmental Policy, » Global
All available articles from » Fran Sevilla
Main focus of Thursday, 8. February 2007
After a two-week delay, the European Commission has reached an agreement on future regulations for carbon dioxide emissions from new cars. The limit is now ... » more
After a two-week delay, the European Commission has reached an agreement on future regulations for carbon dioxide emissions from new cars. The limit is now 130 grams per kilometre - 10 grams more than the originally proposed 120. Some regard the EU compromise as a step forwards in climate protection, while others see it as a step backwards and a victory for the car lobby.
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » Corporations, » Europe
All available articles from » Anke Westphal
Main focus of Wednesday, 7. March 2007
What should be done to stop climate change? Must we all start making changes and stop using planes, as politicians are now discussing? Current EU ... » more
What should be done to stop climate change? Must we all start making changes and stop using planes, as politicians are now discussing? Current EU President Angela Merkel plans to make climate protection the main agenda at the EU summit that begins tomorrow and establish fixed goals. However, there is no consensus between the 27 EU member states on the subject.
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Energy, » Europe, » Global
Main focus of Tuesday, 13. March 2007
At the end of the European summit organised last week, three objectives were set for 2020 in order to fight global warming: » more
At the end of the European summit organised last week, three objectives were set for 2020 in order to fight global warming: bring the consumption of renewable energies up to 20 %, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 % compared to 1990 and decrease the total use of energy in the EU by 20 %. Can the EU rise to such ambitions ?
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Energy, » Europe
Weather or climate?
The Independent - United Kingdom | Thursday, 20. July 2006
The daily offers readers "a primer in climate change for doubters" on the day [Wednesday, July 19] that the mercury hit a record 38,8C in ... » more
The daily offers readers "a primer in climate change for doubters" on the day [Wednesday, July 19] that the mercury hit a record 38,8C in the British Isles. "By itself a single hot day is not proof that our climate is changing. The summer of 1911 was extremely hot, long before anyone had ever heard of global warming. But a pattern is emerging. The three warmest years on record globally have all occurred since 1998 - and 19 of the warmest 20 since 1980. According to Nasa, last year was the warmest since reliable thermometers became widely available. ... The overwhelming scientific consensus is that most of this warming is caused by rising CO2 emissions directly attributable to human burning of nature's vast stores of coal, oil and natural gas. In the face of this, the silence on global warming from the leaders of the rich world gathered in St. Petersburg was deafening."
» more information (external link, English)
More from the press review on the subject » Environmental Policy, » Energy, » Global
Criticism of the EU's climate policy
Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Wednesday, 7. February 2007
The European Commission has agreed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new European cars from the current level of 160 to 120 grams per kilometre ... » more
The European Commission has agreed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new European cars from the current level of 160 to 120 grams per kilometre by 2012. This decision prompts Alexander Hagelüken to portray "eco warrior" Stavros Dimas. "Dimas' missionary zeal is making the European environment commissioner many enemies. His climate protection measures have turned half of Germany's industry against him in recent weeks. First the power companies complained that it would cost them billions if they are forced to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. Then the airlines fought against measures to make plane tickets more expensive. And for the past few days carmakers have been warning that tens of thousands of jobs will be lost as a result of the Greek commissioner's introduction of legal limits for emissions from their cars, to be announced on Wednesday."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » Corporations, » Europe
All available articles from » Alexander Hagelüken
Hospodářské noviny - Czech Republic | Wednesday, 7. February 2007
The evidence of climate change has prompted the European Commission to announce plans to impose a mandatory cap on carbon dioxide emissions from cars. Vladmir Piskacek and Radek Honzak refer to the plans as a "revolutionary change in direction", but go on to describe things from the carmakers' point of view: » more
The evidence of climate change has prompted the European Commission to announce plans to impose a mandatory cap on carbon dioxide emissions from cars. Vladmir Piskacek and Radek Honzak refer to the plans as a "revolutionary change in direction", but go on to describe things from the carmakers' point of view: "The price of a car will increase by 1,500 to 2,500 euros and unemployment will also rise. These are the likely repercussions of accepting the European Commission's proposal, according to Martin Jahn, member of the executive board at Skoda. 'In this case I would consider moving car production further east to compensate for the extra costs', says Jahn. Other carmakers are angry too. Porsche boss Wendelin Wiedeking commented: 'This is about the French and the Italians waging economic war against the Germans.'"
» full article (external link, Czech)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » Corporations, » Europe
All available articles from » Radek Honzak
Népszabadság - Hungary | Saturday, 10. March 2007
At the summit meeting of EU heads of state and government on March 9th, the decision was made to increase the proportion of renewable energies used by 20 percent. After a long period of stagnation it now seems the EU's German-French engine has suddenly sprung back to life, writes the paper's Brussels correspondent László Szőcs: » more
At the summit meeting of EU heads of state and government on March 9th, the decision was made to increase the proportion of renewable energies used by 20 percent. After a long period of stagnation it now seems the EU's German-French engine has suddenly sprung back to life, writes the paper's Brussels correspondent László Szőcs: "Although the French got their way by having prominent mention made of the potential of nuclear power (despite protests from Austria and Ireland), the German presidency was nonetheless able to achieve a consensus among the different positions." However, Szőcs points out that the EU still has a long way to go before it has a common energy policy: "Cyprus needs energy to cool down the country. Denmark needs energy to heat. Finland is expanding its nuclear power facilities while Germany is reducing them. The EU has called for measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which will have a negative impact on the German car industry, while Italian and French cars already fulfil the requirements."
» full article (external link, Hungarian)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Energy, » Europe
All available articles from » László Szőcs
Emissions trading
Hufvudstadsbladet - Finland | Monday, 4. December 2006
According to an EU Commission report, most member states are trying to avoid reducing CO2 emissions. Björn Sundell advises: » more
According to an EU Commission report, most member states are trying to avoid reducing CO2 emissions. Björn Sundell advises: "Nine out of ten countries will now be forced by the commission to revise their emissions plans, Germany and Lithuania included. The EU thus becomes the first region in the world to try, using emissions trading, to limit the discharge of carbon dioxide. The model should be up and functioning as of 2008. And if it actually works, it can be a model for other countries. The commission will have to be tough, but fair. Tough, to ensure emissions trading leads to investment in the environment; fair, to stop member countries from use creative accounting to dodge the Kyoto protocol."
» full article (external link, Swedish)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Europe
All available articles from » Björn Sundell
Respekt - Czech Republic | Wednesday, 15. November 2006
Journalist Tomas Sachr comments on emissions trading in the Czech Republic: » more
Journalist Tomas Sachr comments on emissions trading in the Czech Republic: "The British government's report on the economic repercussions of climate change has shaken the world, and more and more countries are now prepared to take active measures to reduce emissions. However, the Czech state plans to do the opposite. Despite the fact that carbon dioxide emissions in the Czech Republic went down to 82 million tonnes last year, the Czech government wants to apply for an allowance of 102 million tonnes per year. Why? Apparently because forecasts predict that the country's emissions will increase as a result of economic growth." According to Sachr, the problem is that many EU countries are doing the same and this could undermine the efficacy of the whole system of emissions trading. Companies that produce less carbon dioxide than estimated can sell their 'certificates' to other companies that are above their limit. However, because there is a surplus of carbon dioxide certificates, they are going down in value. "The low value of the certificates is undermining companies' motivation to reduce their emissions, so it's getting to the point where the whole system doesn't make sense any more."
» full article (external link, Czech)
More from the press review on the subject » Environmental Policy, » Trade, » Corporations, » Czech Republic
All available articles from » Tomas Sachr
Climate policy and the economy
Le Temps - Switzerland | Thursday, 22. June 2006
In an editorial, Pierre Veya praises Switzerland's adoption of a tax on CO2 gas emissions. "To tell the truth, Switwerland, which was at the cutting ... » more
In an editorial, Pierre Veya praises Switzerland's adoption of a tax on CO2 gas emissions. "To tell the truth, Switwerland, which was at the cutting edge of ecological policy 20 years ago, has fallen behind. ... Another issue is too often absent from the debate. A CO2 tax helps to reestablish an equitable balance of energy sources and offers new technologies a chance to get off the ground. Contrary to the doomsday prophecies of certain economic circles, setting strict ecological criteria is not an obstacle to economic growth. On the contrary, it is undoubtedly one of the conditions - and one of the most effective as well - for averting an oil shock that seems increasingly inevitable. The road will be long and difficult. The CO2 tax is at last pointing us in the right direction."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Environmental Policy, » Energy, » Switzerland
All available articles from » Pierre Veya
euro|topics magazine articles on the EU's energy policy
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