• $7 billion funding package extends Germany’s climate protection contracts to include carbon capture and storage (CCS) for the first time.• Targets heavy industries — chemicals, steel, cement, and glass...
The European Commission has committed €4 million ($4.3 million) to support the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) through the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation...
The European Union and the United States have finalized a landmark trade agreement that will see Europe import $750 billion worth of American energy by 2028, while European firms channel...
The European Commission has formally designated 44 oil and gas companies to develop CO₂ storage capacity across Europe, aligning with the EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act and Industrial Carbon Management Strategy....
Key Impact Points: EU Advances Carbon Removal Standards The Council has finalized a regulation to establish the EU’s first certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming, and carbon storage...
The European Parliament’s recent vote to delay the EU deforestation regulation signals a shift that could impact environmental and trade policies for years to come. While the law was originally...
Follow ESG News on LinkedIn This week, the EU and the US seemed to swap roles as California advanced its climate disclosure law, maintaining the 2026 reporting deadline for large...
The European Union has officially pushed back the enforcement of its pivotal Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), a move confirmed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Originally set...
The European Commission is addressing gaps in the transposition of several EU directives across Member States. The lack of national measures hampers harmonized implementation and compliance with EU law. Here’s...
The European Commission has initiated a public consultation on its draft proposal to introduce the EU Flight Emissions Label (FEL). This voluntary initiative is designed to provide passengers with standardized...
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Board has approved €5.3 billion in financing to boost climate resilience and bolster business competitiveness. This investment will support cities, businesses, and communities in Europe...
The Commission’s Approval The European Commission has approved Poland’s €1.2 billion (PLN 5 billion) state aid scheme, designed to drive investments in sectors crucial for the shift to a net-zero...
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has revealed the team that will lead the EU’s most powerful institution for the next five years, with a clear focus on addressing...
The European Commission has approved a €682 million ($756.54 million) Belgian state aid package to support the growth of offshore wind energy. The funds will back the construction and operation...
The 2024 State of the Energy Union report highlights the EU’s significant progress in ensuring secure, competitive, and affordable energy, while also laying the groundwork for future economic growth and...
Europe’s climate is changing fast, bringing extreme weather that poses significant risks to the region’s economy, environment, and health. With the continent warming at twice the global average since 1980,...
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has taken another significant step towards sustainability by issuing a new EUR 5 billion Climate Awareness Euro Area Reference Note (EARN). This 10-year bond, due...
The European Commission’s REPowerEU Plan, launched in May 2022, aims to transform Europe’s energy landscape by reducing reliance on Russian fossil fuels and boosting renewable energy production. This strategic move...
The European Commission has released detailed guidelines on the implementation of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The CSRD, introduced through Directive (EU) 2022/2464, aims to enhance transparency and...
The EU has introduced a comprehensive law aimed at enhancing the sustainability of products in the market. The new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation expands on the existing Ecodesign Directive,...
The European Commission has announced a record €7 billion investment in sustainable, safe, and smart transport infrastructure through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). This marks the largest call under the...
EU Imposes Provisional Duties on Chinese BEVs The European Commission has imposed provisional countervailing duties on battery electric vehicle (BEV) imports from China, nine months after initiating an anti-subsidy investigation....
Key Impact Points: The European Commission has approved a €3 billion Swedish scheme to support carbon capture and storage (CCS) aimed at reducing biogenic CO2 emissions. This initiative aligns with...
The European Central Bank (ECB) has published its second set of climate-related financial disclosures, which provides information on the carbon footprint of its portfolios and their exposure to climate risks,...
EIT InnoEnergy, the leading innovation engine in sustainable energy supported by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT), announces the launch of the European Solar Academy. Mandated by the...
Executive Summary The European Investment Bank (EIB) is supporting RWE’s new 1.1 GW Thor wind farm in the Danish North Sea with a €1.2 billion green loan. This project aligns...
After the rightward turn in Europe’s elections last week, few people thought that the EU would continue its streak of leadership sustainability policies. In a surprise move, the environment ministers...
Executive Summary The European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) have proposed new categories for financial products under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) to address greenwashing and improve clarity for investors. The...
The Council formally adopted the – first of its kind – regulation on nature restoration. This law aims to put measures in place to restore at least 20% of the...
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an Italian scheme to support a total of 4590 MW of new capacity for electricity production from renewable energy sources....
The European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA – ESAs) published their Final Reports on Greenwashing in the financial sector. Key Impact Points: The European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA,...
With the decisions adopted today, the European Union and Euratom will leave the Energy Charter Treaty, while member states will be allowed to support its modernisation during the next Energy...
The Council has adopted a directive promoting the repair of broken or defective goods, also known as the right-to-repair (or R2R) directive. This legislation will make it easier for consumers to...
The EU and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a bilateral partnership to cooperate on sustainable critical and strategic minerals. The MoU was signed on behalf of the EU by...
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a fourth Important Project of Common European Interest (‘IPCEI’) to support research, innovation and the first industrial deployment in the...
The Council has adopted a regulation on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem, better known as the ‘net-zero industry act’. This is the last...
The European Union has taken a significant step towards its green transition goals with the final approval of the Ecodesign Regulation by the Council. This regulation aims to enhance the...
The Council has formally adopted the corporate sustainability due diligence directive. This is the last step in the decision-making procedure. The directive adopted today introduces obligations for large companies regarding...
Antoni Ballabriga, Global Head of Sustainability Intelligence & Advocacy at BBVA and member of the EU High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Scaling Up Sustainable Finance in Low and Middle-income Countries,...
The Council has given its final approval to the directive on time limits for the adoption of sustainability reporting standards for certain sectors and third country undertakings, which amends the...
The Commission is awarding nearly €720 million to seven renewable hydrogen projects in Europe, selected through the first competitive bidding process under the European Hydrogen Bank.The funds for this auction come from the...
Following an alert from the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), the European Commission and EU consumer authorities (Network of Consumer Protection Cooperation – CPC – Authorities) sent letters to 20 airlines identifying...
Last-minute deals and a series of failed votes threatened to block the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD – also known as the CS3D), but a weakened version squeaked...
The revised law aims to reduce air pollution in the EU for a clean and healthy environment for citizens, and to achieve the EU’s zero air pollution vision by 2050....
On Wednesday, Parliament gave a final green light to new rules obliging firms to mitigate their negative impact on human rights and the environment. The European Parliament approved with 374...
On Wednesday, Parliament adopted new measures to make packaging more sustainable and reduce packaging waste in the EU. The regulation, which aims to tackle constantly growing waste, harmonise internal market...
Last year’s emissions under the EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS) show the most significant annual emissions reductions since the ETS was launched in 2005. The main driver is the power...
The fate of the European Union’s ambitious Nature Restoration Law (NRL) is in jeopardy after several member states reversed their initial support for the legislation. The NRL, a cornerstone of...
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, launched a consultation on Draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) related to the registration and supervision of external reviewers...
The European Commission has imposed a record €1.8 billion (around $2 billion) fine on Apple for anti-competitive practices related to music streaming apps on the App Store. This landmark decision...
The failure of EU Member States to approve the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) stalls the much-needed law that helps address the acute needs of people, the environment and...
Council and European Parliament negotiators reached a provisional political agreement today on a regulation to establish the first EU-level certification framework for for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in...
The Internal Market and Environment committees adopted on Wednesday their position on the rules on how firms can validate their environmental marketing claims. The so-called green claims directive complements the already-approved...
The Commission welcomes an agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on the most ambitious and comprehensive reform of the EU’s economic governance framework since the aftermath of the...
For a more sustainable and resilient food system, MEPs support a simpler process for NGT plants equivalent to conventional plants, while others must follow stricter rules. Parliament adopted its position...
The European Union (EU) is on a mission to rescue us from the confusion and chaos of eco-marketing claims, and it is perfect timing as we head into a new...
Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional deal on the Net-Zero industry Act to bolster EU production in technologies needed for decarbonisation. The “Net-Zero industry Act” sets a target for...
The European Union is committed to reaching ‘net zero’ CO2 emissions by 2050. While the major part of this effort will come from reducing current emissions levels in the coming years,...
The Commission has published a detailed impact assessment on possible pathways to reach the agreed goal of making the European Union climate neutral by 2050. Based on this impact assessment,...
The European Commission welcomes today’s adoption of strengthened rules on the use of fluorinated gases (F-gases) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS), which currently represent over 3 percent of the EU’s total...
The Commission has launched a package of measures to support European startups and SMEs in the development of trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) that respects EU values and rules. This follows...
The Council and the European Parliament’s negotiators today reached a provisional political agreement on CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). The aim is to further reduce CO2 emissions in the road transport sector and to...
Parliament has given its final green light to a directive that will improve product labelling and ban the use of misleading environmental claims. The directive adopted today with 593 votes...
Key Impact Points: With 457 votes in favour, 92 against and 32 abstentions, MEPs endorsed a deal reached with the Council to further cut emissions from fluorinated gases. The text foresees...
Key Impact Points: The new rules would make it easier for persons with disabilities to travel in the EU by ensuring access to special conditions, including parking, in all member...
Key Impact Points: The European Commission has approved a €2.9 billion French scheme for supporting investment in green industries (tax credit for investment in green industries) to foster the transition towards a net-zero...
The European Union will begin an anti-dumping investigation into biodiesel imports from China, which the bloc’s industry said has slashed domestic production. In August, it began investigating whether biodiesel from...
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules a €17.7 billion Italian scheme to support the construction and operation of a centralised electricity storage system. The measure contributes...
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €1.3 billion French scheme to support the development of non-fossil flexibility technologies to ensure that the electricity supply matches...
The European Energy Exchange (EEX) has published the 2024 calendars for the auctioning of EU allowances (EUA) and EU Aviation Allowances (EUAA), with the below timings and notes on auction...
The EU and Kenya signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to boost bilateral trade in goods, increase investment flows, and contribute to sustainable economic growth. The EPA provides a platform...
Road vehicles to stay cleaner for longer, to improve air quality On Monday, Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on new rules to reduce road transport emissions for passenger...
The Commission has published its assessment of EU Member States’ draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and issued recommendations to assist Member States in raising their ambitions in line with EU targets for 2030....
The Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached today between the European Parliament and Council on updated EU rules to decarbonise the gas market and create a hydrogen market. The new rules will...
Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on an update to the so-called “ecodesign” regulation that aims to improve various aspects of products throughout their lifecycle to make them more durable and...
At the COP28 in Dubai, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Founder of Breakthrough Energy Bill Gates, and European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer announced the first two European projects to...
The new rules will reduce air, water and soil pollution, and steer large agro-industrial installations in the green transition. Late on Tuesday night, negotiators from the Parliament and Council reached...
The Commission launched the first auction under the European Hydrogen Bank to support the production of renewable hydrogen in Europe, with an initial €800 million of emissions trading revenues, channelled through the Innovation Fund. Producers of...
The Commission is opening the Innovation Fund‘s 2023 call for proposals with a record budget of €4 billion to support the deployment of innovative decarbonisation technologies. The call is funded by revenues from...
The Commission is proposing a Forest Monitoring Law that will plug existing gaps in the information on European forests and create a comprehensive forest knowledge base, to allow Member States, forest owners and forest...
Parliament has adopted its position on a new EU certification framework for technological and natural carbon removals to help achieve EU climate neutrality by 2050. With 448 votes to 65...
The Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached between the European Parliament and Council on a new EU Regulation to reduce energy sector methane emissions in Europe and in our global supply...
EU Climate Commissioner and Chief COP28 Negotiator Wopke Hoekstra met with COP28 President Designate Dr Sultan Al Jaber to discuss the preparations for COP28, which will take place in Dubai, United Arab...
The Environment Committee adopted its demands for the UN Climate Change Conference COP28, which will take stock of the progress on implementing the Paris Agreement. With 56 votes in favour,...
The legislation voted on by the Industry Committee on 25 October 2023, is intended to bolster Europe’s manufacturing output in technologies needed for decarbonisation. The “Net-Zero industry act” sets a...
The Council adopted a regulation creating a European green bond standard. The regulation lays down uniform requirements for issuers of bonds that wish to use the designation ‘European green bond’...
The EU Council has reached an agreement (‘general approach’) on a proposal to update and strengthen the regulation on CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles. The aim of the proposal is...
The EU Commission is proposing for the first time measures to prevent microplastic pollution from the unintentional release of plastic pellets. Currently, between 52 and 184 thousand tonnes of pellets are...
The European Union (EU) has launched the first phase of the world’s first carbon border tariff, a landmark tool designed to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during...
EU antitrust regulators extended their deadline for a decision on Adobe’s (ADBE.O) $20 billion bid for cloud-based designer platform Figma by two weeks to Jan. 8, a regulatory filing showed. The European...
The European Commission will unveil on Wednesday a proposal to make large companies operating in the European Union check that their suppliers from around the world do not use slave...
The European Union’s markets watchdog said it will start working on a legal definition of “greenwashing” to underpin enforcement action as trillions of euros flow into funds that are advertised...
The European Commission took a major step towards including investments in gas and nuclear-based energy in the list of sustainable activities under the new EU taxonomy classification system, with the...
Greek MEP, Eva Kaili, was elected one of the European Parliament’s (EP) 14 vice-presidents on Tuesday. Kaili, who was elected for the Movement for Change (KINAL) party and sits with...
John Calian, SVP of Deutshe Telekom discusses blockchain in mobility with Matt Bird at the Blockchain for Europe (EU Parliament)
Eva Kaili, Head of Hellenic S&D Delegation for the EU Parliament interview with Matt Bird at the Blockchain for Europe (EU Parliament)